One of the best credit cards with airport lounge access is American Express Platinum Card® because it offers access to 1,550+ lounges worldwide, including American Express Centurion lounges. Plus, the primary cardmember and authorized users are allowed to bring guests to some of the lounges at no additional cost (subject to terms and limitations). The Platinum Card® also has a great initial bonus offer.
There are plenty of good options, though. You can see a recap of the best ones below.
To identify the best credit cards with airport lounge access, WalletHub’s editors regularly compare more than 1,500 credit card offers based on their lounge access deals, overall value and other WalletHub Rating components. We consider the lounge network(s) a cardholder receives access to, the number of locations available, and guest policies. Furthermore, the cards’ rewards rates, initial bonuses, annual fees, and approval requirements are taken into consideration. Ultimately, we focus on the net rewards value cardholders will earn over the span of two years. Lower net costs equal higher value for cardholders.
Two-year cost is used to approximate the monetary value of cards for better comparison and is calculated by combining annual and monthly membership fees over two years, adding any one-time fees or other fees (like balance transfer fees), adding any interest costs, and subtracting rewards. Negative amounts indicate savings. When fees or other terms are presented as a range, we use the midpoint for scoring purposes.
Rewards bonuses and credits have been taken into account for two-year cost calculations. However, bonuses applicable to only a very small portion of cardholders are not considered. For example, credits and bonuses awarded for spending or redeeming rewards through a company portal with non-co-branded cards have not been taken into account. Similarly, bonuses and credits related to spending with specific merchants using a non-co-branded card have not been taken into account (for example, if Card A offers credits with DoorDash, this feature would not be factored into calculations because it is hard to assess how many cardholders would use the benefit or exactly how much value they'd get from it).
Given that different users have different goals and are likely to use their credit cards differently, we identified spending profiles that are representative of different users’ financial priorities and behaviors. For each cardholder type, we have assumed a specific amount of monthly spending by purchase type (e.g., groceries, gas, etc.), as well as an average balance, balance transfer amount, amount spent on large purchases and average monthly payment. Spending assumptions are based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for consumers and PEX data for businesses.
With some credit cards that offer airport lounge access, you’re automatically eligible to visit partner lounges when you receive your credit card in the mail. In other cases, being a cardholder allows you to sign up for a membership with a partner company (such as Priority Pass) at no extra cost.
You can typically get into an eligible airport lounge by presenting your credit card, your ID and a same-day boarding pass. Some lounge networks may give you a physical or digital membership card, too.
With some cards, you and guests may receive unlimited access to hundreds of lounges. For example, Chase Sapphire Reserve® allows the primary cardholder, authorized users, and up to two guests each to visit more than 1,300 Priority Pass lounges for free, whenever they want.
With other cards, such as the U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card, you or your guests may only be entitled to a certain number of free visits, or guests might always have to pay.
In some cases, you will have access to lounges from more than one network. American Express Platinum Card® is an example of a card with multi-network lounge access. It gets you into Priority Pass (enrollment required), Delta Sky Club, Lufthansa, Centurion, Plaza Premium, and Escape lounges.
Access to just one network is far more common, however, and that network is usually Priority Pass.
With most cards, the airport lounge benefit lasts indefinitely, until you close your account or the card’s issuer discontinues the benefit. In a few cases, however, you may only get lounge access for the first year your account is open, so it’s a good idea to double-check a card’s terms before applying.
Amenities vary by lounge network and location but may include things like complimentary:
Credit cards with lounge access can be worthwhile in the right hands, but they are not guaranteed to be the best cards for everyone’s needs or even lead to savings at the end of the day. The annual fees charged by credit cards offering airport lounge access vary widely, ranging from $600+ all the way down to nothing. The benefits you get in return run the gamut, too. In some cases, you’ll save more than enough with a card’s rewards, lounge membership and other perks to cover the cost of the fee and then some. In other cases, it will be an uphill climb just to break even.
A lot depends on your other options, too. For example, if you could get a rewards card that doesn’t offer lounge access, pay for a lounge membership or one-time access separately, and still save more than you would with a credit card offering lounge access, that’s a better approach. Similarly, if you aren’t sure whether you’ll actually use a credit card’s lounge benefit that often, you’re probably better off applying for a card that has attractive features you’re more likely to enjoy.
Learn more about when credit cards with annual fees are worthwhile and see what credit cards with lounge access and low fees are available.
There are plenty of good options, though. You can see a recap of the best ones below.
Best Credit Cards with Airport Lounge Access
| Credit Card | Category | Lounge Network | Annual Fee |
| American Express Platinum Card® | Overall | American Express Global Lounge Collection | $895 |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve® | Chase Travel | Priority Pass Select | $795 |
| Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card (see Rates & Fees) | Big Spenders | Capital One Lounges, Priority Pass™ lounges (enrollment required) |
$395 |
| Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card | Airline | Delta Sky Club lounges, The Centurion Lounge, Escape Lounges |
$650 |
| Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card | Hotel | Priority Pass Select (enrollment required) | $650 |
| The Business Platinum Card® from American Express | Business | American Express Global Lounge Collection | $895 |
Methodology for Selecting the Best Credit Cards with Lounge Access
To identify the best credit cards with airport lounge access, WalletHub’s editors regularly compare more than 1,500 credit card offers based on their lounge access deals, overall value and other WalletHub Rating components. We consider the lounge network(s) a cardholder receives access to, the number of locations available, and guest policies. Furthermore, the cards’ rewards rates, initial bonuses, annual fees, and approval requirements are taken into consideration. Ultimately, we focus on the net rewards value cardholders will earn over the span of two years. Lower net costs equal higher value for cardholders.
