Should you get a credit card with airport lounge access?
Consider getting a credit card with lounge access if:
- You fly multiple times per year. The more time you spend at the airport, the more valuable it is to have a card offering free lounge access. These cards also normally earn credit card miles or reward points that you can redeem for free flights and possibly other travel perks, such as statement credits for a TSA PreCheck/Global Entry membership.
- You have a good credit score. Credit cards with lounge access are usually targeted at consumers who have a FICO® Score of 670 or more.
- You always pay your credit card bill in full. Since you'll almost never get a good credit card APR from a travel card, this isn't the type of card to use if you're going to carry a balance.
- You don't mind paying an annual fee. Since lounge access is a premium perk, it's only available on credit cards with annual fees. Some cards with lounge access are $95, but most of the cards with this benefit are premium travel cards costing at least $400. If you're trying to avoid a yearly fee, check out travel credit cards with no annual fee.
What is included in airport lounge access?
Airport lounge access includes free, or in some cases discounted, entry to lounges in a specific airport lounge program. There are several airport lounge programs available, some through airlines and others through private companies.
Travel credit cards with this feature usually offer a membership with one airport lounge program, but there are select cards with memberships to multiple programs. Entry rules depend on the travel credit card you have and the membership it offers. Many credit cards with airport lounge access entitle the cardholder to free unlimited access to a lounge program. They may also include complimentary lounge access for a limited number of guests.
The amenities you find inside vary quite a bit from lounge to lounge. There's everything from basic lounges with a small selection of free food and drinks to massive luxury lounges offering fine dining, showers, and even spas.
Types of airport lounge programs
As you compare credit cards with airport lounge access, it helps to know what the most common types of lounge membership programs are:
- Airline-specific lounges: Many airlines have their own lounge programs that you can access if you're traveling in a premium cabin (usually business and first class) or have elite status with the airline. You can also get free airport lounge access if you have a membership with that airline's lounge program, either by purchasing one or opening an airline credit card that offers a complimentary membership.
- Priority Pass: Priority Pass is an airport lounge program with over 1,400 airport lounges and experiences worldwide. Its network includes lounges offered by airlines and private companies. Priority Pass has also partnered with airport businesses to expand its benefits. These partners include airport restaurants where Priority Pass members can get dining credits, Minute Suites that provide a place to sleep, Be Relax spas, and Gameway for video game experiences.
- The Centurion® Network: The Centurion® Network is a collection of high-end lounges offered by American Express. It's only available to those with certain American Express cards. There are over 40 lounges in this network, which is much less than other major lounge programs. However, these lounges are known for offering better amenities than the typical airport lounge.
Which airlines offer airport lounges?
Many of the larger airlines offer airport lounges. Here are the major U.S. carriers that have their own airport lounges and the names of each one's lounge membership program:
- Alaska Airlines: Alaska Lounge
- American Airlines: Admirals Club
- Delta Air Lines: Delta Sky Club
- Hawaiian Airlines: Premier Club
- United Airlines: United Club
If you want to find out whether a domestic or international airline has airport lounges, you can find this information on the airline's website.
What restrictions apply to airport lounge access?
Airport lounge access restrictions vary and depend on the lounge program, the credit card with airport lounge access, and the lounge itself.
Here are the restrictions that may apply to your airport lounge access:
- You can only visit an airport lounge if you have a boarding pass for same-day travel.
- Airport lounges may only let you enter if you're departing from the airport, not arriving at it.
- Lounge access may include unlimited visits per calendar year or a limited number.
- You may be able to bring a limited number of guests free of charge. For guests beyond this limit, there will be a per-guest lounge visit fee.
- Lounges have occupancy limits. To limit occupancy, some will only let guests in within a set amount of time before their flights.
You can learn about restrictions to your lounge access in that section of your credit card benefits page and on the website for the lounge program itself. It's a good idea to do this so you know all the rules ahead of time.
Before you visit the airport, see which lounges you can access and check their restrictions. Not only will this help you find a lounge at the airport, but you also won't be surprised by any of its rules.