Are you tired of battling crowded airports and uncomfortable gate seating? Imagine transforming your travel experience with exclusive access to luxurious airport lounges.
Credit cards with lounge access have become the savvy traveler’s secret weapon, offering a sanctuary from the chaos of busy terminals. From complimentary drinks and snacks to quiet workspaces and comfortable seating, these havens can make your pre-flight hours a pleasure rather than a chore.
However, with so many options available, how do you choose the right one? In this guide, we’ll explore the best credit cards with airport lounge access, helping you elevate your travel game and make every journey feel like first class.
Best Overall
Photo credits to the official American Express website
The Platinum Card® from American Express is the ultimate VIP lounge access credit card, offering unparalleled entry to a vast network of airport lounges worldwide. With an annual fee of $695, it’s a premium option that delivers premium benefits. Cardholders enjoy access to Centurion Lounges, Plaza Premium, Priority Pass, International American Express lounges, Delta Sky Clubs, and Escape Lounges, providing the most comprehensive lounge coverage available.
The welcome offer typically includes a substantial bonus, often as Membership Rewards points, after meeting a specific spending requirement. While the card allows unlimited lounge visits in general, popular lounges may occasionally have capacity issues, potentially leading to wait times.
For frequent travelers seeking the broadest and most luxurious lounge access, the Platinum Card® from American Express is hard to beat. It’s the top choice for those prioritizing comfort and exclusivity in their airport experiences.
Best for Priority Pass and Other Travel Perks
Photo credits to the official Chase Sapphiere Reserve website
When it comes to lounge access credit cards, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® is known for its excellent Priority Pass membership and additional travel perks. With an annual fee of $550, this card offers a compelling package for frequent travelers.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® provides complimentary Priority Pass Select membership, granting access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide. This extensive network ensures you’ll likely find a lounge at most major airports you visit.
Beyond lounge access, the card shines with its travel benefits. Cardholders enjoy a $300 annual travel credit, which automatically applies to a wide range of travel purchases. The card also offers trip cancellation/interruption insurance, auto rental collision damage waiver, and lost luggage reimbursement.
The welcome bonus typically includes a generous amount of Chase Ultimate Rewards points after meeting a specific spending requirement. These points are valuable for travel redemptions, especially when transferred to Chase’s airline and hotel partners.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® doesn’t offer as many lounge options as the Platinum Card from American Express. However, its combination of Priority Pass access and robust travel benefits makes it an excellent choice for travelers seeking a balance of lounge access and comprehensive travel protection.
Best for Lounge Access with a Lower Annual Fee
Photo credits to the official Capital One website
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card offers an attractive solution for those seeking a credit card with lounge access at a more modest price point. With an annual fee of $395, it provides a compelling mix of lounge access and travel benefits at a lower cost than many premium competitors.
This card stands out among credit cards lounge access options for its value proposition. Cardholders gain access to Capital One’s own growing lounge network, as well as Priority Pass lounges worldwide. While the Capital One lounge network is currently small (with only three locations open), it’s expanding, with more lounges planned for major airports.
The Venture X earns miles at competitive rates: 10x on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 5x on flights booked through Capital One Travel, and 2x on all other purchases. These earning rates, combined with a typically generous welcome bonus, add significant value to the card.
One of the card’s strengths is its straightforward approach to lounge access. Unlike some higher-priced competitors, there are fewer restrictions on lounge visits, making it an excellent choice for frequent travelers who want consistent access without breaking the bank.
While it may not offer the extensive lounge network of ultra-premium cards, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card provides a solid lounge access experience at a more accessible price point. This makes it an attractive option for value-conscious travelers.
Best for Lounge Access with No Annual Fee
Photo credits to the official US Bank website
The U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card offers a compelling solution for travelers seeking airport lounge access without breaking the bank. With a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership, cardholders gain access to over 1,500 airport lounges worldwide and enjoy four free visits per year.
The card’s standout feature is its waived annual fee for the first year, making it an attractive option for those new to travel rewards cards. After the introductory period, the $95 annual fee remains relatively affordable compared to premium travel cards offering similar lounge access.
However, starting September 9, 2024, the card will waive its annual fee altogether. Soon, this credit card with lounge access and no annual fee will allow cardholders to experience comfort at the airport without the premium price tag.
The card sweetens the deal with a generous welcome bonus of 50,000 points after meeting the initial spending requirement, equivalent to $500 in travel value. Additional travel perks, including no foreign transaction fees and credits for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, further enhance its appeal.
While the four annual lounge visits may seem limited, they provide a valuable taste of luxury travel for occasional travelers or those testing the waters of airport lounge benefits. The U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card balances affordability and travel perks.
