Best credit cards for airport lounge access in December 2023
If you want to enhance your next flight experience, consider our top picks for the best credit cards with airport lounge access. These clubs are great places to relax and recharge your devices before a flight and typically offer complimentary refreshments and private bathrooms — which can be a great perk when you find yourself on a long layover. While you can pay for access to many lounges, it’s also a benefit on select credit cards.
In some cases, these cards will get you into airline-specific lounges — like Delta Air Lines’ Sky Clubs or American Airlines’ Admirals Clubs. Others include Plaza Premium access or Priority Pass Select membership, granting you entry into curated collections of lounges around the world. And issuers themselves have gotten into the game, with many American Express Centurion lounges, Capital One lounges and Chase Sapphire lounges opening their doors in recent years.
If you’re looking for a more relaxed experience than the hectic environment of an airport terminal, our team of experts has compiled the below list of the best credit cards with airport lounge access to elevate your experience ahead of your next flight.
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Personal Credit Cards
- 10 Miles 10 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- 5 Miles 5 Miles per dollar on flights booked through Capital One Travel
- 2 Miles 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day
Why We Chose It
If you can maximize the $300 annual credit towards bookings through Capital One Travel, the Venture X’s annual fee effectively comes down to $95, the same annual fee pegged to the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card (see rates and fees). Add in a 10,000-mile bonus every account anniversary (worth $185, according to TPG valuations), and the card may become the strongest option out there for a lot of travelers. Read our full review of the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.
Pros
- 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
- 10,000 bonus miles every account anniversary
Cons
- $395 annual fee
- The $300 annual credit only applicable for bookings made through Capital One Travel portal
- Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
- Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
- Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
- Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
- Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
- Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Elevate every hotel stay from the Premier or Lifestyle Collections with a suite of cardholder benefits, like an experience credit, room upgrades, and more
- Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
Why We Chose It
If you can maximize the $300 annual credit towards bookings through Capital One Travel, the Venture X’s annual fee effectively comes down to $95, the same annual fee pegged to the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card (see rates and fees). Add in a 10,000-mile bonus every account anniversary (worth $185, according to TPG valuations), and the card may become the strongest option out there for a lot of travelers. Read our full review of the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.
Pros
- 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
- 10,000 bonus miles every account anniversary
Cons
- $395 annual fee
- The $300 annual credit only applicable for bookings made through Capital One Travel portal
- Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
- Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
- Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
- Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
- Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
- Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Elevate every hotel stay from the Premier or Lifestyle Collections with a suite of cardholder benefits, like an experience credit, room upgrades, and more
- Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
Pros
- 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
- 10,000 bonus miles every account anniversary
Cons
- $395 annual fee
- The $300 annual credit only applicable for bookings made through Capital One Travel portal
- Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
- Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
- Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
- Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
- Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
- Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Elevate every hotel stay from the Premier or Lifestyle Collections with a suite of cardholder benefits, like an experience credit, room upgrades, and more
- Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- 5X Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
- 5X Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
Why We Chose It
The Amex Platinum is unmatched when it comes to travel perks and benefits. If lounge access, hotel elite status and annual statement credits are important to you, this card is well worth the high annual fee. Read our full review of the Amex Platinum card.
Pros
- The current welcome offer on this card is quite lucrative. TPG values it at $1,600.
- This card comes with a long list of benefits, including access to Centurion Lounges, complimentary elite status with Hilton and Marriott, and at least $500 in assorted annual statement credits and so much more (enrollment required)
- The Amex Platinum comes with access to a premium concierge service that can help you with everything from booking hard-to-get reservations to finding destination guides to help you plan out your next getaway
Cons
- The $695 annual fee is only worth it if you’re taking full advantage of the card’s benefits. Seldom travelers may not get enough value to warrant the cost
- Outside of the current welcome bonus, you’re only earning bonus rewards on specific airfare and hotel purchases, so it’s not a great card for other spending categories
- The annual airline fee credit can be complicated to take advantage of compared to the broader travel credits offered by competing premium cards
- Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card®, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
- $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
- $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, SiriusXM, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card®. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Up Benefits are excluded.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
- $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only.
- $300 Equinox Credit: Get up to $300 back in statement credits per calendar year on an Equinox membership, or an Equinox club membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you pay with your Platinum Card®. Enrollment required. Visit https://platinum.equinox.com/ to enroll.
- $189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: Breeze through security with CLEAR Plus at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Platinum Card®. Learn more.
- $100 Global Entry Credit: Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
- Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $300 SoulCycle At-Home Bike Credit: Get a $300 statement credit for the purchase of a SoulCycle at-home bike with your Platinum Card®. An Equinox+ subscription is required to purchase a SoulCycle at-home bike and access SoulCycle content. Must charge full price of bike in one transaction. Shipping available in the contiguous U.S. only. Enrollment Required.
- Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
- $695 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Why We Chose It
The Amex Platinum is unmatched when it comes to travel perks and benefits. If lounge access, hotel elite status and annual statement credits are important to you, this card is well worth the high annual fee. Read our full review of the Amex Platinum card.
Pros
- The current welcome offer on this card is quite lucrative. TPG values it at $1,600.
