Upgrade Your Travel Experience: Top Credit Cards with Airport Lounge Access

Travel credit cards earn points (sometimes called miles) each time you make an eligible purchase. The typical earning rate is 1 to 2 points per dollar spent, and many cards give you extra points for certain purchases, typically within travel categories.

The value of a point (or mile) depends on the card that earned it and how you redeem it, but a good rule of thumb is to assume each point is worth an average of about 1 cent.

Your points accumulate in a rewards account, where you can use them to pay for travel. Most cards let you book travel directly using a portal, but instead of paying cash, you can pay with your points or miles. Depending on the card, you may also have the option of booking travel directly from your airline or hotel of choice, then cashing in your points for a credit against those expenses.

If you wanted to get lounge access alone, a membership could cost up to $650/year. That's about the same as the annual fee for a premium card. So when you pay the annual fee, you know you are at least getting your money's worth.

But here’s a better way to think about it: Use the card's other perks to help offset the annual fee, and the lounge access can seem like a “free” bonus. For example, say a card comes with credits for flights, rideshares, and hotel accommodations, which could total $500 in annual value ... and the card has a $500 annual fee. If you use the perks to save $500 on purchases you would have made anyway, that offsets the $500 fee. But guess what? You also get to enjoy the lounge access the card offers. That's a huge win!

Airline-specific cards, like the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card or United℠ Explorer Card, can be beneficial if you are loyal to a particular airline. These cards can provide additional perks such as priority boarding, free checked bags, or bonus miles on purchases.

If you value luxury and premium services, the American Express Global Lounge Collection offers access to high-end Centurion® Lounges. If you want convenience and a broad range of locations, Priority Pass lounges could be enough to make you happy and you can access them with a handful of cards (with moderate annual fees).

If you frequently travel internationally, you might look at cards that offer access to a wide network of lounges worldwide, such as The Platinum Card® from American Express or the Chase Sapphire Reserve®.

For domestic travelers, cards like the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card or United℠ Explorer Card might be more suitable, especially if you frequently fly with these airlines.

If you often travel with family or friends, consider the guest policy of each card. Cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card allow you to bring two guests, which can be a significant advantage for group travelers.

Travel internationally? Cards like The Platinum Card® from American Express and the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card provide access to a vast network of lounges worldwide, including Priority Pass and Plaza Premium Lounges. These cards ensure that you have a comfortable place to relax at a wide range of destinations worldwide.