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Access to airport lounges is no longer just for first-class flyers or the wealthy. Today, even budget-conscious travelers can enjoy these premium spaces before their flights. One of the easiest ways to unlock this perk is by using the best travel credit card with lounge access, which can grant entry to a wide network of lounges — even when flying with carriers like Southwest. Don’t overlook lounge access, as it can be one of the easiest travel benefits you can add to your travels in 2025.
Several credit cards offer access to airport lounges. Here are the best options:
(Terms apply)
- Earn 5X points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel® (up to $500,000 in purchases per calendar year).
- Earn 5X points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel®.
- Earn 5X points on Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection bookings.
- 10X miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars booked via Capital One Travel
- 5X miles per $1 on purchases through Capital One Entertainment (through 12/31/2025)
- 5X miles per $1 on flights when booking via Capital One Travel
- 5X miles per $1 on vacation rentals booked via Capital One Travel
- 2X miles per $1 on all other eligible purchases
- 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel℠
- 4x points on flights and hotels booked directly
- 3x points on dining worldwide
- 1x points on all other purchases
Page Contents
Types of Airport Lounges and Which You Can Access Via Credit Cards
Airport lounges can provide a calm, restful space away from the chaos that has become airport terminals. At these outposts, you can grab a bite, a drink, and maybe even take a shower before or after a long flight. You can make use of the free Wi-Fi, workstations, and booths and tables for dining. And airline lounges can even offer extra assistance in the event of an airline meltdown, giving you access to airline agents only available to lounge guests.
There are four general categories of airport lounges, most of which are accessible via credit cards. They are:
- Airline clubs — including American Airlines Admirals Club®, United Clubs, and Delta Sky Clubs®.
- Airline premium lounges — such as American Airlines Flagship Lounges, United Polaris Lounges, and Delta One Lounges. These are generally the only type that isn't accessible via credit cards.
- Credit card lounges — like American Express Centurion Lounges, Chase Sapphire Lounges by The Club, and Capital One Lounges.
- Third-party or non-branded lounges like The Club, Plaza Premium, and Escape Lounges.
Typically, an airline will offer access to its lounges to travelers flying on eligible first- or business-class tickets or who have the airline's premium credit card. Credit card lounges are accessible to those with eligible cards, while third-party lounges are often associated with a lounge membership like Priority Pass™ Select — which you can get through certain credit cards.
The Best Travel Credit Cards for Airport Lounge Access
The best travel credit card for airport lounge access depends on your travel habits, including which airlines you fly and which lounges are available at your home airport.
With that in mind, here’s a detailed look at the best cards for airport lounge access.
American Express Platinum Card®
The American Express Platinum Card® is our pick for the best all-around card for lounge access — despite its $895 annual fee (Rates & Fees). Amex offers high-end food, comfortable seating, and amenities like showers and family rooms at its Centurion Lounges — something I appreciate as a new dad.
Beyond American Express Centurion Lounges, the card includes a Priority Pass Select membership (Enrollment is required for select Amex benefits.) and provides access to Delta Sky Clubs when flying on a same-day Delta ticket (card members get 10 visits to be used from February 1 until January 31 of the next calendar year). You’ll also get access to Escape Lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges, and select Lufthansa lounges when flying Lufthansa, Swiss, or Austrian Airlines.
If you're traveling with guests, Centurion Lounge access costs $50 per guest unless you spend $75,000 per year on the card. However, you'll get two free guests at Priority Pass, Escape, and Plaza Premium lounges.
For a full breakdown, read our Platinum Card® review.
- You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you're approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount - all with no credit score impact. If you're approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Get more for your travels with 5X Membership Rewards® points on all flights and prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel®, including Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection bookings. You earn 5X points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
- More Value! With over 1,550 airport lounges - more than any other credit card company on the market* - enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection®, over $850 of annual value, with access to Centurion Lounges, 10 complimentary Delta Sky Club® visits when flying on an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations), Priority Pass Select membership (enrollment required), and other select partner lounges. * As of 07/2025.
