High-end travel credit cards have made my travel experiences so much better. Imagine perks like business class flights from points redemptions, travel insurance, no foreign transaction fees, and more.
One of most valuable benefits in my eyes? Airport lounge access.
Cards with airport lounge access tend to have annual fees. However, if you use the many benefits, statement credits and bonus earning categories, it is easy to get much more value out of the card than the fee you pay.
Here are the best credit cards that give you airport lounge access. I've included all the details so you can find one that's perfect for you! If you do apply for a credit card, I appreciate if you apply through one of these links. It costs you nothing extra, but supports my ability to continue making free content.
Personal Cards
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card - Learn more here
This is my #1 most-recommended card to people who want airport lounge access.
Why? It has an annual fee of $395, but offers a $300 annual travel credit and 10k bonus point anniversary gift - which completely offsets the cost. So, airport lounge access, up to $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit, and no foreign transaction fees are all cherries on top. Plus, the card earns 2 miles for every dollar you spend. That simplicity is incredibly valuable if you dislike having to keep track of points-earning bonus categories!
This is my most-recommended card to people who often travel with their family. You can add up to four authorized users for free. Each authorized user will have his or her own Priority Pass lounge membership. That means they can spend time in lounges (and, bring guests), even when they're not traveling with the primary cardholder.
The lounge details:
Options: Enjoy unlimited access for you and 2 guests to 1,300+ lounges worldwide from Priority Pass & Capital One Lounges.
Chase Sapphire Reserve® - Learn more here
This card offers a range of travel benefits, including an up to $300 annual travel credit, up to $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credit, InstaCart and GoPuff credits, and excellent points earning potential. While it has a $550 annual fee, the travel credit goes a long way to offsetting the costs. Plus, the card gives 3x points on every dollar spent on travel and dining. I personally love using my Chase points to redeem with Hyatt hotels.
The lounge details:
Options: Access to over 1,300 lounges in more than 500 cities worldwide with Priority Pass Select
Priority Pass Guest Details: 2 guests can join the cardholder for free.
The Platinum Card® from American Express - Learn more here
Known for its premium benefits, this card provides annual airline fee credits, hotel elite status, and a wide range of other travel perks. With a $695 annual fee (see rates and fees), this card is best-suited to people who can take full-advantage of the myriad credits available (including enrollment-required credits for Uber, Saks Fifth Avenue, digital entertainment , Equinox, and more).* It offers 5x points for each $1 spent on flight purchases up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year, creating high point-earning potential for frequent flyers. Many would argue that this is the best credit card with airport lounge access because of the Centurion Lounge access, which are luxurious.
The lounge details:
Options: More than 1,400+ airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, includes Centurion Lounges, Escape Lounges, Priority Pass Select, and more.
Centurion Lounge Guest Details: There is a per-visit fee of $50 for each guest or $30 for children aged 2 through 17, with proof of age.
Priority Pass Guest Details: 2 guests can join the cardholder for free.
Click here to learn more about the Platinum Card® from American Express. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
Important note: If you are going to apply for an Amex Platinum, I'd highly recommend doing so via the CardMatch tool. It matches you with credit card welcome bonus offers that can sometimes be better than what's publicly available. Currently, there are 150k point welcome bonus offers for the Amex Platinum. Offers may not be available to all users. Using the tool to explore what offers are available to you will not require a hard pull on your credit, so it will not impact your credit score.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card - Learn more here
This card offers a phenomenal 3x miles on eligible purchases made directly with Delta. Additionally, enjoy an annual round trip companion certificate, your first checked bag free, access to complimentary upgrades, 15% off when booking Award Travel, priority boarding, and Status Boost®.* Cardholders also enjoy an up to $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit. Plus, the card has no foreign transaction fees (see rates & fees).
The lounge details:
Options: Access to Delta Sky Club® and The Centurion® Lounge when you book your Delta flight with your Reserve card
Delta Sky Club Details: Complimentary access for primary and additional cardmembers, plus ability to bring up to two guests for a $50 per person fee. You'll also get two Delta Sky Club One-Time Guest Passes annually. Effective 2/1/25, Reserve Card Members will receive 15 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of Visits each year starting on 2/1/25, the total eligible purchases on the Card must equal $75,000 or more between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and each calendar year thereafter.
The Centurion Lounge Details: Complimentary access for cardmembers; plus ability to bring up to two guests for a $50 per person fee.
Business Cards
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express - Learn more here
In my opinion, this is the best business card. It provides annual airline fee and CLEAR Plus credits, plus a 35% bonus points back for all or part of an eligible flight booked with Amex Travel, up to 1,000,000 bonus points back per calendar year. With a $695 annual fee (see rates and fees), this card is best-suited to people who can take full-advantage of the myriad credits available (including enrollment-required credits for Dell Technologies, Indeed, Adobe, and more).* It offers 5x points for each $1 spent on flights and prepaid hotels on purchases via amextravel.com on up to $500,000 per calendar year.
The lounge details:
Options: More than 1,400+ airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, includes Centurion Lounges, Escape Lounges, Priority Pass Select, and more.
Centurion Lounge Guest Details: There is a per-visit fee of $50 for each guest or $30 for children aged 2 through 17, with proof of age.
Priority Pass Guest Details: 2 guests can join the cardholder for free.
Click here to learn more about the Amex Business Platinum Card. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card - Learn more here
This business card offers a phenomenal 3x miles on eligible purchases made directly with Delta. Additionally, enjoy an annual round trip companion certificate, your first checked bag free, access to complimentary upgrades, 15% off when booking Award Travel, priority boarding, and Status Boost®.* Cardholders also enjoy an up to $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit. Plus, the card has no foreign transaction fees (see rates & fees).
The lounge details:
Options: Access to Delta Sky Club® and The Centurion® Lounge when you book your Delta flight with your Reserve card
Delta Sky Club Details: Complimentary access for primary and additional cardmembers, plus ability to bring up to two guests for a $50 per person fee. You'll also get two Delta Sky Club One-Time Guest Passes annually. Effective 2/1/25, Reserve Card Members will receive 15 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of Visits each year starting on 2/1/25, the total eligible purchases on the Card must equal $75,000 or more between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and each calendar year thereafter.
The Centurion Lounge Details: Complimentary access for cardmembers; plus ability to bring up to two guests for a $50 per person fee.
6 of the best credit cards with airport lounge access - which is right for you?
For most people, the card that balances the lowest annual fee with strong perks is the Capital One Venture X. However, if access to Centurion, Delta Sky Club, or Reserve lounges is important to you, then choose accordingly!
*Each Benefit requires enrollment via their website, terms apply to American Express Benefits and offers. visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
Opinions expressed here are 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. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired.