best travel card with lounge access

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The Best Credit Cards for Airport Lounge Access [2024]

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How To Choose the Best Airport Lounge Access Credit Card

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If you’re a frequent traveler, consider a premium credit card that offers complimentary airport lounge access. Beyond the lounge access you’d get with these cards, you’d receive a whole range of travel benefits.

Premium credit cards offer generous welcome bonus offers, travel purchase credits, free internet access, the ability to earn travel rewards, luxury perks and benefits, assistance when things go wrong, and travel and purchase protections.

Don’t buy a lounge membership or invest in day passes until you’ve reviewed our roundup of credit cards to consider for complimentary lounge access. These cards may also provide this perk to authorized users, which can mean discounted or complimentary lounge access for those traveling with you.

Here are our recommendations for the best cards for lounge access and our breakdown of how much a lounge access benefit could be worth.

The 10 Best Cards for Airport Lounge Access

• The Platinum Card ® from American Express — Best for Worldwide Lounge Access and Premium Benefits
• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card — Best for Priority Pass and Capital One Lounges
• Chase Sapphire Reserve ® — Best for Priority Pass Lounges and Restaurants
• United Club℠ Infinite Card — Best for United Club
• Delta SkyMiles ® Reserve American Express Card — Best for Delta Sky Club, Centurion Lounge, and Escape Lounge
• American Express ® Green Card  — Best for LoungeBuddy Access
• The Business Platinum Card ® from American Express — Best Business Card for Worldwide Lounge Access and Premium Benefits
• Capital One Venture X Business Card * — Best Business Card for Priority Pass and Capital One Lounges 
• Delta SkyMiles ® Reserve Business American Express Card — Best Business Card for Delta Sky Club, Centurion Lounge, and Escape Lounge
• The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card — Best Business Card for Priority Pass Day Passes

*(Information collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One.)

The easiest way to choose the best lounge access credit card for you is to consider what airport lounges you want access to.

For instance, if the only lounge at your local airport is an American Airlines Admirals Club and you regularly fly with American Airlines , then a card that offers access to AA Admirals Clubs is likely to be more useful to you than cards that don’t, even if those cards have access to a larger number of lounges.

If you have multiple lounges at your airport and aren’t committed to a specific lounge network, then a card that has access to the largest number of lounges might be better for you.

The 6 Best Personal Cards for Complimentary Lounge Access

Personal consumer credit cards are the go-to cards for complimentary lounge access, as they tend to have a more comprehensive selection than business credit cards do.

It’s challenging to compare credit cards on lounge access benefits alone, as a card with a high annual fee may offer other perks or rewards that more than offset that annual fee. Because everyone’s situations and preferences are unique, you have to do the research to see if a card is suitable for your particular circumstances and not just a perfect fit from a lounge access perspective.

*Effective 2/1/25, Reserve cardmembers receive 15 visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of visits each year starting on 2/1/25, the total eligible purchases on the card must equal $75,000 or more between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and each calendar year thereafter.

The Platinum Card ® from American Express

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than The Platinum Card ® from American Express.

Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card  is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access , hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.

• The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,400 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
• 5x points per dollar spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year)
• 5x points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com
• Annual and monthly statement credits upon enrollment ( airline credit, Uber Cash credit, Saks Fifth Avenue credit, streaming credit, prepaid hotel credit on eligible stays, Walmart+ credit, CLEAR credit, and Equinox credit )
• TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit
• Access to American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts
• Access to Amex International Airline Program
• No foreign transaction fees ( rates and fees )
• $695 annual fee ( rates and fees )
• Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)
• Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards ® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card ® , Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
• 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.
• $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts ® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card ® . The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card ® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card ® . Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Up Benefits are excluded.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card ® .
• $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Terms Apply.
• $300 Equinox Credit: Get up to $300 back in statement credits per calendar year on an Equinox membership, or an Equinox club membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you pay with your Platinum Card ® . Enrollment required. Visit https://platinum.equinox.com/ to enroll.
• $189 CLEAR ® Plus Credit: Breeze through security with CLEAR Plus at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Platinum Card ® . Learn more.
• $100 Global Entry Credit: Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck ® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card ® . Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
• Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card ® . That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• $300 SoulCycle At-Home Bike Credit: Get a $300 statement credit for the purchase of a SoulCycle at-home bike with your Platinum Card ® . An Equinox+ subscription is required to purchase a SoulCycle at-home bike and access SoulCycle content. Must charge full price of bike in one transaction. Shipping available in the contiguous U.S. only. Enrollment Required.
• Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card ® to your Resy profile.
• $695 annual fee.
• Terms Apply.

