Elevate Your Travel Journey With Credit Cards Offering Exclusive Airport Lounge Perks

Let's face it: Airport travel can be exhausting, crowded, and expensive. With long lines to get sometimes mediocre food for exorbitant prices, overflowing gates with limited seating, and uncomfortable chairs, it's not always the most pleasant ordeal. Luckily, for those looking to elevate their travel experience, many credit cards on the market offer exclusive perks, including access to airport lounges. But what makes lounge access so special? Are airport lounge passes worth it?

For one thing, they are a private space within the airport that separates you from the chaos that is the airport terminal. Inside these lounges, you will often find spaced-out and comfortable seating, a quiet atmosphere, private bathrooms (with some even including showers), and free or discounted food. Who wouldn't want to have access to a place where you can truly relax, enjoy some good eats, and feel at ease when you're waiting for your flight? Sure sounds a lot better than cramming yourself into a dirty airport seat, eating your over-priced food, and listening to the constant rumble of thousands of other travelers around you.

With numerous travel cards available, it's challenging to determine which one is best suited for you. Luckily, we've compiled a comprehensive list highlighting the benefits of each major premium travel card on the market that offers exclusive airport lounge access. We searched all the major credit card providers, found which card offerings included lounge access, and spoke to cardholders about their experiences. We'll break down each card, including its main features, cost, and who it's right for. Let's dive in!

Frequent travelers and "points gurus" love this card, and it often ranks as the top choice for those seeking a travel rewards card with luxury benefits. With the Chase Sapphire Reserve, you get access to over 1,300 lounges worldwide through an exclusive membership to Priority Pass. Each lounge is unique, but you can expect to find a range of amenities, including complimentary food and drinks, secluded and comfortable seating, and a serene environment that contrasts with the typical airport experience. Some airport lounges, such as the Priority Pass lounge at Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) in the Dominican Republic, feature pools.

That's not all you'll get in terms of travel perks when you sign up for a Chase Sapphire Reserve card. As Chase's most premium consumer card, you can expect excellent benefits, including primary rental car insurance, zero foreign transaction fees, trip delay reimbursement, travel incident insurance, and more. As of August 2025, Chase is also offering a hefty 125,000 point sign-up bonus when you spend $6,000 in the first three months of opening the account, which is enough to get you going on a great trip abroad.

A premium card like this comes with a premium price. In fact, this card is the most expensive card on the entire list. As of 2025, the annual fee for the Chase Sapphire Reserve has gone up to $795. However, Chase does offer plenty of credits and rewards to help offset that cost, including a $500 travel credit when you book a flight on Southwest Airlines, $300 Stub-Hub credit to get you into your favorite concerts, a $300 dining credit, and more.

Another excellent travel card that frequently ranks among the best is the Capital One Venture X. This card comes with a significantly lower annual fee than the Chase Sapphire Reserve, at just $395. That doesn't mean you won't be getting some premium benefits. Capital One offers its own airport lounges, where you'll find exceptional amenities, including private workspaces, shower suites, fitness areas, and nutritious, chef-inspired meals. No Capital One lounges in your airport? No worries — you also get an exclusive membership to Priority Pass lounges.

Lounges are just one benefit of the Capital One Venture X. You will also get great perks, including a $300 annual travel credit, $120 credit for TSA Pre-check and Global Entry membership, rental car insurance, free authorized users on your account (who can take advantage of the benefits as well), and much more.  The points earning potential is higher than that of other cards, such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve, with two times the miles on every dollar spent, and even more on travel purchases. Chase only gives you one point per dollar, except for dining, which earns you three times the points per dollar. So if you're looking for a card with high-end travel benefits where you can earn more on everyday purchases, the Capital One Venture X may be the right card for you.

If you're looking for a real luxury experience when you travel, consider the American Express (Amex) Platinum card. This top-tier card gives you access to the same Priority Pass lounges, but you also get access to more lounges through their Global Lounge Collection that you can't typically access through Priority Pass, as well as the infamous Amex Centurion Lounges. You can even get access to the highly sought-after Delta Sky lounges whenever you book a Delta flight. So if you're looking for the broadest selection of lounge access, you will be hard-pressed to find a more comprehensive collection than what is offered through the Amex Platinum.

