Hear from our editors: Best credit cards for airport lounge access of October 2026
Updated October 15, 2026
This date may not reflect recent changes in individual terms.
Editorial Note: Intuit Credit Karma receives compensation from third-party advertisers, but that doesn’t affect our editors’ opinions. Our third-party advertisers don’t review, approve or endorse our editorial content. Information about financial products not offered on Credit Karma is collected independently. Our content is accurate to the best of our knowledge when posted.
Written by: Liza Carrasquillo, Editor, Credit Cards
Edited by: Eric Freeman, Editorial Lead, Credit Cards
Airport lounges can elevate the travel experience for every frequent flyer, with comfort and amenities offering a break from the rigors of travel.
Check out our top picks for credit cards with airport lounge access to find one that suits your lifestyle.
- Best for global lounge access: American Express Platinum Card®
- Best for Chase Sapphire Lounges: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- Best for Capital One Lounges: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
- Best for Delta Sky Club lounges: Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
- Best for Admirals Club lounges: Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Legend Mastercard®
- Best for United Club℠ lounges: United Club℠ Card
Best for global lounge access: American Express Platinum Card®
Here’s why: The American Express Platinum Card® is chock full of travel perks, including impressive airport lounges access across the world.
American Express Platinum Card® holders can access the Global Lounge Collection, which grants entry to more than 1,500 lounges, including The Centurion Lounges and Delta Sky Club. And cardholders can enroll in the Priority Pass™ program, which provides access to numerous airport lounges.
These perks don’t come cheap, though — the card has an annual fee of $895. But if you travel frequently and can take advantage of the card’s many other perks, the American Express Platinum Card® can be a valuable addition to your wallet.
Read more about the American Express Platinum Card®.
Best for Chase Sapphire Lounges: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Here’s why: Chase Sapphire Reserve® cardholders get exclusive access to Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club locations, including lounges in New York and Dallas. You’ll also get a complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership, which grants you access to more than 1,300 airport lounges.
The card does have a hefty annual fee of $795, but the Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers numerous travel perks and other shopping credits that can help offset the cost.
Read more about the Chase Sapphire Reserve®.
Best for Capital One Lounges: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Here’s why: With the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, you’ll get unlimited complimentary access to Capital One Lounges and Landings. While there aren’t yet extensive Capital One Lounge locations, you can find them in busy stops like Charlotte, Dallas, Denver, New York and others.
The card, which has an annual fee of $395, also gives you complimentary access to Priority Pass™ Select lounges.
Read more about the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.
Best for Delta Sky Club lounges: Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
Here’s why: With the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, you get access to more than 50 Delta Sky Club lounges when traveling on Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flights. Cardholders receive 15 free visits to Delta Sky Club lounges or Grab and Go stations each calendar year. If you spend $75,000 or more on your card within the year, you’ll earn unlimited Delta Sky Club access.
You also get free access to The Centurion Lounge and Escape Lounges when you book a Delta flight with your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card.
The card comes with an annual fee of $650 and boasts numerous other Delta perks.
Learn more about the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card.
Best for Admirals Club lounges: Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Legend Mastercard®
Here’s why: If American Airlines is your preferred airline, then the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Legend Mastercard® could be a good fit for you. This card offers access to more than 100 American-specific Admirals Club lounges for you and up to two traveling companions.
The card has an annual fee of $695.
Learn more about the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Legend Mastercard®.
Best for United Club℠ lounges: United Club℠ Card
Here’s why: If you’re a United frequent flyer, it’s worth considering the United Club℠ Card. With this card, you’d score access to more than 45 United Club℠ lounges and even certain Star Alliance™ partner lounges.
The card has an annual fee of $695, but an annual United Club membership costs $750 or more.
Learn more about the United Club℠ Card.
How we picked these cards
The right airport lounge can make all the difference when it comes to your next trip. While some frequent travelers enjoy the flexibility of a large lounge access network, others like to stick with lounges from specific airlines or card issuers.
The cards that made our list suit at least one of these traveling styles. We chose cards from major issuers with large lounge networks and Priority Pass™ access, as well as cards for specific airlines.
How to choose the right airport lounge access credit card
To choose a credit card for airport lounge access, be sure to think about how you typically travel and what you’re willing to spend in an annual fee for that access. You can ask yourself these questions to help you decide.
- How often do you travel? If you only fly a few times a year, it might make more sense to simply purchase a day pass to a specific airport lounge. If you travel more than that, look at each card’s annual fee and compare it to the cost of access certain lounges or network programs. If you feel that the card’s lounge access and other perks offset the fee, then it might be worthwhile to apply.
- Do you typically fly with a certain airline? If you always fly Delta or American Airlines, for example, then you might benefit most from a credit card that grants lounge access to that specific airline lounge network. This is especially true if you want to earn rewards related to that airline.
- Do you typically travel domestically or internationally? If you fly internationally, you’d likely get more use out of a credit card with access to a global lounge network, like Priority Pass™, or with a robust lounge network in other countries. If you fly domestically, you could be fine with a card that has a smaller lounge network built into the country’s larger airports.
Frequently asked questions about cards with airport lounge access
Can anyone have airport lounge access?
It depends. Access to airport lounges is often a perk for people with certain credit cards or members of specific airline lounge programs. But you may be able to purchase an entrance pass for the day with a valid boarding pass at select locations.
What are airport lounges?
Airport lounges are exclusive areas where members or passholders can relax before a flight. Many airport lounges offer complimentary snacks, beverages, and Wi-Fi, as well as comfortable seating and workspaces. Some also have showers, sleep pods and other amenities.
What are the most common airport lounge networks?
Some of the most common airport lounge networks globally include the Priority Pass network, American Express Global Lounge Collection and The Centurion Lounge network. Many airlines also have robust lounge networks, such as the Delta Sky Club, American Airlines Admirals Club and United Club.
