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Travel credit card benefits often go beyond the points and miles you can earn. There are many credit cards that offer additional perks that may be highly appealing to frequent travelers, especially complimentary airport lounge access.
Credit cards with lounge access include premium travel cards like the The Platinum Card® from American Express or Chase Sapphire Reserve®(Rates and fees), as well as co-branded airline cards like the The New United Club℠ Card(Rates and fees).
How we evaluate products
Travel credit card rewards can offer significant savings, so this is top of mind for us when we rate travel cards. We look at the annual value the cards provide, welcome bonuses cards offer, and the rewards you earn for travel purchases.
We also consider features that frequent travelers value such as transfer partners, travel protections, and redemption options.
Best credit cards with lounge access
| Card | Great for … | Annual fee | Eligible airport lounges |
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The Platinum Card® from American Express(See rates and fees)
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International lounge access | $695 |
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Chase Sapphire Reserve®(Rates and fees)
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Chase Sapphire Lounge access | $795 |
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The New United Club℠ Card
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Star Alliance lounge access | $695 |
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Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
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Admirals Club access | $595 |
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Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card(See rates and fees)
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Sky Club access | $650
Terms apply |
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The Platinum Card® from American Express
- Annual fee: $695
- Welcome offer: Earn as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new card in the first 6 months (welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer; apply and find out your offer)
- Reward rate: 5X points per dollar spent on eligible airfare (on up to $500,000 per calendar year, after that 1X) and eligible hotel purchases, and 1X points per dollar on all other eligible purchases
With The Platinum Card® from American Express, you get airport lounge access with several brands included in the American Express Global Lounge Collection (for eligible Card Members), including the prestigious Amex Centurion Lounge.
Amex partner lounges include Delta Sky Club, Lufthansa lounges, Plaza Premium, and Escape Lounges. Cardholders can also enroll in Priority Pass Select to access more than 1,300 lounges worldwide.
The type of amenities cardmembers can enjoy depends on the lounge network. However, you get access at participating brands, and some lounges will let you bring in guests free of charge. You typically have to show a valid same-day boarding pass to enter the lounge — you must be flying Delta and Lufthansa to access those airlines' lounges, for example — and some programs may require enrollment.
In addition to airport lounge access, as a luxury travel rewards card, The Platinum Card® from American Express offers several other valuable perks. This includes competitive rates and benefits at certain hotels as well as upgraded status in hotel loyalty programs, such as Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy. There are savings and upgrades with the Cruise Privileges Program and rental car rewards status with Hertz. Enrollment is required for select benefits.
Learn how to apply for the The Platinum Card® from American Express | Read more in our Amex Platinum review
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- Annual fee: $795
- Welcome offer: Earn 100,000 bonus points + $500 Chase Travel℠ promo credit after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
- Reward rate: 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel℠ (including The Edit℠), 4x points on flights and hotels booked direct, 3x points on dining worldwide & 1x points on all other purchases
With the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, you get access to Chase's luxe line of lounges. As of this writing, Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club locations include Boston, New York - JFK, New York - LGA, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Diego, and Hong Kong, with additional locations slated for future openings in Dallas, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles.
You also get unlimited access to Priority Pass Select lounges all over the world. Cardholders who opened their accounts June 23, 2025, and after do not need to activate Priority Pass Select membership to take advantage of this perk. Cardholders who opened their accounts prior to that date must request activation.
You can bring up to two guests for no additional charge; additional guests cost $27 per person.
The Sapphire Reserve also comes with other perks, including an application fee statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, special car rental privileges, and a $300 annual travel credit. Plus, you get up to 2x more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠.
Cardholders also get up to $25 in monthly credits to the delivery service DoorDash through December 31, 2027 ($5 monthly promo on restaurant orders and two $10 monthly promos on non-restaurant orders) and at least a year of complimentary membership to the app's DashPass program when you activate by December 31, 2027. This complimentary DashPass subscription waives delivery fees on eligible orders of $12 or more
Apply now | Read more in our Chase Sapphire Reserve review
The New United Club℠ Card
- Annual fee: $695
- Welcome offer: Earn 80,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
- Reward rate: 4x miles on United® purchases; 2x miles on dining and all other travel; plus 1x mile on all other purchases
Cardholders get standard United Club membership, which includes access to 45 plus United Club locations around the globe.