- This card comes with a long list of benefits, including access to Centurion Lounges, complimentary elite status with Hilton and Marriott, and at least $500 in assorted annual statement credits and so much more (enrollment required)
- The Amex Platinum comes with access to a premium concierge service that can help you with everything from booking hard-to-get reservations to finding destination guides to help you plan out your next getaway
Cons
- The $695 annual fee is only worth it if you’re taking full advantage of the card’s benefits. Seldom travelers may not get enough value to warrant the cost
- Outside of the current welcome bonus, you’re only earning bonus rewards on specific airfare and hotel purchases, so it’s not a great card for other spending categories
- The annual airline fee credit can be complicated to take advantage of compared to the broader travel credits offered by competing premium cards
- Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card®, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
- $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
- $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, SiriusXM, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card®. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Up Benefits are excluded.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
- $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only.
- $300 Equinox Credit: Get up to $300 back in statement credits per calendar year on an Equinox membership, or an Equinox club membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you pay with your Platinum Card®. Enrollment required. Visit https://platinum.equinox.com/ to enroll.
- $189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: Breeze through security with CLEAR Plus at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Platinum Card®. Learn more.
- $100 Global Entry Credit: Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
- Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $300 SoulCycle At-Home Bike Credit: Get a $300 statement credit for the purchase of a SoulCycle at-home bike with your Platinum Card®. An Equinox+ subscription is required to purchase a SoulCycle at-home bike and access SoulCycle content. Must charge full price of bike in one transaction. Shipping available in the contiguous U.S. only. Enrollment Required.
- Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
- $695 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Pros
- The current welcome offer on this card is quite lucrative. TPG values it at $1,600.
- This card comes with a long list of benefits, including access to Centurion Lounges, complimentary elite status with Hilton and Marriott, and at least $500 in assorted annual statement credits and so much more (enrollment required)
- The Amex Platinum comes with access to a premium concierge service that can help you with everything from booking hard-to-get reservations to finding destination guides to help you plan out your next getaway
Cons
- The $695 annual fee is only worth it if you’re taking full advantage of the card’s benefits. Seldom travelers may not get enough value to warrant the cost
- Outside of the current welcome bonus, you’re only earning bonus rewards on specific airfare and hotel purchases, so it’s not a great card for other spending categories
- The annual airline fee credit can be complicated to take advantage of compared to the broader travel credits offered by competing premium cards
- Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card®, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
- $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
- $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, SiriusXM, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card®. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Up Benefits are excluded.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
- $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only.
- $300 Equinox Credit: Get up to $300 back in statement credits per calendar year on an Equinox membership, or an Equinox club membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you pay with your Platinum Card®. Enrollment required. Visit https://platinum.equinox.com/ to enroll.
- $189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: Breeze through security with CLEAR Plus at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Platinum Card®. Learn more.
- $100 Global Entry Credit: Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
- Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $300 SoulCycle At-Home Bike Credit: Get a $300 statement credit for the purchase of a SoulCycle at-home bike with your Platinum Card®. An Equinox+ subscription is required to purchase a SoulCycle at-home bike and access SoulCycle content. Must charge full price of bike in one transaction. Shipping available in the contiguous U.S. only. Enrollment Required.
- Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
- $695 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
- 10x Earn 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- 5x Earn 5x total points on flights through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- 3x Earn 3x points on other travel and dining.
- 1x Earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
Why We Chose It
The Chase Sapphire Reserve is one of our top premium travel cards. With a $300 travel credit, generous points on dining and travel purchases and other benefits, you can get excellent value that far exceeds the annual fee on the card. Read our full review of the Chase Sapphire Reserve.
Pros
- $300 annual travel credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year
- Access to Chase Ultimate Rewards hotel and airline travel partners
- 10x on hotels, car rentals and Chase Dining purchases through the Ultimate Rewards portal, 5x on flights booked through the Ultimate Rewards portal, 3x points on all other travel and dining, 1x on everything else
- 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel directly through Chase Ultimate Reward
Cons
- Steep initial $550 annual fee
- May not make sense for people that don't travel frequently
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
- Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards® immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel
- 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
- Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more
- Member FDIC
Why We Chose It
The Chase Sapphire Reserve is one of our top premium travel cards. With a $300 travel credit, generous points on dining and travel purchases and other benefits, you can get excellent value that far exceeds the annual fee on the card. Read our full review of the Chase Sapphire Reserve.
Pros
- $300 annual travel credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year
- Access to Chase Ultimate Rewards hotel and airline travel partners
- 10x on hotels, car rentals and Chase Dining purchases through the Ultimate Rewards portal, 5x on flights booked through the Ultimate Rewards portal, 3x points on all other travel and dining, 1x on everything else
- 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel directly through Chase Ultimate Reward
Cons
- Steep initial $550 annual fee
- May not make sense for people that don't travel frequently
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
- Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards® immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel
- 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
- Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more
- Member FDIC
Pros
- $300 annual travel credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year
- Access to Chase Ultimate Rewards hotel and airline travel partners
- 10x on hotels, car rentals and Chase Dining purchases through the Ultimate Rewards portal, 5x on flights booked through the Ultimate Rewards portal, 3x points on all other travel and dining, 1x on everything else
- 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel directly through Chase Ultimate Reward
Cons
- Steep initial $550 annual fee
- May not make sense for people that don't travel frequently
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
- Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards® immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel
- 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
- Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more
- Member FDIC
- 3X Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases.