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If you’re looking for a rewards card that offers top-notch perks and benefits, look no further than the Amex Platinum card .

Cardholders have access to over 1,400 airport lounges worldwide within the American Express Global Lounge Collection:

• Aspire Lounges
• Centurion Lounges (both in the  U.S.  and  abroad )
• Delta Sky Club  (when flying Delta on the same day)
• Escape Lounges – The Centurion Studio Partner
• Select  Lufthansa Lounges  (when flying Lufthansa on the same day)
• Plaza Premium Lounges
• Priority Pass lounges  (upon enrollment)
• Select  Virgin Clubhouses

The Amex Platinum card offers many benefits that add value. You can get annual and monthly statement credits (enrollment required) for services and merchants such as Uber Cash , CLEAR Plus , and Saks Fifth Avenue . Plus, you receive complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite and Hilton Honors Gold elite status (enrollment required) and important travel insurance and purchase protections, including trip delay insurance and cell phone protection .

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the premium Capital One travel rewards card on the block.

Points and miles fans will be surprised to see that the Capital One Venture X card packs quite the punch when it comes to bookings made through Capital One, all while offering the lowest annual fee among premium credit cards.

Depending on your travel goals and preferences, the Capital One Venture X card could very well end up being your go-to card in your wallet.

• 10x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars purchased through Capital One Travel
• 5x miles per $1 on flights purchased through Capital One Travel
• 2x miles per $1 on all other purchases
• $300 annual travel credit on bookings made through Capital One Travel
• Unlimited complimentary access for cardholder and 2 guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
• 10,000 bonus miles awarded on your account anniversary each year
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit
• Add authorized users for no additional annual fee ( rates & fees )
• No foreign transaction fees ( rates & fees )
• $395 annual fee ( rates & fees )
• Does not offer bonus categories for flights or hotel purchases made directly with the airline or hotel group, the preferred booking method for those looking to earn elite status
• Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
• Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
• Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
• Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
• Elevate every hotel stay from the Premier or Lifestyle Collections with a suite of cardholder benefits, like an experience credit, room upgrades, and more
• Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck ®
• APR: 19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)

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The Capital One Venture X card is a standout option because it not only offers Priority Pass and Capital One Lounge access for you and up to 4 complimentary authorized-user cards, it also earns 10x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel , 5x miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel, and 2x miles on all other purchases, allowing cardmembers to rack up miles quickly.

Plus, the card offers an annual travel credit of $300 for bookings made through Capital One Travel, 10,000 bonus miles each card anniversary, a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit, complimentary Hertz Gold Plus Rewards President’s Circle status, and more.

Chase Sapphire Reserve ®

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

If you’re looking for an all-around excellent travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve ®  is one of the best options out there.

The card combines elite travel benefits and perks like airport lounge access , with excellent point earning and redemption options.  Plus it offers top-notch travel insurance protections to keep you covered whether you’re at home or on the road.

Don’t forget the $300 annual travel credit which really helps to reduce the annual fee!

• 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase TravelSM immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually
• 10x points on Lyft purchases March 31, 2025
• 10x points on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $250 through March 31, 2025
• 5x points on airfare booked through Chase Travel SM
• 3x points on all other travel and dining purchases; 1x point on all other purchases
• $300 annual travel credit
• Priority Pass airport lounge access
• TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or NEXUS credit
• Access to Chase Luxury Hotel and Resort Collection
• Rental car elite status with National and Avis
• $550 annual fee
• Does not offer any sort of hotel elite status
• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
• $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
• Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.
• 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
• Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck ®
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more
• Member FDIC
• APR: 22.49%-29.49% Variable

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The Chase Sapphire Reserve card is an excellent all-around premium travel rewards card. Beyond the airport lounge access it offers via Priority Pass and  Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club , it gives you 10x points on car rentals, hotels, and dining booked through Chase Travel , 5x points on airfare booked through Chase Travel, and 3x points on all other travel and dining purchases.

The card also offers an annual travel credit of up to $300, partnership benefits with Lyft , DoorDash , and Instacart+ , and flexible redemptions like booking through the Chase travel portal with a 50% bonus or access to Chase transfer partners .

Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders with Priority Pass membership have access to experiences besides lounges at airports, including credits at restaurants and services at Be Relax Spa.

