When folks discover out my job is to put in writing about journey bank cards, they normally ask for skilled recommendation. They need to know which of our favorite credit cards I like to recommend, which playing cards will complement their existing portfolio and whether or not their present everyday card is an efficient one.
In addition they usually need to know which bank card they need to get if they need airport lounge entry.
Till not too long ago, this query was pretty straightforward to reply since many playing cards provided comparable lounge advantages. However these days, it is gotten extra difficult. The issuer lounge space has more options than ever, whereas some playing cards have misplaced perks like visitor privileges and restaurant entry.
It could possibly really feel overwhelming, however we have got you. Here is a breakdown of what to contemplate when selecting a credit card for airport lounge access.
Entry with prime playing cards
| Bank card | Annual charge | Lounge entry | Visitor allowance |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Platinum Card® from American Express and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express | $695 (see Amex Platinum rates and fees and Amex Enterprise Platinum rates and fees) |
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| Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card and Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card | $650 (see Reserve rates and fees and Reserve Enterprise rates and fees) |
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| Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card | $650 (see rates and fees) | ||
| Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® (see rates and fees) | $595 |
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| Chase Sapphire Reserve® | $550 | ||
| United Club℠ Infinite Card | $525 | ||
| Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card and Capital One Venture X Business | $395 |
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When you’ve got a lounge in your house airport
Presumably, your house airport is the place you spend essentially the most time. In case you stay in an airline hub or have a superbly positioned lounge that you really want entry to, let that drive your determination.
As an illustration, if Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is your house airport, you most likely go an airline lounge no matter your most popular airline since it’s a hub for American Airways, Delta Air Traces and United Airways.
Equally, in case you have an issuer lounge in your house airport, you might need to select the premium card from that issuer that features lounge entry. Somebody whose residence base is Dulles Worldwide Airport (IAD), for instance, will seemingly need entry to the Capital One Lounge that is conveniently positioned simply previous the airport’s safety traces.
On the flip facet, not all of us have a variety of lounge choices at residence. Till not too long ago, I used to be based mostly in Nashville, and as a lot as I really like Nashville International Airport (BNA), it has restricted lounge choices. As such, I based mostly my lounge entry determination on the airports I continuously traveled by way of quite than my residence base.
In case you’re loyal to a particular airline
In case you’re loyal to American, Delta or United, you will seemingly profit from airline-specific lounge entry since you will most continuously fly by way of hubs with a lounge.
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American Airways
Frequent American flyers will need to go along with the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard because it’s the one bank card with an Admirals Membership membership.
Delta Air Traces
In case you’re a daily Delta passenger, word that the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card consists of limitless complimentary Sky Membership entry by way of January 2025. After that, cardmembers will obtain 15 complimentary visits per 12 months and may obtain limitless visits by spending $75,000 on the cardboard every calendar 12 months.
United Airways
United followers will profit most from the United Club Infinite Card, the one card with a United Membership membership as one in every of its perks.
After all, for those who’re loyal to an airline that does not have its personal airport lounges, you’ll be able to cross these off the listing. As a Southwest Airlines loyalist, I knew I did not need to restrict my lounge entry to a particular airline, so I used to be capable of flip my consideration elsewhere.
If you would like issuer-specific lounge entry
For fairly some time, American Express had the issuer lounge market cornered. However as Capital One and Chase proceed to develop their very own lounge networks, you might resolve you need to select your bank card based mostly on the issuer’s lounge entry it will get you.
American Categorical
American Categorical presently operates 30 Centurion Lounges, making them essentially the most distinguished issuer lounge. If you would like entry, you will almost definitely need both the Amex Platinum or the Amex Business Platinum.
Delta SkyMiles Reserve and Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business cardmembers also can entry Centurion Lounges when flying Delta, so long as the flight was booked on their card (excluding primary economic system tickets).
Associated: I’m an Amex Platinum newbie — here’s why lounge access is surprisingly my favorite perk
Capital One
Whereas not as properly established as Centurion Lounges, Capital One Lounges have grown quickly. At present, they’re positioned in three airports: Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), Denver International Airport (DEN) and Dulles International Airport (IAD). A brand new idea referred to as Capital One Touchdown can be open at Ronald Reagan Washington Nationwide Airport (DCA).
Areas in Harry Reid Worldwide Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) have been introduced however will not be but open.
To entry these lounges, you will need both the Venture X or the Venture X Business.
Chase
Like Capital One, Chase has been asserting its presence within the lounge area with Chase Sapphire Lounges. With their spectacular designs and facilities like complimentary facials, they could be gunning for the No. 1 spot.
At present, you could find Sapphire Lounges open in six places within the U.S.: Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), Hong Kong International Airport (HKG), John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York, LaGuardia Airport (LGA) in New York, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) and Washington-Dulles International Airport (IAD). A lounge at San Diego International Airport (SAN) is opening on Dec. 6. There’s additionally a Chase Sapphire “Terrace” open at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) however that is closing in March 2025.
