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Credit Cards

14 Best Credit Cards for Airport Lounge Access in November 2026

UpdatedOctober 16, 2026

At The Points Guy, our goal is to help you maximize your travel experiences while minimizing spending. While we do receive compensation through our credit card application links, ads and clearly indicated sponsored content, our editorial content, points valuations and card analyses are entirely our own. Learn more about our advertising policy and product review methodology.

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Our top picks for the best credit cards from our partners with airport lounge access can elevate your experience the next time you fly. Airport lounges 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.

There are multiple types of airline lounge access you can get with a credit card. Some cards will get you into airline-specific lounges — like Delta Air Lines’ Sky Clubs or American Airlines’ Admirals Clubs. Other cards include Plaza Premium access or a Priority Pass Select membership, which grant entry into curated collections of lounges worldwide. Issuers themselves have also gotten into the game, with 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 list below of the best credit cards with airport lounge access to enhance your flight experience ahead of your next flight.

Comparing the best credit cards for airport lounge access

Credit pointers with Brian Kelly

The Points Guy shares how to choose the best lounge access card to align with your travel style

59 sec video

How we rate cards

TPG's editorial team rates cards based on several factor but most importantly, we consider which ones would ultimately provide the most value to you as a cardholder. To select the best airport lounge access cards on the market, we accounted for what types of lounge specific cards get you into, what additional perks and benefits a card offers and whether or not a specific card has transfer partners you can use. To learn about how TPG evaluates and chooses cards for our roundups, check out our methodology here.
  • Welcome bonus

    The best lounge access cards feature solid welcome bonuses that let you quickly accrue a points or miles.

  • Annual fee

    We considered cards across the annual fee spectrum to provide an option for various budgets and types of travelers.

  • Earning rates

    Some of our top picks are premium travel cards which offer lucrative earning rates that add up quickly.

  • Redemption options

    The best airport lounge access cards not only provide access to lounges around the world, they also let you redeem earned rewards in various ways.

  • Added benefits

    Our top picks consider what other perks you have access to once you're a cardholder. This includes lucrative earning rates, insurance and other protections.

Is lounge access worth it?

Lounge access is an essential perk for frequent travelers. According to a TPG newsletter survey, a whopping 80% of our readers rank lounge access as one of the top three most valuable card benefits. From a quiet place to work to a peaceful space to unwind during your layover, lounge access can make for an easy — and, dare we say — relaxing travel experience.

This information was collected via opt-in surveys of TPG’s roughly 900,000 daily newsletter subscribers in May-June 2024. All data is anonymous and aggregated; you can view our full methodology for collecting and utilizing data here.

How to choose the best airport lounge access credit card

To choose the best airport lounge access card, consider factors like how often you travel and what you want to get out of a lounge. This could be access to things like premium WiFi or the ability to enjoy a meal and drinks at no additional cost. If you want to freshen up with a shower — or even a nap — there are some lounges that offer the ability to do these things, too.

Here are some of the main points to consider when choosing a credit card:

  • 1
    Lounge network coverage

    Look for a credit card that provides access to a wide network of airport lounges that align with your travel habits and destinations.

  • 2
    Eligibility requirements

    Understand the eligibility criteria for accessing the lounges with the credit card, which may include flying on a specific airline or alliance, having status in an airline loyalty program, or meeting a minimum spending requirement.

  • 3
    Guest access

    Having guest access can be beneficial if you frequently travel with a companion. If the card does not allow guest access, your travel companion may consider getting their own card with lounge access.

Background Wave Pattern

How to ensure you have lounge access before your next flight - The Points Guy

Having the right card, for example, can (literally) open up the door to great lounges

Pros + cons of lounge access credit cards

  • Pros

    • Unlocking lounge access with a credit card can make your travel experience much less stressful
    • Most lounge access credit cards earn rewards on every purchase that can be used for future vacations
    • Many credit cards with lounge access include many additional perks — like travel benefits and statement credits for select purchases
    • Carrying a card with lounge access can be less expensive than frequently purchasing lounge access outright
  • Cons

    • If you spend beyond your means on a lounge access credit card, you’ll incur large interest charges and can damage your credit
    • Most credit cards with lounge access incur high annual fees, so they may not be worthwhile for infrequent travelers
    • Many card issuers have restricted lounge access in recent years, making it harder to bring in guests or family members for free
    • Your home airport may not have a lounge for you to access with a credit card

Frequently asked questions

  • Are airport lounges worth it?

    Airport lounges typically offer a more relaxed and comfortable environment to prepare for your flight than the crowded terminal. They provide comfortable seating, quiet areas, Wi-Fi access, charging points, complimentary food and beverages, and sometimes even showers and spa facilities.

    If you have to work or need a quiet space to relax before your flight, airport lounges can provide a more conducive environment than a busy terminal. For those travelers who frequently experience flight delays or have long layovers, access to an airport lounge can make your wait more comfortable and enjoyable. However, check access times to see how early you can access a lounge before your next flight.

  • Which credit cards offer free airport lounge access?

    To start your journey as comfortably as possible, away from the chaos of a busy airport terminal, these are the best credit cards with airport lounge access to elevate your experience ahead of your next flight:

  • Should I have multiple cards with lounge access?

    Depending on how frequently you travel, the airports you visit and the airlines you fly, having multiple cards that offer access to different lounge networks may make sense. Since you can only access Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and American Airlines lounges when flying those specific carriers, having the correct credit card for lounge access is essential. 

    You can cover your bases by holding a card that offers airline-specific lounge access for your favorite airline and another card that offers independent lounge access when flying other airlines that do not partner with your preferred airline.

    Related: 4 reasons why the Amex Platinum might be the ideal credit card for Delta flyers

  • How do I get free airport lounge access?

    The easiest way to get free airport lounge access is to sign up for a credit card that offers lounge access as a complimentary perk. However, you can snag airport lounge access with some types of airline elite status.

  • What is Priority Pass and how does it work?

    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 some of the best Priority Pass 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 often only offer 10 complimentary lounge visits per year.

    Related: The best credit cards for Priority Pass lounge access

    Enrollment required for select benefits.

  • What are Centurion Lounges and how do they work?

    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.

  • What's included in free airport lounge access?

    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.