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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 American Express Platinum Card® or Chase Sapphire Reserve®(Rates and fees), as well as co-branded airline cards like the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive Card.
How we rate 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
| Credit Card | Rewards Rate | Welcome Bonus | Intro APR | Regular APR | Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2025 award winner
Best for Luxury Travel
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Learn How to Apply
American Express Platinum Card® 4.9
|
1X - 5X
points
|
175,000
Points
|
Balance Transfer:
N/A, N/A
Purchases:
N/A, N/A
|
See Pay Over Time APR
|
$895
|
|
2025 award winner
Best for Lounge Access
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Apply Now
Chase Sapphire Reserve® 5.0
|
1X - 8X
Points
|
125,000 bonus points
|
Balance Transfer:
N/A, N/A
Purchases:
N/A, N/A
|
19.74% - 28.24% Variable
|
$795
|
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Learn How to Apply
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card 4.8
|
1X - 3X
miles
|
70,000
Miles
|
Balance Transfer:
N/A, N/A
Purchases:
N/A, N/A
|
19.49% - 28.49% Variable
|
$650
|
American Express Platinum Card®
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- Enjoy hundreds of dollars in annual credits (enrollment required for select benefits)
- Gain access to exclusive airport lounges worldwide (enrollment required)
- Elevate your hotel stays with elite status perks (enrollment required)
- Earn valuable Membership Rewards points on flights and hotels
- Protect your trips with top-notch travel insurance
With the American Express Platinum Card®, 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 American Express Platinum Card® 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 American Express Platinum Card® | Read more in our Platinum Card® review
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
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- 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
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
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive Card
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- Earns loyalty points toward American Airlines elite status
- First checked bag free
- Admirals Club membership and priority check-in
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
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- Earn 70,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 in eligible purchases in the first 6 months
- Generous rewards rate for Delta flyers
- Complimentary Sky Club and Centurion Lounge access
- More than $500 in statement credits each calendar year
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
United Club℠ Card
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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 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.
Explore more benefits at our United Club℠ 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
- 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 American Express Platinum Card® are popular rewards cards with lounge benefits, but the Platinum Card® 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 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
$895
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