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Best Credit Cards for Lounge Access in 2026

Review Updated
Joel O'Leary
Author: Joel O'Leary
Joel O'Leary
Joel O'Leary
Full-Time Personal Finance Writer

Joel O’Leary is a full-time Personal Finance Writer at Motley Fool Money, covering credit cards, bank accounts, investing, mortgages, and other personal finance topics. Joel has been writing about personal finance since 2018, previously leading editorial content for the How To Money podcast and serving as a resident writer at Budgets Are Sexy. He bought his first rental property at age 18, funding the down payment with savings from his high school job at McDonald’s -- a testament to his lifelong passion for smart money decisions. His work aims to make personal finance accessible and actionable for everyday readers. When he’s not writing, Joel enjoys surfing and spending time with his family.

See Full Bio

Many or all of the products here are from our partners that compensate us. It’s how we make money. But our editorial integrity ensures that our product ratings are not influenced by compensation. Citi is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money.

Airport lounges completely changed how I travel. Instead of crowded gates and overpriced snacks, I get real meals, comfortable seating, and a place to actually relax.

I’ve done both. The difference isn’t subtle.

The good news: you don’t need to fly first class to get in. The right credit card can unlock lounge access around the world, and in many cases, the perks alone can outweigh the annual fee.

We’ve reviewed 100+ credit cards to find the ones that actually deliver here. These are the best credit cards for lounge access in 2026, and the ones most likely to be worth it for your travel habits.

Our top lounge access credit card picks

Largest world-wide lounge access: American Express Platinum Card® (see rates and fees)

  • Get top-tier travel and lifestyle perks, including lounge access, elite hotel status, and more -- worth over $3,500 in annual value. Terms apply; enrollment may be required.

Top pick for guest access: Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees)

  • Get access to 1,300+ Priority Pass lounges worldwide, plus the growing Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club network. The guest policy includes two complimentary guests at both Priority Pass and Sapphire Lounges.
  • Our team of experts reviewed over 260 credit cards
  • We evaluate all credit cards across the same 4 key criteria: value, welcome experience, fees, and perks
  • Our credit card ratings are never influenced by our advertising partners
  • If we wouldn't recommend an offer to a close family member, we won't recommend it to you

Our aim is to maintain a balanced best-of list featuring top-scoring credit cards from reputable brands. 'Best for' category selections on this page are determined by our editors, and a single card may be recognized in multiple categories.

American Express Platinum Card®
Apply Now for American Express Platinum Card®

On American Express' Secure Website.

Terms apply

Rates & Fees External Link Icon

Best credit cards for lounge access

Top pick for widest lounge access: American Express Platinum Card®

American Express Platinum Card®

Apply Now for American Express Platinum Card®

On American Express' Secure Website.

Terms apply

Rates & Fees External Link Icon

American Express Platinum Card®
4.90/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
4.90/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Credit Score: Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent
Apply Now for American Express Platinum Card®

On American Express' Secure Website.

Terms apply

Rates & Fees External Link Icon

Credit Score Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Good/Excellent

Intro APR

Purchases: N/A

Balance Transfers: N/A

APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Rewards Circle with letter I in it. Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel® up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel®. 1X Membership Rewards® Points on other purchases. Terms apply.

1X-5X Membership Rewards® Points

Annual Fee

$895

Welcome Offer Circle with letter I in it. You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $12,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.

As High As 175,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • The American Express Platinum Card® isn’t just a credit card — it’s a status symbol. With over $3,500 in annual credits like $400 for dining with Resy, $600 in luxury hotel stays, and $300 in digital entertainment, plus VIP access to 1,550 airport lounges and automatic Hilton and Marriott Bonvoy elite status (enrollment required), it delivers prestige few cards can match. The fee is steep, but for those who want the best, the Platinum Card® can more than pay for itself — starting with a powerful welcome offer. Terms apply.

