Top 9 Credit Cards Offering Airport Lounge Access

Airport food is overpriced, and most of it isn’t even good; a plain sandwich can cost $15 and still taste awful. Add in hours of waiting on uncomfortable chairs, and the whole experience becomes exhausting. That’s where airport lounges come in; they offer a quiet, cosy space with better food, free drinks, and comfy seating.

Some credit cards give you free access to these lounges, so you don’t need to pay for a separate membership. If you could relax in style while waiting for your flight, why settle for the usual airport chaos?

Chase Sapphire Reserve

This card costs $550 each year. Chase gives you a Priority Pass Select membership right away. You can visit over 1,300 lounges around the world.

Complimentary food includes hot meals, snacks, and unlimited drinks at most locations..

Guests cost nothing extra - bring two people with you every visit

Chase lounges serve fancy cocktails made by real bartenders

Chase recently opened new lounges in Boston and Phoenix. The Boston location has New England clam chowder and local craft beer. Phoenix serves southwestern dishes and tequila tastings. The $300 travel credit automatically covers flights.

American Express Platinum Card

Platinum Card holders pay $695 per year but get access to the best lounge network anywhere. Amex owns Centurion Lounges, which beat every other option. You also get Delta Sky Clubs and Priority Pass locations.

Centurion Lounges have spa services, showers, and restaurant-quality food

Delta Sky Clubs open when flying any Delta flight, even basic economy tickets

Family members get lounge access included with their authorised user cards

Centurion Loungeshire's famous chefs will create menus. The Las Vegas location has dishes from Julian Serrano. New York LaGuardia features Italian food from Michael White. These aren't typical airport snacks.

Capital One Venture X

Venture X costs $395 per year and focuses on simplicity. Priority Pass membership comes standard. Capital One also builds its own lounges in major airports.

Capital One Lounges partner with local restaurants for authentic regional food

Denver Lounge has Colorado craft beer and green chile dishes

Dallas location serves Texas barbecue and local whiskey selections

The card earns 2 miles per dollar on everything. Hotel and rental car bookings through Capital One Travel get 5 miles per dollar. The $300 annual credit is automatically applied to any travel purchase.

Citi Prestige Card

Prestige cardholders pay $495 yearly for Priority Pass Select access. Citi allows two free guests per lounge visit. This saves money when travelling with family or friends.

Two guests visit lounges for free every time, saving $32-50 per person elsewhere.

Hotel stays get the fourth night free through Citi Travel bookings

Trip delays over 3 hours get meal and hotel reimbursements up to $500

The card gives 5 points per dollar on flights and restaurants. Travel airline purchases earn the highest rate. Points can be transferred to airline partners such as Singapore Airlines and Turkish Airlines.

United Club Infinite Card

United flyers should consider this $525 annual fee card seriously. United Club membership covers all locations when flying United or Star Alliance partners.

United Clubs serve Illy espresso, craft cocktails, and fresh salads daily

Free checked bags save $30 per bag on United flights

Priority boarding gets better overhead bin space and faster deplaning

United operates clubs in over 45 airports worldwide. The Polaris lounge at Newark has à la carte dining and sleeping pods. The Chicago O'Hare club features deep-dish pizza and Chicago craft beer.

Delta Skymiles Reserve Cards

Delta Reserve cards cost between $550 and $650, depending on whether they are personal or business versions. Sky Club access is available at all Delta locations, regardless of ticket type.

Sky Clubs serve regional specialities like Georgia peach cobbler in Atlanta.

The annual companion certificate provides discounted tickets for partners

Priority boarding and free bags add value for frequent Delta travellers

Sky Clubs maintain consistent quality across all locations. The Seattle club has Pacific Northwest salmon and local coffee roasters. Detroit features Michigan craft beer and Great Lakes fish dishes.

World Of Hyatt Credit Card

This $95 annual fee card includes a Priority Pass Select membership. Hotel rewards are the primary focus, but lounge access adds travel value.

Priority Pass covers entry fees at over 1,300 lounges globally

Free night certificate each year, typically worth $200-400 at Hyatt hotels

Gas stations and Hyatt stays earn 2 points per dollar spent

Credit cards with lounge access don't get cheaper than this option. The low cost makes lounge benefits affordable for occasional travellers who stay at Hyatt hotels.

IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card

IHG Premier costs just $89 yearly and includes Priority Pass Select. This budget option provides lounge access while focusing on hotel benefits.

Priority Pass membership covers unlimited visits with mobile app check-in

Annual free night works at Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza, and InterContinental hotels

IHG properties earn 25 points per dollar, leading to elite status quickly

The card earns 2 points per dollar at gas stations and grocery stores. IHG operates hotels on every continent except Antarctica. Points go further at international properties.

Bank Of America Premium Rewards Card

Premium Rewards costs $95 annually with Priority Pass Select included. Bank of America customers with larger account balances get bonus earning rates.

Priority Pass provides access to lounges in over 130 countries worldwide

Preferred Rewards members earn up to 75% bonus points on all spending

Travel insurance covers trip cancellations, medical emergencies, and baggage delays

The base earning rate is 2 points per dollar on travel and dining. Preferred Rewards customers with $100,000+ in deposits effectively earn 3.5 points per dollar on these categories.

Making Smart Choices

Premium credit cards are best for people who fly at least once a month. If you only travel occasionally, paying a high annual fee usually isn't worth it. Make sure to figure out how many lounge visits it would take to make the cost worth it.

Some airport lounges charge extra for premium drinks or exceptional food, and not all lounges are the same; some are much nicer than others. It's a good idea to check out specific lounges before a long layover.

If you travel with family, guest access is essential. Cards that let you bring guests for free can save a lot of money over time.

Airport lounges are way better than waiting at the gate. Cards with lounge access offer comfort and savings with free food and drinks. The best card for you depends on how often you travel and which airlines you prefer. Sometimes, just a few lounge visits a year can make the card's fee worth it.