How to choose a credit card for airport lounge access

When people find out my job is to write about travel rewards credit cards, they often ask for expert advice. They want to know which of our favorite credit cards I recommend, which cards will complement their existing portfolio, and whether their current everyday card is actually a good choice.

Increasingly, people also want to know which credit card to get for airport lounge access.

Until recently, this question was fairly easy to answer since many cards offered similar lounge benefits. But it's gotten more complicated over the years. The credit card issuer lounge space has more options than ever, and while some cards have lost perks like guest privileges, many lounges have stepped up their game with spas, exclusive cocktails and other perks.

If you're torn between several options, we've got you. Here's a breakdown of what to consider when choosing a credit card for airport lounge access.

Top cards with airport lounge access

The information for the United Club Business has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

*Eligible Platinum Card Members will receive 10 Visits per Eligible Platinum Card per year to the Delta Sky Club or to Grab and Go when traveling on a same-day Delta-operated flight. Unlimited access can be unlocked by spending $75,000 or more on your card in a calendar year.

**A maximum benefit amount and certain restrictions and limitations apply. Please review the Mastercard Guide to Benefits for more details.

***Delta Reserve and Business Reserve cardmembers receive 15 visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of visits each year, the total eligible purchases on the card must equal $75,000 in a calendar year.

If you have a lounge in your home airport

Presumably, your home airport is where you spend the most time, so let that drive your decision.

For instance, if Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is your home airport, you probably walk past an airline lounge regardless of your preferred airline since the airport is a hub for American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines.

Similarly, if you have an issuer lounge in your home airport, you may want to choose the premium card from that issuer that includes lounge access. Someone whose home base is Dulles International Airport (IAD), for example, may want access to the Capital One Lounge that's conveniently located just past the airport's security lines.

On the flip side, not all of us have a wide range of lounge options at home. For example, I used to live in Nashville, and while I love Nashville International Airport (BNA), it has limited lounge options.

As such, I based my lounge access decision on the airports I frequently traveled through rather than my home base.

If you're loyal to a specific airline

If you're loyal to American, Delta or United, you'll likely benefit from airline-specific lounge access since you'll most frequently fly through hubs with a lounge.

American Airlines

Frequent American flyers will want to go with the Citi / AAdvantage Executive Mastercard since it's the only credit card with an Admirals Club membership.

Delta Air Lines

If you're a regular Delta passenger, note that the Delta SkyMiles Reserve and Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business include 15 complimentary Sky Club visits per year. You can unlock unlimited lounge visits by spending $75,000 in eligible purchases on either card each calendar year.

United Airlines

United fans will benefit most from the United Club Card or the United Club Business Card, which are the only cards that include a United Club membership perk.

Of course, if you're loyal to an airline that doesn't have its own airport lounges, you can cross these off the list. As a Southwest Airlines loyalist, I knew I didn't want to limit my lounge access to a specific airline, so I turned my attention elsewhere.

If you want issuer-specific lounge access

For quite a while, American Express cornered the issuer lounge market. But as Capital One and Chase continue to grow their own lounge networks, you may decide you want to choose your credit card based on an issuer's lounge footprint.

American Express

American Express currently operates more than 30 Centurion Lounges worldwide, making it the most prominent issuer lounge network. If you want access, you'll most likely want either the Amex Platinum or the Amex Business Platinum.

Cardmembers (and eligible guests) are only able to access the Centurion Lounge during a layover of up to five hours before their departing flight. Additionally, guests of cardmembers must be traveling on the same flight as the cardmember to enter the lounge. However, note that you have to either pay for guest access or unlock it by spending $75,000 per calendar year on your card.

Delta SkyMiles Reserve and SkyMiles Reserve Business cardmembers can also access Centurion Lounges when flying Delta, as long as the flight was booked on their card (excluding basic economy tickets).

Capital One

While not as well-established as the Centurion Lounges, the Capital One Lounge network is growing rapidly.

Currently, there are lounges in five airports:

• Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
• Denver International Airport (DEN)
• IAD
• John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
• Harry Reid International Airport (LAS)

Capital One has announced plans to build a new lounge at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT).

Another concept, the Capital One Landing, is also open at LaGuardia Airport (LGA) in New York City and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). The Capital One Landing is the issuer's take on an airport restaurant that forgoes traditional lounge amenities in favor of a sit-down dining experience.

To access these lounges, you'll need the Venture X or the Venture X Business in your wallet.