United Club℠ Infinite Card

Perfect for frequent United flyers who want premium perks like United Club access and free baggage benefits.

The United Club℠ Infinite Card  is a premium card designed for the most dedicated of United frequent flyers who are looking for a card that provides the opportunity to earn extra United MileagePlus miles and receive lounge access via a yearly United Club membership.

United frequent flyers will find that the United Club Infinite card provides an enhanced experience on their United flights thanks to the money saved on each flight and the conveniences it provides.

• 4x miles per $1 on United purchases
• 2x miles per $1 on travel and dining purchases
• Complimentary United Club membership
• Free first and second checked bag for you and 1 traveling companion
• United Premier Access
• 25% back on United inflight purchases
• Complimentary Premier Upgrades on United-operated award tickets (when available)
• Expanded award availability
• Up to 10,000 Premier Qualifying Points
• $100 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck/NEXUS credit
• Trip protections like trip delay insurance, lost and delayed luggage insurance, and rental car insurance
• Shopping protections like return protection, purchase protection, and extended warranty protection
• IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status and a $75 annual credit
• Avis President’s Club elite status
• 10% discount on United Economy Saver Awards within the continental U.S. and Canada
• $525 annual fee
• Does not earn transferable rewards
• Earn 80,000 bonus miles after qualifying purchases
• Earn 4 miles per $1 spent on United ®  purchases
• Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on all other travel and dining
• Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Free first and second checked bags - a savings of up to $320 per roundtrip (terms apply) - and Premier Access ® travel services
• 10% United Economy Saver Award discount within the continental U.S. and Canada
• Earn up to 10,000 Premier qualifying points (25 PQP for every $500 you spend on purchases)
• APR: 21.99% - 28.99% Variable
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If you’re a frequent United flyer, you should strongly consider adding the United Club Infinite card to your wallet. Those who hold it receive perks like complimentary United Club membership , free first and second checked bags , and complimentary Premier upgrades on United-operated award tickets (upon availability).

As if that weren’t enough, you also receive expanded award availability on United flights; a 10% discount on United Economy Saver awards within the continental U.S. and Canada; a credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS ; complimentary IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status and a $75 annual IHG credit; and the ability to earn additionally Premier Qualifying Points toward your next level of United status.

Delta SkyMiles ® Reserve American Express Card

Delta loyalists will love the fast track to Delta elite status, lounge access, baggage benefits, and upgrade priority with the Delta Reserve card.

The Delta SkyMiles ® Reserve American Express Card is a stellar option for frequent travelers who always fly with Delta thanks to its MQD Headstart towards status boost, lounge access, annual companion certificate, and many other great benefits.

Here is a full look at everything the Delta Reserve card can offer to you to help you decide whether the card deserves a place in your wallet.

• 3x SkyMiles per $1 on Delta purchases
• 1x SkyMile per $1 on all other eligible purchases
• Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights.
• Receive $2,500 MQM each year and get closer to Status with MQD Headstart.
• Receive a Companion Certificate on First Class, Delta Comfort+ ® , or Main Cabin domestic, Caribbean, or Central American roundtrip flights to select destinations each year after renewal.
• $240 Resy Credit: Earn up to $20 per month in statement credits on eligible Resy purchases upon enrollment.
• $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month on U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers upon enrollment.
• Application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
• $200 Delta Stays Statement Credit: Earn up to $200 back in the form of a statement credit annually on eligible prepaid Delta Stays bookings on delta.com.
• Access to Complimentary Upgrades and Upgrade Priority
• Free checked bag
• 20% back on inflight purchases
• $650 annual fee ( rates & fees )
• No bonus categories other than Delta purchases
• Earn 60,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $5,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Enjoy complimentary access to the Delta Sky Club ® and bring up to two guests or immediate family members at a rate of $50 per person per visit when flying Delta. Effective 2/1/25, Reserve Card Members will receive 15 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of Visits each year starting on 2/1/25, the total eligible purchases on the Card must equal $75,000 or more between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and each calendar year thereafter.
• Receive four Delta Sky Club ® One-Time Guest Passes each year when you fly together on Delta. After that, you may bring up to two guests at a per-visit rate of $50 per person, per location.
• Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion ® Lounge when you book a Delta flight with your Reserve Card.
• Receive $2,500 Medallion ® Qualification Dollars each Medallion Qualification Year and get closer to Status with MQD Headstart.
• Earn $1 Medallion ® Qualification Dollar for each $10 of purchases made on your Delta SkyMiles ® Reserve American Express Card in a calendar year and get a boost toward achieving elevated Medallion Status for next Medallion Year.
• Receive a Companion Certificate on First Class, Delta Comfort+ ® , or Main Cabin domestic, Caribbean, or Central American roundtrip flights each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Ticket requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights and no more than $250 for roundtrip international flights (both for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
• $240 Resy Credit: With the Delta SkyMiles ® Reserve American Express Card Resy Credit, earn up to $20 per month in statement credits on eligible Resy purchases using your enrolled Card.
• $120 Rideshare Credit: You can earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month on U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers after you pay with your Delta SkyMiles ® Reserve American Express Card. Enrollment Required.
• Delta SkyMiles ® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
• With your Card receive upgrade priority over other Medallion Members within the same Medallion level and fare class.
• Delta SkyMiles ® Reserve American Express Card Members with an eligible ticket will be added to the Complimentary Upgrade list, after Delta SkyMiles Medallion Members.
• Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees.
• $650 Annual Fee.
• APR: 20.99%-29.99% Variable