- 1X Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
Why We Chose It
The Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card is the premier choice for Delta loyalists who value an accelerated path to elite status, Delta SkyClubs lounge access, an annual companion certificate and strong earning rates on Delta purchases. Read our full review of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Amex Card.
Pros
- MQD waiver each year that you spend $25,000 on the card (Effective 1/1/24, this benefit will no longer be available, and there will be a new way to earn toward Medallion Status with the Card. )
- Up to $100 statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta (Effective 2/1/25, Reserve Card Members will receive 15 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of Visits each year starting on 2/1/25, the total eligible purchases on the Card must equal $75,000 or more between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and each calendar year thereafter.)
Cons
- High annual fee of $550
- Lower fee Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Enter Delta Sky Club® at no cost and bring up to two guests or immediate family at a rate of $50 per person per visit. Effective 2/1/25, Reserve Card Members will receive 15 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of Visits each year starting on 2/1/25, the total eligible purchases on the Card must equal $75,000 or more between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and each calendar year thereafter.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge when you book a Delta flight with your Reserve Card.
- With Status Boost®, earn 15,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $30,000 in purchases on your Card through 12/31/23, up to four times per year getting you closer to Medallion Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion Status and are different from the miles you earn towards flights. Effective 1/1/24, this benefit will no longer be available, and there will be a new way to earn toward Medallion Status with the Card. Learn more at delta.com/skymilesprogramchanges.
- Eligible Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Receive a domestic First Class, Delta Comfort+® or domestic Main Cabin round trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Official Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $550 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Why We Chose It
The Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card is the premier choice for Delta loyalists who value an accelerated path to elite status, Delta SkyClubs lounge access, an annual companion certificate and strong earning rates on Delta purchases. Read our full review of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Amex Card.
Pros
- MQD waiver each year that you spend $25,000 on the card (Effective 1/1/24, this benefit will no longer be available, and there will be a new way to earn toward Medallion Status with the Card. )
- Up to $100 statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta (Effective 2/1/25, Reserve Card Members will receive 15 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of Visits each year starting on 2/1/25, the total eligible purchases on the Card must equal $75,000 or more between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and each calendar year thereafter.)
Cons
- High annual fee of $550
- Lower fee Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Enter Delta Sky Club® at no cost and bring up to two guests or immediate family at a rate of $50 per person per visit. Effective 2/1/25, Reserve Card Members will receive 15 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of Visits each year starting on 2/1/25, the total eligible purchases on the Card must equal $75,000 or more between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and each calendar year thereafter.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge when you book a Delta flight with your Reserve Card.
- With Status Boost®, earn 15,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $30,000 in purchases on your Card through 12/31/23, up to four times per year getting you closer to Medallion Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion Status and are different from the miles you earn towards flights. Effective 1/1/24, this benefit will no longer be available, and there will be a new way to earn toward Medallion Status with the Card. Learn more at delta.com/skymilesprogramchanges.
- Eligible Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Receive a domestic First Class, Delta Comfort+® or domestic Main Cabin round trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Official Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $550 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Pros
- MQD waiver each year that you spend $25,000 on the card (Effective 1/1/24, this benefit will no longer be available, and there will be a new way to earn toward Medallion Status with the Card. )
- Up to $100 statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta (Effective 2/1/25, Reserve Card Members will receive 15 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of Visits each year starting on 2/1/25, the total eligible purchases on the Card must equal $75,000 or more between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and each calendar year thereafter.)
Cons
- High annual fee of $550
- Lower fee Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Enter Delta Sky Club® at no cost and bring up to two guests or immediate family at a rate of $50 per person per visit. Effective 2/1/25, Reserve Card Members will receive 15 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of Visits each year starting on 2/1/25, the total eligible purchases on the Card must equal $75,000 or more between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and each calendar year thereafter.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge when you book a Delta flight with your Reserve Card.
- With Status Boost®, earn 15,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $30,000 in purchases on your Card through 12/31/23, up to four times per year getting you closer to Medallion Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion Status and are different from the miles you earn towards flights. Effective 1/1/24, this benefit will no longer be available, and there will be a new way to earn toward Medallion Status with the Card. Learn more at delta.com/skymilesprogramchanges.
- Eligible Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Receive a domestic First Class, Delta Comfort+® or domestic Main Cabin round trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Official Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $550 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Business Credit Cards
- 5X 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com
- 1.5X Earn 1.5X points on each eligible purchase at US construction material, hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers, and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more everywhere else, on up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year.
- 1X 1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases.
Why We Chose It
The Business Platinum Card from American Express is a great card for frequent travelers looking to add a touch of luxury to their business trips. While the card does come with a high annual fee, you’re also getting a ton of valuable benefits in return. They include generous annual travel credits, unparalleled lounge access that includes Amex Centurion Lounges and more. Read our full review of the Amex Business Platinum Card.