The Centurion lounges are known for being high-end and are often considered the best airport lounges you can find, according to Yelp data. Due to this popularity, however, they can get a little crowded. To increase your chances of getting into the Centurion lounge without long wait times, try using the Amex app and sign up for the waitlist (if available) as soon as you arrive at the airport. Using this technique, Amex Platinum cardholders, such as Redditor @BldrSigs, say they have "never waited more than 10 minutes and I average 20+ visits a year."

This card comes with a hefty price tag, carrying an annual fee of $695. Like most premium cards, however, the benefits and perks that come along with it make the card pay for itself. 

For those of you out there who love to fly Delta (and who wouldn't when they are consistently ranked as the number one U.S. airline), then there's a perfect card out there for you — the Delta Sky Miles Reserve Amex. Similar to the Amex Platinum, this card gives you tons of great travel benefits, such as access to the Centurion and partner lounges. But with the additional Delta Skymiles, you also get access to Delta Sky Lounges. Often remarked as some of the best airport lounges, you'll enjoy premium spaces with free buffets, complimentary drinks, espresso stations, workspaces, and so much more. These lounges truly feel like a luxury experience and a genuine reprieve from the airport's hustle and bustle.

This card does come with a higher price, at $695, similar to the Amex Platinum. However, like most premium cards, the perks and benefits that come with it help offset the annual fees. With the Delta Skymiles Reserve, you will get an annual companion certificate, 15% off award flights booked through Delta, $200 Delta Stays credit, and more. Wondering how to get priority boarding with Delta Airlines? This card gives you priority, as well as $2,500 towards Delta's Medallion status and a points boost on every dollar you spend, and even gets you on the list for complimentary upgrades!

One important caveat to note about Delta Sky Lounge access is that the card comes with only 15 passes per year. However, once you spend $75,000 on the card in a year, you will be upgraded to unlimited visits. If you travel only a few times a year or are a high spender, this card will work great for you.

If you frequently fly American Airlines, want premium lounge access, and want to get exclusive discounts and deals on American Airlines flights, this is the card for you. The Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite gives you access to over 100 global Admirals' Clubs for you and your immediate family for free, as well as access for up to two other guests each time. This is a rare benefit, as most other lounges won't even admit your spouse or children, let alone your whole immediate family plus two. For that alone, if you love flying American and love the Admirals' Club, then this card is a no-brainer.

When airline mishaps occur (which they often do), having access to the Admirals' Club gives you up close access to a highly qualified staff who can help you sort out your flight details when these delays or cancellations happen. For some cardholders, this alone makes the investment worthwhile. According to Redditor @Background-Fall-5238, "The real value is getting help in the Club when delays and cancellations happen. The AA staff is top-notch at getting things sorted out quickly, often with minimal waiting." This card will cost you $595 annually, which is roughly in the middle for most of these premium cards. 

Do you travel only a few times a year, but still want a taste of premium and luxury travel perks without all the cost? Then, the U.S. Bank Altitude Connect is likely the right card for you. This card has a $0 annual fee, so there is virtually no downside to trying this card out. It makes some of these benefits accessible to those of us who might not be able to afford an additional $400 to $800 a year on a premium card. The Altitude Connect gives you four free access passes to over 1,300 Priority Pass lounges worldwide every year, which, for many travelers, is more than enough to cover all the travel they will take in a 12-month period.

Another great perk to this card is the earnings potential, with four-times the points earned on everyday expenses like gas and EV charging, and two times the points on dining and grocery, which is incredibly rare — especially for a card with no annual fee. Other travel benefits include a $100 credit towards Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, trip interruption/cancellation insurance, and complimentary global mobile data plans through GigSky. The general consensus from those I've heard from who own this card is that there is no better card available on the market, especially for those who are on a budget but would still like to travel and experience luxury benefits without the huge price tag. I've also never seen any other card, even the most premium of options, offer a benefit like GigSky, so this card could be your gateway to worldwide connectivity when you travel.

United Airlines is one of the most common carriers in the United States, so for many travelers, it makes sense to earn towards United benefits — and this card comes with plenty. As a Chase product, this card has an annual fee of $695, which is $100 less than the Chase Sapphire Reserve, with many of the same perks. The new United Club Card gives you access to all United Club lounges. One caveat to consider is that United Club lounges aren't as common as some other brands, so if you aren't flying United Airlines all that often, this card may not be right for you. If you do fly United often, however, then you'll enjoy some of the other perks such as two free checked bags, priority check-in and boarding, and tons of partner credits like $150 on rideshare purchases, $100 credit on Avis and Budget rentals, and up to $240 in Instacart credits.