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Delta Air Lines loyalists who have the Delta Reserve card can access 3 lounge networks: Centurion Lounge and Escape Lounges — The Centurion Studio Partner when their Delta flights are booked with their card, and Delta Sky Club when traveling on a same-day Delta ticket.

Cardholders also receive elevated earnings on Delta purchases, a free checked bag , priority boarding on Delta flights for themselves and up to 8 travel companions, a 20% statement credit on select inflight purchases, and priority upgrades . They also receive an annual companion certificate valid for a round-trip domestic, Caribbean, or Central American first class, Comfort+, or Main Cabin ticket when another Delta ticket is purchased (taxes and fees apply).

In addition, if you use your card to pay your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application or renewal fee, you receive a statement credit of up to $100.

Effective February 1, 2025, Delta Reserve cardmembers will receive 15 visits per year to Delta Sky Clubs. To earn an unlimited number of visits each year starting on February 1, 2025, the total eligible purchases on the card must equal $75,000 or more between January 1, 2024, and December 31, 2024, and each calendar year thereafter.

American Express ® Green Card

This card can provide a great way to accumulate Membership Rewards points on eligible travel, transit, and at restaurants.

The American Express ® Green Card is an excellent all-around travel rewards card thanks to earning 3x Membership Rewards ® points on eligible travel and transit purchases and at restaurants, access to American Express transfer partners, and a reasonable annual fee.

• 3x points per $1 spent at restaurants worldwide, on all eligible travel purchases, and transit purchases
• Up to $189 per calendar year in statement credits after you pay for a CLEAR ® Plus membership with the Card.
• Up to $100 in statement credits annually when you purchase airport lounge access through LoungeBuddy with the Card.
• Access to American Express transfer partners
• No foreign transaction fees
• $150 annual fee
• No elite benefits like airport lounge access or hotel elite status
• Earn 40,000 Membership Rewards ® Points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on your American Express ® Green Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards ® points on travel including airfare, hotels, cruises, tours, car rentals, campgrounds, and vacation rentals.
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards ® Points on transit purchases including trains, taxicabs, rideshare services, ferries, tolls, parking, buses, and subways.
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards ® points on eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the US.
• $189 CLEAR Plus Credit: Receive up to $189 per calendar year in statement credits when you pay for your CLEAR Plus membership (subject to auto-renewal) with the American Express ® Green Card.
• $100 LoungeBuddy: No airport lounge membership? No problem! Purchase lounge access through the LoungeBuddy app using the American Express ® Green Card and receive up to $100 in statement credits annually.
• Payment Flexibility: When it comes to paying your bill, you have options. You can always pay in full. You also have the flexibility to carry a balance with interest or use Plan It ® to split up large purchases into monthly payments with a fixed fee, up to your Pay Over Time Limit. You may be able to keep spending beyond your limit – you’ll just need to pay for any new purchases in full when your bill is due.
• Trip Delay Insurance: If a round-trip is paid for entirely with your Eligible Card and a covered reason delays your trip more than 12 hours, Trip Delay Insurance can help reimburse certain additional expenses purchased on the same Eligible Card, up to $300 per trip, maximum 2 claims per eligible account per 12 consecutive month period. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Coverage is provided by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees: No matter where you’re traveling, when you use your American Express ® Green Card there are no foreign transaction fees.
• $150 annual fee.
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The Amex Green card offers up to $100 in statement credits annually when you purchase airport lounge access through LoungeBuddy with the card. LoungeBuddy has partnerships with more than 400 lounges worldwide, and entrance fees range between $30 to $40 per visit, which means the Amex Green card statement credit should cover 2 to 3 lounge visits per year .

