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When people find out my job is to write about travel credit cards, they often ask for expert advice. They want to know which of our favorite credit cards I recommend, which cards will complement their existing portfolio, and whether their current everyday card is actually a good choice.
Increasingly, people also want to know which credit card they should get if they want airport lounge access.
Until recently, this question was fairly easy to answer since many cards offered similar lounge benefits. But it’s gotten more complicated over the years. The credit card issuer lounge space has more options than ever, and while some cards have lost perks like guest privileges, many lounges have stepped up their game with spas, exclusive cocktails, and other perks.
If you’re torn between several options, we’ve got you. Here’s a breakdown of what to consider when choosing a credit card for airport lounge access.
Top cards with airport lounge access
| Credit card | Annual fee | Lounge access | Guest allowance |
|---|---|---|---|
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$395 each |
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$795 each |
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$595 |
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$695 each |
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The information for the United Club Business has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
If you have a lounge in your home airport
Presumably, your home airport is where you spend the most time, so let that drive your decision.
For instance, if Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is your home airport, you probably walk past an airline lounge regardless of your preferred airline since the airport is a hub for American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines.
Similarly, if you have an issuer lounge in your home airport, you may want to choose the premium card from that issuer that includes lounge access. Someone whose home base is Dulles International Airport (IAD), for example, may want access to the Capital One Lounge that’s conveniently located just past the airport’s security lines.
On the flip side, not all of us have a wide range of lounge options at home. For example, I used to live in Nashville, and while I love Nashville International Airport (BNA), it has limited lounge options.
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As such, I based my lounge access decision on the airports I frequently traveled through rather than my home base.
If you’re loyal to a specific airline
If you’re loyal to American, Delta or United, you’ll likely benefit from airline-specific lounge access since you’ll most frequently fly through hubs with a lounge.
American Airlines
Frequent American flyers will want to go with the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard since it’s the only credit card with an Admirals Club membership.
Delta Air Lines
If you’re a regular Delta passenger, note that the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card and Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express Card include 15 complimentary Sky Club visits per year. You can unlock unlimited lounge visits by spending $75,000 on the card each calendar year.
United Airlines
United fans will benefit most from the United Club Card or the United Club Business Card, which are the only cards with a United Club membership as a perk.
Of course, if you’re loyal to an airline that doesn’t have its own airport lounges, you can cross these off the list. As a Southwest Airlines loyalist, I knew I didn’t want to limit my lounge access to a specific airline, so I turned my attention elsewhere.
If you want issuer-specific lounge access
For quite a while, American Express cornered the issuer lounge market. But as Capital One and Chase continue to grow their own lounge networks, you may decide you want to choose your credit card based on an issuer’s lounge footprint.
American Express
American Express currently operates 30 Centurion Lounges worldwide, making them the most prominent issuer lounge. If you want access, you’ll most likely want either the Amex Platinum or the Amex Business Platinum.
Beginning July 8, cardmembers (and eligible guests) will only be able to access the Centurion Lounge during a layover of up to five hours before their departing flight. Additionally, guests of cardmembers will need to be traveling on the same flight as a cardmember to enter the lounge. However, note that you have to either pay for guest access or unlock it by spending $75,000 per calendar year on your card.
SkyMiles Reserve and SkyMiles Reserve Business cardmembers can also access Centurion Lounges when flying Delta, as long as the flight was booked on their card. (This excludes basic economy tickets.)
Capital One
While not as well-established as Centurion Lounges, the Capital One Lounge network is growing rapidly.
Currently, there are lounges in five airports:
Another concept, the Capital One Landing, is also open at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). The Capital One Landing is the issuer’s take on an airport restaurant that forgoes traditional lounge amenities for a sit-down dining experience.
Capital One has announced plans to build a new lounge at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) and another Landing at LaGuardia Airport (LGA) in New York City.
To access these lounges, you’ll need the Venture X or the Venture X Business in your wallet.