    Read Full Review
    • Big welcome offer
    • Substantial spending credits
    • Airport lounge access
    • Hotel benefits
    • Flexible travel points
    • Annual fee
    • Limited bonus categories
    • Spending credits can be complicated to manage
    • You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $12,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
    • Get more for your travels with 5X Membership Rewards® points on all flights and prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel®, including Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection bookings. You earn 5X points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
    • With over 1,550 airport lounges - more than any other credit card company on the market* - enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection, over $850 of annual value, with access to Centurion Lounges, 10 Delta Sky Club visits (subject to visit limitations) when flying on an eligible Delta flight, Priority Pass™ membership (enrollment required), and other select partner lounges. *As of 01/2026
    • $200 Uber Cash + $120 Uber One Credit: With the Platinum Card® you can receive $15 in Uber Cash each month plus a bonus $20 in December when you add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to use on rides and orders in the U.S when you select an Amex Card for your transaction. Plus, when you use the Platinum Card® to pay for an auto-renewing Uber One membership, you can get up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year. Terms apply.
    • $300 Digital Entertainment Credit: Experience the latest shows, news and recipes. Get up to $25 in statement credits each month when you use your Platinum Card® for eligible purchases on Disney+, a Disney+ bundle, ESPN streaming services, Hulu, The New York Times, Paramount+, Peacock, The Wall Street Journal, YouTube Premium, and YouTube TV when you purchase directly from one or more of the providers. Enrollment required.
    • $600 Hotel Credit: Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection* bookings through American Express Travel® using the Platinum Card®. *The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
    • $400 Resy Credit + Platinum Nights™ by Resy: Get up to $100 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® to pay for eligible purchases with Resy, including dining purchases at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants. Enrollment required. As a Platinum Card® Member you have special access to reservations on select nights at participating sought after Resy restaurants in select cities through Platinum Nights™ by Resy. Simply add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile to book your reservation.
    • $219 CLEAR+ Credit: CLEAR+ helps get you to your gate faster by using your face to verify you are you at 55+ airports nationwide. You can cover the cost of a CLEAR+ Membership* with up to $219 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for CLEAR+ with your Platinum Card®. *Excluding any applicable taxes and fees. Subject to auto-renewal.
    • $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by the airline to the Platinum Card® Account. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
    • Start your vacation sooner and keep it going longer. When you book Fine Hotels + Resorts® through American Express Travel®, enjoy noon check-in, when available, and guaranteed 4PM late check-out.
    • $300 lululemon Credit: Enjoy up to $75 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® for eligible purchases at U.S. lululemon retail stores (excluding outlets) and lululemon.com. That’s up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year. Enrollment required.
    • $155 Walmart+ Credit: Get up to a $12.95* statement credit back each month after you pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with your Platinum Card®. *Up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes on one membership fee.
    • Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
    • $895 annual fee.
    • Terms Apply.


If sheer volume of lounge access is what you're after, no other card comes close. The Platinum Card® opens the door to 1,550+ lounges across 140 countries -- including Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs when flying Delta, and a Priority Pass membership. Terms apply; enrollment may be required.

The Centurion Lounges specifically are in a class of their own -- think chef-driven menus, full bars, and spa services at select locations. If you travel internationally or through major U.S. hubs frequently, this card has the widest net you can cast. It comes with an annual fee of $895 (see rates and fees).

Top pick for guest access: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Apply Now for Chase Sapphire Reserve®

On Chase's Secure Website.

Rates & Fees External Link Icon

Chase Sapphire Reserve®
5.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
5.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Credit Score: Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Apply Now for Chase Sapphire Reserve®

On Chase's Secure Website.

Rates & Fees External Link Icon

Credit Score Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Good/Excellent (670-850)

Intro APR

Purchases: N/A

Balance Transfers: N/A

Regular APR

19.49% - 27.99% Variable

Rewards Circle with letter I in it. Earn 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel℠, including The Edit℠ and 4x points on flights and hotels booked direct. Plus, earn 3x points on dining worldwide & 1x points on all other purchases

8x points on Chase Travel℠, 4x points on flights and hotels booked direct, 3x points on dining, 1x points on all other purchases

Annual Fee

$795

Welcome Offer Circle with letter I in it. Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

100,000 bonus points

  • Chase Sapphire Reserve® earns its premium status. You’ll get a $300 annual travel credit, airport lounge access, and elevated rewards on travel and dining. Points are worth up to 2x on thousands of top booked hotels and flights with select airlines and hotels through Chase Travel, and the massive 100k sign-up bonus available right now makes it a strong pick if you’re comfortable with the higher annual fee.