The Amex Green card comes with a palatable $150 annual fee. Other benefits include the ability to earn 3x points at restaurants worldwide, on all eligible travel purchases, and on transit purchases; and up to $189 per calendar year in statement credits toward a CLEAR Plus membership (subject to automatic renewal), which helps expedite your way through airport security.

Read our guide for more information on the best credit cards with priority pass lounge access.

All information about the American Express ® Green Card has been collected independently by Upgraded Points.

Although lounge access may be the primary reason you’re considering a credit card, you should review the other perks, benefits, credits, and rewards that come with the card to see if it fits your lifestyle overall. 

The 4 Best Business Cards for Complimentary Lounge Access

There are significantly fewer business cards that offer airport lounge access, but there are still a few compelling ones. For any business owner looking for a great card that also provides lounge access, here are our top picks:

The Business Platinum Card ® from American Express

This card is ideal for business travelers who enjoy luxury travel and are looking for a card loaded with benefits!

The Business Platinum Card ® from American Express is a premium travel rewards card tailored toward business owners who are frequent travelers with a high number of annual expenses.

When you factor in the large number of perks that the card offers like the best airport lounge access at over 1,400 lounges , along with tons of annual credits, it’s easy to see why this card can is a top option for frequent traveling business owners.

Hot Tip:  Check to see if you’re eligible for a huge welcome bonus offer of up to 170,000 points with the Amex Business Platinum. The current public offer is 120,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

• 5x Membership Rewards points per $1 on flights and prepaid hotels at Amex Travel
• Up to $200 annual airline fee credit on your selected qualifying airline
• Statement credits on select purchases with your card
• 35% airline bonus when using Pay With Points (up to 1,000,000 bonus points per calendar year)
• Access to over 1,400 worldwide airport lounges as part of the American Express Global Lounge Collection
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit
• Get 50% more Membership Rewards points (1.5 points per $1) on eligible purchases in key business categories, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more (cap applies)
• Access to Amex’s Fine Hotels & Resorts program
• High annual fee of $695 ( rates and fees )
• Airline fee credit does not cover airfare, only incidentals like checked bags
• Welcome Offer: Earn 120,000 Membership Rewards ® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with your Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
• 5X Membership Rewards ® points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com, and 1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases.
• Earn 1.5X points (that’s an extra half point per dollar) on each eligible purchase at US construction material, hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers, and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more everywhere else, on up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year.
• Unlock over $1,000 in annual statement credits on a curation of business purchases, including select purchases made with Dell Technologies, Indeed, Adobe, and U.S. wireless service providers.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year for incidental fees charged by your one selected, qualifying airline to your Card.
• $189 CLEAR ® Plus Credit: Use your card and get up to $189 in statement credits per calendar year on your CLEAR ® Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Business Platinum Card ® .
• The American Express Global Lounge Collection ® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market as of 03/2023.
• $695 Annual Fee.
• APR: 19.49% - 27.49% Variable
• Best Business Credit Cards
• Find The Amex Business Platinum 150k Welcome Bonus Offer
• Find The Amex Business Platinum 170k Welcome Bonus Offer
• Benefits of the Amex Business Platinum
• Authorized Users Benefits of the Amex Business Platinum
• 35% Points Rebate with the Amex Business Platinum
• Amex Business Platinum vs Amex Platinum

Hot Tip:  Check to see if you’re eligible for a huge welcome bonus offer of up to 170,000 points with the Amex Business Platinum. The current public offer is 120,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

The Amex Business Platinum card is for you if you’re a business owner looking for a rewards card loaded with great benefits. This is our top business card for getting into airport lounges worldwide.

It offers the same access to over 1,400 airport lounges worldwide as the Amex Platinum card but also includes annual credits (upon enrollment) for airline incidentals , CLEAR Plus, Dell , Indeed , Adobe , and wireless phone services. It also comes with complimentary hotel elite status with Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors (upon enrollment), a 35% airline bonus when using Pay With Points (up to 1 million bonus points per calendar year), and more.