Chase
Like Capital One, Chase has been asserting its presence in the lounge space with Chase Sapphire Lounges. With their impressive designs and amenities like complimentary facials, they may be aiming for the top spot.
Currently, you can find eight Sapphire Lounges throughout the U.S.:
To get unlimited access to these lounge concepts, you’ll need the Chase Sapphire Reserve, Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business or the Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card.
You can also get one complimentary visit to a Sapphire Lounge per calendar year if you have a Priority Pass Select membership from another credit card.
The information for the Ritz-Carlton card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
If you want more diverse lounge options
If you want a wider range of airport lounge access options, opt for a card with a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership. Priority Pass is a network of more than 1,800 lounges located in 600-plus airports in more than 150 countries.
The best way to get Priority Pass access is with one of the following cards:
**Enrollment required.
Additionally, you can get also Priority Pass access with some other cards:
The information for the U.S. Bank Altitude Connect has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Related: Is a Priority Pass lounge membership actually worth it?
If you want access to Priority Pass restaurants
If you frequently pass through airports with a Priority Pass-affiliated restaurant, getting a card with access can save you big bucks. This perk will cover a portion of the restaurant bill for you and up to one registered guest.
The amount varies by restaurant and is typically $28 per person; you can find the exact amount for each restaurant on the Priority Pass website.
Many cards with Priority Pass Select access have eliminated restaurant access in recent years, but you can still get it as a part of the Priority Pass Select membership on select cards. For example, the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite Credit Card and JetBlue Premier World Elite Mastercard offer this perk.
The information for the Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite and JetBlue Premier World Elite Mastercard cards has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Related: Better food and more options: Why I value Priority Pass’ airport restaurant credit over lounge access
If you want to bring guests for no additional cost
If you frequently travel with a partner or family, you’ll want to choose a card that includes guest access.
While some cards like the Amex Platinum and the SkyMiles Reserve allow you to bring guests into Centurion Lounges for an additional fee (though the Amex Platinum does offer a Priority Pass membership that lets you bring up to two guests into these lounges free of cost), the following cards include complimentary access for the primary cardholder and up to two guests:
Related: A guide to guest policies for airport lounges
If you’re unsure
For someone new to the airport lounge world, committing to a credit card with a hefty annual fee can feel daunting. If you’re not ready to make the jump, consider one of these options to dip your toes in first.
Visit a lounge as someone’s guest
As outlined above, several credit cards include lounge access, allowing cardholders to bring guests. If you have a friend with this access, try to find a time to visit a lounge as their guest to see how you like it.
Get a card with a set number of visits
You can get a limited number of lounge visits without paying a premium annual fee. Consider one of these options if you’re aiming to keep your annual fee costs down:
- U.S. Bank Altitude Connect: With this card, you’ll get four complimentary visits to Priority Pass Select lounges annually for no annual fee, making it a great way to try out some lounges without committing to a high annual fee.
- United℠ Explorer Card (see rates and fees): With this card, you’ll get two one-time United Club passes per year (redeemable for the cardholder or authorized user). There is a $150 annual fee ($0 introductory fee for the first year) with the United Explorer.
Related: Credit cards that offer Priority Pass airport lounge access
Pay for a one-time pass
You don’t necessarily have to have a membership or access through a credit card to get into a lounge. Many lounges allow you to pay out of pocket per visit.
If you often pass by a lounge and are considering applying for a credit card to access it, paying for a visit to see if it’s worth it can be a great option.
Bottom line
You have some great options when choosing a credit card for airport lounge access. The different types of access can feel overwhelming, but deciding which type of access matters most to you is key to landing on a card that’s the perfect fit.
No matter which you choose, you’ll be well on your way to lounging in style on your next layover.
Related: The best premium credit cards: A side-by-side comparison
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum, click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve, click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business, click here.
For rates and fees of the Bonvoy Brilliant, click here.
