Gaining access to airport lounges can transform your travel experience from stressful to serene. With comfortable seating, complimentary food and drinks, Wi-Fi, and sometimes even showers, lounges offer a welcome respite from crowded terminals. Credit cards offering lounge access are highly sought after, especially by frequent travelers looking to enhance their journeys.
This guide explores the best credit cards for lounge access worldwide, focusing on cards that provide access to various lounge networks and offering a detailed comparison to help you choose the right card for your needs.
| Credit Card | Lounge Access Network | Key Benefits & Features |
|---|---|---|
| The Platinum Card® from American Express | American Express Global Lounge Collection (including Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass Select, Delta Sky Clubs (when flying Delta), Airspace Lounges, Escape Lounges - The Centurion Studio Partner, Plaza Premium Lounges) | Extensive lounge network, annual fee, generous rewards program, travel credits, elite status with hotel chains, purchase protection, concierge service. |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve® | Priority Pass Select | Annual fee, travel and dining rewards, travel credit, primary auto rental collision damage waiver, trip cancellation/interruption insurance, purchase protection, access to Visa Infinite benefits. |
| Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card | Capital One Lounges, Priority Pass Select | Lower annual fee compared to Amex Platinum, generous rewards on all purchases, travel credits, Hertz President's Circle status, purchase protection. |
| Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® | American Airlines Admirals Club (when flying American Airlines), Priority Pass Select | Annual fee, American Airlines loyalty program benefits, priority boarding, free checked bag, purchase protection. |
| **Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card | Delta Sky Clubs (when flying Delta), American Express Global Lounge Collection (limited Priority Pass Select access) | Annual fee, Delta SkyMiles earning, MQD Boost, priority boarding, free checked bag (when flying Delta), purchase protection. |
| United Club Infinite Card | United Club lounges (when flying United), Priority Pass Select | Annual fee, United Airlines loyalty program benefits, priority boarding, free checked bags (when flying United), purchase protection. |
| Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card | Priority Pass Select | Annual fee, Hilton Honors Diamond status, weekend night reward, resort credits, airline fee credit, purchase protection. |
| Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card | Priority Pass Select | Annual fee, Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status, free night award, statement credits, purchase protection. |
| U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card | Priority Pass Select | Annual fee, bonus rewards on travel and mobile wallet purchases, real-time rewards, purchase protection. |
| UBS Visa Infinite Card | Priority Pass Select | Annual fee, travel credits, luxury hotel collection access, purchase protection. |
| Diners Club Carte Blanche® Corporate Mastercard® | Diners Club Lounges | Annual fee, premium rewards program, concierge service, travel insurance benefits. |
| Cathay Pacific Asia Miles American Express Card | Plaza Premium Lounges | Earn Asia Miles on everyday spending, travel benefits, dedicated concierge service. |
| Emirates Skywards Credit Cards | Emirates Lounges (depending on card tier and travel class) | Earn Skywards Miles, access to Emirates Lounges, complimentary upgrades. |
| Qantas Premier Platinum Credit Card | Qantas Club Lounges (limited access) | Earn Qantas Points, travel benefits, complimentary insurance. |
| Virgin Atlantic World Elite Mastercard® | Virgin Atlantic Clubhouses (limited access) | Earn Virgin Points, travel benefits, complimentary insurance. |
Detailed Explanations
The Platinum Card® from American Express: This card offers unparalleled access to a wide range of lounges through the American Express Global Lounge Collection. This includes access to Centurion Lounges, known for their high-end amenities and exclusive experience, as well as Priority Pass Select, Delta Sky Clubs (when flying Delta), Airspace Lounges, Escape Lounges - The Centurion Studio Partner, and Plaza Premium Lounges. The card comes with a significant annual fee, but it also offers a generous rewards program, travel credits, elite status with hotel chains, and purchase protection, making it a compelling option for frequent and discerning travelers. The Centurion Lounge network, in particular, is a significant draw, offering superior food, drinks, and service compared to many other lounge networks.
Chase Sapphire Reserve®: The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is a popular choice for travelers seeking premium rewards and benefits. It provides access to Priority Pass Select, a network of over 1,300 lounges worldwide. While not as extensive as the American Express Global Lounge Collection, Priority Pass Select offers a substantial selection of lounges in many major airports. This card also features a high annual fee, but its travel and dining rewards, travel credit, primary auto rental collision damage waiver, and trip cancellation/interruption insurance can offset the cost for frequent travelers. The ease of earning and redeeming Chase Ultimate Rewards points is another key advantage.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is a relatively newer entrant in the premium travel card market, offering a strong value proposition with a lower annual fee compared to the Amex Platinum and Chase Sapphire Reserve. It provides access to Capital One Lounges, which are expanding in select airports, as well as Priority Pass Select. The card also offers generous rewards on all purchases, travel credits, and Hertz President's Circle status, making it an attractive option for those looking for a balance of benefits and affordability. The sign-up bonus is often quite lucrative as well.