Capital One Venture X Business Card

The Capital One Venture X Business card offers at least 2x miles on all purchases, and comes packed with premium perks.

The information regarding the Capital One Venture X Business card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

The Capital One Venture X Business card is a great all-around premium rewards card that helps you rack up miles on all of your business expenses.

From 2x miles on all purchases, airport lounge access, an annual travel credit, complimentary employee cards, and more, there is plenty to love about the Capital One Venture X Business card.

• Unlimited complimentary access for cardholder and 2 guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and Priority Pass lounges
• No-additional-fee employee cards ( rates and fees )
• No preset spending limit
• No foreign transaction fees ( rates and fees )
• $395 annual fee ( rates and fees )
• 10x and 5x bonus categories are limited to Capital One Travel bookings
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
• This card has no preset spending limit, so you get purchasing power that adapts to your spending needs. The annual fee on this card is $395
• Earn 150,000 bonus miles once you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months from account opening
• Redeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programs
• Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel, where you’ll get the best prices on thousands of options
• Every year, you’ll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Travel
• Empower your teams to make business purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
• Skip the lines with up to a $100 statement credit on TSA PreCheck ® or Global Entry. Then enjoy unlimited complimentary access to Capital One Lounges and a network of 1,300+ lounges worldwide, including Priority Pass™ and Plaza Premium Group lounges
• This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month
• Elevate your stay at luxury hotels and resorts from the Premier Collection with a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits on every booking
• APR: All charges made on this account are due and payable in full when you receive your periodic statement. The minimum payment due is the New Balance as indicated on your statement.

With a $300 annual Capital One Travel credit and, usually, a generous welcome offer, the Capital One Venture X Business card can provide good value for a business owner.

The card simplifies earning rewards, with at least 2x miles for every purchase your business makes and elevated earnings on travel purchased via Capital One Travel.

You must enroll separately and in advance for Priority Pass lounge and lounge-alternative access.

Delta SkyMiles ® Reserve Business American Express Card

Receive priority boarding, complimentary access to Delta Sky Club and Centurion Lounges, concierge support, and an annual companion certificate.

The Delta SkyMiles ® Reserve Business American Express Card is a premium card option for small business owners who are both frequent travelers and Delta loyalists.

While the annual fee may be steep, the card comes loaded with perks and benefits that all frequent Delta flyers are sure to love. Let’s take a look at what makes the card unique, and why it may be a great fit for your wallet.

• 3x miles per dollar on Delta purchases
• 1.5x miles per dollar on eligible transit, U.S. shipping and office supply stores, plus all eligible purchases after you spend $150,000 in a year
• Save 15% On Award Travel With TakeOff 15. Not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
• Complimentary Delta Sky Club ® access and bring up to two guests or immediate family at a rate of $50 per person per visit. Effective 2/1/25, Reserve Card Members will receive 15 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of Visits each year starting on 2/1/25, the total eligible purchases on the Card must equal $75,000 or more between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and each calendar year thereafter.
• Complimentary Amex Centurion Lounge access when flying Delta
• MQD Headstart and MQD Boost: Receive $2,500 Medallion Qualification Dollars each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 on purchases with your card
• Receive a Companion Certificate on First Class, Delta Comfort+ ® , or Main Cabin domestic, Caribbean, or Central American roundtrip flights each year after renewal of your Card. See terms and conditions for details.
• Access to complimentary flight upgrades and priority boarding (Main Cabin 1)
• $240 Resy Credit: Earn up to $20 per month [in statement credits] on eligible Resy purchases using your enrolled card.
• Earn up to $10 back each month after using your enrolled card for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers.
• Up to $250 annual statement credit after using your card to book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays on delta.com.
• High annual fee
• Does not earn many miles for purchases outside of Delta spend
• Rewards are not transferable
• Welcome Offer: Earn 75,000 Bonus Miles after spending $10,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Enter Delta Sky Club ® at no cost. Effective 2/1/25, Reserve Card Members will receive 15 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of Visits each year starting on 2/1/25, the total eligible purchases on the Card must equal $75,000 or more between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and each calendar year thereafter.
• Earn 3 miles per dollar on eligible Delta purchases.
• Get closer to elevated Status next Medallion ® Year with MQD Headstart and MQD Boost: receive $2,500 Medallion Qualification Dollars each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 on purchases with your Delta SkyMiles ® Reserve Business American Express Card.
• With the $240 Resy Credit, earn up to $20 per month in statement credits on eligible Resy purchases using your enrolled Card.
• Earn up to $10 back each month after using your enrolled Delta SkyMiles ® Reserve Business American Express Card for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers.
• Save 15% when booking Award Travel on Delta flights. Not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
• Not a Medallion Member? Card Members with an eligible ticket will be added to the Complimentary Upgrade list, after Delta SkyMiles Medallion Members.
• As a benefit of Card Membership, you can check your first bag free on Delta flights, saving up to $60 on a round-trip Delta flight per person. For a family of four that’s a potential savings of up to $240 per round-trip flight. When you purchase a Delta flight with your Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business Card, you will receive complimentary access to The Centurion ® Lounge or Escape Lounge – The Centurion ® Studio Partner.
• Receive Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding on Delta flights; board early, stow your carry-on bag and settle in sooner.
• Elevate your travel experience with an annual statement credit of up to $250  after using your Delta Reserve Business American Express Card to book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays on delta.com.
• Pay no foreign transaction fees when you travel overseas.
• Terms and limitations apply.
• APR: 20.99% - 29.99% Variable