If you reach Gold status in United's loyalty program or spend $50,000 on the card in the course of a calendar year, your United Club membership will be upgraded to the All Access tier, which gets you additional access to participating Star Alliance partner lounges.
With the The New United Club℠ Card, you can earn 4x miles on United® purchases.
This co-branded airline credit card also offers unique United travel benefits, including complimentary first and second checked bags. For any individual who purchases United airfares often or is interested in making an airline switch, this card can provide you with a lot of value.
Apply now | Explore more benefits at our The New United Club℠ Card review
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
- Annual fee: $595
- Welcome offer: Earn 70,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $7,000 within the first 3 months of account opening.
- Reward rate: 10X miles on hotels booked through aadvantagehotels.com and eligible car rentals booked through aa.com/cars, 4X miles on eligible American Airlines purchases (after spending $150,000 per calendar year this increases to 5X for the remainder of the calendar year), and 1X miles for every $1 spent on other purchases
With the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard, you get Admirals Club membership, which comes with airport lounge access at more than 50 locations worldwide. Your authorized users get access as well. You can get amenities like snacks and, in certain locations, access to drinks and made-to-order specialties. Some lounges even have shower suites.
Immediate family members can be guests at no additional charge, as long as you're with them. Depending on the airport, you might be able to access partner lounges, such as Alaska Lounge, with your membership.
In addition to the Admirals Club membership, the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard also comes with your first bag checked free, credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, priority boarding privileges, and 25% savings on inflight purchases.
Read more in our Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard review
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
- Annual fee: $650
- Welcome offer: Earn 70,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 in eligible purchases in the first 6 months
- Reward rate: 3X miles per dollar spent on purchases made directly with Delta and 1X miles for all other eligible purchases
With the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, you'll receive 15 Visits each Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and unlock Unlimited Delta Sky Club Access 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. After that, you can bring up to two guests at a time, but they'll need to pay a fee.
While relaxing in the lounge, you can also enjoy food choices and complimentary drinks in some locations. Free Wi-Fi is available, and you can get help with your flight information at the club. There are more than 50 Delta Sky Club locations, and you can also access partner lounges in airports all over the world.
In addition to airport lounge access, this credit card comes with additional perks. You get your first checked bag free and priority boarding, along with an inflight discount. You can also earn miles faster by spending on Delta purchases.
Learn how to apply | Read more in our Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card review
FAQs
What business credit cards offer lounge access?
These business credit cards offer lounge access:
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
- The New United℠ Business Card
- The New United Club℠ Business Card
Keep in mind that the type of lounge access may vary depending on the card and credit card issuer, and certain complimentary card benefits may require enrollment.
How much does lounge access cost?
The costs for airport lounge access depend on what type of lounge you want to access and whether you want a day pass or a full lounge membership. For example, a Priority Pass membership would cost between $99 to $429 per year plus additional expenses depending on your membership level and if you have guests.
Day pass prices to lounges can vary, but it's not uncommon to pay more than $40 for entry to certain lounges, though some lounges may charge less. If you want complimentary lounge access, consider getting a credit card that offers lounge access as a free benefit.
What is included in complimentary lounge access?
Credit cards with complimentary lounge access typically allow you free entry to a variety of airport lounges. Many of these lounges offer free food, drinks, and internet access. Certain lounges have additional amenities, such as showers or massage rooms.
Which credit card is best for lounge access?
Many credit cards offer complimentary lounge access, but the best one for you depends on your situation and goals. Cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and The Platinum Card® from American Express are popular rewards cards with lounge benefits, but the Amex Platinum has more premium benefits than the Sapphire Reserve (although select benefits require enrollment). If you want a business card with lounge access, consider cards like The Business Platinum Card® from American Express or The New United℠ Business Card.
Bottom line
Many of these cards come with high annual fees. However, access to airport lounges can be a very valuable benefit, especially if you travel a lot and like the idea of a place to relax between flights.
Carefully consider the types of travel perks you value and the experiences you want to have. Many of the best travel credit cards offer perks on top of airport lounge access, and when you add them all up, they can be valuable enough that paying an annual fee is worth it.
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Current Offer
Earn as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new card in the first 6 months (welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer; apply and find out your offer)
Annual Fee
$695
Rewards Rate
5X points per dollar spent on eligible airfare (on up to $500,000 per calendar year, after that 1X) and eligible hotel purchases, and 1X points per dollar on all other eligible purchases