Key takeaways

  • Lounge access is an especially desirable perk, and many travel rewards credit cards come with this benefit.
  • However, many of these cards limit the number of guests you can bring into the lounge with you — and some don't extend lounge privileges to guests at all.
  • If you regularly travel with family members or friends, the best ways to get lounge access for them are to choose credit cards that includes guest privileges, book with third-party lounge access services or book premium fares that include lounge access.

Having access to airport lounges can make any travel experience more comfortable, and these memberships can be a big money-saver, too. After all, airport lounges always have a selection of complimentary food and beverages along with wifi access, and some even have showers and special spaces you can use to freshen up.

But, having airport lounge access only for yourself can be a major issue — especially if you travel with your spouse or partner, your kids or your friends from time to time. The good news is, there are ways to get airport lounge access for yourself and your guests, or to ensure the people you love have airport lounge memberships of their own they can use.

Travel credit cards with airport lounge access

The best way to get airport lounge access for yourself and your family or other guests involves signing up for a travel credit card — but not just any travel credit card. Look specifically for a top travel rewards card that include guest access or the ability to bring in others with your membership without paying any added fees.

Fortunately, quite a few top travel credit cards let users bring in guests, including:

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

  • The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card offers flexible rewards and premium benefits like an annual travel credit worth $300, a fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership and Priority Pass Select membership. Users can also enter Capital One and Plaza Premium airport lounges with their membership.

    Venture X cardholders can visit Priority Pass lounges with unlimited guests, and they can bring up to two guests into Capital One airport lounges with them. Even better, the Venture X allows cardholders to add up to four authorized users with no annual fee, and each authorized user gets their own Priority Pass Select membership with the ability to bring in guests of their own.

    While the Capital One Venture X has a $395 annual fee, Priority Pass Select membership is valued at $469 on its own.

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

  • The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is a premium travel credit card that is known for the flexibility of its rewards and its luxury benefits. For example, cardholders get an annual travel credit worth $300 each year, a fee credit for Global Entry, NEXUS or TSA PreCheck membership and a Priority Pass Select airport lounge membership.

    The good news about the Priority Pass Select membership is that it applies to more than 1,400 airport lounges around the world — and that cardholders can bring up to two guests into the lounge with them. A $550 annual fee applies for the primary cardholder. Also note that Chase Sapphire Reserve® cardholders can also add an authorized user to their account for $75, which grants that user their own airport lounge access with the ability to bring in up to two guests of their own.

The Platinum Card® from American Express

  • The Platinum Card® from American Express is another premium travel credit card that offers a range of luxurious benefits like annual travel credits and airport lounge access. However, this card’s Global Lounge Collection airport lounge membership is the broadest available today, since cardholders get a Priority Pass Select membership, entry into Amex Centurion lounges and the ability to enter Delta Sky Clubs when they fly Delta.

    Cardholders can bring up to two guests into Priority Pass lounges with them for free. For Delta Sky Clubs, a per-guest visit of $50 applies and the entire traveling party must by flying with the airline. Cardholders who spend $75,000 or more per year on their Platinum Card can get complimentary guest access (for up to two guests) into Centurion lounges. Otherwise, a $50 fee for each adult guest, or $30 for children aged 2 through 17, applies.

Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®

  • Another card that offers guest access into airport lounges is the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®*, although this card is geared to American Airlines frequent flyers and requires a $595 annual fee. Cardholders get free Admirals Club access with this card among other perks, and they can bring immediate family members (spouse, domestic partner and/or children under 18) or up to 2 guests into the lounge with them for free.

    A same-day boarding pass for a flight with American Airlines is required.

Find airport lounges that offer day passes

Even if a card offers airport lounge access for cardholders and their guests, it’s important to note that capacity controls can still apply. It’s not uncommon to head to a Priority Pass lounge and find a sign that says “full,” leaving you completely locked out of a visit you were counting on.

In this case, you may still be able to find airport lounges that offer day passes for a single day of entry. Services like LoungeBuddy and The Club can help connect you with these lounges if your preferred lounge is full, if you need space for more guests than your guest limit allows or if you don’t have access to an airport lounge membership through a travel credit card.

Book premium fares that include airport lounge access

Finally, you should know that booking international airfare in a premium cabin will typically get you airport lounge access included with major airlines and their alliance partners. For example, booking international Business or First Class flights with Delta Air Lines or SkyTeam partners will get you into Delta Sky Clubs as well as most partner lounges (terms vary).

To access this perk, you’ll likely have to book your entire family in the premium cabin to get everyone into the lounge, although there are some exceptions. For example, Virgin Atlantic airport lounges are for Upper Class passengers and Flying Club Gold members, but you are welcome to bring in a guest if they’re on the same international flight with you on Virgin Atlantic, Delta Air Lines, Air France or KLM.

The bottom line

Getting approved for the right travel credit card is the best way to lock in airport lounge access for yourself and your guests. However, you’ll want to read over specific card and membership policies so you know how many guests you can bring (and any other rules that apply). It’s also a good idea to have a backup plan if you’re counting on lounge access during your trip.