Editor’s note: At TPG, our top priority is providing our readers with the information you need to make educated decisions about travel and your rewards-earnings strategy. This is not the best time to travel, domestically or internationally, as airlines have cut major parts of their route network. But we are sharing these travel card offers because they could provide value to cardholders for future travel once coronavirus concerns have subsided.
Even if I only grab a coffee or a light snack, complimentary lounge access before a flight or during a layover makes me happy. Many of the top premium credit cards offer lounge access — but the types of lounges you can use vary greatly from card to card.
Let’s consider the best credit cards that offer complimentary airport lounge access.
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In This Post
Best credit cards for airport lounge access in 2020
- The Platinum Card® from American Express: Best overall for airport lounges
- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express: Best business card overall for airport lounges
- Chase Sapphire Reserve: Best for Priority Pass lounges and restaurants
- Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®: Best for American Airlines flyers
- United Club Infinite Card: Best for United flyers
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: Best for Delta flyers
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card: Best for Delta business travelers
Before diving into the lounge access and benefits provided by each card, let’s look at how many points or miles you can earn from the welcome bonus on each of these credit cards.
Comparing welcome bonuses of best credit cards for airport lounge access
| Credit Card | Annual fee | Welcome bonus |
| The Platinum Card from American Express | $550 (see rates & fees) | 60,000 points after $5,000 in purchases in the first 3 months. Terms apply. |
| The Business Platinum Card from American Express | $595 (see rates & fees) | 75,000 points after you spend $15,000 on qualifying purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. Terms apply. |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve | $550 | 50,000 points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in your first 3 months |
| Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard | $450 | 50,000 miles after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening |
| United Club Infinite Card | $525 | 100,000 miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. Offer ends May 18, 2020. |
| Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card | $550 (see rates & fees) | 80,000 miles and 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $5,000 in purchases in your first 3 months. Plus, an additional 20,000 miles after your first anniversary of card membership. Terms apply. Offer expires April 1, 2020. |
| Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express Card | $550 (see rates & fees) | 80,000 miles and 20,000 MQMs after you spend $5,000 in purchases in your first 3 months. Plus, an additional 20,000 miles after your first anniversary of card membership. Terms apply. Offer expires April 1, 2020. |
Here’s a breakdown of why these are seven of the best cards for lounge access.
The Platinum Card from American Express
The Amex Platinum has a $550 annual fee (see rates and fees), but if you travel frequently and value the lounge membership benefits of this card, you’ll likely get your money’s worth from the card.
Lounge access
The Amex Platinum is the best overall card for lounge access because it provides entry to the largest number and variety of high-quality lounges. First and foremost, you’ll be able to access Amex’s Centurion Lounges which offer free drinks, a great selection of hot and cold food, amenities and more. There are currently 12 Centurion Lounges and three more are scheduled to open by the end of 2020.
Unfortunately, unless you can show that you’re in transit from another flight, you’ll only be able to access Centurion Lounges within three hours of scheduled departure with a same-day, confirmed boarding pass. And access upon arrival is no longer allowed. You can bring up to two guests at no additional charge, as well as any children under two.
You’ll also be able to access Delta Sky Clubs when you’re flying Delta, and receive Priority Pass Select membership with two guests included. However, this Priority Pass Select membership won’t provide access to restaurants in the Priority Pass network. You can also access various other lounges in the American Express Global Lounge Collection, including Escape Lounges, Airspace Lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges and international American Express lounges.
Related reading: A guide to lounge access with the Amex Platinum Card
Other benefits on The Platinum Card
The Amex Platinum Card earns five Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on airfare booked directly with the airline or through Amex Travel, as well as five points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel. You’ll also get a credit of up to $200 to use toward fees on one airline of your choice each calendar year. And you’ll get up to $200 in annual Uber credits, up to $100 in annual Saks Fifth Ave credits, Gold elite status with Marriott and Hilton, plus many more benefits.
