Credit cards that offer airport lounge access can enhance your travel experience, offering a relaxing space before every flight. Most cards provide access to this lounge for the primary cardmember as well as up to two guests depending on which card is being used.
Some cards provide access to airline-specific lounges while others, like Priority Pass, offer more comprehensive airport lounge access. NerdWallet outlines the top credit cards offering airport lounge access based on annual fees and benefits.
1. Chase Sapphire Reserve
The Chase Sapphire Reserve card is a premium travel credit card with an annual fee of $550 that offers complimentary airport lounge access through Priority Pass Select membership, providing access to more than 1,300 lounges worldwide with room for two guests at each lounge. Plus, enjoy all of its perks, such as dining for free at certain restaurants and flexible redemption options for rewards!
Chase recently upped its airport lounge game by opening three of their own branded lounges – The Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club – located in Boston and Hong Kong with plans for one in Austin in the pipeline. American Express already has Centurion Lounges but Chase certainly brings more distinction into the category.
Beyond airport lounge access, this card offers many other perks and benefits – such as an annual travel credit of $300 and 24/7 customer service support – in addition to waived annual fees in its first year.
Credit card issuers are constantly competing against one another to attract customers, and airport lounge access has become an increasingly important perk of many cards. Now more than ever before, many cards offer various lounge perks tailored specifically to different travel needs and budgets.
Before making your choice, compare it with similar cards in its category. For instance, the United Explorer card could provide better lounge access at a lower cost; its annual fee of $95 is lower than for Sapphire Reserve cards without lounge access benefits.
Capital One Venture X Rewards card provides access to unlimited free Priority Pass Select visits for you and up to two additional guests, plus the option of purchasing an annual membership at $27 for 10 visits added directly onto your account.
2. Capital One Venture X
Capital One Venture X offers affordable lounge access, offering cardholders free visits to Capital One Lounges and Plaza Premium Airport Lounge collections, with two guests permitted per visit. Facilities may feature hot food buffets, showers, cocktails or just relaxing spaces to wait out their flight – plus many travel credits and benefits such as trip delay reimbursement, lost luggage protection and trip cancellation/interruption coverage!
The card’s $300 annual travel credit and 10,000-mile account anniversary bonus help offset its $395 annual fee, as do its travel perks such as Hertz Five Star status, two lounge visits per year and Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credits every four years.
If you need something with more extensive lounge access than the Venture X, American Express’ Platinum Card(r) (terms apply, rates & fees) has you covered. Priority Pass Select membership gives access to over 1,300 locations worldwide and allows two guests at any one time – plus you’ll get a $100 experience credit and primary auto rental coverage among many other Visa Infinite benefits.
Although its annual fee may be higher, the Platinum Card remains one of the top travel cards, providing excellent rewards, lounge access and other perks for frequent travelers. Perks include automatic elite status with Hertz car rental agency; welcome bonuses of $500 upon opening an account with Capital One Travel portal; more miles earned when booking through this portal and an annual $100 airline credit as well as travel/purchase protection and insurances that cover you up to $50,000!
If lounge access isn’t required for you, there are still excellent cards that offer similar rewards rates and travel perks, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred with its 2X rewards rate and other travel perks like Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fee credit – it also boasts an annual fee that’s lower than most premium travel cards’ annual fees!
3. American Express Platinum
American Express Platinum is widely considered a premium travel rewards card that provides top-tier benefits. Notable among them are unrivalled lounge access, elite hotel and airline statuses and generous annual travel credits that amount to as much as $1,500 statement credits for airfare, hotels or more.
One of the card’s most attractive perks is a complimentary membership in Priority Pass, giving cardholders access to over 1,400 lounges worldwide. However, American Express Platinum cardholders stand out by getting access to American Express’ own high-end network of airport lounges – Centurion Lounges – located across 13 domestic and international destinations (including major U.S. airports such as LAX or London Heathrow). Furthermore, American Express Platinum cardholders also gain entry into smaller lounge networks managed by partners like Plaza Premium or Airspace.
Many travelers have noticed that airport lounges have become increasingly crowded, prompting some passengers to complain that there simply isn’t enough room for everyone awaiting flights. American Express recently introduced changes to its Platinum card that should increase lounge access use significantly.
Prior to 2014, both American Express’ Platinum Card and Business Platinum Card offered cardholders unlimited access to Centurion lounges as well as over 63 lounges through American Express’ Global Lounge Collection and Priority Pass Select membership included with each card. This made them one of the best cards available for lounge access compared to alternatives such as Chase Sapphire Reserve or Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Cards which only provide access via Priority Pass network or issuer lounges.
American Express Cards previously allowed cardholders to add up to three authorized users at no extra charge; starting in 2019, these guests will need to pay an extra fee in order to use Centurion or Global Lounge Collection lounges. The change aims at helping American Express offset some of its additional costs associated with expanding membership and reduce crowding in some of its most sought-after lounges worldwide.
4. Delta SkyMiles Credit Card
Airport lounge access can make travel much more comfortable for frequent flyers. Not only can you relax in peace before your flight, but you also save money by forgoing expensive food and drinks at the terminal. Furthermore, many credit cards that provide lounge access allow users to bring along one or two companions, so they can share this experience together.
To assist with your search for the ideal card, we took into consideration how often and why you fly, whether or not you’re loyal to Delta and what rewards are important to you. In addition, we considered annual fee pricing and any perks and benefits the card offered.
We have narrowed the field down to four of our top picks for travelers seeking lounge access benefits, each providing unique advantages to travelers. Your selection will depend on factors like airline loyalty and traveling habits as well as annual cost considerations.
Delta Air Lines flyers who wish to gain access to airport lounges should consider applying for the SkyMiles Gold American Express Card, which offers unlimited Delta Sky Club and Amex Centurion Lounge access (with two one-time guest passes included) whenever you book flights on this card. In addition, frequent Delta flyers will find it beneficial; its perks include complimentary annual companion certificates and elite status boosts.
American Express Platinum Card may be an attractive alternative for travelers who don’t necessarily share Delta’s loyalty or who wish to avoid paying an annual fee for cobranded cards, as it offers access to unlimited Delta Sky Club and Priority Pass Select lounge access, along with access to other premium lounges via its Global Lounge Collection network. In addition, other travel benefits including statement credits for airfare and hotel stays; automatic hotel elite status upon enrollment in Hilton Honors/Marriott Bonvoy programs; as well as an annual fee credit for Global Entry/TSA PreCheck programs.
As well as these cards, there are also numerous credit cards with airport lounge access – from Delta’s exclusive Sky Club membership to wider network lounge access with additional benefits such as priority boarding and trip cancellation insurance coverage.