finder.com

Finder is committed to editorial independence. While we receive compensation when you click links to partners, they do not influence our content.

The best US airport lounges and the credit cards that’ll get you in

What does it take to get into an airport lounge? These credit cards will give you free access.

Our pick for airport lounge access: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Chase Sapphire Reserve® logo

60,000-point

Signup bonus after spending $4,000 in first 3 months

  • Not just for travel: Get DoorDash perks,10x points on Lyft and 3x on dining
  • Signup bonus worth $900 with Chase Ultimate Rewards
  • $300 annual travel credit
Apply now
Avatar
Amy Bradney-George
Updated
Fact checked
If you want to relax at an airport lounge, you might not need to buy a day pass to do so. Some credit cards give you complimentary or discounted access to select lounges.

There are four main lounges that come with credit card access: American Express Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs, United Clubs and American Airlines’ Admirals Clubs.

Compare credit cards that offer lounge access

Name Product Foreign transaction fee Welcome offer Rewards Filter values
The Platinum Card® from American Express
The Platinum Card® from American Express
None
75,000 points after spending $5,000 in your first 6 months, plus 10x points at US gas stations and US supermarkets on up to $15,000 in combined purchases in the same timeframe
10x points at US gas stations and US supermarkets on up to $15,000 combined in the first 6 months, 5x points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel, 5x points on directly-booked flights on up to $500,000 annually, then 1x points after that and on other purchases
One of the most valuable premium travel cards, featuring two welcome offers worth up to $4,500 based on Finder's valuation, multiple travel credits and unrivaled lounge access. Terms apply, see rates & fees
Apply now
View details
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
None
60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months, a value of up to $900 through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
10x points on Lyft rides, 3x points on dining and travel after earning your $300 travel credit and 1x points on all other purchases
Earn a huge signup bonus worth $900 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Ultimate Rewards with Chase’s premier card.
Apply now
View details
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card
None
75,000 points after spending $3,000 in the first 3 months. Plus, earn up to $200 in statement credits for eligible purchases at US restaurants within the first 6 months
6x points at Marriott Bonvoy hotels, 3x at US restaurants and on flights booked directly with airlines and 2x for all other purchases
Earn 75,000 bonus points when you spend $3,000 or more within your first 3 months. Terms apply, see rates & fees
Apply now
View details
loading

Compare up to 4 providers

See a virtual tour of the most popular lounges:

DFW Centurian Lounge American Express photo

The best US airport lounges with credit card access

In the following list, you’ll find the top American lounges that excel in quality and accessibility. Not only are they stellar, but you can also get into them for free with the right cards.

Compare airline credit cards

Airline lounges and the cards that get you in

LoungeStateCard with free accessCard with discounted accessCost to access without cardOpen to those without card?
Admirals Club – O’Hare International AirportILN/A$59Yes
Admirals Club – Honolulu International AirportHI
  • Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite™ Mastercard®
N/A$59Yes
Admirals Club – Boston Logan International AirportMA
  • Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite™ Mastercard®
N/A$59Yes
Airspace Lounge – San Diego International AirportCAN/A$25+Yes
Amex Centurion Lounge – Dallas/Fort Worth International AirportTXAmerican Express cardsN/A; Platinum Card and Centurion members can purchase passes for additional guests at $50 eachNo
Amex Centurion Lounge – George Bush Intercontinental AirportTX
  • The Platinum Card® from American Express
  • Centurion® Card from American Express
  • Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
  • Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
American Express cardsN/A; Platinum Card and Centurion members can purchase passes for additional guests at $50 eachNo
Amex Centurion Lounge – McCarran International AirportNV
  • The Platinum Card® from American Express
  • Centurion® Card from American Express
  • Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
  • Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
American Express cardsN/A; Platinum Card and Centurion members can purchase passes for additional guests at $50 eachNo
Amex Centurion Lounge – LaGuardia AirportNY
  • The Platinum Card® from American Express
  • Centurion® Card from American Express
  • Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
  • Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
American Express cardsN/A; Platinum Card and Centurion members can purchase passes for additional guests at $50 eachNo
Amex Centurion Lounge – Miami International AirportFL
  • The Platinum Card® from American Express
  • Centurion® Card from American Express
  • Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
  • Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
American Express cardsN/A; Platinum Card and Centurion members can purchase passes for additional guests at $50 eachNo
Amex Centurion Lounge – Seattle-Tacoma International AirportWA
  • The Platinum Card® from American Express
  • Centurion® Card from American Express
  • Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
  • Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
American Express cardsN/A; Platinum Card and Centurion members can purchase passes for additional guests at $50 eachNo
Amex Centurion Lounge – San Francisco International AirportCA
  • The Platinum Card® from American Express
  • Centurion® Card from American Express
  • Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
  • Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
American Express cardsN/A; Platinum Card and Centurion members can purchase passes for additional guests at $50 eachNo
Delta Sky Club – JFK International Airport, Terminal 4NY

