7 Best Credit Cards with Airport Lounge Access

Tired of airport chaos? The right credit card can help you swap cramped terminals and $17 sandwiches for exclusivity, free cocktails, and delicious food. The cards in this article will let you waltz into airport lounges around the world, but fair warning: they all come with an annual fee. Here are our picks for the 8 best credit cards with lounge access. 

---

MoneyLion can help you explore a wide variety of credit card options tailored to different needs and preferences.

---

7 Best credit cards with airport lounge access

Here are our picks for some of the best credit cards that come with airport lounge access

1. Best for premium global lounge access: The Platinum Card from American Express
2. Best for quarterly travelers: The American Express Gold Card 
3. Best for flying United with a mid-range annual fee: The New United Explorer Card
4. Best for flying United with a high annual fee: The New United Club Card
5. Best for flying Delta: Delta SkyMiles Reserve
6. Best for flying American: Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite
7. Best for unbranded lounge access: Chase Sapphire Reserve

1. Best for premium global lounge access: The Platinum Card from American Express

The Platinum Card® from American Express is one of the best options when it comes to credit cards with airport lounge access around the world. This card offers access to the world’s most premium airport lounges, which usually include delicious meals, custom cocktails, and shower suites. But with a $695 annual fee, this card doesn’t come cheap. First, let’s talk lounges…

You’ll get access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection, which has more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries. This includes access to Centurion Lounges as well as partner lounge programs like the Delta Sky Club, Lufthansa lounges, Plaza Premium lounges, Priority Pass, and Escape Lounges.

In addition to lounge access, you’ll receive over $1,200 in annual statement credits, including:

1. $240 for digital entertainment 
2. $200 for hotel bookings made through American Express Travel
3. $200 for incidental airline fees
4. $199 for Clear, TSA PreCheck, or Global Entry
5. $200 in Uber Cash
6. $155 for Walmart+ 
7. $100 for purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue

Amex Platinum holders also get 5x points on flights (up to $500,000 per year), 5x on hotels booked through Amex Travel, and 1x on all other purchases. Plus, you’ll receive complimentary Marriott Bonvoy^® Gold Elite Status, Hilton Honors^™ Gold Status, car rental privileges, car rental insurance, a 24/7 global assist hotline, and trip delay/cancellation/interruption insurance.

If you’re looking for a credit card with the largest network of premium global airport lounges, then the Amex Platinum is likely your best choice.

Credit score needed: 690-850 (good to excellent)	Purchases intro Annual Percentage Rate (APR): N/A
Intro bonus: Earn 175,000 points when you spend $8,000 within 6 months	Cash advance fee: Either $10 or 5%, whichever is higher
Annual fee: $695	Balance transfer fee: N/A
Regular APR: 20.24% to 29.24%	Foreign transaction fee: None

2. Best for quarterly travelers: American Express Gold Card

The American Express® Gold Card offers four complimentary annual passes to over 1,300 lounges around the world, making it a great option for people who only fly once every few months. This card’s got a $325 annual fee, which is cheaper than the Amex Platinum, but still expensive compared to other cards.

However, for the $325 fee, this card offers some great food and dining benefits, including 4x points at restaurants (up to $50,000 per year), 4x on groceries (up to $25,000), 3x on flights, and 1x on all other purchases. You’ll also get $424 in annual statement credits, which can help offset the annual fee. These credits include:

1. $120 for Uber Eats 
2. $100 for Resy 
3. $84 for Dunkin’
4. $120 for eligible dining purchases

Plus, you’ll enjoy all the perks of being an Amex cardholder, which include car rental insurance, a 24/7 global assist hotline when traveling, baggage insurance, and no foreign transaction fees.

Credit score needed: 690-850 (good to excellent)	Purchases intro APR: N/A
Intro bonus: 100,000 points when you spend $6,000 in 6 months	Cash advance fee: $10 or 5%, whichever is higher
Annual fee: $325	Balance transfer fee: N/A
Regular APR: 20.24% to 29.24%	Foreign transaction fee: None

3. Best for flying United with a mid-range annual fee: The New United Explorer Card

The New United® Explorer Card packs a ton of value for a modest annual fee, making it a strong contender for people who fly United and want to swing by their lounge once or twice a year.

This card offers 2 United Club one-time passes per year, plus a free checked bag for the primary cardholder and 1 companion ($160 round-trip value), and priority boarding on United flights, all with a $150 annual fee that’s waived in the first year. It’s a great way to get some extra perks while flying United, without dishing out hundreds for an annual fee.