To get limitless entry to those lounge ideas, you will want the Chase Sapphire Reserve or the Ritz-Carlton Rewards® Credit Card. You can even get one complimentary go to to a Sapphire Lounge per calendar 12 months in case you have a Precedence Go Choose membership from one other bank card.
The knowledge for the Ritz-Carlton Rewards card has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or offered by the cardboard issuer.
If you would like extra various lounge choices
If you would like a wider vary of airport lounge entry choices, go for a card with a complimentary Precedence Go Choose membership. Precedence Go is a community of greater than 1,600 lounges, Minute Suites, Be Loosen up spas and various restaurants positioned in 600-plus airports in additional than 150 nations.
One of the simplest ways to get Precedence Go entry is with one of many following playing cards: Amex Platinum (enrollment required; phrases apply), Amex Business Platinum (enrollment required; phrases apply), Chase Sapphire Reserve, Capital One Venture X and Capital One Venture X Business.
Moreover, you may get Precedence Go entry with another playing cards:
The knowledge for the U.S. Financial institution Altitude Join has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or offered by the cardboard issuer.
Associated: Is a Priority Pass lounge membership actually worth it?
If you would like entry to Precedence Go eating places
In case you continuously go by way of airports with a Precedence Go-affiliated restaurant, getting a card with entry can prevent massive bucks. This perk will comp a certain quantity of the restaurant invoice for you and as much as one registered visitor.
The quantity varies by restaurant and is usually $28 to $30 per individual; you’ll be able to search for the precise values for every restaurant on the Priority Pass website.
Many playing cards with Precedence Go Choose entry have eradicated restaurant entry lately, however you’ll be able to nonetheless get it as part of the Precedence Go Choose membership on choose playing cards. For instance, this perk is obtainable on the UBS Visa Infinite Credit Card.
The knowledge for the united statesVisa Infinite Credit score Card has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or offered by the cardboard issuer.
Associated: Better food and more options: Why I value the Priority Pass’ airport restaurant credit over lounge access
If you wish to convey visitors for no further value
In case you continuously journey with a associate or household, you will need to select a card that features visitor entry. Whereas some playing cards just like the Amex Platinum and the Delta SkyMiles Reserve can help you convey visitors for a further charge, the next playing cards embrace complimentary entry for the first cardholder and as much as two visitors:
Associated: A guide to guest policies for airport lounges
In case you’re not sure
In case you’re new to the airport lounge world, committing to a bank card with a hefty annual charge can really feel daunting. In case you aren’t able to make the leap, contemplate one in every of these choices to dip your toes in first.
Go as somebody’s visitor
As outlined above, a number of bank cards include lounge entry, permitting cardholders to convey visitors right into a lounge. When you’ve got a good friend with this entry, attempt to discover a time to go to a lounge as their visitor to see the way you prefer it.
Turn into a Enterprise X-authorized consumer
One of the crucial priceless perks of the Capital One Venture X is the power so as to add as much as 4 authorized users, every with their very own airport lounge entry profit, for no further value. When you’ve got a good friend who has the Enterprise X, ask them to add you as an authorized user.
Doing so offers you entry to Capital One Lounges and Precedence Go Choose lounges for no further value.
Get a card with a set variety of visits
You may get a restricted variety of lounge visits with out paying a premium annual charge. Contemplate one in every of these choices for those who’re aiming to maintain your annual charge prices down:
- U.S. Bank Altitude Connect: With this card, you will get 4 complimentary visits to Precedence Go Choose lounges yearly for no annual charge, making it a good way to check out some lounges with out committing to a excessive annual charge.
- United℠ Explorer Card and United℠ Business Card: With both card, you will get two one-time United Membership passes per 12 months for a $0 introductory annual charge, then $95 annually after with the United Explorer and $99 annually after with the United Enterprise.
Associated: Credit cards that offer Priority Pass airport lounge access
Pay for a one-time go
You do not essentially should have a membership or entry by way of a bank card to get right into a lounge. Most lounges provide the choice to pay out of pocket per go to. If there is a lounge you go usually and are contemplating getting a bank card to entry, paying for a go to to see if it is value it to you could be a nice possibility.
Backside line
You could have some nice choices when selecting a bank card for airport lounge entry. The various kinds of entry can really feel overwhelming, however deciding which sort of entry issues most to you is vital to touchdown on a card that is the right match.
Irrespective of which you select, you will be properly in your solution to lounging in model in your subsequent layover.
Associated: The best premium credit cards: A side-by-side comparison
For charges and charges of the Amex Platinum, click on here
For charges and charges of the Amex Enterprise Platinum, click on here
For charges and charges of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve, click on here
For charges and charges of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Enterprise, click on here
For charges and charges of the Bonvoy Sensible, click on here