Best Airline Cards with Airport Lounge Access
Credit cards with airport lounge access offered by major airlines provide a tailored experience for loyal flyers. These lounge access credit cards often come with airline-specific perks in addition to lounge privileges.
- The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card stands out for Delta loyalists. With a $550 annual fee, it offers complimentary access to Delta Sky Clubs and Centurion Lounges when flying Delta. However, starting February 2025, the limit will be 15 visits per year unless cardholders meet a high spending threshold.
Photo credits to the official American Express website
- For United frequent flyers, the United Club℠ Infinite Card provides unlimited access to United Club lounges and participating Star Alliance lounges for $525 annually. Cardholders can bring up to two guests, making it an excellent choice for those who often travel with companions.
Photo credits to the official Chase Bank website
- The Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® caters to American Airlines travelers. For a $450 annual fee, it offers Admirals Club membership with access to nearly 50 lounges, plus about 40 partner lounges worldwide. This card is particularly generous with guest privileges, allowing immediate family or up to two guests per visit.
Photo credits to the official American Airlines website
These airline-specific cards offer unique benefits tailored to their respective airlines, such as free checked bags, priority boarding, and accelerated miles earned on airline purchases. While they may not provide the broad lounge access of premium travel cards, they excel in delivering value to loyal customers of specific airlines.
Best Hotel Card with Airport Lounge Access
Photo credits to the official Marriott website
For travelers who prefer hotel rewards but still want airport lounge access, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card stands out among credit cards with lounge access. This premium hotel card offers a unique blend of hotel perks and travel benefits, including airport lounge access, for an annual fee of $650.
Cardholders can enroll in Priority Pass™ Select, which provides unlimited visits to over 1,200 airport lounges worldwide. This extensive network ensures you’ll likely find a lounge at most major airports, offering a comfortable space to relax or work before your flight.
While the card doesn’t provide access to American Express Centurion Lounges, it compensates with generous hotel-related benefits. These include automatic Platinum Elite status in the Marriott Bonvoy program, an annual Free Night Award (worth up to 85,000 points), and a $300 annual statement credit for eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy.
The earning structure is tailored for Marriott loyalists. It offers 6X points on eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy, 3X points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines, and 2X points on all other eligible purchases.
For those who frequently stay at Marriott properties and want the added benefit of airport lounge access, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card offers a compelling package. It effectively combines the comfort of airport lounges with luxurious hotel experiences, making it an excellent choice for travelers who value both aspects of their journey.
Takeaway
The top options for a credit card with airport lounge access cater to different needs. Key factors to consider include your travel frequency, preferred airlines, budget for annual fees, and the specific lounge networks you’re most likely to use.
| Card Name | Annual Fee | Lounge Access | Welcome Bonus | Additional Travel Perks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Platinum Card® from American Express | $695 | Centurion Lounges, Plaza Premium, Priority Pass, International American Express lounges, Delta Sky Clubs, Escape Lounges | Substantial bonus in Membership Rewards points | Extensive travel benefits including travel insurance, car rental loss & damage insurance |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve® | $550 | Priority Pass Select (1,300+ lounges) | Generous Chase Ultimate Rewards points | $300 annual travel credit, trip cancellation/interruption insurance, auto rental collision damage waiver, lost luggage reimbursement |
| Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card | $395 | Capital One Lounges, Priority Pass lounges | Generous welcome bonus | Competitive earning rates on travel, credits for Global Entry/TSA PreCheck, straightforward lounge access |
| U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card | $95 (waived 1st year, no annual fee starting Sep 2024) | Priority Pass Select (4 free visits/year) | 50,000 points ($500 travel value) | No foreign transaction fees, credits for Global Entry/TSA PreCheck |
| Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card | $550 | Delta Sky Clubs, Centurion Lounges when flying Delta (limit of 15 visits/year starting Feb 2025) | Generous welcome bonus | Free checked bags, priority boarding, Delta travel benefits |
| United Club℠ Infinite Card | $525 | United Club lounges, Star Alliance lounges (unlimited access) | Generous welcome bonus | Free checked bags, priority boarding, United travel benefits |
| Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® | $450 | Admirals Club lounges, partner lounges (nearly 90 lounges) | Generous welcome bonus | Free checked bags, priority boarding, American Airlines travel benefits |
| Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card | $650 | Priority Pass Select (1,200+ lounges) | Generous Marriott Bonvoy points | Platinum Elite status, annual Free Night Award, $300 annual credit at Marriott hotels |
While these cards offer valuable benefits for enhancing your travel experience, savvy travelers often look for additional ways to maximize their savings on flights and accommodations. This is where services like OneAir come into play. OneAir offers members access to unpublished flight and hotel deals that save them up to 70% off.
Sign up and download OneAir today to complement your credit card perks and further reduce your overall travel costs.