This card also comes with a great sign-up bonus: As of August 2025, new card members will earn 80,000 bonus miles when spending $5,000 in the first three months, plus an additional 10,000 miles when you add an authorized user in that same timeframe. United miles never expire, and United claims that users save an average of 30% when booking award flights through their services. For those who take multiple United flights per year or live near a United hub location, this card makes sense.

For the families out there who love to travel, this one is for you. The Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite card comes with several notable benefits. For an annual fee of $550, you can get access to 20% discounts on domestic and international airfare when you pay with points. You also receive free, unlimited access to Priority Pass lounges, along with complimentary memberships for up to three other people, making this an excellent option for families. Unlike some other cards, which only offer access to their own exclusive lounges (which aren't nearly as common), you can almost guarantee that you and your family will have a lounge to hang out in when you are traveling. Not sure where to find the closest lounge? Use this tool to find access them.

This card is a bit more affordable than other options on the list. Still, it offers many of the same perks as the more expensive cards, such as partner credits worth $150 annually for streaming, food delivery, and rideshare services, as well as a $120 statement credit for either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. You will also receive VIP status and complimentary upgrades on car rentals through brands like Avis, Hertz, and National, as well as travel protections such as cancellation and interruption insurance, baggage delay, lost luggage reimbursement, and emergency evacuation transportation. So, when you're planning your next must-visit family vacation, you can have some peace of mind that you're covered. 

Another premium card offering from Citi, the Strata Elite is a newer card that offers many premium benefits you've come to expect from this type of card, along with additional benefits. In addition to a Priority Pass membership, you will also get access to the American Airlines Admirals Club up to four times per year. This is a nice perk for those who want more options, considering a Priority Pass lounge may not be conveniently located near your gate.

This card also comes with some pretty unique perks that are great for those who love a good fine dining experience, such as access to the Citi Nights program, which gives you six times the points earned on restaurants and dining on Friday and Saturday nights, and three times the points on restaurants all other times. Citi also offers some other great earning potential for travelers, including 12X points on ever dollar spent on hotels and rental cars booked on Citi Travel, as well as six times the points on ever dollar spend on air travel booked through the platform. This card will cost you $595 a year, and as of August 2025, you can earn 80,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 in the first three months of account opening.

The final card on this list is a brand new one, with a really long name and an even longer list of awesome features and benefits: The Alaska Airlines Atmost Rewards Summit Visa Infinite. Alaska Airlines is a major carrier in the U.S., and has been recognized a ton over the years for having a great frequent flyer program. With Alaska introducing more flight routes along the West Coast, it's becoming increasingly popular. As far as lounge access, the Atomos gets you eight annual Alaska Lounge passes, which includes up to two children under 21 for free. These lounges are well-liked, especially if you fly out of Portland or Seattle often. Redditor @Seachica had this to say about the Alaska Lounge: "You get a much more pleasant, less crowded environment. More comfortable seats. Dependable [Wi-Fi]. Freedom to set your luggage down for a few minutes while you go up to get a coffee. For a few hours, it is divine."

In addition to lounge access, you can expect awesome perks such as Global Companion awards of up to 125,000 points per year towards award tickets, 10,000 points annually towards status, a free checked bag for you and up to six guests on your reservation, preferred boarding, free onboard Wi-Fi passes, and so much more. You get $120 towards Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, instant travel delay credits, fee waivers for same-day fare changes, and 20% rebates on all in-flight purchases. Plus, all the other travel protections you've come to expect from a premium travel card give you peace of mind while traveling. All this, for just $395 a year, lower than most other cards on this list.

In this article, we aimed to make a comprehensive, comparative list of provide you the tools to pick a credit card that offered the right benefits for you. To find this information, we scoured the internet in search of every card that offered lounge access. Then, we took a deep dive into the benefits of each card, weighing which ones were comparable to each other, and excluded ultra-premium offerings that either aren't available to the general public, or are incredibly hard to get (such as business cards and elite banking cards that are invite-only). 

We then spoke to folks who carry some of these cards to get their insights and experiences, as well as searching through popular forums such as r/CreditCards to get additional anecdotes from those who have direct experiences with these lounges and cards. All of this information comes either directly from the card issuers themselves or from direct experiences of cardholders and lounge-goers.