Best Credit Cards For Lounge Access Of September 2024

Chase Sapphire Reserve® cardholders have access to the Priority Pass network that includes complimentary entrance to lounges worldwide. Both primary cardholders and authorized users are eligible, and they can each bring up to two guests per lounge visit.

Why We Like It

Cardholders can help justify the high annual fee by receiving up to $300 in annual travel credits as reimbursement for travel purchases. New cardholders can earn a significant welcome bonus as well as generous earnings to increase their Chase Ultimate Rewards® balances.

Cardholders also receive a statement credit of up to $100 towards a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® application fee to get to the lounge even faster. Choose from any of the over 1,300 Priority Pass lounges worldwide, and even get into one of the Chase Sapphire Lounges by The Club.

Points earned through this card can be transferred at a 1:1 ratio to several airline and hotel transfer partners, so you can potentially receive outsized value from your points.

What We Don’t Like

The hefty annual fee for this card definitely warrants considering your personal wants and needs to ensure that all the card’s perks are worth the squeeze.

Who It’s Best For

The Chase Sapphire Reserve works best for those travelers seeking a more elevated experience thanks to the access to airport lounges, additional travel-related benefits and the ability to earn flexible points within Chase’s Ultimate Rewards program.

The Platinum Card® from American Express (terms apply, see rates & fees) advertises access to more lounges around the world than any other card that we know of, plus more than $1,500 in value from benefits and statement credits, as long as you know how to utilize them.

Why We Like It

Cardholders can access lounges in 140 countries through the Global Lounge Collection and the Priority Pass network once enrolled, plus American Express Centurion Lounges. Members can also access Delta SkyClub lounges (access is changing in February 2025) and Lufthansa Lounges when flying the respective airline on the same day.

The card allows you to access benefits like Amex Offers and comes with multiple credits you can take advantage of to lessen the sting of the high annual fee. It packs a punch when it comes to other travel-related benefits like elite status at hotels and car rental companies.

What We Don’t Like

While the card does come with one of the most generous lounge access programs of any other card, its high annual fee requires jumping through a lot of hoops to take advantage of its coupon book-style credits as a way to recoup the cost. Many of the benefits might be for merchants where you don’t typically shop, requiring you to either change your spending habits or leave money on the table. The earning potential on purchases outside of hotels and airfare is subpar, but this card is less focused on maximizing earnings and more tailored to high-end shoppers and luxury travelers.

Who It’s Best For

This ultra-premium travel card works well for those who want access to the most lounges around the world and can take advantage of the plethora of benefits available to cardholders.

Cardholders of the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card have access to the Priority Pass and Plaza Premium lounge networks, as well as the small but growing network of Capital One airport Lounges.

Why We Like It

Access to the Capital One Lounge network is unlimited for cardholders, plus complimentary entry for two guests per visit. Cardholders also enjoy unlimited access to the Priority Pass and Plaza Premium lounges at worldwide airports, for them and up to two guests, making sure that you can relax once you arrive at the airport virtually anywhere you are.

While the annual fee (rates & fees) is moderately high, it can be offset thanks to a $300 annual credit for Capital One Travel bookings and a 10,000-mile anniversary bonus. Cardholders can also take advantage of a statement credit of up to $120 toward the TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry application fee. Miles earned can be transferred to several airline and hotel partners, many of which operate international routes.

What We Don’t Like

While Capital One Lounges are top-notch, the network is in its infancy with only a handful in operation so far. The earning potential is solid, but the program lacks domestic airline partners and high-end hotels. The annual travel credit can only be used on bookings through Capital One Travel, making it less flexible than the credit offered by the Chase Sapphire Reserve®.

Who It’s Best For

The Venture X works really well for airline-agnostic travelers who are looking for airport lounge access and a flexible rewards program.

The U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card* is a great introductory card for those looking for a few lounge visits throughout the year but aren’t ready to commit to a premium credit card.

Why We Like It

This is the only card on our list that offers lounge access and charges no annual fee. While your Priority Pass membership here gets you just four free visits annually, it’s an ideal option for those who only fly a few times a year. The card also comes with a $100 statement credit for TSA Precheck and Global Entry once every four years.

Another unique benefit this card offers is a complimentary GigSky mobile plan, allowing you mobile connectivity in over 125 countries around the world (redeemable through November 15, 2025).

What We Don’t Like

The points you earn through this card aren’t transferable to travel partners. Additionally, the very limited number of lounge visits per year can be a drag for anyone who travels often. However, the earning potential and benefits are solid when considering that this is a card that doesn’t cost anything to have in your wallet.