Pros
- Up to $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee every four to five years
- Up to $400 annual credit for eligible U.S. Dell purchases (enrollment required)
- Gold status at Marriott and Hilton hotels (enrollment required)
- Access to the Fine Hotels & Resorts program and Hotel Collection
- International Airline Program; and Cruise Privileges Program
Cons
- Steep $695 annual fee
- Difficulty meeting $15,000 welcome offer for smaller businesses
- Limited high bonus categories outside of travel
- Welcome Offer: Earn 120,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with your Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
- 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com, and 1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases.
- Earn 1.5X points (that's an extra half point per dollar) on each eligible purchase at US construction material, hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers, and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more everywhere else, on up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year.
- Unlock over $1,000 in annual statement credits on a curation of business purchases, including select purchases made with Dell Technologies, Indeed, Adobe, and U.S. wireless service providers.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year for incidental fees charged by your one selected, qualifying airline to your Card.
- $189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: Use your card and get up to $189 in statement credits per calendar year on your CLEAR® Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Business Platinum Card®.
- The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market as of 03/2023.
- $695 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
Why We Chose It
The Business Platinum Card from American Express is a great card for frequent travelers looking to add a touch of luxury to their business trips. While the card does come with a high annual fee, you’re also getting a ton of valuable benefits in return. They include generous annual travel credits, unparalleled lounge access that includes Amex Centurion Lounges and more. Read our full review of the Amex Business Platinum Card.
Pros
- Up to $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee every four to five years
- Up to $400 annual credit for eligible U.S. Dell purchases (enrollment required)
- Gold status at Marriott and Hilton hotels (enrollment required)
- Access to the Fine Hotels & Resorts program and Hotel Collection
- International Airline Program; and Cruise Privileges Program
Cons
- Steep $695 annual fee
- Difficulty meeting $15,000 welcome offer for smaller businesses
- Limited high bonus categories outside of travel
- Welcome Offer: Earn 120,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with your Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
- 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com, and 1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases.
- Earn 1.5X points (that's an extra half point per dollar) on each eligible purchase at US construction material, hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers, and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more everywhere else, on up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year.
- Unlock over $1,000 in annual statement credits on a curation of business purchases, including select purchases made with Dell Technologies, Indeed, Adobe, and U.S. wireless service providers.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year for incidental fees charged by your one selected, qualifying airline to your Card.
- $189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: Use your card and get up to $189 in statement credits per calendar year on your CLEAR® Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Business Platinum Card®.
- The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market as of 03/2023.
- $695 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
Pros
- Up to $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee every four to five years
- Up to $400 annual credit for eligible U.S. Dell purchases (enrollment required)
- Gold status at Marriott and Hilton hotels (enrollment required)
- Access to the Fine Hotels & Resorts program and Hotel Collection
- International Airline Program; and Cruise Privileges Program
Cons
- Steep $695 annual fee
- Difficulty meeting $15,000 welcome offer for smaller businesses
- Limited high bonus categories outside of travel
- Welcome Offer: Earn 120,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with your Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
- 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com, and 1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases.
- Earn 1.5X points (that's an extra half point per dollar) on each eligible purchase at US construction material, hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers, and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more everywhere else, on up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year.
- Unlock over $1,000 in annual statement credits on a curation of business purchases, including select purchases made with Dell Technologies, Indeed, Adobe, and U.S. wireless service providers.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year for incidental fees charged by your one selected, qualifying airline to your Card.
- $189 CLEAR® Plus Credit: Use your card and get up to $189 in statement credits per calendar year on your CLEAR® Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Business Platinum Card®.
- The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market as of 03/2023.
- $695 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- 3X Earn 3 Miles on every dollar spent on eligible purchases made directly with Delta.
- 1.5X After you spend $150,000 on your Card in a calendar year, you earn 1.5 Miles per dollar (that’s an extra half mile per dollar) on eligible purchases the rest of the year.
Why We Chose It
If you’re a high-budget business owner and fly Delta often, the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express Card is an elite airline card with a sleuth of benefits. While the card does come with a high annual fee, the impressive benefits including exclusive Delta SkyClub and Amex Centurion lounge access, airport, free checked bags, priority boarding and a fast track to Delta’s elite Medallion flying status by spending a considerable amount on the card. Read our full review of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Amex Card. Effective 2/1/25, Reserve Card Members will receive 15 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of Visits each year starting on 2/1/25, the total eligible purchases on the Card must equal $75,000 or more between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and each calendar year thereafter.
Pros
- Medallion Qualification Dollar (MQD) waiver when you spend $25,000 in a year on the card (Effective 1/1/24, this benefit will no longer be available, and there will be a new way to earn toward Medallion Status with the Card. )
- A companion certificate that can be used for a domestic first-class, Delta Comfort+ or domestic main cabin round-trip flight
- Exclusive lounge access
Cons
- Steep $550 annual fee
- Limited reward earning rates outside of Delta purchases
- Welcome Offer: Earn 70,000 Bonus Miles after spending $5,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months of Card Membership.
