Key takeaways
- Airport lounge access is an especially desirable perk, and several premium travel rewards credit cards come with this benefit.
- However, most of these cards limit the number of guests you can bring into the lounge with you — and some don’t extend lounge privileges to guests at all.
- If you regularly travel with family members or friends, the best ways to get lounge access for them involves choosing credit cards that include guest privileges, booking with third-party lounge access services or booking premium fares that include lounge access.
Having access to airport lounges can make any travel experience more comfortable, and these memberships can be a big money-saver, too. Not only do airport lounges generally have a selection of complimentary food and beverages along with WiFi access, but some even have showers and special spaces you can use to freshen up.
But, having airport lounge access only for yourself can be a major issue — especially if you travel with your spouse or partner, your kids or your friends from time to time. The good news is, there are ways to get airport lounge benefits for yourself and your guests, or to ensure the people you love have airport lounge memberships of their own they can use.
Policies for guest access to airport lounges
If you want to take advantage of airport lounge benefits, it’s important to know which policies apply to which lounges. Here’s a quick overview of the major airport lounges and their guest access policies:
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American Airlines Admirals Club |
American Airlines flyers can access Admirals Clubs with a paid membership or membership through a co-branded credit card and can bring immediate family members or two guests. You may also access Admirals Club lounges by booking a premium cabin ticket on an eligible itinerary and may be able to bring one guest. |
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American Express Global Lounge Collection |
American Express Platinum Card® and Business Platinum Card® holders have unlimited access to Global Lounges. Complimentary guest access varies depending on the type of lounge. American Express Centurion lounges, for example, only allow two free guests after the cardholder has spent $75,000 on the card in the previous calendar year. |
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Capital One Lounges |
Capital One Venture X Rewards and Venture X Business cardholders have unlimited access to Capital One lounges and can bring two guests. |
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Chase Sapphire Airport Lounges |
Chase Sapphire Reserve® cardholders have unlimited access to Chase Sapphire lounges and can bring two guests. Priority Pass members receive one complimentary visit per year. |
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Delta Sky Club |
Delta SkyMiles Reserve card members receive 15 Sky Club visits and four one-time guest passes per Medallion Year. If you spend more than $75,000 in a calendar year, you receive unlimited visits. You can also purchase Delta Sky Club membership, which comes with two free guests at the Executive level. |
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Priority Pass |
Many premium credit cards offer Priority Pass Select membership, which gives you unlimited access to Priority Pass lounges (guest access depends on the card). You can also purchase a Priority Pass membership at the Standard, Standard Plus or Prestige level, but none of these memberships come with free guest access. |
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United Club |
If you have the New United Club℠ Card, you and your eligible travel companions can access United Club lounges for free. Other United co-branded credit cards may offer limited complimentary lounge access. |
Keep in mind that many of these lounges offer day passes as well, which means that you and your guests may be able to pay to enter the lounge even if you don’t have the corresponding membership or credit card.
Travel credit cards with airport lounge access
The best way to get airport lounge access for yourself and your family or other guests involves signing up for a travel credit card — but not just any travel credit card. Look specifically for a top travel rewards card that includes guest access or the ability to bring in others with your membership without paying any added fees.
Fortunately, quite a few top travel credit cards offer lounge access for guests, including the following:
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The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card offers flexible rewards and premium benefits like an annual Capital One travel portal credit worth $300, a fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership and Priority Pass Select membership. Users can also enter Capital One and Plaza Premium airport lounges with their membership.
Venture X cardholders can visit Priority Pass lounges and Capital One airport lounges with up to two guests. Even better, the Venture X allows cardholders to add up to four authorized users with no additional annual fee, and each authorized user gets their own Priority Pass Select membership with the ability to bring in guests of their own.While the Capital One Venture X has a $395 annual fee, Priority Pass Select membership with unlimited visits is valued at $469 on its own.
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The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is a premium travel credit card known for the flexibility of its rewards and its luxury benefits. For example, cardholders get an annual travel credit worth $300; a fee credit for Global Entry, NEXUS or TSA PreCheck membership; and a Priority Pass Select airport lounge membership.
The good news about the Priority Pass Select membership is that it applies to more than 1,400 airport lounges around the world — and that cardholders can bring up to two guests into the lounges with them. The bad news is the card charges a $550 annual fee, and Sapphire Reserve cardholders will pay $75 for each authorized user. Those authorized users do get their own Priority Pass Select membership with the ability to bring in up to two guests of their own.
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The Platinum Card® from American Express is another premium travel credit card that offers a range of luxurious benefits like annual travel credits and airport lounge access. However, this card’s Global Lounge Collection airport lounge membership is the broadest available today, since cardholders get a Priority Pass Select membership, entry into Amex Centurion lounges and the ability to enter Delta Sky Clubs when they fly Delta (Basic Economy tickets will not have access).
Cardholders qualify for guest access to airport lounges with Priority Pass. For Delta Sky Clubs, a per-guest visit of $50 applies and the entire traveling party must by flying with the airline. Cardholders who spend $75,000 or more per year on their Platinum Card can get complimentary guest access (for up to two guests) into Centurion lounges. Otherwise, a $50 fee for each adult guest, or $30 for children aged 2 through 17, applies.
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Another card that offers guest access into airport lounges is the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®*, although this card is geared to American Airlines frequent flyers and requires a $595 annual fee. Cardholders get Admirals Club access with this card, among other perks, and they can bring immediate family members (spouse, domestic partner and/or children under 18) or up to two guests into the lounge with them for free.
A same-day boarding pass for a flight with American Airlines is required.
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The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card comes with a range of valuable benefits and Delta frequent flyer perks for cardholders, although a $650 annual fee applies. The most important perk it offers is Delta Sky Club membership, which has a retail value of at least $695.
However, this airline credit card comes with four guest passes to Delta Sky Clubs annually, which can come in handy when you’re traveling with friends or family. Note that Sky Club visits are limited to 15 per year beginning on Feb. 1, 2025, and that a $50 per-visit fee will be charged once that limit is reached. To earn unlimited visits, cardholders need to spend $75,000 on their cards each calendar year.
Find airport lounges that offer day passes
Even if a card offers guest access to airport lounges, it’s important to note that capacity controls can still apply. It’s not uncommon to head to a Priority Pass lounge and find a sign that says “full,” leaving you completely locked out of a visit you were counting on.
In this case, you may still be able to find airport lounges that offer day passes for a single entry. Services like the Amex Global Lounge Finder and The Club can help connect you with these lounges if your preferred lounge is full, if you need space for more guests than your guest limit allows or if you don’t have access to an airport lounge membership through a travel credit card.
Book premium fares that include airport lounge access
Finally, booking international airfare in a premium cabin will typically get you airport lounge access included with major airlines and their alliance partners. For example, booking Delta One with Delta Air Lines or booking international Business or First-Class flights with Delta’s SkyTeam partners could get you into Delta Sky Clubs as well as most partner lounges (terms vary).
To access this perk, you’ll likely have to book your entire family in the premium cabin to get everyone into the lounge, although there are some exceptions. For example, Virgin Atlantic airport lounges are for Upper Class passengers and Flying Club Gold members, but you are welcome to bring in a guest if they’re on the same international flight with you on Virgin Atlantic, Delta Air Lines, Air France or KLM.
The bottom line
Getting approved for the right travel credit card or co-branded airline card is the best way to lock in airport lounge access for yourself and your guests. However, you’ll want to read over specific card and membership policies so you know how many guests you can bring (and any other rules that apply). It’s also a good idea to have a backup plan if you’re counting on lounge access during your trip.
The information about the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.
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