Chase

Like Capital One, Chase has been asserting its presence in the lounge space with Chase Sapphire Lounges by The Club. With their impressive designs and amenities like complimentary facials, they may be aiming for the top spot.

Currently, you can find nine Sapphire Lounges throughout the U.S.:

• Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
• DFW
• IAD
• JFK
• LAS
• LGA
• Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
• Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
• San Diego International Airport (SAN)

To get unlimited access to these lounge concepts, you'll need the Chase Sapphire Reserve, Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business or the Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card.

The information for the Ritz-Carlton 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.

If you want more diverse lounge options

If you want a wider range of airport lounge access options, opt for a card with a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership. Priority Pass is a network of more than 1,900 lounges located in 600-plus airports in more than 150 countries.

The best way to get Priority Pass access is with one of the following cards:

• Amex Platinum**
• Amex Business Platinum**
• Bilt Palladium*
• Chase Sapphire Reserve
• Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business
• Capital One Venture X
• Capital One Venture X Business

*A maximum benefit amount and certain restrictions and limitations apply. Please review the Mastercard Guide to Benefits for more details.
**Enrollment required.

Additionally, you can also get Priority Pass access with these cards:

• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex: Unlimited complimentary access for the primary cardmember and up to two guests (enrollment required)
• U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card: Four complimentary visits per year

The information for the U.S. Bank Altitude Connect 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: Is a Priority Pass lounge membership actually worth it?

If you want access to Priority Pass restaurants

If you frequently pass through airports with a Priority Pass-affiliated restaurant, getting a card that gives you access can save you big bucks. This perk will cover a portion of the restaurant bill for you and up to one registered guest.

The amount varies by restaurant and is typically $28 per person; you can find the exact amount for each restaurant on the Priority Pass website.

Many cards with Priority Pass Select access have eliminated restaurant access in recent years, but you can still get it as a part of the Priority Pass Select membership on select cards. For example, the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite Credit Card and JetBlue Premier World Elite Mastercard offer this perk.

The information for the Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite and JetBlue Premier World Elite Mastercard cards 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: How to enroll in Priority Pass with eligible credit cards

If you want to bring guests for no additional cost

If you frequently travel with a partner or family, you'll want to choose a card that includes guest access.

While some cards like the Amex Platinum and the Delta SkyMiles Reserve allow you to bring guests into Centurion Lounges for an additional fee (though the Amex Platinum does offer a Priority Pass membership that lets you bring up to two guests into these lounges free of cost), the following cards include complimentary access for the primary cardholder and up to two guests:

• Bilt Palladium
• Chase Sapphire Reserve
• Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business
• Citi / AAdvantage Executive Mastercard (can be either immediate family — spouse, domestic partner and children up to 18 years old — or up to two guests)
• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant

Related: A guide to guest policies for airport lounges

If you're unsure

For someone new to the world of airport lounges, committing to a credit card with a hefty annual fee can feel daunting. If you're not ready to make the jump, consider one of these options to dip your toes in first.

Visit a lounge as someone's guest

As outlined above, several credit cards include lounge access, allowing cardholders to bring guests.

If you have a friend with this access, try to find a time to visit a lounge as their guest to see how you like it.

Get a card with a set number of visits

You can get a limited number of lounge visits without paying a premium annual fee. Consider one of these options if you're aiming to keep your annual fee costs down:

• United℠ Explorer Card (see rates and fees): With this card, you'll get two one-time United Club passes per year (redeemable for the cardholder or authorized user) — in exchange for a $150 annual fee ($0 introductory fee for the first year).
• U.S. Bank Altitude Connect: With this card, you'll get four complimentary visits to Priority Pass lounges annually for no annual fee, making it a great way to try out some lounges without paying anything.

Related: Credit cards that offer Priority Pass airport lounge access

Pay for a one-time pass

You don't necessarily need a membership or a credit card to get into a lounge. Many lounges allow you to pay out of pocket per visit.

If you often pass by a lounge and are considering applying for a credit card to access it, paying to visit and see if it's worth it can be a great option.

Bottom line

You have some great options when choosing a credit card for airport lounge access. The different types of access can feel overwhelming, but deciding which type of access matters most to you is key to landing on a card that's the perfect fit.

No matter which you choose, you'll be well on your way to lounging in style on your next layover.

Related: The best premium credit cards: A side-by-side comparison

For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum, click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve, click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business, click here.
For rates and fees of the Bonvoy Brilliant, click here.