- Save 15% On Award Travel With TakeOff 15. Card Members now enjoy savings on Delta flights. Not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With complimentary access into Delta Sky Club®, you can relax before your Delta flight, or find downtime between connections.* You'll also receive two Delta Sky Club One-Time Guest Passes each year so you can share the experience with others when you're traveling together. *Effective 2/1/25, Reserve Card Members will receive 15 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of Visits each year starting on 2/1/25, the total eligible purchases on the Card must equal $75,000 or more between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and each calendar year thereafter. Once all 15 Visits have been used, Eligible Card Members may purchase additional Delta Sky Club Visits (including Grab and Go) at a per-Visit rate of $50 per person using the Card.
- When you purchase a Delta flight with your Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card, you will receive complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge or Escape Lounge – The Centurion® Studio Partner.
- After you spend $150,000 on your Card in a calendar year, you earn 1.5 miles per dollar (that’s an extra half mile per dollar) on eligible purchases the rest of the year. If your purchase qualifies for a category that has a higher mileage accelerator, only the higher accelerator will apply (ex. you would earn 3X miles on purchases made directly with Delta instead of 1.5X).
- Enjoy 3x miles per dollar on Delta purchases.
- With Status Boost®, earn 15,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $30,000 in purchases on your Card through 12/31/23, up to four times per year getting you closer to Medallion Status.* MQMs are used to determine Medallion Status and are different from the miles you earn towards flights.*Effective 1/1/24, this benefit will no longer be available, and there will be a new way to earn toward Medallion Status with the Card. Learn more.
- Terms and limitations apply.
Why We Chose It
If you’re a high-budget business owner and fly Delta often, the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express Card is an elite airline card with a sleuth of benefits. While the card does come with a high annual fee, the impressive benefits including exclusive Delta SkyClub and Amex Centurion lounge access, airport, free checked bags, priority boarding and a fast track to Delta’s elite Medallion flying status by spending a considerable amount on the card. Read our full review of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Amex Card. Effective 2/1/25, Reserve Card Members will receive 15 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of Visits each year starting on 2/1/25, the total eligible purchases on the Card must equal $75,000 or more between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and each calendar year thereafter.
Pros
- Medallion Qualification Dollar (MQD) waiver when you spend $25,000 in a year on the card (Effective 1/1/24, this benefit will no longer be available, and there will be a new way to earn toward Medallion Status with the Card. )
- A companion certificate that can be used for a domestic first-class, Delta Comfort+ or domestic main cabin round-trip flight
- Exclusive lounge access
Cons
- Steep $550 annual fee
- Limited reward earning rates outside of Delta purchases
- Welcome Offer: Earn 70,000 Bonus Miles after spending $5,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months of Card Membership.
- Save 15% On Award Travel With TakeOff 15. Card Members now enjoy savings on Delta flights. Not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With complimentary access into Delta Sky Club®, you can relax before your Delta flight, or find downtime between connections.* You'll also receive two Delta Sky Club One-Time Guest Passes each year so you can share the experience with others when you're traveling together. *Effective 2/1/25, Reserve Card Members will receive 15 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of Visits each year starting on 2/1/25, the total eligible purchases on the Card must equal $75,000 or more between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and each calendar year thereafter. Once all 15 Visits have been used, Eligible Card Members may purchase additional Delta Sky Club Visits (including Grab and Go) at a per-Visit rate of $50 per person using the Card.
- When you purchase a Delta flight with your Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card, you will receive complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge or Escape Lounge – The Centurion® Studio Partner.
- After you spend $150,000 on your Card in a calendar year, you earn 1.5 miles per dollar (that’s an extra half mile per dollar) on eligible purchases the rest of the year. If your purchase qualifies for a category that has a higher mileage accelerator, only the higher accelerator will apply (ex. you would earn 3X miles on purchases made directly with Delta instead of 1.5X).
- Enjoy 3x miles per dollar on Delta purchases.
- With Status Boost®, earn 15,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $30,000 in purchases on your Card through 12/31/23, up to four times per year getting you closer to Medallion Status.* MQMs are used to determine Medallion Status and are different from the miles you earn towards flights.*Effective 1/1/24, this benefit will no longer be available, and there will be a new way to earn toward Medallion Status with the Card. Learn more.
- Terms and limitations apply.
Pros
- Medallion Qualification Dollar (MQD) waiver when you spend $25,000 in a year on the card (Effective 1/1/24, this benefit will no longer be available, and there will be a new way to earn toward Medallion Status with the Card. )
- A companion certificate that can be used for a domestic first-class, Delta Comfort+ or domestic main cabin round-trip flight
- Exclusive lounge access
Cons
- Steep $550 annual fee
- Limited reward earning rates outside of Delta purchases
- Welcome Offer: Earn 70,000 Bonus Miles after spending $5,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months of Card Membership.
- Save 15% On Award Travel With TakeOff 15. Card Members now enjoy savings on Delta flights. Not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With complimentary access into Delta Sky Club®, you can relax before your Delta flight, or find downtime between connections.* You'll also receive two Delta Sky Club One-Time Guest Passes each year so you can share the experience with others when you're traveling together. *Effective 2/1/25, Reserve Card Members will receive 15 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of Visits each year starting on 2/1/25, the total eligible purchases on the Card must equal $75,000 or more between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and each calendar year thereafter. Once all 15 Visits have been used, Eligible Card Members may purchase additional Delta Sky Club Visits (including Grab and Go) at a per-Visit rate of $50 per person using the Card.