Related reading: The king of luxury benefits: The Platinum Card from American Express review
Official application link: The Platinum Card from American Express
The Business Platinum Card from American Express
The Business Platinum card has slightly different benefits than its personal Platinum counterpart, along with a slightly higher $595 annual fee (see rates and fees). It’s a card primarily designed for businesses with travel needs that can take advantage of the credits and perks it provides, especially airport lounge access.
Lounge access
The Amex Business Platinum is the best overall business card for lounge access. Like the personal Amex Platinum, the Business Platinum offers access to Amex’s Centurion Lounges and to Delta Sky Clubs when you’re flying Delta, along with a Priority Pass Select membership with two guests included (but no restaurant access). The entire American Express Global Lounge Collection is also available to Business Platinum cardmembers. However, the same restrictions on Centurion lounge access — admittance only within three hours of departure, no access upon arrival and two free guests only — also apply to the Business Platinum.
Other benefits on the Business Platinum Card
The Business Platinum Card has many of the same perks as the personal Platinum Card, but there are some differences. The Business Platinum Card earns five Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on airfare and prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel, as well as 1.5 points per dollar spent on each eligible purchase of $5,000 or more (up to one million additional points per year).
You’ll get an airline-fee credit of up to $200 on one airline of your choice each calendar year, Gold elite status with Marriott, Gold status with Hilton and up to $200 in annual Dell credits (for U.S. purchases). Plus, you’ll get a 35% rebate when you book a first or business class flight through Amex Travel, using Pay with Points (up to 500,000 points back per calendar year). This discount also extends to any class of flight with the airline you selected for your airline fee credit.
Related reading: Big price, big perks: A review of the Business Platinum Card from American Express
Official application link: The Business Platinum Card from American Express
Chase Sapphire Reserve
With the recent changes and benefit reductions on the Citi Prestige® Card and the loss of Priority Pass restaurant access on American Express cards, the Chase Sapphire Reserve is now the best general travel card for Priority Pass lounge access. The information for the Citi Prestige has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
However, note that the Sapphire Reserve’s annual fee increased from $450 to $550 for new applicants as of Jan. 12, 2020 and will increase for current cardholders when they renew on or after April 1, 2020.
Lounge access
Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders get a Priority Pass Select membership that includes access to airport lounges, restaurants, cafes and markets participating in the Priority Pass Select network. Primary cardmembers and authorized users are granted access to Priority Pass lounges and are each allowed a maximum of two guests who accompany them.
Other benefits of the Chase Sapphire Reserve
The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers 10 Chase Ultimate Rewards points per dollar spent on Lyft (a new benefit that began on Jan. 12, 2020), three points per dollar spent on other travel and dining worldwide and one point per dollar spent on all other purchases. The card also offers a $300 annual travel credit and travel protections that include trip delay protection and delayed baggage protection.
Related reading: Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card review
Official application link: Chase Sapphire Reserve
Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard
The Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard has a $450 annual fee, with no charge for up to ten authorized users. If you’re mainly interested in the card for Admirals Club access, you’ll notice that the annual fee is lower than the cost to purchase or renew an individual Admirals Club membership.
Lounge access
The AAdvantage Executive Card comes with an Admirals Club membership for the primary cardholder. Admirals Club membership includes access to American Airlines Admirals Club lounges as well as other lounges with which American Airlines has reciprocal access privileges. Authorized users, on the other hand, only have access to American’s Admirals Club lounges. The primary cardholder and each authorized user can bring immediate family members or up to two traveling guests into the lounge.
However, you must show a boarding pass for same-day travel on any departing or arriving flight that is marketed or operated by American Airlines, a Oneworld partner carrier, or American Airlines or Alaska Airlines in any combination. You can visit the Admirals Club on departure or arrival, but only when you’re flying with American Airlines or partner airlines.
Other benefits on the AAdvantage Executive Card
With the AAdvantage Executive Card, you’ll earn two miles per dollar spent on eligible American Airlines purchases and one mile per dollar spent on all other purchases. Plus, you’ll get Group 4 priority boarding and your first checked bag free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for you and up to eight companions traveling on the same reservation. Another useful perk? Cardholders can earn 10,000 elite-qualifying miles after making $40,000 in purchases each calendar year.
