7 Best Credit Cards with Airport Lounge Access

Tired of airport chaos? The right credit card can help you swap cramped terminals and $17 sandwiches for exclusivity, free cocktails and delicious food. The cards in this article will let you waltz into airport lounges around the world, but fair warning: they all come with an annual fee. Here are our picks for the 8 best credit cards with lounge access. 

MoneyLion can help you explore a wide variety of credit card options tailored to different needs and preferences.

Key Takeaways

• Premium lounge access comes with steep annual fees, often ranging from $150 to $895. Cards like the American Express Platinum Card® open the door to more than 1,550 lounges worldwide, while co-branded options unlock airline-specific clubs like Delta Sky Club or American's Admirals Club.

• Co-branded airline cards work best if you fly one carrier often, since you also score free checked bags, priority boarding and bonus miles. General travel cards like Chase Sapphire Reserve® suit you better if you switch airlines and want Priority Pass flexibility.

• Before you apply, do the math on annual fees versus statement credits, lounge visit caps and guest policies. If you fly fewer than four times a year, day passes likely cost less than a premium card

Summary generated by AI, verified by MoneyLion editors

7 Best Credit Cards With Airport Lounge Access

Here are our picks for some of the best credit cards that come with airport lounge access

• Best for premium global lounge access: American Express Platinum Card®

• Best for straightforward earning: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

• Best for flying United with a mid-range annual fee: United℠ Explorer Card

• Best for flying United with a high annual fee: United Club℠ Card

• Best for flying Delta: Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card

• Best for flying American: Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®

• Best for unbranded lounge access: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

1. Best for Premium Global Lounge Access: American Express Platinum Card®

The American Express Platinum Card is one of the best options when it comes to credit cards with airport lounge access around the world. This card offers access to the world’s most premium airport lounges, which usually include delicious meals, custom cocktails, and shower suites. But with a $895 annual fee, this card doesn’t come cheap. First, let’s talk lounges…

You’ll get access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection, which has more than 1,550 airport lounges across 140 countries. This includes access to Centurion Lounges as well as partner lounge programs like the Delta Sky Club, Plaza Premium lounges, Priority Pass and Escape Lounges.

In addition to lounge access, you’ll receive over $2,200 in annual statement credits, including:

• Up to $300 for digital entertainment 

• Up to $200 for incidental airline fees

• Up to $209 for Clear, TSA PreCheck, or Global Entry

• Up to $200 in Uber Cash

• Up to $155 for Walmart+ 

• Up to $600 for select hotel bookings through Amex

• Up to $400 for Resy

• Up to $300 for Lululemon

• Up to $200 for Oura Ring

• Up to $300 for Equinox

Amex Platinum holders also earn 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines or and hotels booked through American Express Travel® (on up to $500,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1x), and 1x on all other purchases. Plus, you’ll receive complimentary Marriott Bonvoy^® Gold Elite Status, Hilton Honors^™ Gold Status and Leaders Club Sterling Status from The Leading Hotels of the World (enrollment required), car rental privileges, car rental insurance, a 24/7 global assist hotline, and trip delay/cancellation/interruption insurance.

If you’re looking for a credit card with the largest network of premium global airport lounges, then the Amex Platinum is likely your best choice.

2. Best for Straightforward Earning: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

If you're a frequent traveler who doesn't want to keep track of bonus categories, consider the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.

You can earn a $300 annual Capital One Travel credit and up to a $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® credit every four years. Plus, you earn 10,000 miles every anniversary, worth $100 toward travel.

3. Best for Flying United With a Mid-Range Annual Fee: The United Explorer Card

The United® Explorer Card packs a ton of value for a modest annual fee, making it a strong contender for people who fly United and want to swing by their lounge once or twice a year.

This card offers 2 United Club one-time passes per year, plus a free checked bag for the primary cardholder and 1 companion ($160 round-trip value), and priority boarding on United flights, all with a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150. It’s a great way to get some extra perks while flying United, without dishing out hundreds for an annual fee.

You’ll also get plenty of bonus points for spending, including 3x miles on United purchases. There are also several statement credits, including: 

• Up to $120 reimbursement for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck every four years

• $100 in United TravelBank cash after spending $10,000 on purchases each calendar year

• Up to $60 annually for rideshare purchases (paid in $5 monthly increments, enrollment required)

• Up to $100 annually on your first and second prepaid hotel stays ($50 per stay) purchased through United Hotels.

