Picture this: you breeze through security, skip the noisy terminal, and settle into a private lounge with free drinks, high-speed Wi-Fi, and space to relax.

No more fighting for outlets.

No more overpriced airport food.

Just comfort, calm, and convenience.

The best part? You do not need elite status or a First Class ticket.

You just need the right credit card.

Airport lounge access is one of the most valuable travel perks out there – and the best credit cards for airport lounge access make it easier than ever to enjoy these exclusive spaces.

From unlimited visits to guest passes, these cards turn long layovers and delayed flights into moments of peace.

This guide will break down the top credit cards that offer airport lounge access, explain which lounges each one unlocks, and help you figure out which card fits your travel style and budget.

It will also highlight key tips to maximize your access, avoid common fees, and get the most value from every trip.

Whether you travel once a month or once a year, lounge access can change the way you feel about flying.

Let’s help you choose a credit card that makes every airport experience better.

Before You Apply: Know Your Credit Score

If you are new to travel rewards and credit in general, it is a good idea to check your credit score before applying for a credit or charge card. That way, you will be able to apply for travel rewards cards which align with both your credit score and your travel goals.

Credit Scores are shown numerically and range from 300 (Poor) to 850 (Excellent / Perfect). While there are a number of credit agencies (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion) and credit scores (FICO and VantageScore), generally, scores above 750 are considered excellent*.

While some agencies charge for a credit report, there are a number of “free” options as well:

• Personal Bank
• Credit Karma
• Annual Credit Report

The Best Travel Credit Cards For Airport Lounge Access

Here is a quick overview of the best travel credit cards for airport lounge access, which includes a summary of card details, reward rates, benefits, and more.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Even though the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is one of the newest premium travel rewards cards, it quickly became one of the most popular. The popularity stems from the easy earning structure of 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, an easy to use $300 annual credit (when booking through the Capital One travel booking site), and numerous other benefits (including access to the extremely popular Capital One Lounges). In addition, cardholders have the option to get reimbursed for travel purchases with Capital One Miles or utilize one of the many transfer partner options.

Credit Card Details

• Intro Offer: Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
• Annual Fee: $395
• APR: 19.99% – 29.24% Variable
• Recommended Credit: 740-850 (Excellent)*

Reward Rates

• 10x Miles on Hotels and Rental Cars booked through the Capital One travel booking site
• 5x Miles on Flights and Vacation Rentals booked through the Capital One travel booking site
• 2x Miles on All Other purchases

Other Benefits

• $300 back in credit annually (only applicable for bookings made through the Capital One travel booking site)
• 10,000 bonus miles every account anniversary
• Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
• Elevate every hotel stay from the Premier or Lifestyle Collections with a suite of cardholder benefits, like an experience credit, room upgrades, and more
• Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is one of the best premium travel rewards cards on the market. The value of the card comes from the ability to earn valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points, a generous travel credit, and a host of other impressive benefits (i.e. lounge access and travel protection). In addition, cardholders can redeem Chase Ultimate Rewards points at 1.50 cents when booking travel through the Chase Travel portal or transfer the points to one of the many airline and hotel transfer partners.

Credit Card Details

• Intro Offer: Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
• Annual Fee: $550
• APR: 21.49% – 28.49% Variable
• Recommended Credit: 740-850 (Excellent)*

Reward Rates

• 10x on Hotels and Car Rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠
• 5x on Flights when you purchase through Chase Travel℠
• 3x on Other Travel and Dining
• 1x on All Other purchases

Other Benefits

• Get 50% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠
• $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year
• Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select
• Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
• Premium travel protection benefits including trip cancellation insurance, primary car rental insurance, and lost luggage insurance

All information about the Chase Sapphire Reserve® has been collected independently by The Points Analyst. The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is no longer available through The Points Analyst.

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card

The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is the ultimate choice for frequent Delta flyers who value luxury and elite travel perks. This premium card offers complimentary access to Delta Sky Club and Centurion Lounge locations, an annual companion certificate for First Class, Delta Comfort+, or Main Cabin, and enhanced earning potential with 3x miles on Delta purchases. With features like Status Boost™ to help you achieve Medallion Status faster and complimentary upgrades for eligible travelers, the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card is designed to elevate every journey. If you are seeking VIP treatment and exclusive rewards, this card delivers a top-tier travel experience.

Credit Card Details

• Intro Offer: Earn 70,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $5,000 in eligible purchases on your new card in your first 6 months of card membership
• Annual Fee: $650
• APR: 19.99%-28.99% Variable
• Recommended Credit: 670-850 (Good / Excellent)*
• See Rates And Fees