Related reading: Citi/AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard review
Official application link: Citi/AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard
United Club Infinite Card
The United Club Infinite Card has a $525 annual fee and provides a United Club membership to the primary cardholder. To put the annual fee in context, a United Club membership can normally be purchased for $550 – $650 per year, depending on your status with United. If you want a United Club membership, you will come out ahead by signing up for the United Club Infinite Card.
If you already have the United Club Card (which is no longer accepting applications), you may want to consider the United Club Infinite Card to earn at a higher rate on United purchases (4x vs. 2x). But, you won’t be eligible if you currently have a United Club Card or you’ve received a sign-up bonus for a United Club Card within the last 24 months.
Lounge access
The United Club Infinite Card provides a United Club membership to the primary cardholder. You must have a same-day boarding pass for travel on a United, Star Alliance or a partner-operated flight and a government-issued photo identification to access United Club lounges. The primary cardholder can bring one adult and dependent children under 21, or up to two guests, into the lounge with them.
Other benefits on the United Club Infinite Card
With the United Club Infinite Card, you’ll earn four United miles per dollar spent with United and two United miles per dollar spent on restaurants and all other travel. All other purchases earn one United mile per dollar spent. Plus, you and one companion traveling on the same reservation can get your first and second standard checked bags free on United-operated flights when you purchase the tickets with your United Club Infinite Card. You’ll have access to priority check-in and Group 2 boarding.
Outside of flying with United, the card lets you enroll in the Hertz Gold Plus Rewards program’s President’s Circle tier.
You’ll also be covered by travel protections, including trip delay protection, baggage delay protection, lost luggage reimbursement, trip cancellation and interruption insurance and more when you purchase flights and other common carrier travel using your card. The United Club Infinite Card also offers extended warranty protection, return protection and purchase protection for most items you purchase with your card. And, you can get reimbursed for a TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fee that is charged to your card every four years.
Related reading: Credit card review: United Club Infinite Card
Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card
The Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card has a $550 annual fee (see rates and fees). The card offers Delta Sky Club access as one of its benefits — which may justify the annual fee if you travel with Delta frequently.
Lounge access
Delta Reserve cardmembers have complimentary access to Delta Sky Clubs when traveling on a Delta or Delta-marketed flights operated by WestJet and booked through Delta.
You can also access Delta Sky Clubs when traveling on a Delta partner, but you’ll need to pay $39 per visit. You can bring up to two guests, or a spouse or domestic partner and children under 21. Reserve cardholders get two one-time guest passes for the Delta Sky Club each account year.
Delta Reserve cardholders also get access on departure to American Express Centurion Lounges when traveling on a Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight that was paid for with a U.S.-issued American Express card. You’ll only be able to access the lounge up to three hours before your flight or during connections. And although you can bring up to two guests, you’ll need to pay $50 per guest.
Other benefits on the Delta Reserve credit card
The Delta Reserve Card earns three Delta SkyMiles per dollar spent directly with Delta and one mile per dollar spent on all other purchases.
You and up to eight companions on the same reservation will get your first checked bag free and Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding when flying with Delta. You’ll also receive a domestic first-class, Delta Comfort+ or Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your card.
Elite status is also more attainable with this card. When you spend $25,000 on your card within a calendar year, you will get a Medallion Qualification Dollar waiver for Platinum, Gold and Silver Medallion status. For Diamond Medallion status, you’ll need to spend $250,000.
The card comes with extended warranty protection, return protection and purchase protection for many items when you purchase them with your card. And you’ll get trip delay protection and trip cancellation and interruption protection when you purchase round-trip common carrier tickets with your card.
Related reading: Loaded with perks for Delta loyalists: Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card review
Official application link: Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card
Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express Card
The Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express Card comes with an identical $550 annual fee (see rates and fees). It offers Delta Sky Club access as one of its benefits, which can be useful for business travelers who frequently fly on Delta.