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®: This card is tailored for American Airlines loyalists. It grants access to American Airlines Admirals Club lounges when flying American Airlines, as well as Priority Pass Select. The card's benefits are heavily geared towards enhancing the American Airlines travel experience, including priority boarding and a free checked bag. It comes with an annual fee, and the value proposition is most compelling for those who frequently fly with American Airlines and utilize Admirals Club lounges.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: Another airline-specific card, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card provides access to Delta Sky Clubs when flying Delta. It also offers limited access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection through Priority Pass Select. The card focuses on Delta SkyMiles earning and offers benefits such as MQD Boost, priority boarding, and a free checked bag when flying Delta. This card is ideal for frequent Delta flyers seeking to maximize their SkyMiles earnings and enjoy Delta Sky Club access.
United Club Infinite Card: Similar to the AAdvantage Executive card, the United Club Infinite Card is designed for United Airlines loyalists. It provides access to United Club lounges when flying United, as well as Priority Pass Select. The card's benefits center around enhancing the United Airlines travel experience, including priority boarding and free checked bags. An annual fee applies, and the card's value is best realized by those who frequently fly with United Airlines and utilize United Club lounges.
Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card: While not solely focused on lounge access, the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card offers Priority Pass Select membership as a perk. Its primary focus is on providing significant value within the Hilton Honors ecosystem. Cardholders receive automatic Hilton Honors Diamond status, a weekend night reward, resort credits, and an airline fee credit. This card is a strong choice for frequent Hilton guests who also desire lounge access benefits.
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card: Similar to the Hilton Aspire card, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card provides Priority Pass Select membership as one of its many benefits. The card's core value lies in its Marriott Bonvoy benefits, including automatic Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status and a free night award. This card is ideal for frequent Marriott guests who also appreciate lounge access.
U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card: The U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card offers Priority Pass Select membership and provides a compelling rewards program with bonus rewards on travel and mobile wallet purchases. It also features real-time rewards, allowing cardholders to redeem points for travel purchases. While not as widely known as some of the other cards on this list, the Altitude Reserve offers a solid value proposition for those who can maximize its rewards categories.
UBS Visa Infinite Card: The UBS Visa Infinite Card is a premium card that offers Priority Pass Select membership, along with travel credits and access to the luxury hotel collection. It caters to high-net-worth individuals and provides a range of exclusive benefits.
Diners Club Carte Blanche® Corporate Mastercard®: This card offers access to Diners Club Lounges, a network of airport lounges around the world. It also provides a premium rewards program, concierge service, and travel insurance benefits. The Diners Club network has been around for a long time and offers a unique set of lounges.
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles American Express Card: This card allows you to earn Asia Miles on everyday spending and offers travel benefits and dedicated concierge service. It also provides access to Plaza Premium Lounges, which are available in many airports across Asia and beyond.
Emirates Skywards Credit Cards: Depending on the card tier and travel class, these cards can grant access to Emirates Lounges. They also allow you to earn Skywards Miles and may offer complimentary upgrades. This card is best suited for those who frequently fly with Emirates.
Qantas Premier Platinum Credit Card: This card offers limited access to Qantas Club Lounges, as well as the ability to earn Qantas Points, travel benefits, and complimentary insurance. This card is for frequent Qantas flyers and those who want to earn Qantas Points on their spending.
Virgin Atlantic World Elite Mastercard®: This card provides limited access to Virgin Atlantic Clubhouses, along with the opportunity to earn Virgin Points, travel benefits, and complimentary insurance. This is a good option for people who frequently fly with Virgin Atlantic.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best credit card for lounge access worldwide? The Platinum Card® from American Express generally offers the most comprehensive lounge access through its extensive American Express Global Lounge Collection. However, the best card depends on your specific travel habits and airline preferences.
What is Priority Pass Select? Priority Pass Select is a membership that provides access to a network of over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide. Many credit cards offer this membership as a perk.
Are there credit cards with no annual fee that offer lounge access? Generally, credit cards offering substantial lounge access benefits come with annual fees. Cards with no annual fees typically do not offer lounge access.
Can I bring guests into airport lounges with my credit card? Guest policies vary depending on the card and the lounge network. Some cards offer complimentary guest access, while others charge a fee per guest.
How do I access airport lounges with my credit card? Most cards require you to present your Priority Pass membership card or your credit card at the lounge entrance. Check the specific requirements for each lounge network.
What are Centurion Lounges? Centurion Lounges are a network of exclusive airport lounges owned and operated by American Express. They are known for their high-end amenities, food, and beverage offerings.
What are Delta Sky Clubs? Delta Sky Clubs are airport lounges operated by Delta Air Lines. Access is typically granted to Delta SkyMiles members and passengers traveling in premium cabins.
What are United Club Lounges? United Club lounges are airport lounges operated by United Airlines. Access is typically granted to United Club members and passengers traveling in premium cabins.
What are American Airlines Admirals Club lounges? American Airlines Admirals Club lounges are airport lounges operated by American Airlines. Access is typically granted to Admirals Club members and passengers traveling in premium cabins.
Are there any airline-specific lounges I can access with a credit card? Yes, many airline-branded credit cards offer access to the airline's own lounges, such as Delta Sky Clubs, United Club lounges, and American Airlines Admirals Club lounges.
Conclusion
Choosing the best credit card for lounge access depends on your individual travel patterns, preferred airlines, and budget. The Platinum Card® from American Express offers the broadest access, but cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card provide excellent alternatives. Carefully consider the annual fee, rewards program, and other benefits to make an informed decision that enhances your travel experience.