Reward Rates

• 3x on Delta purchases
• 1x on All Other purchases

Other Benefits

• Enjoy complimentary access to the Delta Sky Club® when you fly Delta. Effective 2/1/25, Reserve Card Members will receive 15 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of Visits each year starting on 2/1/25, the total eligible purchases on the Card must equal $75,000 or more between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and each calendar year thereafter. Once all 15 Visits have been used, Eligible Card Members may purchase additional Delta Sky Club Visits at a per-Visit rate of $50 per person using the Card.
• Receive four Delta Sky Club® One-Time Guest Passes each year when you fly Delta so you can share the experience with family and friends.
• Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge when you book a Delta flight with your Reserve Card.
• Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars each Medallion Qualification Year and get closer to Status with MQD Headstart.
• Earn $1 Medallion® Qualification Dollar for each $10 of purchases made on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card in a calendar year and get a boost toward achieving elevated Medallion Status for next Medallion Year.
• Receive a Companion Certificate on a Main Cabin round-trip flight within the U.S. and to Mexico, the Caribbean, or Central America each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Ticket requires payment of the government-imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for round-trip domestic flights and no more than $250 for round-trip international flights (both for itineraries with up to four flight segments).
• $240 Resy Credit. When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
• $120 Rideshare Credit. Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
• With your Card receive upgrade priority over other Medallion Members within the same Medallion level and fare class.
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members with an eligible ticket will be added to the Complimentary Upgrade list, after Delta SkyMiles Medallion Members.

The Platinum Card® from American Express

The Platinum Card® from American Express is one of the most popular and valuable premium travel rewards cards. Despite the high annual fee of $695, The Platinum Card® from American Express offers incredible overall value through various benefits (i.e. hotel status and lounge access), extensive credits up to $1,500 (i.e. hotel, airline, and others), and a high earning opportunity on flight purchases. In addition, cardholders can redeem American Express Membership Rewards points through the American Express Travel portal or transfer the points to one of the many American Express transfer partners.

Card Details

• Intro Offer: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Annual Fee: $695
• APR: See Pay Over Time APR
• Recommended Credit: 670-850 (Good / Excellent)*
• See Rates And Fees

Reward Rates

• 5x on Flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (up to $500,000 on purchases per calendar year)
• 5x on Prepaid Hotels booked with American Express Travel
• 1x on All Other Purchases

Other Benefits

• Up to $200 Hotel credit (prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel) – requires a minimum two night stay
• Up to $240 Digital Entertainment credit ($20 per month on Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, SiriusXM (ending May 8th, 2024), and The Wall Street Journal)
• Up to $155 Walmart+ credit ($12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership) – Plus up benefits are not eligible
• Up to $200 Airline Fee credit (select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees)
• Up to $200 Uber Cash
  • You must download the latest version of the Uber App, add your American Express Platinum Card® to your Uber account, and then pay with any Amex card. The Amex benefit may only be used in United States.
• Up to $300 Equinox credit (on an Equinox membership or an Equinox club membership)
• Up to $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit
• Up to $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® credit
• Up to $100 Saks Firth Avenue credit
• Complimentary elite status with Hilton and Marriott
• Access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection, including Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, Airspace lounges, Escape lounges, Plaza Premium lounges and Delta Sky Clubs (when traveling on same-day Delta flights; Eligible Platinum Card Members will receive 10 Visits per Eligible Platinum Card per year to the Delta Sky Club or to Grab and Go when traveling on a same-day Delta-operated flight)

American Express® Green Card

The American Express® Green Card is one of the most underrated mid-tier travel rewards cards on the market. The card offers incredible value through the CLEAR® Plus and LoungeBuddy credits, which more than offset the modest annual fee. The American Express® Green Card offers even more value though high earning opportunities on key travel-related categories (including restaurants worldwide). In addition, cardholders can redeem American Express Membership Rewards points through the American Express Travel portal or transfer the points to one of the many American Express transfer partners.

Card Details

• Intro Offer: Earn 40,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Annual Fee: $150
• APR: 21.24% – 29.24% Variable
• Recommended Credit: 670-850 (Good / Excellent)*
• See Rates And Fees

Reward Rates

• 3x at Restaurants (including take out and delivery in the United States)
• 3x on Flights
• 3x on Hotels
• 3x on Car Rentals
• 3x on Other Travel (i.e. cruises, tours, campgrounds, vacation rentals, etc)
• 3x on Transit (i.e. trains, taxis, ride shares, ferries, tolls, parking, etc)
• 1x on All Other Purchases

Other Benefits

• Up to $189 CLEAR® Plus credit
• Up to $100 LoungeBuddy credit
• Provides extended warranty and purchase protection when you purchase eligible items with your card

All information about the American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by The Points Analyst. The American Express® Green Card is no longer available through The Points Analyst.

Final Thoughts

Airport lounge access is no longer just for first-class flyers.

With the right credit card, you can unlock quiet spaces, free food, fast Wi-Fi, and a better travel experience – every time you fly.

Each card in this guide offers something different.

Some open the door to premium lounges around the world.

Others offer a solid mix of access, travel credits, and rewards.

The best choice depends on your travel habits, your home airport, and how much value you want from your card.

Before you apply, think about how often you fly, who you travel with, and what kind of experience matters most.

A lounge visit can turn a stressful travel day into something smooth and comfortable.

A well-chosen card can do even more – saving you money, earning you rewards, and adding ease to every trip.

Ready to upgrade your airport experience? Explore your options, pick your card, and take off with confidence.

Lounge life is just a swipe away.

Still have question? Join Our Free Community of travel enthusiasts to ask questions, share tips, and get inspired for your next adventure. Join For Free Today and start connecting with other travelers who love to make the most of their points.

*Credit ranges are a variation of FICO© Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

Kevin Zanes