Key takeaways

  • Many premium travel rewards credit cards offer complimentary, unlimited access to thousands of airport lounges worldwide.
  • Priority Pass is one of the most popular airport lounge memberships, and it's the most common lounge membership you'll see featured as a credit card benefit.
  • When choosing a credit card for lounge access, make sure to consider a card's annual fee, rewards program and benefits, along with whether that card fits your travel style and budget.

The airport is not necessarily a comfortable place to spend several hours, yet that’s frequently what happens when you fly within the U.S. or abroad. You might wind up waiting by your gate for what seems like forever, and most of us must endure a layover from time to time. In the worst-case scenario when a flight is delayed, you can easily spend an entire day killing time at a crowded (and loud) airport gate — not to mention spending money on food and drinks while you wait.

But airport lounge access can change all of that — if you’re able to snag a membership. Luckily, there are a number of credit cards with airport lounge access included as one of their features. This guide explains how airport lounge access works and recommends the best credit cards that offer this amazing perk.

How does airport lounge access work?

No matter which airport lounge membership you pursue, the quality of lounges can vary widely. In other words, lounges can be “hit or miss” in terms of what they offer, yet each one lets you escape to a quieter, more comfortable place while you wait for your flight to depart.

Airline-specific lounges

There are many different airport lounge membership programs, and you can pay cash to become a member of any of them — though the price could vary depending on your frequent flyer status with the airline. Meanwhile, if you carry the right travel credit card, your airport lounge membership may be included (or at least available at a lower cost than a general membership).

If you’re researching credit cards for lounge access, you should keep in mind that some limitations will still apply. For example, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card only lets you access Delta Sky Clubs and The Centurion Lounges when you fly with Delta; furthermore, beginning Jan. 1, 2024, cardholders with a Basic Economy ticket will not have access to Sky Clubs for that itinerary.

Priority Pass

Priority Pass is another popular airport lounge membership, yet you don’t have to fly with a specific airline to enter. This lounge membership is also considerably broader, with more than 1,400 locations in airports around the world. You’ll gain access when you purchase a Priority Pass membership or if you hold a credit card that offers access to Priority Pass lounges.

Credit cards with airport lounge access

Many personal credit cards offer airport lounge access of some kind, including the following:

Card Airport lounge access details
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
  • Priority Pass Select membership (cardholder and authorized users have membership; each can bring up to two guests)
  • Capital One Lounges (cardholder and authorized users have access; each can bring up to two guests)
  • Plaza Premium lounges (cardholder and authorized users have access; each can bring up to two guests)
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
  • Sapphire Lounge by the Club (cardholder and authorized users have access; each can bring up to two guests)
  • Priority Pass Select membership (cardholder and authorized users have a membership; each can bring up to two guests)
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®*
  • Admirals Club membership (cardholder can bring immediate family or two guests; authorized users have access privileges only)
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
  • Delta Sky Club access (plus two free Delta Sky Club one-time guest passes annually; not available for Basic Economy itineraries after Jan. 1, 2024)
  • The Centurion Lounge network (when traveling with Delta)
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Credit Card*
  • Priority Pass Select (access for you and up to two guests; enrollment required)
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
  • Priority Pass Select (cardholder can bring up to two guests)
Mastercard® Black Card™
  • Priority Pass Select membership (access for cardholder and guests; includes restaurant and non-lounge benefits)
Mastercard® Gold Card™
  • Priority Pass Select membership (access for cardholder and guests; includes restaurant and non-lounge benefits)
The Platinum Card® from American Express
  • The Centurion Lounge
  • Delta Sky Club (when flying Delta)
  • Escape Lounges (The Centurion Studio partner)
  • Lufthansa lounges (when flying Lufthansa)
  • Priority Pass Select
United℠ Explorer Card*
  • Two one-time United Club passes each account anniversary
United Club℠ Infinite Card*
  • United Club membership

Best credit cards for lounge access

Chase Sapphire Reserve: Best for flexible rewards

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is one of the top rewards credit cards on the market today, mostly due to the flexibility of the points you earn. With the Chase Ultimate Rewards program, you can redeem points for gift cards, merchandise, statement credits, cash back, travel and more. You can also get 50 percent more value for your points when you redeem them for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards, where each point will be worth 1.5 cents. The best rewards value, however, often comes from transferring your Ultimate Rewards points to one of Chase’s airline or hotel partners.

A $550 annual fee applies with this card, but you’ll get premium card perks like up to a $100 credit for Nexus, Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees (every four years), up to a $300 travel credit each account anniversary year and airport lounge access. In addition, you’ll earn 10X points on Lyft rides (through March 31, 2025); 10X points on hotel stays and car rentals purchased through Ultimate Rewards (after earning your $300 credit) and on Chase Dining purchases; 5X points on air travel through Ultimate Rewards (after earning your credit); 3X points on general travel purchases (again, after earning your credit) and restaurants; and 1X points on all other purchases.

