Advertiser DISCLOSURE
BEST CREDIT CARDS FOR LOUNGE ACCESS
Airport lounges can elevate your travel experience to the next level. Free food, flowing drinks and a quiet place away from the hustle and bustle? Sign me up! Some even have showers, massages, exercise rooms and more! Many lounges are accessible just by holding the right credit card. Starting in February 2026, my go-to lounge card, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, is dropping some major perks. Venture X cardholders will no longer be able to bring guests into lounges. This is causing all loyal Venture X holders to SCRAMBLE. But how do you figure out exactly which lounges are available and which credit card grants you access? That can get a little confusing. So we’re breaking it down for you today- the best credit cards for lounge access!
WHAT TYPES OF LOUNGES EXIST?
Airline-Affiliated lounges: includes lounges such as: United Club, American Airlines Admirals Club or Delta SkyClubs. Usually business/first class fliers, or those with elite status, have access to these lounges, but sometimes the right credit card will grant you access.
Airline-Alliance lounges: includes lounges such as: Star Alliance, SkyTeam and Oneworld Lounges. Status with a particular airline within the alliance can often grant you access to the airline alliance lounge.
Credit card affiliated lounges: includes lounges such as: Capital One lounges, American Express Centurion lounges and Chase Sapphire lounges. Premium credit cards with the respective brand will often allow access of some sort to these lounges.
Independent lounges: includes lounges such as: Priority Pass or Plaza Premium lounge network. So, several cards offer memberships with these independent lounges as part of their benefits.
WHAT CARDS ALLOW ACCESS TO LOUNGES?
See my favorite Travel Rewards Cards HERE!
This is where it can get really confusing. So, let’s break it down by card type for sake of simplicity!
Check out the bottom of this post for all the links to the best lounge cards!
- The Platinum Card® from American Express: $695 Rates & Fees
- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express: $695 Rates & Fees
I created a table highlighting some of the differences with the premium American Express cards because there are a LOT of lounges with these cards – and they all have slight variations of rules!🤪 Luckily the Platinum and Business Platinum card have the same benefits.
| LOUNGE | ACCESS REQUIREMENTS | GUEST POLICY |
| Centurion Lounges | ID, Amex Platinum/Business Platinum, same day boarding pass. | Cardholder access only. $50 guest pass or $30 for children, 2-17. *may receive 2 complimentary guests after $75k spend in a year. |
| Delta SkyClub Lounges(10 visits per year) | ID, Amex Platinum/Business Platinum, + access only when flying a same day Delta operated flight. | Cardholder access only. $50 per guest up to two guest maximum. |
| Priority Pass Lounges(Must enroll through American Express) | ID, Priority Pass membership card | Typically cardholder access + 2 guests. (May vary by lounge) |
| Escape Lounges | ID, Amex Platinum/Business Platinum, same day boarding pass. | Cardholder access + 2 complimentary guests. |
| Plaza Premium Lounges | ID, Amex Platinum/Business Platinum, same day boarding pass | Typically cardholder + 2 complimentary guests. Additional guest passes available to purchase. |
| Aspire Lounges(formerly Airspace lounges) | ID, Amex Platinum/Business Platinum, same day boarding pass. | Cardholder + 2 complimentary guests |
| Lufthansa Lounges | ID, same day boarding pass (must be flying Lufthansa, Swiss or Austrian) | Varies by ticket class |
CAPITAL ONE CARDS
Check out the bottom of this post for all the links to the best lounge cards!
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: $395
Capital One Venture X Business Card: $395
| LOUNGE | CAPITAL ONE VENTURE X | CAPITAL ONE VENTURE X BUSINESS |
| Capital One Lounges/Landing | Current: Cardholder + 2 complimentary guests with cardholder. (One guest for Landing) Beginning Feb 1, 2026: Cardholder only. Guests will no longer receive access. They may visit at $45 per visit and $25 per visit for children 17 and under. Children 2 and under are free. A fee of $125/year for authorized users to have lounge access. | Current: Cardholder and 2 complimentary guests. (One guest for Landing) Beginning Feb 1, 2026: NO CHANGES. Cardholder + 2 complimentary guests. |
| Priority Pass Network | Current: Cardholder + 2 complimentary guests through 1/31/26. Beginning Feb 1, 2026, guests will no longer receive access. Guests may pay $35 per visit. Authorized user card holders will have access and may bring additional guests at $35 per visit. | Current: Cardholder + 2 complimentary guests. Beginning Feb 1, 2026: Cardholder + 2 complimentary guests Authorized users may have access for themselves and 2 guests (after paying $125 fee), additional guests: $35. |
Primary and authorized users will be eligible to bring in 2 complimentary guests to Capital One lounges and one complimentary guest to Capital One Landings if they spend $75K+ in a calendar year. So, access will be valid for the year you meet the spending requirement and the following year.
