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Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
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AA, Delta and United lounges have limited access to customers flying with them: Here’s what to do
Katie Genter is a digital nomad who has traveled full time since June 2017. She writes and edits stories about points and miles, and loyalty programs, often letting her personal experiences color these stories.
November 27, 2019 • 10 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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Quick summary
Recent policy changes mean airline lounge access is now typically limited to travelers flying with that airline or its partners on the same day.
Paid lounge memberships and select premium cards still provide access, but only when flying the associated airline or partners.
Broader lounge access is possible through cards that offer entry to networks like Priority Pass or the Global Lounge Collection, covering over 1,200 lounges worldwide.
Some cards provide annual credits or limited complimentary visits for lounge entry, while non-lounge terminal amenities are improving at many airports.
What to consider
Lounge access via airline memberships or premium cards generally requires a same-day boarding pass for the airline or its partners.
Priority Pass memberships from certain cards may exclude restaurant access; check specific card benefits for details.
Recent changes ended access to American and United lounges for travelers flying non-partner airlines as of November 2019.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed comparison of lounge access options and practical tips for maximizing comfort and productivity during airport travel.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
Lounge access is critical for many travelers who need to remain productive while flying, and a lounge can also help you relax when traveling for pleasure or with family. Whether I work in a lounge for hours or simply stop in for five minutes to get a coffee and bagel, lounges provide comfort and value when I travel.
Historically, you could get access to American, Delta and United lounges simply by purchasing a lounge membership from the airline or as a benefit of select premium credit cards. But Delta already limits Sky Club access to those who are flying with Delta and its partners on the same day of their flights, and American and United implemented similar policies on Nov. 1, 2019.
These access policies can be frustrating. After all, even the most loyal customer may choose to periodically fly with another carrier when the schedule or price is significantly better. And some travelers have little say in what airline they fly if their company books their travel. If you've been relying on Admirals Club or United Club lounges when flying on other carriers — or would simply like lounge access more often — here are some ways you can expand the number of lounges available to you going forward.
American, Delta and United all still offer paid lounge memberships. And there's at least one premium cobranded airline credit card that offers lounge access or membership to each airline's respective lounge network — usually with an annual fee that is less than an annual lounge membership cost.
So, if you want lounge access when flying American, Delta or United, you may want to consider one or more of the following personal credit cards:
Card
Welcome bonus
Annual fee
Access type
Guests
Upcoming changes
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
Earn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening
$450
Admirals Club membership for you and up to 10 authorized users
Your immediate family or up to two traveling guests who accompany you
You need to show boarding passes for same-day travel on American Airlines or partner airlines for lounge access
Delta Reserve® Credit Card from American Express
Earn 10,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles and 40,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new card in your first three months. Terms apply.
$450, or $550 for applications and renewals on or after Jan. 30, 2020 (see rates and fees)
Delta Sky Club access for the primary cardholder when traveling on a Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight
Up to two guests and children under 21 for $29 per person per visit
Guest fee will increase to $39 per person per visit and same-day boarding pass will be required starting Jan. 30, 2020
United Club Card
50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening
$450
United Club membership for the primary cardholder
Two guests, or one adult and dependent children under 21
A same-day boarding pass for travel on United, Star Alliance or a contracted partner operated flight is required
It's important to note that these cards will not help you when you're flying other, non-partner airlines such as Southwest and Spirit. But, if you stick mostly to American, Delta and United, having a few of these cards may allow you to have lounge access before most flights — especially if you also have a card that provides Priority Pass lounge access.
The Amex Platinum and Amex Business Platinum are the best cards for airport lounge accessthat don't require an invite due to the quality and quantity of lounges you can access. In particular, you'll get complimentary access to the following lounge networks with the Amex Platinum or Amex Business Platinum:
My favorite card that offers Priority Pass Select membership is the Chase Sapphire Reserve. But if you're looking for a lower annual fee card that provides a few Priority Pass entrances each year, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card might be a better fit with its $95 annual fee (see rates & fees), since it offers 10 complimentary visits each year. Enrollment required for select benefits.
Use the American Express® Green Card's lounge credit
You can purchase access to the Club at SJC for $39 through LoungeBuddy. (Photo by Benji Stawski/The Points Guy)
Another way to get a few complementary lounge visits each year is with the American Express® Green Card. The newly refreshed Amex Green Card offers up to $100 in statement credits per calendar year when you use it to purchase lounge access through LoungeBuddy. Lounge access through LoungeBuddy starts at $25 per visit, although most lounges I checked charge $39 to $59 per person per visit.
The Amex Green Card earns three Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on travel, transit and restaurants — which provides a 6% return based on TPG's valuations. And, you'll get a $100 statement credit each calendar year that can help offset a Clear membership fee paid for with your card. Check out our full Amex Green Card review for more details.
For some passengers, a restaurant in the terminal can provide a better temporary office than a lounge. (Photo by JT Genter/The Points Guy)
I spoke with a woman who travels frequently for business at a party recently, and she said she doesn't really miss having Delta Sky Club access when flying other airlines. I asked her to elaborate, and she responded that she was just as comfortable working in the terminal as she was in the Sky Club lounges. She attributed this to improving restaurants, cafes and seating areas in terminals.
I still prefer to work in a lounge when possible. But I've found that I can work effectively almost anywhere with my noise-cancelling headphones if I have a comfortable place to sit, fast Wi-Fi and power. This basics can be difficult to find at some airports though, which is when lounge access can be especially valuable.
Travel on airlines for which you have lounge access
If you can fly on Delta, American or United for a trip, choose carefully if you don't have lounge access with all three. (Photo by Zach Griff/The Points Guy)
If you have an airline lounge membership with American, Delta or United — or you have a premium credit card to provides access — you may opt for this airline over other options. This is especially true if you know you'll want lounge access on a particular trip.
No airline cards offer lounge access while flying non-partner airlines now that American and United changed their policies on Nov. 1, 2019. And even the paid memberships for American, Delta and United only offer access when flying the airline or its partners (unless you have an existing lifetime Delta Sky Club membership or an existing Admirals Club lifetime membership).
If you've been relying on lounge access to any of these airline clubs when flying on other carriers, this access also ended for American Admirals Clubs and United Clubs on Nov. 1, 2019 (and ended for Delta Sky Clubs on Jan. 1, 2019). If these changes mean you won't have lounge access when you need it, now is the time to consider adding a new card to your wallet or reconsidering how you travel.
For rates and fees of the Delta Reserve card, please click here. For rates and fees of the Hilton Surpass card, please click here. For rates and fees of the Amex Green card, please click here.
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.