Airport lounge membership details

This card includes a Priority Pass Select membership with unlimited access to lounges worldwide. Sapphire Reserve cardholders also enjoy the Priority Pass restaurant credit as well as access to non-lounge amenities such as Minute Suites or Be Relax Spa locations.

Additionally, cardholders and their authorized users who have activated their Priority Pass memberships can also visit Sapphire Lounge by the Club locations.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Best for luxury perks at a great value

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is a great premium option for travelers who want both luxury perks and streamlined rewards for a lower annual fee than other popular luxury travel cards. Although the annual fee is still on the higher end at $395, it’s much lower than other comparable cards (which tend to be $500 or more).

Cardholders will earn 2X miles on every purchase, plus 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel. Other perks include: up to $300 in annual credit toward Capital One Travel purchases; 10,000 bonus miles every account anniversary (equal to $100 toward travel); and up to a $100 credit for either TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fees (every four years).

Airport lounge membership details

The Capital One Venture X comes with a Priority Pass Select membership to over 1,300 lounges worldwide. Cardholders will also have unlimited access to Capital One Lounges for themselves and two guests.

Authorized users also receive lounge access and, importantly, there’s no additional fee to add up to four authorized users to your Venture X card. Many premium cards, including Sapphire Reserve, charge a fee for each authorized user.

Note that the Priority Pass included with Venture X does not include non-lounge benefits like the restaurant credits.

The Platinum Card from American Express: Best for the broadest airport lounge selection

The Platinum Card® from American Express lets you rack up flexible points within the American Express Membership Rewards program. You’ll earn 5X points on flights booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 spent per calendar year), 5X points on prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel and 1X points on other purchases.

While a $695 annual fee applies, you’ll get a number of cardholder perks, including up to $240 in digital entertainment credits annually (up to $20 in statement credits each month with eligible providers, enrollment required), up to a $189 credit for Clear Plus membership, up to a $100 credit for Global Entry (every four years) or TSA PreCheck (every 4.5 years), up to $200 in credits for incidental charges with a pre-selected airlines, up to $200 credit in Uber Cash annually ($15 per month, plus an extra $20 in December, available to basic cardmembers only) (Terms Apply), up to $200 in hotel credits on eligible and prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel (minimum two-night stay required) and much more.

Airport lounge membership details

This card is the best card for airport lounge access worldwide, period. You’ll get a Priority Pass Select membership for starters, but you can also enter lounges in The Centurion Network, which includes Amex Centurion Lounges, Escape Lounges, Delta Sky Club and Lufthansa Lounges.

Keep in mind that airline-specific lounges may require you to fly with the airline to access the lounge for a given trip. Furthermore, Delta has recently announced Platinum cardholders will not have unlimited access to Sky Club locations beginning in 2025. Rather, Platinum Card members will enjoy six visits per year.

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Credit Card: Best hotel card with lounge access

If you’re a hotel enthusiast and you love Hilton properties, the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card* is a solid bet. You can earn 14X Hilton Honors points at participating hotels and resorts in the Hilton portfolio and 7X points on flights booked with airlines or through AmexTravel.com. You’ll also earn 7X points on car rentals booked directly from select car rental companies, 7X points at U.S. restaurants and 3X points on other eligible purchases.

This hotel card comes with a $450 annual fee, but the ongoing perks can more than make up for it. Not only will you get automatic Hilton Diamond elite status just for being a cardholder, but you can get up to $250 in resort credits each year for eligible purchases made directly with participating Hilton Resorts, up to $250 in credits each year for incidental fees with one selected air carrier, one free night each year you have the card (terms apply) and more.

Airport lounge membership details

The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card comes with a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership, which includes unlimited access to lounges worldwide.

How to choose a credit card for lounge access

If you’re struggling to decide which credit card with lounge access you should get, you’ll need to compare each card option based on several different factors. These tips can help:

  • Decide whether you want unlimited access. If you want a credit card with unlimited lounge access, picking an option with a Priority Pass Select membership is a smart move. But since the fees are higher for cards with unlimited lounge access, you can also consider cards with a set number of lounge visits per year.
  • Figure out the type of rewards you want to earn. Look at the best credit cards for lounge access in terms of the points or miles they offer. Some cards will give you flexible rewards you can spend in more than one way, while others let you rack up airline rewards or hotel points instead.
  • Compare other perks you receive. All credit cards with lounge access charge an annual fee, but the benefits you receive can more than make up for it. Look at the welcome bonuses and ongoing rewards that the top cards offer, and compare other perks like travel credits or credits for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership.

The bottom line

The best travel credit cards with airport lounge access offer plenty of benefits in exchange for an annual fee. However, keep in mind that some credit cards with airport lounge memberships offer access to more lounges than others and that many charge annual fees of $395 or more.

Also, consider the type of rewards you want to earn, as well as any welcome bonuses you might receive. At the end of the day, any of the cards for lounge access can be a good fit, but you should choose one that makes sense for your travel style and your budget.

*The information about the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®, Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Credit Card, United℠ Explorer Card and United Club℠ Infinite Card has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.