When individuals discover out my job is to write down about journey bank cards, they often ask for skilled recommendation. They wish to know which of our favourite bank cards I like to recommend, which playing cards will complement their present portfolio and whether or not their present on a regular basis card is an effective one.
Additionally they usually wish to know which bank card they need to get if they need airport lounge entry.
Till not too long ago, this query was pretty straightforward to reply since many playing cards provided comparable lounge advantages. However currently, it is gotten extra difficult. The issuer lounge area has extra choices than ever, and whereas some playing cards have misplaced perks like visitor privileges and restaurant entry, others have stepped up their lounge sport with choices like facials and customized cocktails whilst you wait in your flight.
If you happen to’re torn between a number of choices, we have got you. This is a breakdown of what to contemplate when selecting a bank card for airport lounge entry.
Entry with high playing cards
| Bank card | Annual price | Lounge entry | Visitor allowance |
|---|---|---|---|
| $695 every (see Amex Platinum charges and charges and Amex Enterprise Platinum charges and charges |
|
|
|
| $650 every (see SkyMiles Reserve charges and charges and Reserve Enterprise charges and charges) |
|
|
|
| $650 (see charges and charges) | |||
| $595 |
|
||
| $795 every | |||
| $695 every |
|
||
| $395 every |
|
The knowledge for the United Membership Enterprise has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or offered by the cardboard issuer.
You probably have a lounge in your house airport
Presumably, your house airport is the place you spend probably the most time. If you happen to stay close to an airline hub or have a superbly positioned lounge that you really want entry to, let that drive your choice.
Equally, when you have an issuer lounge in your house airport, it’s possible you’ll wish to select the premium card from that issuer that features lounge entry. Somebody whose dwelling base is Dulles Worldwide Airport (IAD), for instance, will probably need entry to the Capital One Lounge that is conveniently situated simply previous the airport’s safety traces.
On the flip facet, not all of us have a variety of lounge choices at dwelling. Till not too long ago, I used to be primarily based in Nashville, and as a lot as I like Nashville Worldwide Airport (BNA), it has restricted lounge choices.
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As such, I primarily based my lounge entry choice on the airports I steadily traveled by reasonably than my dwelling base.
If you happen to’re loyal to a selected airline
If you happen to’re loyal to American, Delta or United, you will probably profit from airline-specific lounge entry since you will most steadily fly by hubs with a lounge.
American Airways
Frequent American flyers will wish to go together with the Citi® / AAdvantage Govt World Elite Mastercard because it’s the one bank card with an Admirals Membership membership.
Delta Air Traces
If you happen to’re an everyday Delta passenger, notice that the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Specific Card or Delta SkyMiles Reserve Enterprise American Specific Card contains 15 complimentary Sky Membership visits per yr. You may obtain limitless visits by spending $75,000 on the cardboard every calendar yr.
United Airways
United followers will profit most from the United Membership Card or the United Membership Enterprise Card, that are the one playing cards with a United Membership membership as one in every of its perks.
After all, for those who’re loyal to an airline that does not have its personal airport lounges, you may cross these off the checklist. As a Southwest Airways loyalist, I knew I did not wish to restrict my lounge entry to a selected airline, so I used to be in a position to flip my consideration elsewhere.
If you need issuer-specific lounge entry
American Specific
American Specific at the moment operates 26 Centurion Lounges worldwide, making them probably the most distinguished issuer lounge. If you need entry, you will most probably need both the Amex Platinum or the Amex Enterprise Platinum.
SkyMiles Reserve and SkyMiles Reserve Enterprise cardmembers may entry Centurion Lounges when flying Delta, so long as the flight was booked on their card (excluding primary financial system tickets).
Capital One
Whereas not as properly established as Centurion Lounges, Capital One Lounges have grown quickly.
At present, they’re situated in 4 airports:
One other idea referred to as Capital One Touchdown can be open at Ronald Reagan Washington Nationwide Airport (DCA).
A lounge at John F. Kennedy Worldwide Airport (JFK) opened up in early June and a Touchdown at LaGuardia Airport (LGA) has been introduced however will not be but open.
To entry these lounges, you will need both the Enterprise X or the Enterprise X Enterprise.
Chase
Like Capital One, Chase has been asserting its presence within the lounge area with Chase Sapphire Lounges. With their spectacular designs and facilities like complimentary facials, they might be gunning for the No. 1 spot.
At present, you’ll find eight Sapphire Lounges all through the U.S.:
To get limitless entry to those lounge ideas, you will want the Chase Sapphire Reserve, Chase Sapphire Reserve for Enterprise or the Ritz-Carlton™ Credit score Card. It’s also possible to get one complimentary go to to a Sapphire Lounge per calendar yr when you have a Precedence Cross Choose membership from one other bank card.
The knowledge for the Ritz-Carlton card has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or offered by the cardboard issuer.
If you need extra numerous lounge choices
If you need a wider vary of airport lounge entry choices, go for a card with a complimentary Precedence Cross Choose membership. Precedence Cross is a community of greater than 1,700 lounges situated in 600-plus airports in additional than 150 nations.
