Airports And Credit Cards: Universal Acceptance Or Not?

Airport lounges are a great way to escape the chaos of the terminal, offering a quiet and comfortable space to relax or work before a flight. Access to these lounges is a popular perk of many travel credit cards, with some cards offering unlimited complimentary access, and others discounted or limited access.

The best card for airport lounge access will depend on your travel habits and preferences. If you fly with a specific airline, a co-branded airline credit card may be the best option, whereas if you fly with multiple airlines, a card that offers access to an independent lounge network may be more suitable.

- The Platinum Card® from American Express: Access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection, including Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs, and Priority Pass lounges.

- Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Access to Priority Pass lounges and restaurants.

- Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Unlimited access to Capital One Lounges and complimentary access to Priority Pass lounges.

- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: Access to Delta Sky Clubs and Centurion Lounges when flying Delta.

- United Club℠ Infinite Card: Access to United Club lounges and participating Star Alliance lounges.

- Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®: Access to American Airlines Admirals Club® lounges for the primary cardholder and any authorized users.

Credit cards with airport lounge access

Credit cards that offer airport lounge access can be a great asset for frequent travellers, providing a quiet and comfortable space to relax or work before a flight. While some cards offer access to a wide range of lounges, others are more limited, so it's important to choose a card that aligns with your travel habits and preferences. Here are some of the top credit cards with airport lounge access:

The Platinum Card® from American Express

The Platinum Card® from American Express is often considered one of the best cards for airport lounge access. It provides access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection, which includes over 1,400 lounges in more than 140 countries. Cardholders can enjoy amenities like locally curated dining, spa services, and shower facilities. The card also comes with a high annual fee of $799, but it offers a range of additional benefits, such as elite hotel status and various statement credits.

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is another popular choice for travellers. It grants access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide, including the Priority Pass lounges and the Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club locations. The card has a $550 annual fee but offers a $300 travel credit and generous rewards on dining and travel purchases.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card provides unlimited access to Capital One Lounges and complimentary access to lounges in the Priority Pass Select network. Cardholders can also take advantage of a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel and a 10,000-mile bonus every account anniversary. The annual fee for this card is $395.

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card

The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is ideal for frequent Delta Air Lines flyers. It offers complimentary access to Delta Sky Clubs when flying Delta and access to American Express Centurion Lounges. Additionally, cardholders receive benefits such as an annual companion certificate, Delta SkyClub guest passes, and statement credits for Delta purchases. The annual fee for this card is $650.

Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®

The Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® is a great option for frequent American Airlines flyers. It provides full membership access to Admirals Club lounges and allows cardholders to bring up to two guests or immediate family members at no additional cost. The card has a $450 annual fee and offers benefits like a free checked bag and priority boarding on American Airlines flights.

United Club℠ Infinite Card

The United Club℠ Infinite Card is perfect for United Airlines flyers, offering unlimited access to United Club and participating Star Alliance airport lounges worldwide. Cardholders also receive benefits like free checked bags, priority check-in, and boarding privileges. The annual fee for this card is $525.

When choosing a credit card with airport lounge access, it's important to consider factors such as the lounge networks available, eligibility requirements, guest access policies, and the overall benefits and perks offered by the card. It's also worth noting that some cards have recently restricted lounge access or implemented additional fees for guests, so be sure to review the terms and conditions carefully before making a decision.

The best credit cards for airport lounge access

Credit cards that offer airport lounge access can be a great way to elevate your flight experience, especially if you're a frequent traveller. While you can pay for access to many lounges, it's also a benefit offered by select credit cards. Here are some of the best credit cards for airport lounge access:

The Platinum Card from American Express

The Platinum Card from American Express is often regarded as one of the best cards for airport lounge access. With this card, you'll get access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection, which includes Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs, Lufthansa Lounges, Escape Lounges, and more. The card also comes with a range of other benefits, such as statement credits, entertainment benefits, elite status perks, and more. However, it has a high annual fee, so it may not be the best option for infrequent travellers.

Chase Sapphire Reserve

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card offers access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide, including Sapphire Lounge by The Club locations. It also comes with a $300 annual travel credit, generous points on dining and travel purchases, and top-tier travel and shopping protections. The card has a steep initial annual fee, but the benefits can outweigh the cost for frequent travellers.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card provides unlimited access to Capital One Lounges and complimentary access to lounges in the Priority Pass Select network. The card also includes an annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, 10,000 bonus miles after each card anniversary, and a long list of valuable travel and shopping protections. It's a great option if you're looking for premium travel perks without breaking the bank.

Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card

The Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card is perfect for frequent Delta Air Lines flyers. It offers access to Delta Sky Clubs and American Express Centurion Lounges when flying Delta. The card also includes elite status boosts, rideshare credits, and an annual companion certificate. While it has a high annual fee, the array of premium benefits makes it a solid choice for loyal Delta flyers.

United Club Infinite Card

The United Club Infinite Card is one of the best options for getting unlimited access to United Club and participating Star Alliance airport lounges. It also includes benefits such as a Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS application fee credit, free checked bags, priority check-in, boarding, and baggage handling, and more. This card is a great choice if you fly with United Airlines and want lounge access without breaking the bank.

Citi/AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard

The Citi/AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard is ideal for American Airlines flyers as it comes with a full Admirals Club membership, worth up to $850 per year. With this card, you'll get full membership access to Admirals Club lounges, plus access for up to two guests or immediate family members travelling with you. It also includes benefits like a first checked bag for free, no foreign transaction fees, and more. This card is a great choice if you're looking for lounge access and frequently fly with American Airlines.

These are just a few examples of credit cards that offer airport lounge access. When choosing a card, consider your travel habits, the lounges you want access to, and the additional benefits that align with your needs.

How to get free airport lounge access with a credit card

Airport lounges are designed to be a respite from the more chaotic aspects of air travel, and access to airport lounges has become a popular perk on travel credit cards. While you can pay for access to many lounges, it's also a benefit on select credit cards.

There are multiple types of airline lounge access you can get with a credit card. Some cards will get you into airline-specific lounges, while others include Plaza Premium access or a Priority Pass Select membership, which grant entry into curated collections of lounges worldwide. Issuers themselves have also gotten into the game, with American Express Centurion lounges, Capital One lounges and Chase Sapphire lounges opening their doors in recent years.

If you're looking for a more relaxed experience than the hectic environment of an airport terminal, here's how to get free airport lounge access with a credit card:

The Platinum Card® from American Express

The Platinum Card® from American Express is considered the best travel card for frequent travellers because it offers complimentary entry to the most airport lounges of all premium cards. Sure, it has a hefty annual fee, but its lounge access is among the most comprehensive there is.

As a cardmember, you can access the following airport lounges:

• Delta Sky Club (when flying Delta)
• Lufthansa Business Lounge (regardless of ticket class when flying with Lufthansa, Swiss International Air Lines or Austrian Airlines)
• Lufthansa Senator Lounge (when flying business class with Lufthansa, Swiss International Air Lines or Austrian Airlines)
• Plaza Premium Lounge
• Priority Pass Select (enrollment required)
• The Centurion Lounge

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card

The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card has an annual fee of $650, though that may be worth it for fans of the airline's lounge network, which is easily one of the best in existence.

The card offers access to Delta Sky Clubs for primary cardmembers and holders in the form of four annual one-time guest passes (in conjunction with a same-day Delta ticket). As of February 1, 2025, Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card holders will get a total of 15 Sky Club Passes per year. Terms apply.

Additionally, the card offers access to The Centurion Lounges by American Express, but access comes with restrictions. First, you must be flying that day with Delta, and second, you must have paid for the flight with an American Express card. A cardmember may bring up to two guests to The Centurion Lounges for $50 per person ($30 per child ages 2-17). Terms apply.

United Club℠ Infinite Card

The United Club℠ Infinite Card is a premium co-branded United card that comes with United Club membership for the primary cardholder and eligible guests (two adult guests, or one adult and dependent children under the age of 21).

You must be flying United or a Star Alliance partner to access United Clubs.

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

When it comes to free airport lounge access, travellers who hold the Chase Sapphire Reserve® card have fewer options than those who hold other cards, but there are still a couple of options. With this credit card, you can enter the following lounges at no extra cost:

• Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club
• Priority Pass Select

Although only a few Chase Sapphire Airport Lounges are currently open, the network is expanding. To gain access to these lounges, you must activate your Priority Pass Select membership, which includes access to more than 1,500 airport lounges around the world. Up to two guests are allowed for free.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Capital One’s premium card, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, is another great option for travellers seeking airport lounge access. As a cardmember, the following lounges are open to you:

• Plaza Premium Lounge
• Priority Pass Select lounges

Capital One Lounge locations are at just a few U.S. airports at the moment. Primary cardholders have unlimited access and can bring up to two guests. Entry for additional guests costs $45 each.

Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®

The Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® is one of the best ways to get access to American Airlines' network of Admirals Club® airport lounges.

You can bring immediate family or up to two guests for free into any Admirals Club lounge. You can add up to three authorized users to the card for $175, then $175 for each additional authorized user. Each authorized user can also access Admirals Club lounges when travelling with American Airlines.

The card provides a statement credit of up to $120 every four years to cover your application fee with Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®.

Top credit cards for airport lounge access

Airports can be stressful places, so it's no surprise that access to airport lounges has become a popular perk on travel credit cards. While you can pay for access to many lounges, it's also a benefit on select credit cards. Here are some of the top credit cards for airport lounge access:

The Platinum Card from American Express

The Platinum Card from American Express is widely considered one of the best credit cards for airport lounge access. With this card, you'll get access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection, which includes over 1,400 lounges in more than 140 countries. This collection includes American Express Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs, Lufthansa Lounges, Escape Lounges, and more. The card also comes with a range of other benefits, such as statement credits for travel, dining, and entertainment, as well as elite status perks for hotels and rental cars. However, it carries a high annual fee of $695.

Chase Sapphire Reserve

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card offers access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide, including Sapphire Lounge by The Club locations. This card also provides a $300 annual travel credit, generous points on dining and travel purchases, and top-tier travel and shopping protections. The annual fee for this card is $550.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card provides unlimited access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and the Partner Lounge Network. This card also comes with a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel and 10,000 bonus miles every year starting on your first anniversary. The annual fee for this card is $395.

Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card

The Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card is perfect for frequent Delta Air Lines flyers. It offers complimentary access to Delta Sky Clubs when flying Delta, as well as access to American Express Centurion Lounges. The card also includes benefits such as a statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, a companion certificate for a round-trip flight within the US or select other destinations, and up to $560 in annual statement credits. The annual fee for this card is $650.

Citi/AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard

The Citi/AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard is a great option for frequent American Airlines flyers. It offers full membership access to Admirals Club lounges, as well as access for up to two guests or immediate family members traveling with you. This card also comes with benefits such as a free checked bag on domestic American Airlines itineraries for you and up to eight companions, and a statement credit of up to $120 every four years for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. The annual fee for this card is $450.

United Club Infinite Card

The United Club Infinite Card is ideal for frequent United Airlines flyers. It offers unlimited access to United Club and participating Star Alliance airport lounges worldwide. This card also provides benefits such as a Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS application fee credit, free checked bags, and Premier Access perks. The annual fee for this card is $525.

When choosing a credit card for airport lounge access, consider factors such as the lounges you want to access, eligibility requirements, guest access, and the overall value of the card based on your travel habits and spending patterns.

Best credit cards that offer airport lounge access

Airport lounges are designed to be a respite from the more chaotic aspects of air travel, and access to airport lounges has become a popular perk on travel credit cards. If you want to make your upcoming flight less of a headache, these travel credit cards are worth considering, as they each include complimentary lounge access.

The Platinum Card® from American Express

The Platinum Card® from American Express is a premium card loaded with annual statement credits, entertainment benefits, extensive airport lounge access, elite status perks and more. It provides access to Amex Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs, Lufthansa Lounges, Escape Lounges and more.

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card

The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card's array of premium benefits make it a perfect fit for the most loyal Delta flyers, including elite status boosts, rideshare credits and airport lounge access. You'll receive access to airport lounges, including Amex Centurion lounges.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is a premium credit card with a myriad of benefits and a lower annual fee than other high-end cards with similar features. You can enroll in a Priority Pass membership and enjoy unlimited access to Capital One Lounges and Capital One Landing locations.

United Club℠ Infinite Card

The United Club℠ Infinite Card is one of the best ways to get unlimited access to United Club airport lounges because the annual fee is less than paying for a lounge membership. This gives you and up to two guests access to United Club and affiliated Star Alliance airport lounges worldwide when traveling with United or an eligible partner airline.

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is a standout premium credit card with plenty of luxury perks and statement credits to justify its annual fee. You'll have unlimited access to Priority Pass lounges and Sapphire Lounge by the Club locations.

Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®

The Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® is one of the best ways to get access to American Airlines' network of Admirals Club® airport lounges. You can bring immediate family or up to two guests for free into any Admirals Club lounge.

U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card

The U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card is a rare no-annual-fee card that offers airport lounge access and a trusted traveler program credit. You can enroll for a Priority Pass membership with four free visits per year.

Frequently asked questions