- When you purchase a Delta flight with your Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card, you will receive complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge or Escape Lounge – The Centurion® Studio Partner.
- After you spend $150,000 on your Card in a calendar year, you earn 1.5 miles per dollar (that’s an extra half mile per dollar) on eligible purchases the rest of the year. If your purchase qualifies for a category that has a higher mileage accelerator, only the higher accelerator will apply (ex. you would earn 3X miles on purchases made directly with Delta instead of 1.5X).
- Enjoy 3x miles per dollar on Delta purchases.
- With Status Boost®, earn 15,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $30,000 in purchases on your Card through 12/31/23, up to four times per year getting you closer to Medallion Status.* MQMs are used to determine Medallion Status and are different from the miles you earn towards flights.*Effective 1/1/24, this benefit will no longer be available, and there will be a new way to earn toward Medallion Status with the Card. Learn more.
- Terms and limitations apply.
Comparing the best credit cards for airport lounge access
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| Credit card | Best for | Intro offer | Earning Rate | Annual Fee |
| Best consumer card for airport lounges |
Earn 80,000
points |
5X points
5X points
details
|
$695 | |
| Best Priority Pass lounges and restaurants |
60,000
points |
1 - 10X points
1 - 10X points
details
|
$550 | |
| Best for Delta flyers |
Earn 60,000
miles |
1 - 3X points
1 - 3X points
details
|
$550 | |
| Best business card |
Earn 120,000
points |
1 - 5X points
1 - 5X points
details
|
$695 | |
| Best for Delta business travelers |
Earn 70,000
Bonus Miles |
1 - 3X points
1 - 3X points
details
|
$550 | |
| Best premium travel credit card |
Earn 75,000
miles |
2 - 10X miles
2 - 10X miles
details
|
$395 |
Frequently asked questions
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The Club MCO at Orlando International Airport. (Image courtesy of Priority Pass) 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. 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 enroll in Priority Pass Select. However, the access policies vary across cards, so be sure to determine what benefits your card offers before heading to the airport. 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 Business cards, only offer 10 complimentary lounge visits per year.
Related: The best credit cards for Priority Pass lounge access
Enrollment required for select benefits
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The American Express Centurion Lounge at Denver International Airport. (Photo by Zach Griff/The Points Guy) Centurion Lounges are high-end lounges accessible to select American Express cardmembers. These lounges are often known for offering locally curated, high-quality dining and drinks. Some Centurion Lounges even provide other perks, including spa services and wine tasting.
The easiest way to access Centurion Lounges is by holding an eligible card such as The Platinum Card from American Express or The Business Platinum Card from American Express. But Delta SkyMiles Reserve and Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business cardholders can also access Centurion Lounges when flying Delta on the same day on a ticket paid for with a U.S.-issued Amex 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, but this will change in Feb. 2023.
Related: 6 ways airport lounges are improving — and one way they definitely aren’t
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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 essential to have the correct credit card for lounge access based on the airports you’re visiting and the airline you’re flying.
Related: 4 reasons why the Amex Platinum might be the ideal credit card for Delta flyers
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Airport lounges typically provide access to seating, power, Wi-Fi, nonalcoholic drinks and snacks for no additional charge. However, some airport lounges offer other amenities such as meals, spa services, shower rooms, meeting rooms and alcoholic drinks. And in some cases, these additional amenities are also complimentary for anyone who has access to the lounge.
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The easiest way to get free airport lounge access is to sign up for a credit card that offers lounge access as a perk. However, you may be able to snag airport lounge access with some types of airline elite status. And if you reside outside the U.S., you may find that some non-travel memberships include free access to some airport lounges.
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More details on our best credit cards for airport lounge access
Now, let’s take a closer look at each of the best cards for airport lounge access.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is a stellar option in the premium rewards card space — but comes with a lower $395 annual fee (see rates and fees). In 2021, Capital One released the Venture X alongside the debut of the very first Capital One lounge in Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), reinventing the wheel on the airport lounge by offering chef-inspired food and drink choices, Peloton bikes, nap pods and more.
Lounge access
Cardholders can enter the Capital One lounges (with two more locations at Denver and Washington-Dulles to open in 2022) and bring up to two guests.
While the full network of Capital One lounges isn’t robust just yet, you’ll also get access to 1,300-plus Priority Pass lounges for you and up to two guests.
Perhaps the best part of the card is the ability to add authorized users for no additional annual fee (see rates and fees). This is a fantastic strategy for families, as each authorized user can get their own Capital One and Priority Pass lounge access and bring up to two guests. If you fully maximize this benefit, that means you and up to 14 guests can enter the lounges with this singular card.
Related: Who should (and who shouldn’t) get the Capital One Venture X?
Other card benefits
The benefits don’t stop at lounge access. Cardholders will also get a $300 credit for bookings made through the Capital One portal, a 10,000-mile bonus upon card renewal each cardmember anniversary, a Global Entry/TSA Precheck statement credit, travel and purchase protections and more.
To learn more, check out our review of the Capital One Venture X.
