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No one really wants to spend a lot of time at the airport. There are long lines at check-in and security, crowds in the terminal, slow Wi-Fi and chain restaurants selling overpriced food and drinks. Luckily, several travel rewards credit cards make the airport experience much more pleasant by giving cardholders access to airport lounges.
Airport lounges usually provide access to friendly agents who can offer you help with your travel plans, free internet, plugs for recharging your devices and snacks—or even full meal service in some cases. If you are a frequent traveler, having lounge access can make all the difference between a productive travel day and one spent wandering in search of a space to sit.
While membership to airport lounges can cost hundreds of dollars per year, many travel rewards credit cards offer lounge access among their perks. These cards do tend to charge high annual fees, so before you apply for one, make sure you will get enough value from its other benefits to make paying for it worthwhile.
Many airport lounges are currently closed due to COVID-19, but most should reopen as travel resumes. In the meantime, here are some excellent travel credit cards and how to find the right one for you.
Types of Airport Lounges
Some airport lounges are run directly by airlines for their own passengers and those of their partners, while other airport lounges are independently owned and operated.
- Airline lounges: Airline-specific lounges include Alaska Airlines Lounges, American Airlines Admirals Clubs, Delta Sky Clubs and United Clubs among the U.S. airlines. Many international carriers field their own lounges both in the U.S. and abroad. Some airlines also operate even more specialized lounges for their most premium fliers, where access can depend on the type of ticket you purchase, the cabin you'll be traveling in, whether you have elite status and other factors. If you hope to gain access to a specific airline's lounges using a credit card, it's important to know which lounges your card will actually get you into and any other conditions that apply to your entrance privileges.
- Other lounges: Many airport lounges are not operated by specific airlines, but are owned by other companies that might or might not participate in an association that partners with travel rewards credit cards. For example, American Express operates its own branded Centurion Lounges that are accessible to some American Express cardholders in several major U.S. airports. And Priority Pass is a lounge access program with over 1,300 member locations around the world, including at major international airports.
- Crossover lounges: Making things slightly confusing, some airline lounges are also members of other lounge associations, like Priority Pass. This crossover might seem complicated, but in reality it just means that folks who have Priority Pass tend to have a lot more options of which lounges to spend time in.
Our Picks for Credit Cards With Airport Lounge Access
With these things in mind (and more to consider below), here are some of the best travel credit cards with a lounge access benefit that are currently available. Which one is right for your needs will depend on how often you travel and which airlines you fly. You can also find current offers and personalized options as well as more information on travel credit cards through Experian CreditMatchTM.
United ClubSM Infinite Card
Lounge benefit: United Club membership costs up to $650 per year, so carrying this card means enjoying access and privileges at a discount. Cardholders can take advantage of over 45 United Club locations (but not the airline's swanky Polaris Clubs) and bring two adult guests or another adult and up to two children 21 years of age or younger when traveling. Everyone must have a same-day boarding pass for travel on United or one of its Star Alliance airline partners, such as Air Canada or Lufthansa. United Club membership also gets you into many Star Alliance business-class lounges and certain contracted partner lounges.
Annual fee: $0 intro annual fee, then $525.
Points, Miles, Annual Fees and Other Things to Consider
Before you can settle on a travel credit card with a lounge access benefit, it pays to think about which facilities you will actually use while traveling and what other benefits a specific card offers that you will be able to maximize.
- Lounge locations: If you usually fly just one or two airlines, it's probably a good idea to get a credit card that will get you into at least one of their lounges when you are traveling. Look at your typical travel habits, find the lounges that are in the airports and even specific terminals you tend to fly through, review their entrance policies, and then pick a travel credit card that can help you get in.
- Points or miles: As with any travel rewards card, you'll want one that will earn you points or miles you can use for travel and other rewards. However, if you prefer to keep your options open and earn points you can transfer to a number of different airlines, you might be better off with a card that earns transferable points like the Chase Sapphire Reserve®. Terms apply.
- Other perks: Lounge access is just one benefit many of these cards offer. Before applying for a travel rewards credit card, make sure you will use its other perks as well.
- Annual fees: Many travel rewards cards that offer a lounge access benefit are considered premium products, and charge high annual fees as a result. For example, . Before jumping in, make sure you can pay for a card's annual fee and that you will receive benefits that outweigh the cost of doing so. Terms apply.
- Your credit: Because these credit cards are among the most premium available, many require applicants to have excellent credit. If you are thinking of applying for one, double-check your score (which you can do for free through Experian), and make sure it is within the average range for the specific card you are interested in.
As you can see, there is much to consider when choosing a travel credit card—even if what you really want is simply more comfort as you travel through airports. Researching all your options and narrowing your list of important features will help you make the right choice for you.
All information about the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card and United ClubSM Infinite Card has been collected independently by Experian and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the card.