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Rachel Craft is a travel writer at TPG. She's excited about introducing more people to the world of points & miles and helping fellow travel newbies make the most of their points.
Stella is a full-time writer with expertise in credit cards, points and miles, and all things travel. She is a journalism graduate of the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and previously worked as a copywriter at JetBlue Airways and as a credit cards writer at LendingTree.
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Quick summary
Airport lounge guest policies differ significantly based on lounge type and how access is obtained, such as through loyalty status, memberships or select travel cards.
Most lounges allow complimentary entry for children under 2, but fees for additional guests can be substantial and vary by lounge network.
Some programs offer complimentary or discounted guest access if you meet high annual spending thresholds, while others charge per guest regardless of spend.
Understanding each lounge's guest policy is crucial to avoid unexpected costs, especially when traveling with family or groups.
What to consider
Guest limits, age restrictions and per-visit fees for additional guests can change frequently and may depend on your access method.
Certain lounges require all guests to be traveling on the same flight, and some restrict guest access during periods of high crowding.
Premium lounges, such as those for international first or business class, often have stricter guest policies or exclude guests entirely.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed comparison of guest policies across major U.S. airport lounge networks, including specific rules for families and frequent travelers.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
There's no denying that taking your traveling companions to an airport lounge can seriously improve your travel experience. Besides providing comfortable seating and an escape from the chaos of the airport terminal, it can also save you considerable money, since you can forgo overpriced airport restaurants and make a meal on the lounge's complimentary food and drink.
But although there are more ways to get lounge access than ever, not all guest policies are created equal. Let's take a look at each lounge's guest policy so you can avoid surprises the next time you fly.
Most people gain access to Alaska Airlines lounges by holding elite status with Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards or a Oneworld partner loyalty program, but you can also gain access with the right credit card in your wallet or by purchasing an Alaska Lounge membership. Guest policies vary as follows:
Access
Guest policy
Alaska Lounge member
Immediate family (partner and children under the age of 21) or two guests; additional guests cost $35 each
American Airlines Admirals Club member when departing or arriving on flights with American Airlines, Alaska Airlines or Hawaiian Airlines
Immediate family (partner and children under the age of 21) or two guests
Atmos Gold, Atmos Platinum and Atmos Titanium members traveling on Oneworld airlines beyond the U.S., Canada or Mexico
One guest
Atmos Gold, Atmos Platinum and Atmos Titanium members traveling on Hawaiian Airlines to Tokyo's Narita International Airport (NRT) or Seoul's Incheon International Airport (ICN)
Oneworld Emerald and Sapphire members on any tickets, or if their status is via American Airlines or Alaska Airlines, when on an international itinerary
One guest flying on a Oneworld airline
Paid or award first-class ticket on a Oneworld airline on an international flight longer than 5 hours
Immediate family (partner and children under 18) or two guests
Active duty military traveling in uniform and on orders
No guests are listed in the policy
Note that Alaska Lounge members do not need to be traveling with their guest to purchase a guest pass, so you can snag the discounted rate of $35 for any of your friends and family who would otherwise have to pay $65 for a day pass if they purchased it themselves.
Children under 2 years old can enter Alaska Lounges free of charge when accompanied by an adult.
There are many ways to access Admirals Club lounges, but the easiest way is with the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Legend Mastercard. Although the card comes with a hefty $695 annual fee, a stand-alone Admirals Club membership costs up to $1,400 a year, so it's a worthwhile deal for loyal American Airlines flyers.
Active U.S. military traveling on orders and in uniform
Immediate family (partner and children under 18) or up to two guests
First-class passengers on qualifying international flights
One guest over age 2; no guests for business-class passengers
AAdvantage Platinum members and higher flying on qualifying international flights (regardless of class)
One guest over age 2
Oneworld Emerald and Sapphire members from other Oneworld loyalty programs on all American and Oneworld flights
One guest over age 2
Admirals Club day pass
Up to three children under 18
ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
American Express Centurion Lounges
These cards grant you access to American Express Centurion Lounges, as well as Sidecar by The Centurion Lounge locations when they open in 2026. Guest policies depend on the card you have and your annual spending, but most cardholders will have to pay to bring in guests (except children under 2 years old, who get in free). Enrollment is required.
Adult guests cost $50 each; children ages 2-17 cost $30 each. Cardholders who spend more than $75,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year can bring two guests for no additional cost.
The American Express Corporate Platinum Card®
Two complimentary guests. Effective July 8, 2026, all guests must be traveling on the same flight as the card member.
Up to two guests at a rate of $50 each and $30 for children 2-17 years old.
The information for the Amex Corporate Platinum has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
When flying on Delta, Reserve and Business Reserve cardholders can access both Delta Sky Clubs and the Centurion lounges. The above guest policies apply if you opt to visit the Centurion Lounge.
Capital One Lounges
In a world once dominated by airline lounges, credit card issuers have started building their own lounge portfolios. Capital One currently has six lounges (including one "Landing"), which have arguably become victims of their own success — and the issuer recently tightened its guest policy to combat overcrowding.
Now, authorized users must pay $125 per year for lounge access, and both primary and additional cardholders must pay a fee per guest, per visit (unless you spend $75,000 or more in a calendar year).
Guests cost $45 per adult or $25 per child age 2-17. You can bring up to two complimentary guests to Capital One Lounges and one complimentary guest to Capital One Landings per visit if you spend at least $75,000 across your Venture X account per calendar year.
