Best Credit Card For Airport Lounges

Airport lounges offer a sanctuary of comfort and convenience amidst the often-chaotic travel experience. Access to these lounges can significantly enhance your journey, providing amenities like complimentary food and drinks, comfortable seating, Wi-Fi, and even showers. Many credit cards offer airport lounge access as a perk, making them a valuable tool for frequent travelers.

This guide explores the best credit cards for airport lounge access in 2024, delving into their features, benefits, and how to choose the right one for your travel needs.

Credit Card	Lounge Access Program(s)	Key Benefits
The Platinum Card® from American Express	Global Lounge Collection: Includes access to American Express Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass Select (enrollment required), Delta Sky Clubs (when flying Delta), Airspace Lounges, Escape Lounges - The Centurion Studio Partner, and Plaza Premium Lounges.	Generous welcome bonus, 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel, elite status benefits with hotels and car rental companies, annual statement credits (e.g., airline fee credit, digital entertainment credit, Saks Fifth Avenue credit), access to Fine Hotels & Resorts program, and premium travel insurance. High annual fee.
Chase Sapphire Reserve®	Priority Pass Select (enrollment required): Offers access to a vast network of over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide. Can bring up to two guests for free at most locations.	3x points on travel and dining worldwide, $300 annual travel credit, Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit, premium travel insurance, and trip delay reimbursement. High annual fee.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card	Capital One Lounge: Access to Capital One Lounges and Partner Lounge Network, including Plaza Premium Lounges. Priority Pass Select (enrollment required). Capital One Lounges are known for offering high-quality food and beverage options.	2x miles on all purchases, 10x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, $300 annual travel credit, 10,000 bonus miles every account anniversary, Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit, and travel insurance. Lower annual fee compared to Amex Platinum and Chase Sapphire Reserve.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card	Delta Sky Club: Complimentary access to Delta Sky Clubs when flying Delta same-day. American Express Global Lounge Collection: Access to American Express Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass Select (enrollment required, limited visits without additional charges), Airspace Lounges, Escape Lounges - The Centurion Studio Partner, and Plaza Premium Lounges.	Priority boarding on Delta flights, first checked bag free, MQD Headstart, and opportunities to earn MQDs towards Medallion status. High annual fee. Primarily valuable for frequent Delta flyers.
United Club℠ Infinite Card	United Club: Complimentary access to United Club lounges. Star Alliance Gold Status Benefits: Access to Star Alliance partner lounges worldwide when flying internationally on a Star Alliance carrier.	Priority boarding on United flights, free checked bags, and opportunities to earn Premier qualifying points and miles. High annual fee. Primarily valuable for frequent United flyers.
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®	Admirals Club: Complimentary access to American Airlines Admirals Club lounges. Can bring immediate family (spouse, domestic partner, and children under 18) or up to two guests.	Priority boarding on American Airlines flights, first checked bag free, and opportunities to earn AAdvantage miles. High annual fee. Primarily valuable for frequent American Airlines flyers.
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card	Priority Pass Select (enrollment required): Offers access to a vast network of over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide.	Annual free night award, $300 in statement credits per year (up to $25 each month) for eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide, automatic Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status, and opportunities to earn Marriott Bonvoy points. High annual fee. Primarily valuable for frequent Marriott guests.
U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card	Priority Pass Select (enrollment required): Offers access to a vast network of over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide. Four complimentary visits per year to participating Priority Pass lounges.	5x points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Altitude Rewards Center, 3x points on eligible travel and mobile wallet purchases, $325 annual travel credit, and Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit. Requires a U.S. Bank checking or savings account.
UBS Visa Infinite Credit Card	Priority Pass Select (enrollment required): Offers access to a vast network of over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide. Unlimited visits for the primary cardholder and two guests.	Generous rewards program, concierge service, and premium travel insurance. Requires a UBS brokerage or wealth management account. High annual fee, often partially offset by account benefits.
American Express® Green Card	No complimentary lounge access. However, it earns Membership Rewards points which can be transferred to partner airlines and hotels, potentially leading to upgrades and lounge access.	3x points on travel and restaurants worldwide, and no foreign transaction fees. Lower annual fee compared to other Amex cards. While it doesn't offer direct lounge access, it can be a good option for earning rewards that can eventually be used for travel benefits.

Detailed Explanations

The Platinum Card® from American Express: This card is a powerhouse for travel benefits, offering access to the extensive Global Lounge Collection. This includes American Express Centurion Lounges known for their premium amenities, Priority Pass Select (enrollment required), Delta Sky Clubs (when flying Delta), Airspace Lounges, Escape Lounges - The Centurion Studio Partner, and Plaza Premium Lounges. The card also offers a generous welcome bonus, 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel, and elite status benefits with hotels and car rental companies. The high annual fee is justified for frequent travelers who can maximize its benefits.