- More Value! $200 Uber Cash + $120 Uber One Credit: With the Platinum Card® you can receive $15 in Uber Cash each month plus a bonus $20 in December when you add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to use on rides and orders in the U.S when you select an Amex Card for your transaction. Plus, when you use the Platinum Card® to pay for an auto-renewing Uber One membership, you can get up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year. Terms apply.
- More Value! $300 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $25 in statement credits each month after you pay for eligible purchases with the Platinum Card® at participating partners. Enrollment required.
- More Value! $600 Hotel Credit: Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection* bookings through American Express Travel® using the Platinum Card®. *The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
- New! $400 Resy Credit + Platinum Nights by Resy: When you use the Platinum Card® to pay at U.S. Resy restaurants and to make other eligible purchases through Resy, you can get up to $100 in statement credits each quarter with the $400 Resy Credit benefit. Plus, with Platinum Nights by Resy, you can get special access to reservations on select nights at participating in demand Resy restaurants with the Platinum Card®. Simply add your eligible Card to your Resy profile to book and discover Platinum Nights reservations near you, enrollment required.
- More Value! $209 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps get you to your gate faster by using unique facial attributes to verify you are you at 50+ airports nationwide. You can cover the cost of a CLEAR Plus Membership* with up to $209 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for CLEAR Plus with the Platinum Card®. *Excluding any applicable taxes and fees. Subject to auto-renewal.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by the airline to the Platinum Card® Account*. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
- Start your vacation sooner, and keep it going longer. When you book Fine Hotels + Resorts® through American Express Travel®, enjoy noon check-in upon arrival, when available, and guaranteed 4PM check-out.
- New! $300 lululemon Credit: Enjoy up to $75 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® for eligible purchases at U.S. lululemon retail stores (excluding outlets) and lululemon.com. That's up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year. Enrollment required.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Receive a statement credit* for one monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) after you pay for Walmart+ each month with the Platinum Card®. *Up to $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Ups not eligible.
- $100 Saks Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue or saks.com on the Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits from January through June and up to $50 in statement credits from July through December. No minimum purchase required. Enrollment required.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- $895 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
- Rates & Fees
- Earn 5X points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel® (up to $500,000 in purchases per calendar year).
- Earn 5X points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel®.
- Earn 5X points on Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection bookings.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card stands out for its combination of affordability and premium perks. For a modest $395 annual fee, it offers access to Capital One Lounges and Capital One Landing Lounges, which feature modern designs, high-quality food, and thoughtful amenities. Better yet, you can bring two guests for free — a growing rarity among premium cards. The card also offers a Priority Pass Select membership and access to over a hundred Plaza Premium lounges.
- 10X miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars booked via Capital One Travel
- 5X miles per $1 on purchases through Capital One Entertainment (through 12/31/2025)
- 5X miles per $1 on flights when booking via Capital One Travel
- 5X miles per $1 on vacation rentals booked via Capital One Travel
- 2X miles per $1 on all other eligible purchases
Related: Capital One Venture X Full Review
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is worth considering if your travel aligns with the emerging network of Sapphire Lounges by The Club. These lounges are slowly rolling out in airports across the U.S., but have well been worth the wait. But for airports without a Chase-branded lounge, the $795 annual fee Sapphire Reserve fills in the gaps with Priority Pass and Air Canada Maple Leaf lounge access.
- Earn 125,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Get more than $2,700 in annual value with Sapphire Reserve.
- Earn 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel℠, including The Edit℠ and 4x points on flights and hotels booked direct. Plus, earn 3x points on dining worldwide & 1x points on all other purchases
- $300 annual travel credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
- Access over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide with a complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership, plus every Chase Sapphire Lounge® by The Club with two guests. Plus, up to $120 towards Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck® every 4 years
- Get up to $150 in statement credits every six months for a maximum of $300 annually for dining at restaurants that are part of Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance, no foreign transaction fees, and more.