Lounge access
Like the personal Delta Reserve credit card, Delta Reserve for Business cardholders have complimentary access to Delta Sky Clubs when traveling on a Delta-marketed and Delta-operated flight, or on a Delta-marketed flights operated by WestJet and booked through Delta. When flying on a Delta partner, you’ll have to pay $39 to visit and that same per-person fee applies to up to two guests. You do get two one-time complimentary guest passes each account year.
Cardholders also get access on departure to Centurion Lounges when traveling on Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flights for which the fare was paid with a U.S.-issued American Express card. You’ll be able to access the lounge up to three hours before departure or during connections. You can bring up to two guests by paying $50 per person per location.
Other benefits on the Delta Reserve for Business
The Delta Reserve for Business earns three Delta miles per dollar spent directly with Delta and one mile per dollar spent on all other purchases. However, you’ll earn 1.5 miles per dollar spent on all purchases after $150,000 in spending each calendar year.
Like the personal Delta Reserve, you’ll get a first free checked bag for you and up to eight companions on the same reservation, along with Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding when flying with Delta. A round-trip companion certificate for bookings in domestic first class, Delta Comfort+ or Domestic Main Cabin also comes with the card each year upon renewal.
You’ll also find identical benefits to those offered by the personal version of this card. These benefits include Medallion Qualification Dollar waiver, return protection, extended warranty protection and purchase protection for most items purchased for your business with the Delta Reserve Business card. You’ll also be covered by trip delay protection and trip cancellation and interruption protection when you purchase round-trip common carrier travel with your card.
Further reading: Credit card review: Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express Card
Official application link: Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express Card
Comparing benefits of the best credit cards with airport lounge access
| Credit Card | Annual fee | Lounge access | Primary benefits |
| The Platinum Card from American Express | $550 (see rates & fees) | Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges and other lounges in the American Express Global Lounge Collection when flying any airline
Delta Sky Club when flying Delta or select partner airlines |
5x points on flights booked directly with airlines or Amex Travel and prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel
Airline fee credit up to $200 each year Uber credits up to $200 each year Terms apply |
| The Business Platinum Card from American Express | $595 (see rates & fees) | Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges and other lounges in the American Express Global Lounge Collection when flying any airline
Delta Sky Club when flying Delta or select partner airlines |
5x points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel
1.5x points on each eligible purchase of $5,000 or more 35% rebate when booking eligible flights through Pay with Points Terms apply |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve | $550 | Priority Pass lounges and restaurants when flying any airline | 10x points on Lyft (through March 2022)
3x points on travel and dining $300 annual travel credit Travel and shopping protections |
| Citi/AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard | $450 | Admirals Club membership for the primary cardholder and access for authorized users (limited to when you’re flying American Airlines or select partner airlines) | 2x miles on eligible American Airlines purchases
Group 4 priority boarding First checked bag free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for you and up to eight companions |
| United Club Infinite Card | $525 | United Club membership for primary cardholder (when you’re flying United, Star Alliance or a contracted partner) | 4x miles on United purchases, 2x miles at restaurants and on all travel purchases
Group 2 boarding First and second checked bag free on United-operated flights for you and one companion Travel and shopping protections |
| Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card | $550 (see rates & fees) | Delta Sky Club access when traveling on a Delta-marketed and Delta-operated flight, or on a Delta-marketed flight that is operated by WestJet and booked through Delta
Centurion Lounge access when traveling on a Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight for which you paid with a U.S.-issued Amex card |
3x miles on eligible Delta purchases
First checked bag free and Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding for you and up to eight companions Round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your card Terms apply |
| Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express Card | $550 (see rates & fees) | Delta Sky Club access when traveling on a Delta-marketed and Delta-operated flight, or on a Delta-marketed flight that is operated by WestJet and booked through Delta
Centurion Lounge access when traveling on a Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight for which you paid with a U.S.-issued Amex card |
3x miles on eligible Delta purchases
First checked bag free and Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding for you and up to eight companions Round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your card Terms apply |
Low annual fee options
Although the annual fees on the cards discussed so far are high, they carry enough benefits and can earn you enough points to recoup the fees many times over. But if you just can’t justify the annual fees on these cards or don’t travel frequently, here are a few credit cards that have lower annual fees and offer a handful of complimentary lounge visits each year:
- Get 10 free visits to a selection of Priority Pass airport lounges every year with the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card ($95 annual fee, see rates and fees) and the Hilton Honors American Express Business Card ($95 annual fee, see rates and fees).