The easiest way to get Precedence Cross entry is with one of many following playing cards:
**Enrollment required; phrases apply.
Moreover, you will get Precedence Cross entry with another playing cards:
The knowledge for the U.S. Financial institution Altitude Join has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or offered by the cardboard issuer.
Associated: Is a Precedence Cross lounge membership really price it?
If you need entry to Precedence Cross eating places
If you happen to steadily cross by airports with a Precedence Cross-affiliated restaurant, getting a card with entry can prevent massive bucks. This perk will comp a specific amount of the restaurant invoice for you and as much as one registered visitor.
The quantity varies by restaurant and is often $28 per particular person; you may search for the precise values for every restaurant on the Precedence Cross web site.
Many playing cards with Precedence Cross Choose entry have eradicated restaurant entry lately, however you may nonetheless get it as part of the Precedence Cross Choose membership on choose playing cards. For instance, this perk is obtainable on the Financial institution of America® Premium Rewards® Elite Credit score Card, JetBlue Premier World Elite Mastercard and UBS Visa Infinite Credit score Card,
The knowledge for the Financial institution of America Premium Rewards Elite, JetBlue Premier World Elite Mastercard and UBS Visa Infinite playing cards has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or offered by the cardboard issuer.
Associated: Higher meals and extra choices: Why I worth Precedence Cross’ airport restaurant credit score over lounge entry
If you wish to deliver friends for no further value
If you happen to steadily journey with a accomplice or household, you will wish to select a card that features visitor entry.
Whereas some playing cards just like the Amex Platinum and the SkyMiles Reserve can help you deliver friends into Centurion Lounges for an extra price (although the Amex Platinum does supply a Precedence Cross membership that lets you deliver as much as two friends into these lounges freed from value), the next playing cards embody complimentary entry for the first cardholder and as much as two friends:
- Citi® / AAdvantage® Govt World Elite Mastercard® (will be both instant household — partner, home accomplice and youngsters as much as 18 years outdated — or as much as two friends)
- Marriott Bonvoy Good
- Chase Sapphire Reserve
- Chase Sapphire Reserve for Enterprise
- Capital One Enterprise X (Beginning Feb 1, 2026, visitor entry for Capital One lounges will value $45 per grownup visitor, $25 for youngsters 17 and beneath and free for youngsters beneath two and $35 per visitor for Precedence Cross lounges. Nonetheless, you may unlock limitless visitor entry for Capital One Lounges by spending $75,000 or extra in your card. No matter spending, visitor entry at Precedence Cross lounges won’t be complimentary.)
- Capital One Enterprise X Enterprise (Similar modifications beginning Feb 1, 2026, because the Enterprise X, excluding Precedence Cross lounges, as cardholders obtain two free friends.)
Associated: A information to visitor insurance policies for airport lounges
If you happen to’re not sure
If you happen to’re new to the airport lounge world, committing to a bank card with a hefty annual price can really feel daunting. If you happen to aren’t able to make the soar, think about one in every of these choices to dip your toes in first.
Go as somebody’s visitor
As outlined above, a number of bank cards include lounge entry, permitting cardholders to deliver friends right into a lounge. You probably have a good friend with this entry, attempt to discover a time to go to a lounge as their visitor to see the way you prefer it.
Grow to be a Enterprise X approved consumer
Get a card with a set variety of visits
You may get a restricted variety of lounge visits with out paying a premium annual price. Think about one in every of these choices for those who’re aiming to maintain your annual price prices down:
- U.S. Financial institution Altitude Join: With this card, you will get 4 complimentary visits to Precedence Cross Choose lounges yearly for no annual price, making it an effective way to check out some lounges with out committing to a excessive annual price.
- United℠ Explorer Card (see charges and charges): With this card, you will get two one-time United Membership passes per yr (redeemable for the cardholder or approved consumer). There’s a $150 annual price ($0 intro price for the primary yr) with the United Explorer.
Associated: Bank cards that provide Precedence Cross airport lounge entry
Pay for a one-time cross
You do not essentially should have a membership or entry by a bank card to get right into a lounge. Most lounges provide the choice to pay out of pocket per go to. If there is a lounge you cross usually and are contemplating getting a bank card to entry, paying for a go to to see if it is price it to you could be a nice choice.
Backside line
You could have some nice choices when selecting a bank card for airport lounge entry. The several types of entry can really feel overwhelming, however deciding which sort of entry issues most to you is essential to touchdown on a card that is the proper match.
Regardless of which you select, you will be properly in your option to lounging in model in your subsequent layover.
Associated: The most effective premium bank cards: A side-by-side comparability
For charges and charges of the Amex Platinum, click on right here.
For charges and charges of the Amex Enterprise Platinum, click on right here.
For charges and charges of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve, click on right here.
For charges and charges of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Enterprise, click on right here.
For charges and charges of the Bonvoy Good, click on right here.