CHASE CARDS
Check out the bottom of this post for all the links to the best lounge cards!
Chase Sapphire Reserve®: $795 Annual Fee
Sapphire Reserve for Business℠: $795 Annual Fee
The Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card: $450 Annual Fee
(not available to new applicants, may upgrade from a Chase Marriott personal card such as the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card)
| LOUNGE | CHASE SAPPHIRE RESERVE/CHASE SAPPHIRE RESERVE BUSINESS | RITZ CARLTON CARD |
| Priority Pass Lounges | Cardholder access + 2 guests free. Priority Pass membership card and same day boarding pass required for entry. Authorized users ($195) have access to the same Priority Pass benefits **For the Reserve Business, employee card holders will not receive any lounge benefits | Cardholder access + UNLIMITED guests for free (typically at the discretion of the lounge) Priority Pass membership card and same day boarding pass required for entry. Authorized users (Free!) also have access to the same Priority Pass benefits! |
| Chase Sapphire Lounges by The Club* | Cardholder access + 2 guests complimentary. Authorized users have access to the same Chase Sapphire Lounges **For the Reserve Business, employee card holders will not receive any lounge benefits | Cardholder Access + 2 guests complimentary. Authorized users also have same access to Chase Sapphire Lounges |
*Note that all Priority Pass memberships issued by other banks, such as American Express or Capital One, have access to Chase Sapphire Lounges once per year through their respective priority pass membership.
CARDS WITH AIRLINE SPECIFIC LOUNGE ACCESS
ADMIRALS CLUBS
Check out the bottom of this post for all the links to the best lounge cards!
Citi® / Aadvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®: $595
| LOUNGE | CITI AADVANTAGE EXECUTIVE WORLD ELITE MASTERCARD |
| Admirals Clubs | Complimentary access for cardholders. Must show same-day ticket, credit card and ID. May bring in immediate family (spouse/partner and children under 18) or two guests. Authorized users ($175) enjoy the same benefits. |
DELTA SKYCLUBS
Check out the bottom of this post for all the links to the best lounge cards!
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: $650 Annual Fee Rates & Fees
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card: $650 Annual Fee Rates & Fees
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card: $350 Annual Fee Rates & Fees
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card: $350 Annual Fee Rates & Fees
These cards provide direct access to Delta SkyClubs. Guest fees are typically $50 per person per stay. It’s worth it to note that Delta considers any lounges visited within a 24 hour period as one stay. So in theory, you could have multiple visits to lounges while only using one pass.
| LOUNGE | DELTA SKYMILES RESERVE DELTA SKYMILES RESERVE BUSINESS CARD | DELTA SKYMILES PLATINUM DELTA SKYMILES PLATINUM BUSINESS CARD |
| Delta SkyClubs | 15 complimentary visits when flying on a same-day Delta ticket.*May spend $75K on the card annually for unlimited access. Four one-time guest passes. $50 Guest fee. Card must be open and in good standing. Authorized users ($175) enjoy the same benefits. | 10 Complimentary visits when flying on a same-day Delta ticket.May spend $75K on the card annually for unlimited access. $50 Guest fee. Card must be open and in good standing. |
| American Express Centurion Lounges (and Escape Lounges) | Complimentary access when flying on a same-day. Delta ticket. $50 Guest fee. Authorized users ($175) enjoy same benefits. | Not applicable. |
*Delta SkyClub lounge access year is Feb 1 – Jan 31.
UNITED CLUB LOUNGES / POLARIS LOUNGES
- The New United Club℠ Card: $695 Annual Fee
- The New United Club℠ Business Card: $695 Annual Fee
- The New United℠ Explorer Card: $0 first year, then $150
| LOUNGE | THE NEW UNITED CLUB CARD THE NEW UNITED CLUB BUSINESS CARD | THE NEW UNITED EXPLORER CARD |
| United Club Lounges/Polaris lounges | Complimentary access for cardholder + 2 guests or immediate family. Must show same-day boarding pass, ID and credit card. Polaris lounge access needs a qualifying ticket for access. Authorized users only have access to clubs when traveling with cardholders. | 2 guest passes each cardmember year. |
CONCLUSION: Best Credit Cards for lounge access
See my Favorite Travel Rewards Credit Cards HERE!
Whew! After reading this list, I hope you’re feeling a little more knowledgeable about lounge access. There are a lot of options out there to gain access to the club that might fit your travel plans best. So, take a look at your cards and see what lounges you might have access to. See you at the airport!
Happy Travels! Xo – Amber
Questions? Reach out to me here!
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. For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or MasterCard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.
EDITORIAL NOTE:
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 with the post.
Amberonpoints is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites such as MileValue.com and Bankrate.com. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. We appreciate it when you use our affiliate links as it supports our content at no cost to you!
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. For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or MasterCard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.
EDITORIAL NOTE:
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 with the post.