As with many lounges, children under 2 get in free.
Chase Sapphire Lounges
The following cards provide access to Chase Sapphire Lounges for both primary cardholders and authorized users. Plus, all Priority Pass members can access a Chase Lounge once per calendar year, even if the membership is through a different credit card.
Since two of these four cards are either not open to new applicants or are by invitation only, your best bet for access is to be a Sapphire Reserve cardholder, whether in personal or business form.
Primary cardholders and authorized users can bring two guests for free; additional guests cost $27 each. Children under 2 incur no additional charge.
J.P. Morgan Reserve® (Note: This card is by invitation only)
Primary cardholders and authorized users can bring two guests for free; additional guests cost $27 each.
Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card (Note: This card is not open to new applicants)
Two guests as of Jan. 15, 2026.
Priority Pass members
Can purchase guest access for a fee.
The information for the J.P. Morgan Reserve and Ritz-Carlton 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.
Keep in mind, you must activate your complimentary Priority Pass membership first and bring your Priority Pass card or show a QR code in the Priority Pass app to get into Sapphire lounges.
There are multiple ways to enter a Delta Sky Club, including via a credit card, Delta Medallion elite status or a Delta Sky Club membership. Each has its own policies for guests over 2 years of age; children under that threshold receive complimentary entry.
Access type
Guest policy
Delta Sky Club Executive and Lifetime membership
Two guests or your immediate family (partner and children under 21); $50 (or 5,000 SkyMiles) per Sky Club or $25 (or 2,500 SkyMiles) per Grab and Go visit for each additional guest.
Delta Sky Club Individual member
Members can pay to bring their immediate family (partner and children under 21) or up to two guests: $50 (or 5,000 SkyMiles) per guest for Sky Club or $25 (or 2,500 SkyMiles) per guest for Grab and Go.
Four one-time guest passes per year, after which you can pay $50 per guest at Sky Club locations or $25 at Grab and Go locations. You can bring your immediate family or up to two guests per visit.
Delta Gold Medallion status or higher (SkyTeam Elite Plus status), flying Delta One or Delta Premium Select or the equivalent abroad
One guest traveling in Delta One or Delta Premium Select (or an equivalent cabin).
SkyTeam Elite Plus from other SkyTeam airlines flying internationally in any cabin
Immediate family (partner and children under 21) or up to two guests at a per-visit rate of $50 per guest at Sky Clubs or $25 at Grab and Go.
Single-visit pass (no longer available for sale)
*Eligible Platinum Card Members will receive 10 visits per eligible Platinum card per year to Delta Sky Club or Grab and Go when traveling on a same-day Delta-operated flight.
DELTA AIR LINES
Plaza Premium lounges
Plaza Premium is a network of over 250 lounges across all six inhabited continents. You can pay for a punch pass or a day pass, but you'll only be able to bring guests if you gain access through select credit cards.
Two guests. Additional guests require a day pass; costs vary by location.
Priority Pass members (select lounges)
Guest policy varies by how you get your Priority Pass membership.
Day pass
No guests allowed.
EMILY MCNUTT/THE POINTS GUY
Priority Pass lounges
Some premium travel cards offer complimentary Priority Pass Select membership, which includes access to over 1,600 lounges around the world (enrollment may be required). Some lounges do not admit guests, but here are the guest policies for those that do, with regard to our top card picks.
Two complimentary guests; $35 per additional guest.
Ritz-Carlton Credit Card primary cardholders and authorized users
Although most cards that include Priority Pass Select membership allow lounge access for you and up to two guests, employees can limit the number of guests to control capacity, so guest access isn't guaranteed when the lounge is crowded.
The information for the Citi Prestige 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.
United uses a tiered approach to guest access for its United Clubs, with a standard membership and an All-Access membership. If you want access through a credit card, the United Club℠ Card (see ) offers a complimentary United Club membership.
Two adult guests or one adult and dependents under 18.
United Premier Gold status or higher (or Star Alliance Gold member) when flying on an international United or Star Alliance flight
One guest on the same flight.
Active U.S. military personnel
Family members traveling on the same flight, subject to seating availability.
United or Star Alliance business-class passenger
No guests allowed (except children under 2 years old).
Star Alliance first-class passenger
One guest.
Air Canada Maple Leaf Club Worldwide and North America Plus members with a same-day Star Alliance boarding pass
One guest.
Virgin Australia Velocity Gold, Platinum or VIP members flying on an international United or Virgin Australia flight
One guest.
United Club one-time pass
No guests allowed (except children under 2 years old).
ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
It’s worth noting that these access policies do not apply to United’s premium Polaris lounges. These are accessible only to passengers flying in United Polaris long-haul business class or in long-haul business or first class with a Star Alliance partner airline.
Bottom line
As you can see, guest policies vary widely depending on the type of lounge and how you gain access. As a general rule, children aged 2 or younger can usually tag along for free, but purchasing lounge passes for other guests can add up fast. Be sure to understand the guest policy that applies to you before you head to the airport to avoid unpleasant surprises.
If you're trying to choose a credit card for lounge access, these guest policies should factor into your decision if you frequently travel with companions.
Updated 04/01/2026
No guests allowed.
Two guests as of Jan. 15, 2026.
Priority Pass paid membership
Guests incur a per-visit fee, which varies by location.