How Two-Year Cost Is Calculated
Two-year cost is used to approximate the monetary value of cards for better comparison and is calculated by combining annual and monthly membership fees over two years, adding any one-time fees or other fees (like balance transfer fees), adding any interest costs, and subtracting rewards. Negative amounts indicate savings. When fees or other terms are presented as a range, we use the midpoint for scoring purposes.
Rewards bonuses and credits have been taken into account for two-year cost calculations. However, bonuses applicable to only a very small portion of cardholders are not considered. For example, credits and bonuses awarded for spending or redeeming rewards through a company portal with non-co-branded cards have not been taken into account. Similarly, bonuses and credits related to spending with specific merchants using a non-co-branded card have not been taken into account (for example, if Card A offers credits with DoorDash, this feature would not be factored into calculations because it is hard to assess how many cardholders would use the benefit or exactly how much value they'd get from it).
Cardholder Spending Profiles
Given that different users have different goals and are likely to use their credit cards differently, we identified spending profiles that are representative of different users’ financial priorities and behaviors. For each cardholder type, we have assumed a specific amount of monthly spending by purchase type (e.g., groceries, gas, etc.), as well as an average balance, balance transfer amount, amount spent on large purchases and average monthly payment. Spending assumptions are based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for consumers and PEX data for businesses.
Beginner’s Guide to Credit Cards with Lounge Access
How Credit Card Airport Lounge Access Works
Eligibility/Sign Up
With some credit cards that offer airport lounge access, you’re automatically eligible to visit partner lounges when you receive your credit card in the mail. In other cases, being a cardholder allows you to sign up for a membership with a partner company (such as Priority Pass) at no extra cost.
Proof of Membership
You can typically get into an eligible airport lounge by presenting your credit card, your ID and a same-day boarding pass. Some lounge networks may give you a physical or digital membership card, too.
Eligible Lounges, Guests & Fees
With some cards, you and guests may receive unlimited access to hundreds of lounges. For example, Chase Sapphire Reserve® allows the primary cardholder, authorized users, and up to two guests each to visit more than 1,300 Priority Pass lounges for free, whenever they want.
With other cards, such as the U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card, you or your guests may only be entitled to a certain number of free visits, or guests might always have to pay.
Participating Networks
In some cases, you will have access to lounges from more than one network. American Express Platinum Card® is an example of a card with multi-network lounge access. It gets you into Priority Pass (enrollment required), Delta Sky Club, Lufthansa, Centurion, Plaza Premium, and Escape lounges.
Access to just one network is far more common, however, and that network is usually Priority Pass.
How Long Access Lasts
With most cards, the airport lounge benefit lasts indefinitely, until you close your account or the card’s issuer discontinues the benefit. In a few cases, however, you may only get lounge access for the first year your account is open, so it’s a good idea to double-check a card’s terms before applying.
What Airport Lounge Access Gets You
Amenities vary by lounge network and location but may include things like complimentary:
- Food
- Snacks
- Water and soft drinks
- Beer and wine
- Comfortable seating
- Space to work
Major Airport Lounge Networks Partnered with Credit Cards
| Lounge Network | Number of Locations | Cost of Standalone Membership |
| Priority Pass | 1,400+ | $99 - $469 per year |
| Plaza Premium | 250+ | $30+ per visit |
| Capital One | 4+ (and participating Priority Pass lounges, after enrollment) | N/A – eligible credit card required |
| Delta Sky Club | 50+ | $695 - $1,495 per year |
| Alaska Lounge | 9 (and nearly 90 partner locations for Lounge+ members) | $450 - $650+ per year |
| Admirals Club | Nearly 50 (and 50+ partner locations) | $700 - $850 per year |
| United Club | 50+ (and 1,000+ partner locations) | $550 - $650 |
| Centurion | 26+ (and 1,400+ partner locations) | N/A – eligible credit card required |
| Escape | 21 | $32+ per visit |
Are Credit Cards With Lounge Access Worth It?
Credit cards with lounge access can be worthwhile in the right hands, but they are not guaranteed to be the best cards for everyone’s needs or even lead to savings at the end of the day. The annual fees charged by credit cards offering airport lounge access vary widely, ranging from $600+ all the way down to nothing. The benefits you get in return run the gamut, too. In some cases, you’ll save more than enough with a card’s rewards, lounge membership and other perks to cover the cost of the fee and then some. In other cases, it will be an uphill climb just to break even.
A lot depends on your other options, too. For example, if you could get a rewards card that doesn’t offer lounge access, pay for a lounge membership or one-time access separately, and still save more than you would with a credit card offering lounge access, that’s a better approach. Similarly, if you aren’t sure whether you’ll actually use a credit card’s lounge benefit that often, you’re probably better off applying for a card that has attractive features you’re more likely to enjoy.
Learn more about when credit cards with annual fees are worthwhile and see what credit cards with lounge access and low fees are available.