You’ll also get plenty of bonus points for spending, including 7x miles on United Flights, 5x miles on fare from United, 2x miles on United purchases, hotel stays, and dining, and 1x mile on all other purchases. There are also several statement credits, including: 

1. $120 reimbursement for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
2. A 10,000-mile award flight discount after spending $20,000 on purchases each calendar year.
3. $100 in United TravelBank cash after spending $10,000 on purchases each calendar year
4. Up to $60 for rideshare purchases (paid in $5 monthly increments)
5. $50 annually on your first and second prepaid hotel stays purchased through United Hotels.
6. Up to $50 in United travel credits per year on Avis or Budget rentals booked through United
7. Up to $100 on JSX flights
8. A complimentary Instacart+ Membership for three months, plus a $10 monthly Instacart credit each month

These credits can easily offset the cost of the annual fee each year, as long as you don’t mind booking through United’s travel portal. 

Finally, cardholders also receive primary rental car coverage, trip cancellation, or trip interruption insurance when they pay with their United card.

Credit score needed: 690-850 (good to excellent)	Purchases intro APR: N/A
Intro bonus: Earn 60,000 miles when you spend $3,000 within 3 months	Cash advance fee: Either $10 or 5%, whichever is higher
Annual fee: $0 for 1 year, then $150	Balance transfer fee: Either $5 or 5%, whichever is higher
Regular APR: 20.49% to 28.99%	Foreign transaction fee: None

4. Best for flying United with a high annual fee: The New United Club Card

The New United Club® Card is United’s premium offering, granting cardholders and 1 guest access to all of United’s 45 lounges around the world, plus free bags, and plenty of other perks for $695 per year.

Cardholders will receive a United Club membership, which grants lounge access to United’s lounge network. Additionally, cardholders will receive 4 United ClubSM one-time passes, 2 free checked bags for you and 1 companion, Premier Access travel services, IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status, Avis President’s Club status, and over $675 in new annual partner credits. 

Here are the statement credits included with this card:

1. $240 for Instacart, plus a free Instacart+ membership
2. $200 in credits when booked through Renowned Hotels and Resorts
3. $200 for charter flight bookings with JSX
4. $150 for ridesharing services
5. $100 in United travel credits on car rentals with Avis or Budget
6. A 10,000-mile award flight discount after $20,000 in purchases to use toward an eligible award flight 

1. $120 for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS
2. 25% off in-flight purchases.
3. Up to 20,000 miles in award flight discounts per year.

Cardholders will also earn plenty of bonus points, including 9x total miles on United flights, 5x miles on fare from United as a MileagePlus member, 4x miles on United purchases, 2x miles on travel and dining, and 1x miles on all other purchases. 

Finally, enjoy built-in travel protections, including trip cancellation insurance, trip delay reimbursement, rental car insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, and baggage delay insurance.

Credit score needed: 720-850 (excellent)	Purchases intro APR: N/A
Intro bonus: Earn 90,000 miles when you spend $5,000 within 3 months	Cash advance fee: Either $10 or 5%, whichever is higher
Annual fee: $695	Balance transfer fee: Either $5 or 5%, whichever is higher
Regular APR: 20.49% to 28.99%	Foreign transaction fee: None

5. Best for flying Delta: Delta SkyMiles Reserve

If you live near a Delta hub, then you’ll want to explore the Delta SkyMiles® American Express Card, which unlocks access to Delta’s Sky Club and American Express’ Centurion Lounges for a $650 annual fee. 

This card offers 15 visits to Delta Sky Club lounges, American Express’ Centurion Lounges, plus four one-time guest passes to Delta Sky Clubs each year. This is one of the only credit cards with lounge access that caps your number of lounge visits, although you can unlock unlimited visits by spending $75,000 or more with the card. However, it makes up for it by offering a free first checked bag on all flights and one companion certificate on a US or Mexico flight each year (this allows you to bring a companion (free of charge) on select bookings).

In addition to lounge access, you’ll receive a number of statement credits, including:

1. $240 for Resy
2. $200 on hotel stays booked through Delta
3. $120 for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
4. Upgrade priority on Delta flights
5. $2,500 Medallion Qualification dollars each Medallion Qualification Year
6. $1 Medallion^® Qualification Dollar for each $10 in purchases made on your Card 
7. Hertz President’s Circle status

Plus, enjoy plenty of travel benefits like baggage insurance, trip cancellation insurance, trip delay reimbursement, rental car insurance, and a 24/7 assist hotline. Finally, cardholders will also earn 3x on all Delta purchases and 1x on all other purchases.

Credit score needed: 690-850 (good to excellent)	Purchases intro APR: N/A
Intro bonus: Earn 100,000 miles when you spend $6,000 within 6 months	Cash advance fee: Either $10 or 5%, whichever is higher
Annual fee: $650	Balance transfer fee: N/A
Regular APR: 20.24% to 29.24%	Foreign transaction fee: None

6. Best for flying American: Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard

If you travel with American Airlines frequently, then the Citi® AAdvantage® Executive World Elite® Mastercard is a must-have if you want to get access to their Admirals Club airport lounges. 

