Waiting for flights in cacophonous airline terminals is one of the more unpleasant aspects of modern travel. But airport lounges provide a relatively peaceful refuge, with perks like free food and drinks. Once open mainly to business and first-class travelers, airport lounge access has expanded…and now critics complain that this expanded access has left lounges overcrowded. “But it’s still a lot better than being stuck in an airport terminal for hours,” says Joe McCulloch, founder of travel website ATXJetsetter.com.
Bottom Line Personal asked McCulloch what travelers need to know about how to get airport lounge access…
Airline Credit Cards
Major US airlines offer credit cards that provide access to their lounges.*
- American Citi/Aadvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard includes membership in American Airlines’ Admirals Club, which allows lounge access for the cardholder plus his/her travel companions, with certain limitations. $595 annual fee.
- Citi/Aadvantage Globe Mastercard provides four Admirals Club passes per year. $350 annual fee.
- Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express includes 15 Delta Sky Club visits per year plus four one-time guest passes. Cardholders cannot enter Sky Club when traveling on basic economy tickets. $650 annual fee.
- United Club Card from Chase includes United Club membership, which allows lounge access for the cardholder plus travel companions, with certain limitations. $695 annual fee.
- United Explorer Card from Chase includes two United Club passes per year. $150 annual fee that is waived in the first year.
Which of these cards should you choose if airport lounge access is your priority? Delta’s card comes up short—overcrowding in Delta lounges has led to restrictions. The card that’s best for you inevitably comes down to your travel habits. “Look at the card offered by the airline that you fly the most,” advises McCulloch.
Other Airline Lounge Access Credit Cards
Several big credit card issuers operate airport lounges of their own, and their premier travel cards offer access to additional airport lounges as well. One advantage of credit card–issuer lounges is that travelers can access them regardless of which airline they’re flying that day—access to airline lounges typically is restricted to those traveling on that airline or its partners. But: Card-issuer lounges often are more crowded than airline lounges.
- American Express Platinum Card offers access to AMEX Centurion lounges, Priority Pass lounges (see below), plus up to 10 Delta Sky Club visits per year—Sky Club is available only when flying Delta. $895 annual fee.
- Chase Sapphire Reserve offers access to Chase Sapphire lounges, Priority Pass lounges, plus select Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges—Maple Leaf lounges are available only when flying “Star Alliance” carriers, including United. $795 annual fee.
- US Bank Altitude Connect Visa offers four visits per year to Priority Pass lounges. $0 annual fee.
Which of these cards should you choose if airport lounge access is your priority? The key factor is which card has a lounge in the airport(s) you fly through most. If more than one does, weigh the cards’ other perks and fees.
Priority Pass Membership
Priority Pass offers access to more than 1,800 airport lounges around the world. “It’s a fantastic option,” says McCulloch. It is a combination of airline lounges and third-party contract lounges. The airline lounges, like the Air India Lounge in JFK’s Terminal 4, are open to Priority Pass cardholders as well as the airline’s elite members. There also are standalone contract lounges where access is granted just based on membership with Priority Pass and other lounge network memberships. There are multiple membership tiers, including Standard ($99/year), which allows lounge access for $35 per visit…Standard Plus ($329), which includes 10 free visits, additional visits cost $35…and Prestige ($469), which includes unlimited free visits. Members at any tier can bring guests for $35 each. PriorityPass.com
More Ways to Gain Lounge Access
Flying business or first class usually provides lounge access with international flights but usually not with domestic travel. At certain large airports, business- or first-class international travel unlocks access to special elite-tier lounges—American’s Flagship lounges…Delta’s Delta One lounges…or United’s Polaris lounges—where travelers enjoy over-the-top amenities like three-course sit-down meals and shower suites. When traveling abroad, especially on Business or First Class, airlines will inform you of which lounges you have access to. Most of the time you also can find these in the flight information section of your booking. The best way to determine access is to visit the website of your respective airline or use guides such as the ones you can find at ATXJetsetter.com.
Holding elite status in an airline’s loyalty program often provides access to an airline’s lounges when traveling internationally but generally not when flying domestic.
Purchasing a day pass or lounge membership can provide lounge access, but if you plan on buying one for more than a few days out of the year, then it typically isn’t much less expensive than the annual fees of an airline credit card that provides that same membership plus much more. Day passes are pricey—recently $79 or 7,900 miles for a one-day American pass or $59 for a single-use United pass. (Delta doesn’t currently sell day passes.) Worse, while rare, day-pass holders can be turned away if lounges are overcrowded. Airlines typically prioritize their paid annual members, so there are times when day-pass holders may be turned away or need to wait for crowds to subside.
Uniformed US military members often receive complimentary lounge access. Details vary by airline.
*Credit card perks including airport lounge access can change with little notice. Lounge access rules can be complex—read the terms carefully. Business cards offering lounge access are not listed in this article.