• Up to $50 in United TravelBank cash per year on Avis or Budget rentals booked through United ($25 per rental)

• A complimentary Instacart+ Membership for three months, plus a $10 monthly Instacart credit each month (enrollment required by Dec. 31, 2027)

These credits can easily offset the cost of the annual fee each year, as long as you don’t mind booking through United’s travel portal. 

4. Best for Flying United With a High Annual Fee: The United Club Card

The United Club® Card is United’s premium offering, granting cardholders and 1 guest and any dependent children under 18 access to all of United’s 45 lounges around the world, plus free bags, and plenty of other perks for $695 per year.

Cardholders will receive a United Club membership, which grants lounge access to United’s lounge network. Additionally, cardholders will receive 2 free checked bags for you and 1 companion on United flights, Premier Access travel services, IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status (enrollment required), Avis President’s Club status (enrollment required), and over $875 in annual partner credits. 

Here are the statement credits included with this card:

• Up to $240 annually for Instacart, plus a complimentary Instacart+ membership (through Dec. 31, 2027)

• Up to $200 in annual credits for prepaid bookings through Renowned Hotels and Resorts

• Up to $200 in annual credits for charter flight bookings with JSX

• Up to $150 in annual credits for ridesharing services (enrollment required)

• Up to $100 annually in United TravelBank cash on car rentals with Avis or Budget booked through United

• A 10,000-mile award flight discount after $20,000 in purchases to use toward an eligible award flight, up to two times per calendar year

• Up to $120 in credit every four years for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS

Cardholders will also earn plenty of bonus points, including 5x miles on United purchases, 2x miles on travel and dining, and 1x miles on all other purchases. 

Finally, enjoy built-in travel protections, including trip cancellation insurance, trip delay reimbursement, rental car insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, and baggage delay insurance.

5. Best for Flying Delta: Delta SkyMiles Reserve

If you live near a Delta hub, then you’ll want to explore the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, which unlocks access to Delta’s Sky Club and American Express’ Centurion Lounges for a $650 annual fee. 

This card offers 15 visits annually to Delta Sky Club lounges and American Express’ Centurion Lounges, plus four one-time guest passes to Delta Sky Clubs. This is one of the only credit cards with lounge access that caps your number of lounge visits, although you can unlock unlimited visits by spending $75,000 or more with the card. However, it makes up for it by offering a free first checked bag on Delta flights and one companion certificate to select destinations each year (this allows you to bring a companion for just the cost of taxes and fees on select bookings).

In addition to lounge access, you’ll receive a number of statement credits, including:

• Up to $240 in annual credits (up to $20 per month) for Resy restaurants

• Up to $200 in annual credits on hotel stays booked through Delta Stays

• Up to $120 in credits every four years for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck

• Upgrade priority on Delta flights

• $2,500 Medallion Qualification dollars each Medallion Qualification Year

• $1 Medallion^® Qualification Dollar for each $10 in purchases made on your Card 

• Hertz President’s Circle status (enrollment required)

Plus, enjoy plenty of travel benefits like baggage insurance, trip cancellation insurance, trip delay reimbursement, rental car insurance, and a 24/7 Premium Global Assist hotline. Finally, cardholders will also earn 3x on all Delta purchases and 1x on all other purchases.

6. Best for Flying American: Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard

If you travel with American Airlines frequently, then the Citi® AAdvantage® Executive World Elite® Mastercard is a must-have if you want to get access to their Admirals Club airport lounges. 

This card offers access to the Admirals Club for an annual fee of $595, which is cheaper than buying a membership out-of-pocket for up to $850. If you plan on buying an Admirals Club membership, then it makes financial sense to just open the AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard. 

As a cardholder, you’ll enjoy perks like priority check-in, screening, and boarding when flying with American Airlines. Plus, a free checked bag on domestic AA flights for you and up to 8 travel companions. You’ll also receive the following statement credits annually:

• Up to $120 for Lyft

• Up to $120 for Grubhub

• Up to $120 for prepaid Avis and Budget car rentals

• Up to $120 every four years for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck

• Earn a 10,000 Loyalty Point bonus after reaching 50,000 Loyalty Points in a status qualification year (you’ll earn another 10,000 when you reach 90,000 points)

•  Save 25% on in-flight purchases

Then, there are the miles. Cardholders receive 10x miles on eligible hotels and car rentals booked through AA, 4x miles on eligible AA purchases and 1x miles on all other purchases.