This card offers access to the Admirals Club for an annual fee of $595, which is cheaper than buying a membership out-of-pocket for $850. If you plan on buying an Admirals Club membership, then it makes financial sense to just sign up for the AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard. 

As a cardholder, you’ll enjoy perks like priority check-in, screening, and boarding when flying with American Airlines. Plus, a free checked bag on domestic AA flights for you and up to 8 travel companions. You’ll also receive the following statement credits annually:

1. $120 for Lyft
2. $120 for Grubhub
3. $120 for prepaid Avis and Budget car rentals
4. $120 for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
5. Earn a 10,000 Loyalty Point bonus after reaching 50,000 Loyalty Points in a status qualification year (you’ll earn another 10,000 when you reach 90,000 points)
6.  Save 25% on in-flight purchases

Then, there are the points. Cardholders receive 10x miles on eligible hotels and car rentals booked through AA, 4x miles on eligible AA purchases, and 1x miles on all other purchases.

Finally, enjoy built-in protections like trip cancellation & interruption insurance, trip delay protection, lost baggage protection, and car rental insurance coverage.

Credit score needed: 690-850 (good to excellent)	Purchases intro APR: N/A
Intro bonus: Earn 100,000 miles when you spend $10,000 within 3 months	Cash advance fee: Either $10 or 5%, whichever is higher
Annual fee: $595	Balance transfer fee: Either $5 or 5%, whichever is higher
Regular APR: 20.24% to 29.24%	Foreign transaction fee: None

7. Best for unbranded lounge access: Chase Sapphire Reserve

Want to get airport lounge access without committing to one airline? The Chase Sapphire Reserve® Credit Card is a great option that also offers a broad rewards program and plenty of travel perks. Just be ready for the $550 annual fee.

Chase Sapphire Reserve cardmembers get complimentary access to Priority Pass, a global network of 1,700 airport lounges around the world. You and 2 guests also get access to the growing network of Sapphire Lounges. You’ll also receive a host of additional benefits, including:

1. A $300 flexible travel credit
2. $120 for free Global Entry, TSA Pre Check, or NEXUS
3. Tip delay/cancellation insurance
4. Auto rental insurance
5. Travel and emergency assistance
6. Baggage insurance
7. Travel medical insurance 

Finally, this card serves up some impressive points that are much broader than what most lounge-access credit cards offer. You’ll earn 10x on hotels and car rentals booked through Chase, 5x on flights booked through Chase, 3x points on dining (including delivery and takeout), plus 3x points on travel purchases after you spend $300 on travel purchases.

You’ll also get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase. For example, 60,000 points ($600 value) are worth $900 toward travel

Credit score needed: 720-850 (excellent)	Purchases intro APR: N/A
Intro bonus: Earn 60,000 points when you spend $5,000 within 3 months	Cash advance fee: $10 or 5%, whichever is higher
Annual fee: $550	Balance transfer fee: $5 or 5%, whichever is higher
Regular APR: 20.24% to 28.74%	Foreign transaction fee: None

How to choose the best credit card with lounge access

Choosing the best credit card for lounge access can be tricky. Here’s what to keep in mind as you research:

• Annual fee vs. value: Lounge access cards often come with steep annual fees, but the card’s value should quickly outweigh the cost if you travel frequently. Be honest with yourself and consider how often you’ll use each of the card’s perks. If you fly less than a few times a year, you might be better off just buying day passes to a lounge every now and then.

• Lounge network access: Make sure your card offers lounge access at airports that you use frequently. Access to 1,500 lounges may sound impressive, but it isn’t helpful if none of those lounges are in your home airport. Of course, it’s a different story if you routinely fly in airports all over the world. 

• Guest policy: Your card might get you in, but what about your family or significant other? If you often travel with family, friends, or coworkers, check the guest policy so none of your close companions get stuck at the gate.

• Visit limitations: Unlimited visits? Nice. Two free visits per year? Less impressive. Some cards cap the number of lounge entries, so be sure to understand how often you can actually take advantage of the perk.

• Airline partnerships: If you’re loyal to a specific airline, a co-branded card could grant you access to that carrier’s lounges, plus get bonus perks like free checked bags and priority boarding. Or, you might prefer a general travel card that doesn’t lock you into using one airline.

• Additional travel benefits: Great lounge access is just part of the package. Many cards also offer rewards like hefty travel credits, trip delay insurance, hotel upgrades, or free bags. These extras can dramatically boost the card’s overall value. While the siren call of free airport cocktails can be tempting, try to look beyond the lounge and consider the full travel package.

Airport Lounge Access Credit Cards: Worth the High Annual Fees?

If you plan on chilling in airport lounges dozens of times per year, then credit card lounge access is probably well worth the annual fee. But if you don’t travel very often, then you might find yourself paying a premium for a perk that you rarely use.

Whether you’re in it for the free drinks, the comfy chairs, or just a break from the gate hustle, the right credit card can upgrade your travel game instantly. 

FAQs