Official application link: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
The Platinum Card® from American Express
The Amex Platinum Card provides access to American Express Centurion Lounges, including the Centurion Lounge in Las Vegas. (Photo by Zach Griff/The Points Guy)
The Amex Platinum has a $695 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 consumer card for lounge access because it provides entry to the greatest number of high-quality lounges. First and foremost, you’ll get access to Amex’s Centurion Lounges.
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. 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 2 years of age. However, do know that this is changing in Feb. 2023 when guests will no longer be complimentary unless you charge $75,000 annually on the card.
You’ll also be able to access Delta Sky Clubs when you’re flying Delta or select Delta partners on the same day. And Amex Platinum cardmembers get a 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. Enrollment required for select benefits.
But 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.
TPG’s Staff Pick: “Whilst this card has a high annual fee, it more than justifies itself for frequent travelers like me. The lounge access options that come with the Platinum are unrivalled by competitors. I put all of my flights — whether bought with cash or points — on this card to earn 5 points per dollar spent and travel protections. I make sure to take full advantage of the Uber, Saks Fifth Avenue, Hulu/Disney+ and Clear Plus credits (enrollment required for these benefits). And, honestly, pulling a Platinum card out of your wallet to pay for something does feel pretty fancy.” – Matt Moffitt, Editor
Related: Who should (and who shouldn’t) get the American Express Platinum?
Other card benefits
The Amex Platinum Card earns five Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on airfare booked directly with the airline or through Amex Travel (on up to $500,000 of these purchases per calendar year) and five points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel. And the Amex Platinum has many other perks. Some of the top perks include:
- A credit of up to $200 to use toward fees on one airline of your choice each calendar year.
- Up to $200 in annual Uber Cash for U.S. services.
- Up to $100 in annual Saks Fifth Avenue credits.
- Gold elite status with Marriott and Hilton.
Enrollment required for benefits listed above.
To learn more, check out our review of The Platinum Card from American Express.
Official application link: The Platinum Card from American Express
Chase Sapphire Reserve
Being a Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholder gets you a Priority Pass Select membership, which can get you into this lounge in Punta Cana. (Photo by Summer Hull/The Points Guy)
The Chase Sapphire Reserve is easily the best travel card for Priority Pass lounge access. Admittedly, the card previously had competitors in this area. But the Citi Prestige® Card is now far less appealing than other premium travel cards. And Amex cards fell behind when they stopped offering Priority Pass restaurant 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.
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 each get their own Priority Pass Select memberships. However, you will need to enroll in Priority Pass before you have access. And, once registered, you can bring up to two guests into each lounge with you.
Many Priority Pass airport lounges are reopening, but some are still closed. So, check the lounge’s page on the Priority Pass website to determine whether a particular lounge has reopened.
Related: Sapphire showdown: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve
Other card benefits
The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers 10 points per dollar on hotels, car rentals and Chase Dining purchases through the Ultimate Rewards portal, 10 points per dollar on Lyft purchases (through March 2025), 5 points per dollar on flights booked through the Ultimate Rewards, 3 points per dollar on all other travel and dining purchases and 1 point per dollar on all other eligible purchases.
The card also offers a $300 annual travel credit and travel protections such as trip delay protection and delayed baggage protection.
To learn more, check out our Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card review.
Official application link: Chase Sapphire Reserve
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
The Delta Sky Club lounge in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Katherine Fan/The Points Guy)
The Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card has a $550 annual fee (see rates and fees). But the card offers Delta Sky Club access as one of its benefits — and this single benefit 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 same-day Delta-operated or Delta-marketed flight. However, not all Delta Sky Club locations have reopened. You can see a list of the open Sky Club locations on Delta’s website.
You can also access Delta Sky Clubs when traveling on a Delta partner flight that isn’t marketed or operated by Delta. But, in this case, you’ll need to pay $50 per visit. You can bring up to two guests, or a partner and children under 21, for $50 per person per visit. But Reserve cardholders also get two one-time guest passes each year for complimentary guest access to the Delta Sky Club.
Effective 2/1/25, Reserve Card Members will receive 15 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of Visits each year starting on 2/1/25, the total eligible purchases on the Card must equal $75,000 or more between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and each calendar year thereafter.
Delta Reserve cardholders also get access to American Express Centurion Lounges when traveling on a Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight 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, though. And although you can bring up to two guests, you’ll pay $50 for each.
Related: Credit card showdown: Amex Platinum vs. Delta Reserve
Other card benefits
The Delta Reserve Card earns 3 miles per dollar spent directly with Delta and 1 mile per dollar spent on all other eligible 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, Comfort+ or 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 on the card. Effective 1/1/24, this benefit will no longer be available, and there will be a new way to earn toward Medallion Status with the Card. Learn more at delta.com/skymilesprogramchanges.
For more information, check out our Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card review.
Official application link: Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
The Amex Centurion Lounge at Miami International Airport. (Photo by Zach Honig/The Points Guy)
The Business Platinum card has slightly different benefits than its personal Platinum counterpart but with the same $695 annual fee (see rates and fees). But it’s a compelling option for business travelers who can use the credits and perks it provides.
Lounge access
The Amex Business Platinum is the best overall business credit card for lounge access. Like the personal Amex Platinum, the Business Platinum offers access to Amex’s Centurion Lounges as well as to Delta Sky Clubs on same-day Delta flights. You’ll also get a Priority Pass Select membership with two guests included. Enrollment required for select benefits.