Finally, enjoy built-in protections like trip cancellation and interruption insurance, trip delay protection, lost baggage protection, and car rental insurance coverage.

7. Best for Unbranded Lounge Access: Chase Sapphire Reserve

Want to get airport lounge access without committing to one airline? The Chase Sapphire Reserve® Credit Card is a great option that also offers a broad rewards program and plenty of travel perks. Just be ready for the $795 annual fee.

Chase Sapphire Reserve cardmembers get complimentary access to Priority Pass, a global network of 1,700 airport lounges around the world. You and 2 guests also get access to the growing network of Sapphire Lounges. You’ll also receive a host of additional benefits, including:

• Up to $300 in annual flexible travel credit

• Up to $120 every four years for Global Entry, TSA Pre Check, or NEXUS

• Trip delay/cancellation insurance

• Auto rental insurance

• Travel and emergency assistance

• Baggage insurance

• Travel medical insurance 

Finally, this card serves up some impressive points that are much broader than what most lounge-access credit cards offer. You’ll earn 8x on all purchases through Chase Travel℠, 4x on flights and hotels booked directly, plus 3x points on dining (including delivery and takeout).

Plus, with Chase’s Points Boost feature, your points are worth up to 2x on select airline and hotel bookings made through Chase Travel.

How To Choose the Best Credit Card With Lounge Access

Choosing the best credit card for lounge access can be tricky. Here’s what to keep in mind as you research:

• Annual fee vs. value: Lounge access cards often come with steep annual fees, but the card’s value should quickly outweigh the cost if you travel frequently. Be honest with yourself and consider how often you’ll use each of the card’s perks. If you fly less than a few times a year, you might be better off just buying day passes to a lounge every now and then.

• Lounge network access: Make sure your card offers lounge access at airports that you use frequently. Access to 1,500 lounges may sound impressive, but it isn’t helpful if none of those lounges are in your home airport. Of course, it’s a different story if you routinely fly in airports all over the world. 

• Guest policy: Your card might get you in, but what about your family or significant other? If you often travel with family, friends, or coworkers, check the guest policy so none of your close companions get stuck at the gate.

• Visit limitations: Unlimited visits? Nice. Two free visits per year? Less impressive. Some cards cap the number of lounge entries, so be sure to understand how often you can actually take advantage of the perk.

• Airline partnerships: If you’re loyal to a specific airline, a co-branded card could grant you access to that carrier’s lounges, plus get bonus perks like free checked bags and priority boarding. Or, you might prefer a general travel card that doesn’t lock you into using one airline.

• Additional travel benefits: Great lounge access is just part of the package. Many cards also offer rewards like hefty travel credits, trip delay insurance, hotel upgrades, or free bags. These extras can dramatically boost the card’s overall value. While the siren call of free airport cocktails can be tempting, try to look beyond the lounge and consider the full travel package.

Airport Lounge Access Credit Cards: Worth the High Annual Fees?

If you plan on chilling in airport lounges dozens of times per year, then credit card lounge access is probably well worth the annual fee. But if you don’t travel very often, then you might find yourself paying a premium for a perk that you rarely use.

Whether you’re in it for the free drinks, the comfy chairs, or just a break from the gate hustle, the right credit card can upgrade your travel game instantly. 

FAQs 

How do you get free lounge access by credit card?

You can get free airport lounge access by signing up for certain premium travel credit cards that include it as a benefit. While there’s no credit card with unlimited lounge access and no annual fee, some premium cards offer access to networks like Priority Pass, Centurion Lounges or airline-specific lounges

How do I check if my card is eligible for the airport lounge?

To check if your card is eligible for airport lounge access, log in to your card issuer’s website or app and look under your benefits section. You can also call customer service and ask directly. Some cards require you to enroll in a lounge program (like Priority Pass) before you can swipe your way into the VIP snacks and comfy seats.

Can I access a lounge without my physical credit card?

In many cases, yes, you can still access a lounge without your physical credit card. Some programs, like Priority Pass, offer digital membership cards through their app, and others may let you in with just your ID and boarding pass if you’re already enrolled. But this may not always be the case, so it’s best to carry your card whenever possible.

Can two people access a lounge with one credit card?

It depends on the card’s guest policy. Some premium travel cards include complimentary guest access for one or more companions, while others charge a fee for each extra person. 

Can my wife/husband use my credit card for lounge access?

Only if you’re both listed as authorized users, or you’re traveling together and your card includes guest access. Most lounges check names and boarding passes, so unless your spouse qualifies, they might be left at the gate.