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

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

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.

Our pick for lounge access

The Platinum Card® from American Express

  • Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you use your new card to make $5,000 in purchases in your first 3 months.
  • Enjoy Uber VIP status and free rides in the U.S. up to $15 each month, plus a bonus $20 in December. That can be up to $200 in annual Uber savings.
  • 5x Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel.
  • 5x Membership Rewards points on prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com.
  • Enjoy access to the Global Lounge Collection, the only credit card airport lounge access program that includes proprietary lounge locations around the world.
  • Receive complimentary benefits with an average total value of $550 with Fine Hotels & Resorts. Learn more.
  • $200 airline fee credit, up to $200 per calendar year in baggage fees and more at one qualifying airline.
  • Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue on your Platinum Card®. Enrollment required.
  • $550 annual fee.
  • Terms apply.
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Compare credit cards that offer lounge access

Updated February 20th, 2019
Name Product Welcome Offer Base Rewards Annual Fee
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
50,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months
1x points
$450
Earn 50,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.
Apply now
View details
Hilton Honors American Express Ascend Card
Hilton Honors American Express Ascend Card
125,000 points after spending $2,000 in the first 3 months
3x points
$95
Earn 125,000 Hilton Honors™ Bonus Points after you spend $2,000 or more in purchases with your new card within the first 3 months of card membership. Rates & Fees
Apply now
View details
The Platinum Card® from American Express
The Platinum Card® from American Express
60,000 points after spending $5,000 in your first 3 months
1x points
$550
Get 5x Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel and 5x points on eligible hotels booked on amextravel.com. Rates & Fees
Apply now
View details
Luxury Card Mastercard® Gold Card™
Luxury Card Mastercard® Gold Card™
1x points
$995
Earn 1x points when redeemed for airfare through the Luxury rewards program.
Apply now
View details
Luxury Card Mastercard® Black Card™
Luxury Card Mastercard® Black Card™
1x points
$495
Receive an annual $100 air travel credit toward flight-related purchases including airline tickets, baggage fees, upgrades and more.
Apply now
View details

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

Lounge State Card with free access Card with discounted access Cost to access without card Open to those without card?
Admirals Club – O’Hare International Airport IL N/A $59 Yes
Admirals Club – Honolulu International Airport HI
  • Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite™ Mastercard®
 N/A $59 Yes
Admirals Club – Boston Logan International Airport MA
  • Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite™ Mastercard®
 N/A $59 Yes
Airspace Lounge – San Diego International Airport CA N/A $25+ Yes
Amex Centurion Lounge – Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport TX
  • The Platinum Card® from American Express
  • American Express Centurion (Black) Card
 American Express cards $50 No
Amex Centurion Lounge – George Bush Intercontinental Airport TX
  • The Platinum Card® from American Express
  • American Express Centurion (Black) Card
 American Express cards $50 No
Amex Centurion Lounge – McCarran International Airport NV
  • The Platinum Card® from American Express
  • American Express Centurion (Black) Card
 American Express cards $50 No
Amex Centurion Lounge – LaGuardia Airport NY
  • The Platinum Card® from American Express
  • American Express Centurion (Black) Card
 American Express cards $50 No
Amex Centurion Lounge – Miami International Airport FL
  • The Platinum Card® from American Express
  • American Express Centurion (Black) Card
 American Express cards $50 No
Amex Centurion Lounge – Seattle-Tacoma International Airport WA
  • The Platinum Card® from American Express
  • American Express Centurion (Black) Card
 American Express cards $50 No
Amex Centurion Lounge – San Francisco International Airport CA
  • The Platinum Card® from American Express
  • American Express Centurion (Black) Card
 American Express cards $50 No
Delta Sky Club – JFK International Airport, Terminal 4 NY

*Must have Delta flight ticket for access with these cards

 American Express Gold/Platinum SkyMiles Credit Card $59 Yes
Delta Sky Club – O’Hare International Airport IL
  • The Platinum Card® from American Express
  • Business Platinum Card® from American Express OPEN
  • Delta Reserve Card/Delta Reserve for Business Credit Card® Card from American Express

*Must have Delta flight ticket for access with these cards

 American Express Gold/Platinum SkyMiles Credit Card $59 Yes
Delta Sky Club – Miami International Airport FL
  • The Platinum Card® from American Express
  • Business Platinum Card® from American Express OPEN
  • Delta Reserve Card/Delta Reserve for Business Credit Card® Card from American Express

*Must have Delta flight ticket for access with these cards

 American Express Gold/Platinum SkyMiles Credit Card $59 Yes
Delta Sky Club – Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Concourse F GA
  • The Platinum Card® from American Express
  • Business Platinum Card® from American Express OPEN
  • Delta Reserve Card/Delta Reserve for Business Credit Card® Card from American Express

*Must have Delta flight ticket for access with these cards

 American Express Gold/Platinum SkyMiles Credit Card $59 Yes
Delta Sky Club – Seattle-Tacoma International Airport WA
  • The Platinum Card® from American Express
  • Business Platinum Card® from American Express OPEN
  • Delta Reserve Card/Delta Reserve for Business Credit Card® Card from American Express

*Must have Delta flight ticket for access with these cards

 American Express Gold/Platinum SkyMiles Credit Card $59 Yes
Escape Lounge MSP – Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport MN
  • Chase Sapphire Reserve® (via Priority Pass)
  • The Platinum Card® from American Express (via Priority Pass)
  • Business Platinum Card® from American Express OPEN (via Priority Pass)
 N/A $40-$45 Yes
Plumeria Lounge – Honolulu International Airport HI
  • Chase Sapphire Reserve® (via Priority Pass)
  • The Platinum Card® from American Express (via Priority Pass)
  • Business Platinum Card® from American Express OPEN (via Priority Pass)

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

 N/A $40 Yes
The Club at MCO – Orlando International Airport FL
  • Chase Sapphire Reserve® (via Priority Pass)
  • The Platinum Card® from American Express (via Priority Pass)
  • Business Platinum Card® from American Express OPEN (via Priority Pass)
 N/A $40 Yes
The Club at SJC – Mineta San Jose International Airport CA
  • Chase Sapphire Reserve® (via Priority Pass)
  • The Platinum Card® from American Express (via Priority Pass)
  • Business Platinum Card® from American Express OPEN (via Priority Pass)
 N/A $40 Yes
United Club – O’Hare International Airport, Concourse C IL N/A $59 Yes
United Club – Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport TX
  • United MileagePlus® Club card
  • United MileagePlus® Club Business Card
 N/A $59 Yes
United Club – Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport GA
  • United MileagePlus® Club card
  • United MileagePlus® Club Business Card
 N/A $59 Yes
Virgin America Loft – Los Angeles International Airport CA
  • Chase Sapphire Reserve® (via Priority Pass)
  • The Platinum Card® from American Express (via Priority Pass)
  • Business Platinum Card® from American Express OPEN (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 $30 Yes

Adrienne Fuller

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Adrienne Fuller leads the publishing team at finder.com. She has one goal: to deliver the accurate and transparent information she wishes she had when she made some of life's important financial decisions. When she's not helping folks save money, she's hiking with her two Catahoulas around her home in San Diego.

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