Traveling can be exhausting, but having access to airport lounges can make your journey more comfortable. Airport lounges offer amenities like comfortable seating, complimentary food and drinks, free Wi-Fi, and a peaceful environment away from the bustling terminals. Many credit cards provide benefits that grant you access to these exclusive areas, enhancing your travel experience.
In this article, we’ll explore eight of the best credit cards that offer airline club access. These cards cater to various travel preferences and budgets, ensuring that you can find one that suits your needs.
8 Best Credit Cards for Airline Club Access
1. The Platinum Card® from American Express
The Platinum Card® from American Express is renowned for its extensive airport lounge access. Cardholders can enjoy entry to the American Express Global Lounge Collection, which includes over 1,400 lounges worldwide. This collection features:
- Centurion Lounges: Exclusive lounges offering premium amenities.
- Delta Sky Clubs: Access when flying Delta on the same day.
- Priority Pass Select Lounges: After enrollment, enjoy access to numerous lounges globally.
Additionally, the card provides benefits such as:
- Annual Fee: $695.
- Welcome Offer: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $8,000 on eligible purchases within the first 6 months.
- Rewards: 5X points on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel (up to $500,000 per year) and on prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel.
- Credits: Up to $200 in airline fee credits annually, up to $200 in Uber Cash each year, and up to $189 in CLEAR® Plus credits.
2. Chase Sapphire Reserve®
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is a premium travel card that offers valuable airport lounge benefits. Cardholders receive:
- Priority Pass Select Membership: Enjoy access to over 1,000 airport lounges worldwide after enrollment.
Additional features include:
- Annual Fee: $550.
- Welcome Offer: Earn 50,000 points after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months.
- Rewards: 3X points on travel immediately after earning your $300 travel credit and on dining at restaurants, including eligible delivery services.
- Credits: Up to $300 in travel credits annually and up to $100 for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees.
3. Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
Ideal for frequent American Airlines flyers, this card offers:
- Admirals Club Membership: Enjoy access to Admirals Club lounges worldwide.
- Guest Access: Bring up to two guests or immediate family members traveling with you into the lounge.
Key benefits include:
- Annual Fee: $450.
- Welcome Offer: Earn 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $5,000 within the first 3 months.
- Rewards: 2X miles on eligible American Airlines purchases and 1X mile on other purchases.
- Credits: First checked bag free on domestic American Airlines itineraries and priority boarding.
4. Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
For travelers loyal to Delta Air Lines, this card provides:
- Delta Sky Club Access: Enjoy access to Delta Sky Club lounges.
- Centurion Lounge Access: Access American Express Centurion Lounges when flying Delta.
- Guest Access: Bring up to two guests into Delta Sky Clubs for a fee.
Additional features:
- Annual Fee: $550.
- Welcome Offer: Earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 in purchases within the first 3 months.
- Rewards: 3X miles on Delta purchases and 1X mile on other eligible purchases.
- Credits: Up to $100 in statement credits for purchases at Delta Sky Clubs each year.
5. United Club℠ Infinite Card
Perfect for United Airlines flyers, this card offers:
- United Club Membership: Access United Club locations and participating Star Alliance affiliated lounges.
Other benefits include:
- Annual Fee: $525.
- Welcome Offer: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first 3 months.
- Rewards: 4X miles on United purchases, 2X miles on all other travel, and 1X mile on other purchases.
- Credits: First checked bag free and priority boarding on United flights.
6. The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Designed for business travelers, this card provides:
- Global Lounge Collection Access: Entry to over 1,400 lounges worldwide, including Centurion Lounges and Priority Pass lounges (enrollment required).
- Delta Sky Club Access: Access when flying Delta on the same day.
Additional features:
Annual Fee: $695.
Welcome Offer: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $8,000 on eligible purchases within the first 6 months.
Rewards: 5X points on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel (up to $500,000 per year) and on prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel.
Credits: Up to $200 in airline fee credits annually, up to $200 in Uber Cash each year, and up to $189 in CLEAR® Plus credits.
These features make The Platinum Card® from American Express a top choice for travelers seeking extensive lounge access and premium travel benefits.
7. Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is a newer entrant in the premium travel card market, offering valuable lounge access benefits. Cardholders receive a Priority Pass Select membership, granting access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide after enrollment.
Additional benefits include:
- Annual Fee: $395.
- Welcome Offer: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months.
- Rewards: 2X miles on all purchases and 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
- Credits: Up to $300 in travel credits annually and 10,000 bonus miles every account anniversary.
A recent review highlighted the card’s value, noting that the lounge access and travel credits can quickly offset the annual fee.
8. JetBlue Plus Card
The JetBlue Plus Card is a co-branded credit card offering benefits tailored for JetBlue Airways travelers. While it does not provide direct airport lounge access, it offers valuable perks for frequent JetBlue flyers.
Key features include:
- Annual Fee: $99 (waived the first year).
- Welcome Offer: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases within the first 90 days.
- Rewards: 6X points on JetBlue purchases, 2X points at restaurants and grocery stores, and 1X point on other purchases.
- Perks: First checked bag free for the cardholder and up to three companions on the same reservation, 50% savings on eligible in-flight purchases, and no foreign transaction fees.
Additionally, cardholders receive Mosaic elite status after spending $50,000 on purchases within a calendar year, unlocking benefits like free early boarding and expedited security screening.
Conclusion
Access to airport lounges significantly enhances the travel experience by providing comfort and convenience. The credit cards discussed above offer various lounge access benefits, catering to different travel preferences and budgets. When selecting a card, consider factors such as annual fees, lounge access networks, rewards programs, and additional travel perks to find the best fit for your needs.
