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The Best Credit Cards for Airport Lounge Access

Airport lounges are often paired with the idea of boredom, anxiety, drained cell batteries, and overpriced snacks. It doesn’t have to be that way! Certain credit cards allow access to exclusive, private lounges that will have you feeling like a millionaire by the time you board your flight. Nowadays, top-notch travel experiences are within reach like never before, and sometimes acquiring just one card is all it requires.
Premium travel amenities, like airport lounges, are becoming increasingly common, showcasing a shift towards mainstream accessibility. Airport lounges offer passengers a cozy and lavish environment to unwind before and after their flights. These spaces typically feature comfortable seating, complimentary beverages (including alcohol), snacks, and even possible unexpected amenities like showers. These offerings enhance the comfort and enjoyment of travel significantly, particularly if you are experiencing delays.
Having a credit card that provides access to airport lounges is an excellent means to enhance your travel experience. Numerous cards also include priority boarding benefits, allowing you to board the plane swiftly, and bypass lengthy lines at the gate. Moreover, you can accrue bonus points on flights, redeemable for free flights or upgrades in the future, and these cards come with annual fees ranging from $95-$695. There is a card that caters to every budget.
Ready to dive in and examine these cards closer? Here is a list of our best credit cards that offer airport lounge access to turn your average travel experience into a fantastic experience.

Best for the largest lounge network: The Platinum Card® from American Express
Best for Delta SkyClub: Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card

And if you are brand new to using credit card points and miles within your travel strategy, here is a great place to begin!
Best for the largest lounge network: The Platinum Card® from American Express 
Learn more here
The Platinum Card® from American Express stands out as the top choice for individuals seeking entry to a vast network of lounges. This card grants you admission to over 1,400 airport lounges across the globe. Cardholders enjoy a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership*, offering access to more than 1,300 lounges worldwide. Additionally, exclusive entry is available to Centurion Lounges, as well as the Escape and Airspace lounge networks. When flying with Delta, access Delta Sky Clubs, and when flying with Lufthansa Group, enjoy access to Lufthansa lounges. Terms, Conditions & Disclosures (americanexpress.com)

●Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
●Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
●$200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
●$240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
●With American Express Global Lounge Collection® you can enjoy access to over 1,400 airport lounges globally, including The Centurion® Lounge, Unlimited Delta Sky Club® Access when flying an eligible Delta flight, Escape Lounges, Lufthansa Lounges when flying Lufthansa Group, Plaza Premium, Priority Pass™ Select Lounges, & Additional Global Lounge Collection Partner Lounges subject to visit limitations. Lounges may have their own rules, like additional access rules and guest fees, and for Priority Pass Select, you need to enroll and there are unlimited airport lounge visits for Card Members. With Delta Sky Club Access, Card Members will receive 10 Visits to the Delta Sky Club to be used from February 1 until January 31 of the next calendar year and can unlock Unlimited Delta Sky Club Access by spending $75,000 in eligible purchases on their Card in a calendar year. To find a lounge, visit the membership section in the American Express® App or visit http://www.americanexpress.com/findalounge#/loungefinder.
●$155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
●$200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
●$200 Uber Cash: Platinum Card® Members can ride or dine in style with $15 in Uber Cash each month, plus a bonus $20 in December after adding their Card to their Uber account. Use your Uber Cash on rides and orders in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
●$199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $199 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
●Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
●Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
●Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
●$695 annual fee.¤
●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.

Best for Delta Sky Club: Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
Learn more here
For those who frequently travel with Delta Air Lines and desire an upgraded experience, the Reserve card is tailor-made for you. Delta extends its most exclusive perks to cardholders, encompassing priority services, lounge access, companion fares, and a host of additional benefits.
Besides the more expensive Amex Platinum Card, this is the sole card offering Centurion Lounge access, with the condition that you must use this card to pay for your Delta flight for Centurion Lounge access. At $650 compared to $695 per year, it presents a more economical alternative (See rates and fees).
And something to look forward to in the future? Starting on February 1, 2025, Reserve Card Members will be granted 15 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club. 

●Earn 70,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $5,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
●Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits 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 so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
●Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge when you book a Delta flight with your Reserve Card.
●Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
●Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a First Class, Delta Comfort+®, or Main Cabin round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply.
●$240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
●$120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
●Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
●With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over other Medallion Members within the same Medallion tier and fare class grouping when you fly with Delta.
●Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
●No Foreign Transaction Fees.
●$650 Annual Fee.
●Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
●Terms Apply.
●See Rates & Fees
●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.

Which card to choose
When selecting a credit card with airport lounge access, it’s crucial to assess your travel patterns. Opting for a co-branded card linked to a specific airline makes sense if you consistently fly with that carrier and desire access to its lounges. However, for those without allegiance to a single airline, a more extensive lounge network, such as Priority Pass, might be preferable. 
Further advice? Examine the airports you frequent most frequently, taking note of available lounges, and choose a credit card that makes the most sense. The extensive Priority Pass network generally caters to the majority of consumers’ needs, so if you are looking for more wide and general access, that is a good start. 
Interested in a more broad list of our favorite cards especially selected for those who may be starting off in the points world? Look no further!

Opinions expressed here are the 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. 
*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. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company

Updated:4/4/2025
Updated: 4/4/2025