Best credit cards for airport lounge access

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 have to 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.

But, airport lounge access can change all of that — if you’re able to snag a membership. This guide explains how airport lounge access works and which credit cards offer this amazing perk.

How does airport lounge access work?

You should know that 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 will vary depending on your frequent flyer status with the airline. Meanwhile, some airport lounge memberships can be obtained for free if you carry the right travel credit card, or at a lower cost than a general membership.

If you get lounge access with an airline credit card, you should also know that some limitations will apply. For example, co-branded airline credit cards like the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card let you access Delta Sky Clubs only when you fly with Delta.

Priority Pass

Priority Pass is another popular lounge membership, yet you don’t have to be flying with a specific airline to enter. This lounge membership is also considerably broader, with more than 1,300 lounge locations in airports around the world. You gain access when you purchase a Priority Pass membership or by applying for a credit card that offers complimentary access.

Personal credit cards offering airport lounge access

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

Bankrate’s top credit cards for airport lounge access

The best credit card for airport lounge access varies from person to person. We suggest taking a closer look at Bankrate’s top picks:

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 or cash back. You can also get 50 percent more value for your points when you redeem them for travel through Chase, where each point will be worth 1.5 cents.

A $550 annual fee applies when you sign up for this card, but you get perks like up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit, a $300 travel credit each account anniversary, and airport lounge access. Plus cardholders will receive a complimentary DoorDash DashPass subscription if activated using your card by December 31, 2024.

You can also earn 60,000 points when you spend $4,000 within three months of account opening. In addition, you’ll earn 3X points on eligible travel and restaurant purchases; 10X points on Lyft rides (through March 31, 2025); 10X total points on Chase Dining purchases, hotel stays and car rentals through Ultimate Rewards; 5X total points on air travel through Ultimate Rewards (after earning your $300 travel credit); and 1X points on all other purchases.

Airport lounge membership details

This card includes a Priority Pass Select membership with unlimited access to more than 1,300 lounges worldwide. You’ll also have access to Chase’s forthcoming airport lounge, Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club. Details about when the lounges will open are still vague, but the first three locations will be New York’s LaGuardia Airport (LGA), Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) and Hong Kong International Airport (HKG).

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

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

Cardholders will earn 2X miles on every purchase, plus 10X on hotels and rental cars and 5X on flights booked through Capital One Travel. With the current welcome offer, you can earn 75,000 bonus miles if you spend at least $4,000 in your first three months of card ownership. Other perks include: up to a $300 annual credit for bookings made on Capital One Travel; 10,000 bonus miles every account anniversary (equal to $100 towards travel); and up to a $100 credit for either TSA PreCheck or Global Entry.

Airport lounge membership details

The Capital One Venture X comes with a Priority Pass Select membership to over 1,300 lounges worldwide. Cardholders will all have unlimited access to the Capital One Lounge and receive two complimentary guest passes per year.

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

The Platinum Card from American Express also lets you rack up flexible points within the American Express Membership Rewards program. As a new cardholder, you can earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points when you spend $6,000 within six months of card membership. You’ll also earn 5X points (up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year) on directly booked airfare or flights and prepaid hotels booked through the American Express Travel portal, 2X points on prepaid car rentals through American Express Travel and 1X points on all other purchases.

While a recently increased $695 annual fee applies, cardholder perks comprise a long list, including up to $240 in digital entertainment credits annually (up to $20 in statement credits each month at eligible providers, enrollment required), up to a $189 CLEAR® annual statement credit for membership, up to a $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit every four years, up to $200 in airline fee credits per calendar year, up to $200 Uber Cash credit annually ($15 per month, plus an extra $20 in December, available to basic cardmembers only), up to $200 in hotel credits on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings (which requires a minimum two-night stay) 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 Amex Centurion Lounges. Amex has recently expanded The Centurion Network to include more than 40 Centurion Lounge and Studio locations worldwide. Additionally, this card gets you access to Delta Sky Clubs (for Delta flights only), Airspace, Plaza Premium and Lufthansa lounges. All in all, with the Amex Platinum you’ll have access to more than 1,300 airport lounges across 140 countries.

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. This card starts you off with 150,000 Hilton Honors points when you spend $4,000 on your card within three months of account opening. In the meantime, you can earn 14X Hilton Honors points at hotels and resorts in the Hilton portfolio and 7X points on flights booked with airlines or through AmexTravel.com and purchases made with U.S. restaurants. A standard rate of 3X points will apply to all other purchases you make with your card.

This hotel card does require a $450 annual fee, but the ongoing perks can more than make up for it. Not only do you get automatic Hilton Diamond status just for being a cardholder, but you can qualify for an up to $250 resort credit each year for eligible purchases made directly with participating Hilton Resorts, up to $250 in airline fee credits for incidental airline charges, a free weekend night each year you have the card 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 over 1,300 lounges worldwide.

The Business Platinum Card from American Express: Best for business travel

If you are a business owner who wants airport lounge access and flexible rewards, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express is the best business card option out there. This card starts you off with a welcome bonus of 120,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with your card within the first three months of card membership.

As a regular rewards rate, you earn 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through AmexTravel.com; 2X points on prepaid rental cars booked through AmexTravel.com; 1.5X points on eligible purchases in key business categories (on up to $2,000,000 of these purchases per calendar year) and on purchases of $5,000 or more; and 1X points on all other purchases.

A $695 annual fee applies, but perks include: up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership; up to a $189 CLEAR® annual statement credit for membership; up to $200 in airline fee credits per calendar year (like baggage fees at a qualifying airline); automatic Gold status with Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy; and up to $400 in credits for Dell purchases (up to $200 semi-annually).

Airport lounge membership details

In addition to Amex Centurion lounge access, this card also comes with complimentary access to over 1,300 airport lounges, including the Centurion lounges, Delta Sky Club, Airspace lounges and more.

How to choose the right credit card for airport lounge access

If you’re struggling to decide among credit cards with lounge access, 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 plans, you can also consider cards with a set number of lounge visits per year. For example, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card only gives you 10 visits per membership year but the annual fee is just $95.
• 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 miles 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 each of the top cards offers, and compare other perks like travel credits or credits for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership.

The bottom line

The best travel credit cards for airport lounge access offer plenty of benefits in exchange for an annual fee. However, keep in mind that some airport lounge memberships offer access to more lounges than others and that some charge annual fees of $450 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 United Club℠ Infinite Card, Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®, Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Credit Card, Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card, Miles & More® World Elite Mastercard and the United℠ Explorer Card has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.