    Read Full Review
    • Travel credits
    • Airport lounge access
    • Travel and dining rewards
    • Welcome offer
    • Flexible travel points
    • Annual fee
    • Limited-time benefits
    • Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
    • Get $3,000 in annual value with Sapphire Reserve.
    • Earn 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel℠, including The Edit℠ and 4x points on flights and hotels booked direct. Plus, earn 3x points on dining worldwide & 1x points on all other purchases
    • $300 annual travel credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
    • Access over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide with a complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership, plus every Chase Sapphire Lounge® by The Club with two guests. Plus, up to $120 towards Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck® every 4 years
    • Get up to $150 in statement credits every six months for a maximum of $300 annually for dining at restaurants that are part of Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables.
    • Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance, no foreign transaction fees, and more.
    • Get complimentary subscriptions to Apple TV and Apple Music for a minimum of one year when activated by June 22, 2027, a value of $288 annually.
    • Member FDIC


The Chase Sapphire Reserve® gives you access to 1,300+ Priority Pass lounges worldwide, plus the growing Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club network -- currently at eight U.S. locations, with more in the pipeline.

Where this card really shines is its guest policy. You can bring up to two guests into Priority Pass lounges at no additional charge, as well as Sapphire Lounges. This one of the most generous policies of any premium card. If you're regularly traveling with family or a partner and want everyone to enjoy the lounge experience together, that's a meaningful differentiator.

Top pick for American Airlines flyers: Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®

Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®

Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
3.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
3.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Credit Score: Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Credit Score Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Good/Excellent (670-850)

Intro APR

Purchases: N/A

Balance Transfers: N/A

Regular APR

19.49% - 29.49% (Variable)

Rewards Circle with letter I in it. Earn 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible AAdvantage® mile earned from purchases

1x - 10x miles

Annual Fee Circle with letter I in it. N/A

$595

Welcome Offer Circle with letter I in it. Earn 70,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $7,000 within the first 3 months of account opening.

70,000 bonus miles

  • This is the top-tier AA card, and it has the price tag to prove it. However, it also has a laundry list of benefits and valuable perks, including its marquee Admirals Club membership. If you can maximize these perks, it's a great card; if not, steer clear.

    • Admirals Club membership
    • A competitive welcome bonus
    • Earn AAdvantage miles on purchases
    • Partner statement credits
    • Reach elite status faster
    • Massive annual card fee
    • Huge spending requirement for max points
    • Few bonus categories
    • Rewards have limited use
    • Earn 70,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $7,000 within the first 3 months of account opening.
    • Admirals Club® membership for you and access for up to two guests or immediate family members traveling with you
    • No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases
    • Earn 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible AAdvantage® mile earned from purchases
    • First checked bag is free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for you and up to 8 companions traveling with you on the same reservation
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® is unavailable on Motley Fool Money. All information was collected independently from the issuer. Some items may be out of date.


This gives you full Admirals Club membership. That means access to nearly 50 Admirals Club locations worldwide plus 50+ partner lounges, all under one card.

That partner access is genuinely useful. Cardholders can use all Alaska Airlines lounges when departing or arriving on flights marketed and operated by American or Alaska, and all Qantas Clubs when departing or arriving on same-day Qantas-operated flights. Select third-party partner lounges are also included on same-day American-operated flights.

If American is your primary airline, this card keeps you out of the terminal chaos no matter where your itinerary takes you.

We rate travel credit cards based on how well they reward frequent travelers — not just with points and miles, but with valuable perks and flexible redemption options. Our scoring prioritizes cards that offer strong earning rates and a rewarding travel experience.

Our highest-rated travel cards have:

  • Elevated rewards on travel or everyday purchases, with the ability to transfer points
  • Flexible redemption options through travel portals or transfer partners
  • Welcome bonuses that meaningfully offset the annual fee in the first year
  • Perks that improve the travel experience, like airport lounge access, statement credits, and trip protections

We combine these factors with an evaluation of brand reputation and customer satisfaction to ensure you're getting the best travel card recommendations. Our aim is to maintain a balanced best-of list featuring top-scoring travel credit cards from reputable brands. 'Best for' category selections on this page are determined by our editors, and a single card may be recognized in multiple categories.

