Guides

The least expensive cards for airport lounge access

Emily ThompsonPartnerships and Newsletter Editor
Emily Thompson specializes in beginner content as a credit cards editor. She taps into her prior experience as a high school English teacher to help others demystify credit scores and unlock experiences that credit card rewards can make possible.

August 27, 2025 • 8 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 note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.

Quick summary

Airport lounge access is often associated with premium cards, but several options exist for travelers seeking lower out-of-pocket costs.
Becoming an authorized user on a loved one's premium card can provide lounge access at a reduced rate compared to holding the primary account.
Some cards offer limited lounge visits or passes each year, making them suitable for infrequent travelers who still want occasional access.
A few mid-tier cards provide ongoing lounge access and travel credits that can offset costs, appealing to those who maximize travel benefits.

What to consider

Authorized users may not receive all benefits available to primary cardholders, such as earning rewards or certain protections.
Some cards require payment of a modest fee for each lounge visit, or have guest limitations and specific eligibility requirements.
Certain cards offer credits for travel programs like Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, and may require credit union membership or other qualifications.

What you'll miss from the article

A detailed comparison of specific card options, including their lounge access structures, guest policies and unique travel perks.

Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.

There's nothing quite like airport lounge access. With the right credit card, you can escape from the general airport stress to a separate space to work, relax and enjoy complimentary refreshments while you wait for your flight.

But typically, that access is reserved for those with the most premium cards, like The Platinum Card® from American Express. If you're keeping your annual fee costs low, you may have accepted your fate to wait out your layover at whichever eatery is closest to your gate.

However, there are several ways to achieve airport lounge access without paying a high annual fee.

Here are our favorite cards that don't break the bank and get you through the lounge doors.

Become an authorized user

Before you apply for a new credit card, consider whether a loved one already has a card with lounge access and is willing to add you as an authorized user.

Authorized users can often enjoy the same lounge access as the primary cardholder and can be added relatively cheaply. If you can swing it, this will give you the biggest bang for your buck.

The Chase Sapphire Lounge at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY

If a friend or family member has a Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see ), for instance, they can add you as an authorized user for just $195 per year. As an authorized user, you'll enjoy the same lounge access — to Priority Pass and Chase Sapphire Lounges — as the primary cardholder for much lower than the $795 annual fee they pay.

Just keep in mind that, as an authorized user, you won't earn your own points or enjoy some other benefits the card offers the primary cardholder.

The least expensive cards for lounge access

Even if you don't have a loved one who can (or is willing to) add you as an authorized user on their premium account, you still have some good options. While the cards below have more limited lounge access than their premium counterparts, they'll get you through a lounge door at a fraction of the cost.

U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card

The U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card has no annual fee and comes with four Priority Pass visits each year. If you're an infrequent traveler or only pass through airports with Priority Pass lounges a few times a year, this card is an excellent option.

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.

With Altitude Connect, you'll earn 4 points per dollar spent on travel purchases and 2 points per dollar spent on dining, streaming services and grocery store purchases.

Cardholders also receive a statement credit up to $100 every four years for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck — an excellent perk for a card with no annual fee.

For more details, check out our full review of the U.S. Bank Altitude Connect.

United Explorer Card and United Business Card

You don't have to get United's premium United Club℠ Card (see ) to enjoy access to the United Club network.

The United℠ Explorer Card (see ) offer a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then a $150 annual fee each year thereafter. The United℠ Business Card (see ) has a $150 annual fee. Both cards come with two United Club passes each cardholder year (redeemable for the cardholder or authorized user).

United Explorer card art — THE POINTS GUY

Both cards also offer United perks such as bonus miles on United purchases, a free checked bag and a fast track to earning elite status, as well as valuable travel protections.

With the United Business Card, you'll also earn bonus miles at gas stations, office supply stores, transit purchases and dining purchases (including eligible delivery services). Meanwhile, with the United Explorer Card, you'll earn bonus miles on dining and receive a credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus.

For more details, check out our full reviews of the United Explorer and United Business cards.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card and Capital One Venture X Business

Even though it's in the premium credit card category, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card and Capital One Venture X Business are worth considering for lounge access on a budget. Although their $395 annual fee may initially seem steep, it's still much lower than their premium competitors.

Plus, the cards also come with a $300 annual credit for their respective travel portals. If you can maximize that, your out of pocket cost is just $95 — a bargain, given that it comes with unlimited access to Priority Pass and Capital One lounges.

Capital One Venture X card — THE POINTS GUY

As a cardholder, you'll earn bonus points on travel booked through the respective travel portal and 2 miles per dollar spent on all other purchases. You'll also enjoy valuable perks like bonus miles each account anniversary and a credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.

Plus, with the Venture X, lounge access isn't just for the main cardholder. Authorized users (you can add up to four for no additional cost) receive the same access, and each cardholder also gets complimentary access for up to two guests each until Feb. 1, 2026.

For more details, check out our full review of the Venture X and Venture X Business.

Learn more: Capital One Venture
Learn more: Capital One Venture X Business

Atmos Rewards Summit Visa credit card

Another premium card, the Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® credit card offers some lounge access with a lower $395 annual fee. While this fee may be steep, the perks provided by the card can help offset it.

Atmos Rewards Summit card art — THE POINTS GUY

Cardholders receive eight annual Alaska lounge passes (two per calendar quarter). If you already have an Alaska Lounge membership, you can share these passes with friends and family. Additionally, this card offers perks like priority boarding and a free checked bag when flying on Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines.

Plus, you'll also receive an annual global companion award, earn bonus points on Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines purchases and on international transactions and receive an application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.

For more details, check out our full review of the Atmos Rewards Summit.

PenFed Pathfinder Rewards Card

As a credit union card, the PenFed Pathfinder® Rewards Card flies under the radar. But if you're looking for reasonably priced airport lounge access, it's definitely worth a look.

It has an annual fee of $95 that is waived for PenFed Honors Advantage members and comes with Priority Pass access for the cardholder and one guest. It's important to note that cardholders have to pay a $35 lounge entry fee for each person, each lounge visit.

The information for the PenFed Pathfinder Rewards 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.

Happy man sitting and drinking coffee at cafe using his phone with credit card — ZORICA NASTASIC/GETTY IMAGES

The card also offers a $100 airline incidental credit, which can be used to cover lounge passes, and earns bonus rewards on travel purchases and comes with a statement credit to cover your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.

You must be a PenFed member to apply for the Pathfinder Rewards Card, but you can become a member by opening a savings account with PenFed and depositing at least $5.

Bottom line

Airport lounge access is a luxury perk, but you don't necessarily have to pay luxury annual fee prices to get it. With any of these cards, you'll be able to enjoy a reprieve during your next long layover for a much lower cost than what is typically associated with lounge access.

Just be warned — a taste of the good life with one of these cards might convince you to splurge for a more premium travel rewards credit card after all.

Updated 04/01/2026

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.

Great offers from our partners

See current offers Find your best card with CardMatch™

TPG featured card

American Express® Gold Card

TPG editor's rating

Pros + cons

Pros

Valuable dining and food-related credits
Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
Multiple travel and purchase protections
No foreign transaction fees
Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)

Cons

Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits

More details

You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™.
Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App™, or purchased directly from airlines.
Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
$120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
$100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
$84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
$120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
Enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
Book two nights or more with The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and receive a $100* credit towards eligible charges at over 1,400 upscale hotels worldwide. *Eligible charges vary by property.
Book your travel through the Amex Travel App™ with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
No Foreign Transaction Fees.
Annual Fee is $325.
Terms Apply.