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.
Related: Credit card showdown: Amex Platinum vs. Amex Business Platinum
Other card benefits
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 flights and prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel. You’ll also earn 1.5 points per dollar on eligible purchases in select business categories and eligible purchases of $5,000 or more; on up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year.
You’ll get an annual airline-fee credit of up to $200 on one selected airline each calendar year, Gold Elite status with Marriott, Gold status with Hilton and up to $400 in annual Dell credits (for U.S. purchases) (enrollment required for these benefits). 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 1 million points back per calendar year). This discount also extends to any flight class on the airline you selected for your airline fee credit. Enrollment required for select benefits.
To learn more, see our review of the Business Platinum Card from American Express.
Official application link: The Business Platinum Card from American Express
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
(Photo by Chris Dong/The Points Guy)
The Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express Card also offers Delta Sky Club access as one of its benefits. As such, the Delta Reserve Business Amex can be helpful 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 same-day Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight. You can also get access when flying on a Delta partner flight not operated or marketed by Delta, but you’ll have to pay $50 per visit. You get two one-time complimentary guest passes each account year. But you’ll need to pay $50 per person per visit for other guests.
Effective 2/1/25, Reserve Card Members will receive 15 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of Visits each year starting on 2/1/25, the total eligible purchases on the Card must equal $75,000 or more between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and each calendar year thereafter.
Cardholders also get access to Centurion Lounges when traveling on a same-day Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight when paying the fare with a U.S.-issued American Express card. You can access the lounge up to three hours before departure or during connections. And you can bring up to two guests by paying $50 per person per location.
Related: Choosing the best credit cards for Delta flyers
Other card benefits
The Delta Reserve for Business earns 3 Delta miles per dollar spent directly with Delta and 1 mile per dollar spent on all other eligible 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. You’ll also get a round-trip companion certificate for bookings in domestic first class, Comfort+ or Main Cabin each year upon renewal. Plus, you can spend to get a Medallion Qualification Dollar waiver (Effective 1/1/24, this benefit will no longer be available, and there will be a new way to earn toward Medallion Status with the Card. Learn more at delta.com/skymilesprogramchanges).
For more information, see our Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express Card review.
Official application link: Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express Card
Comparing benefits for the best credit cards with airport lounge access
| CREDIT CARD | ANNUAL FEE | LOUNGE ACCESS | PRIMARY BENEFITS |
| The Platinum Card from American Express | $695 (see rates & fees). | Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges and other lounges in the American Express Global Lounge Collection when flying any airline (enrollment required for select benefits)Delta Sky Club when flying Delta or select partner airlines. | 5 points per dollar on flights booked directly with airlines or Amex Travel(on up to $500,000 of these purchases per calendar year) and prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel Airline fee credit up to $200 each calendar year (enrollment required for select benefits).
Uber Cash up to $200 each calendar year (enrollment required). Terms apply. |
| The Business Platinum Card from American Express | $695 (see rates & fees). | Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges and other lounges in the American Express Global Lounge Collection when flying any airline(enrollment required for select benefits)Delta Sky Club when flying Delta or select partner airlines. | 5 points per dollar on flights and prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel; 1.5x points on eligible purchases in select business categories and eligible purchases of $5,000 or more; on up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year.
35% rebate when booking eligible flights through Pay with Points (up to 1 million points per calendar year). Terms apply. |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve | $550. | Priority Pass lounges and restaurants when flying any airline. | 10 points per dollar on hotels, car rentals and Chase Dining purchases through the Ultimate Rewards portal, 10 points per dollar on Lyft (through March 2025), 5 points per dollar on flights booked through the Ultimate Rewards portal, 3 points per dollar on all other travel and dining and 1 point per dollar on everything else.
$300 annual travel credit. |
| Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card | $550 (see rates & fees). | Delta Sky Club access when traveling on a Delta-operated or Delta-marketed flight Centurion Lounge access when traveling on a Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight for which you paid with a U.S.-issued Amex card. | 3 miles per dollar on eligible purchases made directly with Delta.
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-operated or Delta-marketed flight Centurion Lounge access when traveling on a Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight for which you paid with a U.S.-issued Amex card. | 3 miles per dollar 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
The annual fees on the cards discussed so far in this guide all top $400. These cards carry enough benefits and earn enough points to recoup the annual fee many times over for some travelers.
But if you can’t justify high annual fees or don’t travel frequently, you may want a card with a lower annual fee. So, here are a few ways to get a few complimentary lounge visits each year while paying a lower annual fee:
- Earn up to $100 in statement credits for lounge access purchased through LoungeBuddy every calendar year with the American Express® Green Card ($150 annual fee). Enrollment required.
- Get two United Club one-time passes when you sign up and on each account anniversary with the United Explorer Card ($95 annual fee, waived the first year) and the United Business Card has a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $99 annual fee.
The information for the American Express Green Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Related: The best credit cards with annual fees under $100
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 Business Card, please click here.
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.
Featured photo of the Amex Centurion Lounge at New York-JFK by Zach Griff/The Points Guy.