- Get complimentary Apple TV+, the exclusive streaming home of Apple Originals. Plus Apple Music - all the music you love, across all your devices. Subscriptions run through 6/22/27 - a value of $250 annually
- Member FDIC
- Rates & Fees
- 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel℠
- 4x points on flights and hotels booked directly
- 3x points on dining worldwide
- 1x points on all other purchases
Related: Sapphire Reserve Full Review
The Best Airline Credit Cards for Lounge Access
If you generally stick to one airline, getting that airline's premium credit card might be the best way for you to access airline lounges. While we wait for Alaska to launch its new premium card, here are the three premium airline cards offering lounge access:
(Terms apply)
- 3X miles per dollar spent on purchases made directly with Delta
- 1X miles on every eligible dollar spent on purchases.
- Earn 4 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases
- Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on all other travel
- Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on dining
- Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Earn 10X miles for every $1 spent on eligible hotels booked at aa.com/hotels and eligible rental cars booked through aa.com/cars
- Earn 4X miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases (increased to 5X miles through the end of the calendar year after you pass $150,000 in purchases annually)
- Earn 1X mile for every $1 spent on all other purchases
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is a great option for Delta loyalists, though I’d argue the Platinum Card® offers more value. At $650 annually (Rates & Fees), the Delta Reserve gives access to Delta Sky Clubs — except when flying Basic Economy. However, starting February 1, 2025, visits will be capped at 15 per year unless you spend $75,000 on the card. Guests can join for $50, and you’ll also receive four one-time guest passes annually.
Other benefits include access to Escape Lounges plus Centurion Lounges when flying on Delta and booking your Delta flight with an Amex card. While these restrictions might seem frustrating, they reflect how crowded Delta lounges have become in recent years.
Check out our Delta Reserve review for a full breakdown of card's perks and earning rates.
- Earn 125,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 10/29/2025.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you'll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge when you book a Delta flight with your Reserve Card.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- Rates & Fees
- 3X miles per dollar spent on purchases made directly with Delta
- 1X miles on every eligible dollar spent on purchases.
The New United Club℠ Card
For United loyalists, The New United Club℠ Card offers exceptional value for $695 per year. Card members get a full United Club membership, which grants access to United Club lounges for themselves and two guests when flying United or its partners. This is a significant savings compared to what United charges for a standard membership. When flying internationally, cardholders can also access select Star Alliance lounges, like Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges.
Our United Club full review also details how you can use this card to spend toward United Premier elite status.
- Earn 80,000 bonus miles
- 4x miles on United® purchases
- 2x miles on dining and all other travel
- 1x mile on all other purchases
- United Club℠ card membership - at least a $750 value
- Free first and second checked bags - a savings of up to $360 per roundtrip (terms apply) - and Premier Access® travel services
- Earn a 10,000-mile award flight discount after $20,000 in purchases to use toward an eligible award flight - up to two times each calendar year
- Member FDIC
- Rates & Fees
- Earn 4 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases
- Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on all other travel
- Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on dining
- Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
If you fly American Airlines or Alaska Airlines frequently, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® is worth a look. For $595 per year, you’ll get an Admirals Club® membership that includes access for yourself and two guests when flying American or a Oneworld partner on the same-day. And you can also use this card to access 50+ partner lounges worldwide.
Related: AA Executive Card Full Review
- Complimentary Admirals Club® membership for the primary cardholder
- Admirals Club® membership for authorized user accounts
- First checked bag free on domestic AA flights for you and up to 8 companions
- Priority check-in, TSA screening lines, and boarding
- 10,000 bonus Loyalty Points after you spend $40,000 in purchases within the year
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit
- No Foreign Transaction Fees
- Earn 10X miles for every $1 spent on eligible hotels booked at aa.com/hotels and eligible rental cars booked through aa.com/cars
- Earn 4X miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases (increased to 5X miles through the end of the calendar year after you pass $150,000 in purchases annually)
- Earn 1X mile for every $1 spent on all other purchases
Final Thoughts
Airlines, credit card issuers, and independent operators are constantly expanding their airport lounge offerings. And lounges can make the travel experience much more enjoyable, so now might be a great time to jump on one of the credit cards offering airport lounge access.
For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: American Express Platinum Card® (Rates & Fees), Chase Sapphire Reserve® (Rates & Fees), Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card (Rates & Fees), and The New United Club℠ Card (Rates & Fees)
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