- Get $100 in statement credits for lounge access purchased through LoungeBuddy every calendar year with the American Express® Green Card ($150 annual fee, see rates and fees).
- Get two United Club one-time passes when you sign-up and on each account anniversary with the United Explorer Card ($95 annual fee that’s waived the first year) and the United Business Card ($99 annual fee).
Frequently asked questions
Here are a few of the most commonly asked questions about the use of credit cards for lounge access:
What is Priority Pass and how does it work?
Priority Pass is an airport lounge membership program that provides members with access to more than 1,300 airport lounges — and sometimes non-lounge experiences such as restaurants — around the world. With a Priority Pass membership, you can visit these lounges regardless of the airline you’re flying or your ticket class. This means you can even access Priority Pass lounges when you’re flying in economy class on a low-cost airline.
If you have Priority Pass access benefits through a credit card, you’ll usually need to actively enroll in Priority Pass Select. Different credit cards offer different access policies, so be sure to determine exactly what benefits your card offers. For example, Priority Pass Select memberships for American Express cards don’t cover visits to restaurant lounges and cards with lower annual fees such as the Hilton Surpass and Hilton Business cards only offer 10 free lounge visits per year.
Related reading: The best credit cards for Priority Pass lounge access
What are Centurion Lounges and how do they work?
Centurion Lounges are high-end lounges accessible to select American Express cardmembers. There are currently 12 Centurion Lounges, with three more scheduled to open by the end of 2020. Centurion Lounges are known for offering quality dining and drinks; a few locations even offer complimentary spa services.
The easiest way to get access to Centurion Lounges is by holding an eligible card like The Platinum Card from American Express or The Business Platinum Card from American Express. But Delta SkyMiles Reserve and Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business cardholders are also able to access Centurion Lounges when flying Delta on a ticket paid for with the card. Delta Reserve cardholders don’t get complimentary guest access, but Amex Platinum cardholders can bring up to two guests with them free of charge and Centurion members can bring up to two guests or their immediate family free of charge.
Related reading: The ultimate guide to Amex Centurion Lounges
Should I have multiple cards with lounge access?
Depending on how frequently you travel, the airports you visit and the airlines you fly, it may make sense to have multiple cards that offer access to different lounge networks. Since you can only access Delta, United and American lounges when flying each airline, it’s important to have the correct credit card for lounge access based on the airports you’re visiting and the airline you’re flying.
Related reading: AA, Delta and United lounges have limited access to customers flying with them: Here’s what to do
Related guides
- Battle of the premium travel rewards cards: Which is the best?
- The best credit cards for airfare purchases
- Guide to lounge access with the Amex Platinum and Business Platinum
- The Amex Platinum Card keeps getting harder to ignore: Here’s why
- Choosing the best credit card for American Airlines flyers
- Choosing the best credit card for Delta flyers
- Why the Amex Platinum might just be the best card for Delta flyers
- The 9 best credit cards for flying United
- Everything you need to know about the Priority Pass program
- 5 things airport lounges need to do ASAP to stop overcrowding
- Do you need to tip servers in airport lounges?
For rates and fees of the Platinum Card, please click here.
For rates and fees of the Business Platinum Card, please click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve, please click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business, please click here.
For rates and fees of the Hilton Surpass, please click here.
For rates and fees of the Hilton Business Card, please click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Green Card, please click here.
Featured photo of the Escape Lounge at Minneapolis Saint Paul (MSP) by Katie Genter/The Points Guy.
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