Who It’s Best For

This card is best suited for those who only travel a few times a year and want an introduction to lounge access before committing to a card with an annual fee.

The Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite credit card* comes with a hefty annual fee but offers a slew of statement credits that improve the value proposition. Bank of America or Merrill Lynch customers also have the chance to earn even more points.

Why We Like It

As one of its unique perks, this card allows up to four memberships to Priority Pass, meaning you can give friends or family members their own memberships as well. Terms apply. Cardholders also receive VIP perks with Avis, Hertz and National car rentals.

Statement credits include $300 annually for airline incidental fees, $150 annually for lifestyle events like video streaming, food delivery and fitness subscriptions and a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® once every four years. Preferred Rewards members can earn up to a 75% bonus on points, meaning a maximum of 3.5 points on travel and dining and up to 2.62 points per dollar everywhere else. When you redeem those points to book domestic or international airfare through the Bank of America Travel Center, you’ll get a 20% discount on the tickets.

What We Don’t Like

The card’s rewards program allows you to earn points, but the points cannot be transferred to any partners, reducing the value of its redemption options. Plus, if you are not a Preferred Rewards member, your earning rate will leave a lot to be desired.

Who It’s Best For

This card does best for Bank of America Preferred Rewards members who want a few premium travel benefits including lounge access.

Another offering from Chase is the United Club℠ Infinite Card, which includes lounge access to United Clubs and Star Alliance lounges around the world.

Why We Like It

Cardholders and eligible travel companions have access to all United Club lounges and affiliated Star Alliance lounges worldwide. The United Club℠ Infinite Card offers a first and second checked bag free and a 25% discount on in-flight purchases.

At the airport, you’ll enjoy Premier Access travel services and upgrades on award tickets, giving you the most premium experience possible when flying United. You can also take advantage of IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status, including up to $75 in statement credits per year on IHG purchases, and Avis President’s Club status. If you frequently rent cars with Avis or stay at IHG properties, this benefit can be extremely valuable. You can also enjoy a 10% discount on award bookings for economy flights within the continental U.S. and Canada.

What We Don’t Like

Cardholders can only access the United Club lounges when flying on a United, Star Alliance or other contracted partner-operated flights. Plus, the discount on award redemptions is only valid on economy bookings. Someone in the market for this card might frequently fly business or first class, making the benefit lose most of its value. It doesn’t offer a companion certificate or statement credits that some competitor cards offer.

Who It’s Best For

The United Club Infinite Card will work best for frequent United flyers who can justify a high annual fee in exchange for access to United Club lounges and premium benefits.

Cardholders of the $400 annual fee U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card* receive a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership that comes with a limited number of free visits.

Why We Like It

Cardholders are allotted eight free visits within their membership year. One big perk for the Altitude Reserve Visa is the $325 maximum annual credit for eligible travel or dining purchases. The points you earn are worth 50% more when used to redeem for travel. And to make your travels easier, the card offers up to $100 in statement credits toward your TSA Precheck or Global Entry application fee once every four years.

What We Don’t Like

The annual fee is rather steep for a credit card that limits airport lounge access to just eight visits within a year and earns non-transferable points. The fringe benefits are also fairly limited and might overlap with other cards in your wallet.

Who It’s Best For

This card works for anyone who already has a relationship with U.S. Bank and wants to have a taste of premium travel without committing to an ultra-high-end credit card.

From a buy-one-get-one first-class ticket (valid on First Class, Delta Comfort+®, or Main Cabin domestic, Central American and Caribbean roundtrip flights each year after card renewal) to Delta Sky Club lounge access, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card (terms apply, see rates & fees) gets high marks against its competitors.

Why We Like It

The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card offers complimentary access to Delta Sky Clubs (effective 2/1/25, cardholders will receive 15 Delta Sky Club visits per year; unlimited visits can be earned when total purchases exceed $75,000 in 2024 and each calendar year thereafter. Once all 15 visits have been used, eligible card members may purchase additional Delta Sky Club visits at a per-visit rate of $50 per person using the card.) and the Centurion Lounge when flying the same day with Delta. Four one-time guest passes to the Delta Sky Club are allotted each year when you fly Delta so you can share the experience with family and friends.

Cardholders receive a suite of benefits outside of lounge access to help justify the hefty annual fee. To start, you can take advantage of up to $20 each month in statement credits on eligible purchases at U.S. Resy restaurants, up to $10 back each month on U.S. rideshare purchases and $200 back each year on Delta Stays bookings. If you fully utilize each of these statement credits, you’ll be less than $100 away from covering your entire annual fee. Enrollment is required for select benefits.