Chase Sapphire Reserve®: The Chase Sapphire Reserve® provides access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide through Priority Pass Select (enrollment required). This membership allows the cardholder to bring up to two guests for free at most locations. The card also earns 3x points on travel and dining worldwide, offers a $300 annual travel credit, and provides Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit. Like the Amex Platinum, it carries a high annual fee but offers valuable travel rewards.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: This card provides access to Capital One Lounges and Partner Lounge Network, including Plaza Premium Lounges, as well as Priority Pass Select (enrollment required). Capital One Lounges are gaining popularity for their high-quality food and beverage options. The Venture X earns 2x miles on all purchases, 10x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, and offers a $300 annual travel credit and a 10,000-mile bonus every account anniversary. Its annual fee is lower than the Amex Platinum and Chase Sapphire Reserve, making it an attractive option for many travelers.

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: This card is ideal for frequent Delta flyers, offering complimentary access to Delta Sky Clubs when flying Delta same-day. It also provides access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection, including American Express Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass Select (enrollment required, limited visits without additional charges), Airspace Lounges, Escape Lounges - The Centurion Studio Partner, and Plaza Premium Lounges. Additional benefits include priority boarding on Delta flights, a free checked bag, and opportunities to earn MQDs towards Medallion status.

United Club℠ Infinite Card: This card is designed for loyal United Airlines travelers, offering complimentary access to United Club lounges. It also provides Star Alliance Gold Status Benefits, granting access to Star Alliance partner lounges worldwide when flying internationally on a Star Alliance carrier. Other perks include priority boarding on United flights, free checked bags, and opportunities to earn Premier qualifying points and miles.

Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®: This card caters to American Airlines enthusiasts, providing complimentary access to American Airlines Admirals Club lounges. Cardholders can bring immediate family (spouse, domestic partner, and children under 18) or up to two guests. Additional benefits include priority boarding on American Airlines flights, a free checked bag, and opportunities to earn AAdvantage miles.

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: This card focuses on Marriott Bonvoy members, offering Priority Pass Select (enrollment required) for access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide. It also provides an annual free night award, $300 in statement credits per year (up to $25 each month) for eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide, and automatic Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status.

U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card: This card offers Priority Pass Select (enrollment required), granting access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide, but with a limitation of four complimentary visits per year to participating Priority Pass lounges. It earns 5x points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Altitude Rewards Center, 3x points on eligible travel and mobile wallet purchases, and offers a $325 annual travel credit. It requires a U.S. Bank checking or savings account.

UBS Visa Infinite Credit Card: This card provides Priority Pass Select (enrollment required) with unlimited visits for the primary cardholder and two guests. This is a significant advantage for families or those who frequently travel with companions. It also boasts a generous rewards program, concierge service, and premium travel insurance. It requires a UBS brokerage or wealth management account, and the high annual fee is often partially offset by account benefits.

American Express® Green Card: While this card does not offer complimentary lounge access, it earns Membership Rewards points which can be transferred to partner airlines and hotels. This can potentially lead to upgrades and lounge access through other means. It earns 3x points on travel and restaurants worldwide and has no foreign transaction fees. Its lower annual fee makes it a more accessible option for earning travel rewards.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Priority Pass? Priority Pass is a program that provides access to a network of over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide. It's often included as a benefit with premium credit cards.
What is the American Express Global Lounge Collection? The American Express Global Lounge Collection is a network of lounges accessible to American Express Platinum and Centurion cardholders, including Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges (enrollment required), Delta Sky Clubs (when flying Delta), and other partner lounges.
Do I need to enroll in Priority Pass if my credit card offers it? Yes, you typically need to enroll in Priority Pass through your credit card issuer to activate your membership.
Can I bring guests into airport lounges with my credit card? Guest policies vary by card and lounge program. Some cards offer complimentary guest access, while others charge a fee per guest. Check the specific terms and conditions of your card and the lounge program.
What are the typical amenities offered in airport lounges? Airport lounges typically offer complimentary food and drinks, comfortable seating, Wi-Fi, and often showers, business centers, and quiet areas.
How do I find airport lounges that are part of my credit card's lounge network? Most lounge programs have websites or mobile apps that allow you to search for participating lounges by airport.
Is it worth paying a high annual fee for a credit card with airport lounge access? It depends on how frequently you travel and how much you value lounge access. If you travel often and would regularly use the lounge benefits, the annual fee can be worthwhile. Consider the other benefits offered by the card as well.
What is a Centurion Lounge? Centurion Lounges are a network of premium airport lounges owned and operated by American Express. They are known for their high-quality food, drinks, and amenities.
What is the best credit card for international travel with lounge access? The Platinum Card from American Express and the Chase Sapphire Reserve are often considered top choices for international travel due to their extensive lounge networks and travel benefits.
Does my authorized user get the same lounge access benefits? This varies by card. Some cards allow authorized users to receive lounge access benefits, while others may require them to pay a fee or obtain their own membership. Check the card's terms and conditions.

Conclusion

Choosing the best credit card for airport lounge access depends on your travel habits, preferred airlines, and spending patterns. Consider the annual fee, lounge network, and other benefits offered by each card to determine which one best suits your needs and maximizes your travel experience. Prioritize cards that align with your frequent flyer programs and travel destinations to reap the most rewards.