Ordering within lists is influenced by advertiser compensation, including featured placements at the top of a given list, but our product recommendations are NEVER influenced by advertisers. Learn more about how Motley Fool Money rates credit cards.

We rate travel credit cards based on how well they reward frequent travelers — not just with points and miles, but with valuable perks and flexible redemption options. Our scoring prioritizes cards that offer strong earning rates and a rewarding travel experience.

Our highest-rated travel cards have:

  • Elevated rewards on travel or everyday purchases, with the ability to transfer points
  • Flexible redemption options through travel portals or transfer partners
  • Welcome bonuses that meaningfully offset the annual fee in the first year
  • Perks that improve the travel experience, like airport lounge access, statement credits, and trip protections

We combine these factors with an evaluation of brand reputation and customer satisfaction to ensure you're getting the best travel card recommendations. Our aim is to maintain a balanced best-of list featuring top-scoring travel credit cards from reputable brands. 'Best for' category selections on this page are determined by our editors, and a single card may be recognized in multiple categories.

Ordering within lists is influenced by advertiser compensation, including featured placements at the top of a given list, but our product recommendations are NEVER influenced by advertisers. Learn more about how Motley Fool Money rates credit cards.

How to choose the best lounge access card for you

A few things to consider when browsing through travel cards and picking the right one for you:

Start with your home airport and your usual terminal. A card boasting 1,300+ lounges worldwide doesn't do you much good if none of them are anywhere near your gate. Check the lounge map before you commit.

Think about your airline loyalty too. Some lounges require you to be flying that carrier on the same day to get in. If you split your flying between multiple airlines, a card with an independent network like Priority Pass tends to offer more flexibility.

And finally, think about frequency. If you're in airports regularly, a premium annual fee is easier to justify. If you fly a few times a year, a lower-fee card with solid lounge access is probably the smarter move.

What is Priority Pass, and why does it matter?

Priority Pass is the world's largest independent airport lounge network, with 1,300+ lounges across 600+ airports globally. Many premium travel cards include Priority Pass as part of their lounge benefit package, which gives you access to a wide range of lounges regardless of which airline you're flying.

The quality of Priority Pass lounges varies significantly -- some are outstanding, others are modest -- but having it means you're rarely stuck at a crowded terminal gate with nothing but a $19 airport sandwich and a dying phone battery.

Airline lounges (like Admirals Club, Delta Sky Club, and Centurion Lounges) are operated by or exclusively for specific carriers and tend to offer a more consistent, branded experience.

Some premium cards give you both, which is why cards like the American Express Platinum Card® and Chase Sapphire Reserve® are so powerful -- you're not locked into one network.

Is an airport lounge card worth the annual fee?

For frequent travelers, usually yes -- but it depends on how you use the card.

A single lounge visit typically costs $30-$50 if you pay at the door (assuming they are not exclusive to members only). If you're visiting a lounge even six to eight times per year, you've already extracted meaningful value from the access alone.

Add in the other travel perks most of these cards carry -- travel credits, bonus miles, trip protections -- and the math tends to work out clearly in the cardholder's favor.

The honest answer is: if you're in airports a few times a month, a premium lounge access card is almost certainly worth it. If you fly twice a year for vacation, the math gets harder to justify.

FAQs

  • The American Express Platinum Card® currently offers the widest lounge access of any personal credit card, with access to 1,550+ lounges in 140 countries -- including Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs (when flying Delta), and Priority Pass. Terms apply; enrollment may be required.

  • Yes, though guest policies vary by card and lounge network. Cards that include a Priority Pass Select membership offer generous guest access, allowing up to two complimentary guests at Priority Pass lounges. Other cards may charge a per-visit guest fee so you'll always want to check the exact guest policy before you travel.

  • Most airport lounges include complimentary food and drinks as part of the experience. The quality varies quite a bit by lounge though, ranging from full hot meals and open bars to basic snacks and a coffee machine. Most lounges publish their menus and features online, so it's worth a quick check before you get your hopes up.