✈ Best Cards for Lounge Access, Southwest Ends Service to 2 Major Airports & More From TPG ✈

March 14, 2026

These cards open the right doors

by Ben Smithson, Senior writer

You don’t need to fly in business or first class to access luxurious airport lounges. You just need the right card.

You can’t go wrong with the almighty American Express Platinum Card’s® Global Lounge Collection, opening the door to over 1,300 lounges in over 130 countries via the Priority Pass program (enrollment in Priority Pass Select is required). There’s the fancy Amex-operated Centurion Lounges, up to 10 annual visits (to be used from Feb. 1 until Jan. 31 of the next calendar year) to Delta Sky Clubs (when you’re flying an eligible Delta Air Lines flight) and Plaza Premium lounges. And did you know you can even enter select Lufthansa lounges when flying Lufthansa, Swiss or Austrian Airlines?

I’ve visited 100 countries now, and it’s rare that I fly from an airport that does not have a lounge option covered by the Amex Platinum. The benefits of this card don’t just stop at lounge access, as you can find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $12,000 on eligible purchases on your card in your first six months of membership. Just remember: Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.

I love my Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, which also offers worldwide Priority Pass lounge access as well as unlimited visits to Capital One Landings and Lounges, including the new Capital One Lounge at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) — named the best new credit card lounge for 2026 by TPG.

Chase Sapphire Lounges are popping up all the time. These upscale lounges feature perks like a la carte menus with locally inspired dishes, craft cocktails and beers. Access remains deliberately exclusive, but if you have the Chase Sapphire Reserve® or the Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business℠, you can enter and bring up to two guests per visit for free. Children under 2 can enter for free, regardless of what card you carry.

If you’re more interested in airline lounges, you can’t beat the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® and its complimentary Admirals Club membership with a same-day boarding pass for an eligible flight (which also includes access for up to two guests). This card’s $595 annual fee is actually lower than what you’d pay out of pocket for an Admirals Club membership.

See you in the lounge!

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Photo Credit: American Express.

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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. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.

Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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