The Best Card for Airport Lounge Access (2025 Update)

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Ah, the benefits of airport lounge access. This single perk has probably changed my traveling experience more than anything else, even business class. I know that might sound insane, but heading into an airport lounge has changed the entirety of my travel days. Now, instead of trying to figure out how late I could possibly leave my home in order to spend the minimal amount of time in the middle of the airport chaos, I actually try to get to the airport early. Flight delayed? Great. I can have a leisurely lunch or (another) mimosa

You can outright buy airport lounge access with a day pass, but we’re in the luxury travel game and we know we can do better Wondering which is the best travel credit card with lounge access? The Platinum Card® from American Express, Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card and Chase Sapphire Reserve® (learn more) all come with unlimited lounge access, and I’ll break down which I recommend and why.

What perks come with an airport lounge?

It depends on the fanciness of the lounge you’re in. Every lounge I’ve been in (and I’ve been to more than my fair share) offer:

• Free food (typically hot food + snacks)

• Free beer, wine and cocktails (a few lounges don’t offer this, but it’s rare in the U.S.)

• A separate lounge space away from the airport crowds
• Faster wifi

The Premium lounges (think Amex Centurion lounges or airline lounges when you fly business class) offer:

• Showers (great for long layovers after an international flight. Highly recommend the one in the Swiss Airlines business-class lounge in Zurich).
• Higher quality food and drinks (the Centurion lounge spread is often on par with restaurants).
• Additional services such as massages, manicures and more (I had the most amazing spa experience at an LAX Centurion Lounge recently).

Alright, how do I get lounge access?

I’m glad you asked! These days, it’s easier than you might think to get free access to airport lounges thanks to credit cards. I’m going to break this down into 2 types of lounge access:

1. Premium Card/Airline Lounges: These are lounges that are run by a card or top airline. Amex is renowned for its Centurion lounges (and they are a thing of beauty, if you can get in), Capital One and Chase have started opening their own beautiful, premium lounges and if you fly business class or above you’ll usually get access to that airline’s lounge (Emirates lounges are flawless).
   
   
2. Priority Pass Lounges: Priority Pass is a network of lounges, often tier 2 lounges, that partner with credit cards to give you free access. Sure, they’re not as nice as the Centurion lounges, but I honestly think they’re still pretty great and they’re available in most airports (I’ve been in these lounges everywhere from New York to Colombia to Tokyo). They also typically allow you to bring in 2 guests for free, which is key when you’re traveling with friends or family that you don’t want to abandon to wait by the gate (though I may or may not have done this).

If you don’t want to go the credit card route, the cost of the cheapest airport lounge day pass is ~$50 per person, but premium lounges don’t really sell single-visit passes at all. The good news is, it’s not that hard, or expensive, to get basic lounge access from any travel credit card. If you want more luxury, you’ll pay a bit more (but damn, am I spoiled by Centurion).

The Best Card for Airport Lounge Access

Here are my favorites:

1. The Platinum Card® from American Express: This is the luxury experience. Centurion lounges offer above and beyond perks like spa treatments, incredible food, hidden speakeasies, and beautiful decor. Every time I wonder if my Amex is worth it, I’m reminded of how freaking amazing the Centurion lounges are. Unfortunately, each adult guest you bring costs $50 and $30 per child. Fortunately, the Amex Platinum also gives you access to the Priority Pass network. So if the Amex lounge is full (which it often is these days) or you’re traveling with family/a guest, you can head on over to a Priority Pass lounge instead. This is a pricey card at $695, but I use ~$1,400 in statement credits from Amex, giving me way more value than the annual fee (+ did I mention I’m addicted to the Centurion lounge?) Check out the best offer here or click here to open this referral link in an incognito window to see if you qualify for a higher welcome bonus.

2. Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: The Venture X gives you access to Priority Pass + Capital One’s own lounges (currently in Denver, Dallas and Washington, D.C.). These lounges are excellent – featuring top quality food, a full bar, showers, and a gorgeous space. The Venture X is my everyday card because you earn 2x points on every purchase (I have a free guide for the Venture X here). It has a 75,000 mile welcome bonus (enough for a business-class flight) and you earn 10,000 points each card anniversary (valued at minimum $100). It has a $395 annual fee, but it also offers an annual $300 travel credit, so for $95, you get a lot (including lounge access!). You also get to bring in 2 guests for free, so this is ideal if you’re looking for a credit card with lounge access for family travel. Check out the best offer here.

3. Chase Sapphire Reserve® (learn more): The Reserve is another luxury card. It gives you access to Priority Pass lounges and Chase Sapphire lounges in New York, Boston and Hong Kong (with more coming soon to PHX, SAN, LAS and PHL). I visited the Boston one and it was beautiful. This card clocks in at $550, and the current welcome bonus is 60,000 points. It also offers a $300 travel credit to offset the annual fee and you can bring 2 guests for free, so it’s not a bad deal. I used to have it and I’ll probably snag it again now that there are beautiful lounges in NYC. Learn more.

Other cards, such as the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card come with lounge access, so if you’re consistently flying Delta it could be worth it. Otherwise, I recommend a flexible points card like the above.

Hope this helps and cheers to your next adventure ✈️🥂

Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post