Other benefits include Hertz President’s Circle status with enrollment, getting your first checked bag free when flying Delta, priority boarding on Delta flights and 20% back on Delta in-flight purchases with your card. You’ll also get 15% off on Delta award bookings and have a path to elite status.

What We Don’t Like

Access to Delta Sky Clubs is limited to 15 annual visits unless you can spend at least $75,000 with the card, making it somewhat restrictive for cardholders who travel frequently and will see themselves without lounge access past those initial 15 visits. Although there is a path to elite status, it doesn’t come automatically with the card.

Who It’s Best For

The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is best for frequent Delta flyers who want a path to elite status and can take full advantage of the associated benefits.

Although it’s a hotel card, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card (terms apply, see rates & fees) offers cardholders access to the Priority Pass Network, along with a suite of luxury benefits for Marriott loyalists.

Why We Like It

This card offers a Priority Pass Select membership with unlimited access for cardholders and up to two guests per visit within the Priority Pass network after enrollment. Cardholders can also earn up to $300 in statement credits annually ($25 per month) for eligible dining purchases at restaurants with enrollment and up to $100 in statement credits toward qualifying purchases made at specific Marriott properties, which helps make the card’s annual fee worthwhile.

Cardholders receive a free night award each year after the card renewal month valid for one night at or under 85,000 Bonvoy points and Platinum Elite status, the third of five elite status tiers. The card also includes a credit towards your application fee for TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry, helping you travel easier every time you go through an airport.

What We Don’t Like

While this is billed as a premium card, you’ll earn the same number of points from using this card as you will any Marriott card. The Priority Pass membership is similar to many other cards with lower annual fees, meaning the card’s main benefit comes in the form of its free night certificate.

Who It’s Best For

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is ideal for people who frequent Marriott Bonvoy hotels and want to receive benefits with the chain in addition to getting access to airport lounges.

HSBC Elite World Elite Mastercard®* cardholders receive a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership they can use at virtually any airport for themselves and guests, plus statement credits that rival other premium cards at a much lower annual fee.

Why We Like It

With this card’s lounge benefits, cardholders can visit Priority Pass lounges and bring up to two guests free of charge. Other travel benefits include up to $400 a year in travel credits for all airfare, hotels and car rentals booked through HSBC Travel. Points earned with the card can be transferred to 11 airlines and two partner programs. The card also comes with a credit of up to $120 to cover your Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, TSA PreCheck by Clear or NEXUS application fee every 4.5 years.

If those credits aren’t enough to justify the annual fee, you can also take advantage of up to $10 in statement credits per month on taxis and ride shares, $10 off your second Instacart order each month, a $5 Lyft credit after taking three rides in a month and a complimentary ShopRunner membership.

What We Don’t Like

The card is only available to HSBC Premier customers. If you aren’t already a member, you’ll need to open up a U.S. HSBC Premier checking account before applying. It’s not quite as simple as opening up a checking account and immediately applying for a card. To open a Premier checking account, you’ll need to meet at least one of the following criteria:

• At least $100,000 in total deposits or investments
• At least $5,000 in total direct deposits per month
• An HSBC U.S. residential mortgage loan serviced by HSBC

Who It’s Best For

This card works best for existing HSBC Premier customers who want access to airport lounges and can take advantage of the statement credits to help offset the annual fee.

The Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®* has benefits ranging from an Admirals Club membership to rideshare and food delivery statement credits.

Why We Like It

For fans of the Admirals Club, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®* provides access to almost 100 Admirals Club and partner lounges worldwide for cardholders and immediate family (or up to two travel companions). Reciprocal access to other lounges is also available to the primary cardholder.

The real advantage for those who want an Admirals Club membership is that the annual fee is only $595 (less than the annual cost of an individual Admirals Club membership). Authorized users are extended lounge access benefits and can bring guests, but they must pay a $175 authorized user annual fee. To further offset the annual fee, cardholders can take advantage of up to $10 in monthly Lyft credits after taking three rides during the month and up to $10 in monthly Grubhub credits. If you’re already using Grubhub and riding with Lyft, it could be a great way to get even more value from the card.

What We Don’t Like

The annual fee on this credit card is rather high and can really only be justified as an alternative to a full-price Admirals Club annual membership. The benefits are lacking when compared to competitor cards, and only include basic perks like a free checked bag and priority access at the airport.

Who It’s Best For

The Citi AAdvantage Executive Club World Elite Mastercard is designed for American Airlines loyalists who are after a discounted Admirals Club membership.