Buzz
Complimentary drinks! Tasty snacks! Plenty of charging ports! It’s safe to say that the Chase Sapphire Reserve has spoiled me.
Though it may be the most popular card right now, it’s certainly not the only one that grants free access to airport lounges for its cardholders.
“The premium credit card market has really taken off in the past year,” shares Ben Schlappig, founder of the travel rewards blog One Mile at a Time. “With an annual fee ranging from $450 to $550, lounge access has become a standard perk for these cards.”
Before we go into the specifics, here are three key points to keep in mind:
Airport lounges aren’t always the ideal escape you might imagine. At times, they can be packed, and their food options may not be much better than what you’ll find in the regular waiting area. That said, they still tend to be a more comfortable choice than fighting for charging stations or paying for overpriced coffee in the main terminal.
If you have a preferred airline, co-branded cards like the United MileagePlus Club, Delta Reserve, and Citi Executive AAdvantage World Elite MasterCard can be great picks. They guarantee you access to that airline’s lounges whenever you fly with them. On the flip side, generic lounge access cards might leave you without a lounge in some airports that don't have affiliated locations.
As with any credit card, it’s wise to only consider a rewards card if you intend to use it like a debit card—and pay off the full balance each month. If you struggle to do this, the perks could end up costing you more than they’re worth.
Okay with these conditions? Here are three credit cards offering free airport lounge access.
1. Chase Sapphire Reserve
With this card, you'll get a membership to Priority Pass Select, granting you access to over 1,000 lounges across 500 cities worldwide. You can bring guests at no extra cost, though some lounges may have limits on the number of guests allowed.
This membership doesn’t cover lounges from major airlines like American, Delta, or United. Schlappig recommends checking if your frequently visited airports feature any Priority Pass lounges for you to use.
Schlappig also points out that, with the increasing crowds in Priority Pass lounges, membership now includes additional perks to enhance the experience—such as one hour of free access to a nap room at PHL or up to $28 in free food at a PDX cafe.
Beyond lounges, the Chase Sapphire Reserve lets you earn Ultimate Rewards points, which can be transferred to 11 different air and hotel partners. You’ll also get a 50,000 point sign-up bonus after spending $4,000 within the first three months.
Here’s what else it includes:
3 points per dollar on travel and dining / 1 point per dollar on all other purchases
$100 application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
No foreign transaction fees
While the annual fee is $450, it’s largely offset by a $300 annual travel credit that can be applied to taxis, flights, car rentals, hotels, and more.
Schlappig describes this card as 'exceptionally well-rounded' and highlights its 'outstanding travel insurance.'
2. American Express Platinum
This charge card grants you entry to the expansive American Express Global Lounge Collection, which includes nine Centurion lounges known for their upscale amenities such as hot meals, premium cocktails, and, at select locations, complimentary massages and manicures.
Additionally, you’ll enjoy access to Priority Pass Select, International American Express lounges, Delta Sky Clubs (if flying Delta that day), Escape lounges, and Airspace lounges. You can bring up to two guests free of charge, except at Delta’s Sky Clubs, where each guest costs $29.
The Platinum card earns American Express Membership Rewards points, which can be transferred to 20 hotel and airline partners. You’ll receive 60,000 points after spending $5,000 in the first three months.
As Schlappig points out, this card is loaded with 'tons of perks,' including…
5 points per dollar on flights / 1 point per dollar on all other purchases
5 points per dollar on prepaid hotels booked via amextravel.com
Automatic Starwood Preferred Guest and Hilton Honors Gold status
Access to the Amex Platinum Concierge for booking travel and dining reservations
Complimentary Boingo wifi
$100 application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
No foreign transaction fees
With an annual fee of $550, it’s offset by a $200 credit each year with one airline of your choice (for things like baggage fees or meals, but not airfare), as well as up to $200 in Uber credit annually.
Stephanie Zito, a travel rewards expert who authored a guide on travel hacking your honeymoon, carries both the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the AmEx Platinum. She calls the AmEx Platinum her 'go-to' for lounge access because it 'best suits' her travel needs.
“My home airport in Portland, Oregon (PDX) not only features its iconic carpet, but it also has four excellent Priority Pass lounges I can use before my flights,” she says. “Domestically, I mostly fly American, with connections through Dallas or Miami, where I’ve had enough complimentary manicures at the Centurion lounge’s spa this year to justify the high annual fee. Plus, on the rare occasion I fly Delta, I still have access to their Sky Club.”
3. Citi Prestige
Similar to the Reserve, the Citi Prestige provides a Priority Pass Select membership, but with one key difference: you're allowed to bring only two guests with you.
The card’s ThankYou points can be transferred to 14 hotel and airline partners, and it comes with the following features:
3 points per dollar on air travel and hotels / 2 points per dollar on dining and entertainment / 1 point per dollar on all other purchases
$100 application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
“Missed Event Ticket Protection,” which reimburses up to $500 per ticket if you miss an event
No foreign transaction fees
Although the annual fee is $450, the card offers a $250 air travel credit that can be used for tickets, baggage fees, upgrades, and more.
The card includes a special 4th Night Free benefit: Book a hotel stay of at least four nights, and you’ll get the cost of one night refunded as a statement credit.
“You can enjoy a free fourth night at almost any hotel using this offer, and there’s no limit to how often you can take advantage of it,” says Schlappig. “For some, this can save thousands of dollars annually.”
While the cards listed above provide various lounge access and some incredible perks, domestic travelers should not overlook the co-branded credit cards mentioned earlier.
“Aside from Sky Club access for AmEx Platinum holders flying Delta that day, the major three cards no longer provide easy access to airline lounge clubs in the U.S.,” Zito observes. “If most of your travel is domestic with United or American—or if your home airport lacks a Priority Pass lounge—one of the co-branded airline club cards might be a better fit.”
The key takeaway? As Zito puts it: “The best card for you is the one that aligns its lounge benefits with your travel habits and needs.”