*Must have Delta flight ticket for access with these cards

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card / Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card$545 (one-year individual membership)Yes (paid membership, Gold+ Medallion Status, Delta One fares, etc.)
Delta Sky Club – O’Hare International AirportIL
  • The Platinum Card® from American Express
  • The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
  • Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card/Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card

*Must have Delta flight ticket for access with these cards

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card / Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card$545 (one-year individual membership)Yes (paid membership, Gold+ Medallion Status, Delta One fares, etc.)
Delta Sky Club – Miami International AirportFL
  • The Platinum Card® from American Express
  • The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
  • Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card/Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card

*Must have Delta flight ticket for access with these cards

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card / Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card$545 (one-year individual membership)Yes (paid membership, Gold+ Medallion Status, Delta One fares, etc.)
Delta Sky Club – Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Concourse FGA
  • The Platinum Card® from American Express
  • The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
  • Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card/Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card Card from American Express

*Must have Delta flight ticket for access with these cards

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card / Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card$545 (one-year individual membership)Yes (paid membership, Gold+ Medallion Status, Delta One fares, etc.)
Delta Sky Club – Seattle-Tacoma International AirportWA
  • The Platinum Card® from American Express
  • The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
  • Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card/Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card

*Must have Delta flight ticket for access with these cards

Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card / Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card$545 (one-year individual membership)Yes (paid membership, Gold+ Medallion Status, Delta One fares, etc.)
Escape Lounge MSP – Minneapolis-St. Paul International AirportMN
  • Chase Sapphire Reserve® (via Priority Pass)
  • The Platinum Card® from American Express (via Priority Pass)
  • The Business Platinum Card® from American Express (via Priority Pass)
N/A$40-$45Yes
Plumeria Lounge – Honolulu International AirportHI
  • Chase Sapphire Reserve® (via Priority Pass)
  • The Platinum Card® from American Express (via Priority Pass)
  • The Business Platinum Card® from American Express (via Priority Pass)

*Must have Hawaiian Airlines flight ticket for access with these cards

N/A$40Yes
The Club at MCO – Orlando International AirportFL
  • Chase Sapphire Reserve® (via Priority Pass)
  • The Platinum Card® from American Express (via Priority Pass)
  • The Business Platinum Card® from American Express (via Priority Pass)
N/A$40Yes
The Club at SJC – Mineta San Jose International AirportCA
  • Chase Sapphire Reserve® (via Priority Pass)
  • The Platinum Card® from American Express (via Priority Pass)
  • The Business Platinum Card® from American Express (via Priority Pass)
N/A$40Yes
United Club – O’Hare International Airport, Concourse CILN/A$59Yes
United Club – Dallas/Fort Worth International AirportTX
  • United MileagePlus® Club card
  • United Club℠ Business Card
N/A$59Yes
United Club – Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International AirportGA
  • United MileagePlus® Club card
  • United Club℠ Business Card
N/A$59Yes
Virgin America Loft – Los Angeles International AirportCA
  • The Platinum Card® from American Express (via Priority Pass)
  • The Business Platinum Card® from American Express (via Priority Pass)

*Must be flying with Virgin or Virgin partner airlines or departing from LAX Terminal 3. Complimentary access for guests with First Class long-haul tickets.

N/A$30Yes

The information about Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite™ Mastercard® and Citi Prestige® Credit Card have been collected independently by Finder and and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer.

More guides on Finder

Ask an Expert

You are about to post a question on finder.com:

  • Do not enter personal information (eg. surname, phone number, bank details) as your question will be made public
  • finder.com is a financial comparison and information service, not a bank or product provider
  • We cannot provide you with personal advice or recommendations
  • Your answer might already be waiting – check previous questions below to see if yours has already been asked

Finder.com provides guides and information on a range of products and services. Because our content is not financial advice, we suggest talking with a professional before you make any decision.

By submitting your comment or question, you agree to our Privacy and Cookies Policy and finder.com Terms of Use.

Questions and responses on finder.com are not provided, paid for or otherwise endorsed by any bank or brand. These banks and brands are not responsible for ensuring that comments are answered or accurate.
Go to site