Delta SkyMiles Frequent Flyer Program

For business owners who are Delta loyalists, the Delta Reserve Business card is a must-have. In addition to complimentary Delta Sky Club and Amex Centurion Lounge access when flying the same day on Delta (on trips booked with the card), you also receive 15% off Delta award tickets , an annual companion certificate, complimentary upgrades (if available), complimentary checked bags, and more.

Starting February 2025, Delta Reserve cardmembers will receive 15 visits per year to Delta Sky Clubs. If they have $75,000 or more in eligible purchases in 2024, they get unlimited visits for the year, starting February 2025. The unlimited-visit rules are expected to continue the same way each year thereafter.

The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card

An excellent option for business owners and business travelers who stay at Hilton properties often and want perks like Hilton Honors elite status.

For frequent business travelers who regularly stay in Hilton hotels, The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card is a great option.

Not only will the card help you earn more points on all of your Hilton stays, but you’ll also receive automatic elite status and travel protections.

Here’s a detailed look at all the benefits this card offers so that you can determine if it’s a good fit for you.

• 12x points per $1 on eligible Hilton purchases
• Enhanced: 5x points on other purchases made for the first $100,000 in purchases each calendar year, 3X points thereafter.
• Automatic Hilton Honors Gold status, and the ability to spend your way to Diamond status
• New: Enjoy up to $240 back each year for eligible purchases made directly with Hilton.
• New: Enjoy complimentary National Car Rental ® Emerald Club Executive ® status. Enrollment in the complimentary Emerald Club ® program is required.
• $195 annual fee ( rates and fees )
• Limited Time Offer: Earn 175,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $8,000 in purchases on the Hilton Honors Business Card within the first six months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 6/5.
• Earn 12X Hilton Honors Bonus Points on eligible Hilton purchases.
• ENHANCED: Earn 5X Hilton Honors Bonus Points on other purchases made using the Hilton Honors Business Card on the first $100,000 in purchases each calendar year, 3X points thereafter.
• NEW: Enjoy up to $240 back each year for eligible purchases made directly with Hilton.
• Enjoy complimentary Hilton Honors™ Gold Status with your Hilton Honors Business Card. With Hilton Honors Gold status, you can enjoy benefits at hotels and resorts within the Hilton Portfolio. As a Gold member, earn an 80% Bonus on all Base Points you earn on every stay getting you to free nights faster.
• You may receive an upgrade to Hilton Honors Diamond status if the total eligible purchases on your Card Account during a calendar year reach $40,000 or more.
• NEW: Enjoy complimentary National Car Rental ® Emerald Club Executive ® status. Enrollment in the complimentary Emerald Club ® program is required. Terms apply.
• Terms apply.
• Hotel Credit Cards

Hilton Honors loyalty program

• Comparing American Express Hilton Credit Cards
• Best Business Credit Cards for Gas
• The 18 Best Business Credit Cards With No Foreign Transaction Fees [2024]

Lastly, the Hilton Business Amex card is worth a look for any traveling business owner who frequents Hilton hotels. Holding it enhances your Hilton stays with complimentary Hilton Honors Gold elite status (upon enrollment), 12x points on Hilton stays, and a Free Night Reward after you spend $15,000 on the card in a calendar year. You also get 10 complimentary Priority Pass visits each year (upon enrollment).

There aren’t many business credit cards offering complimentary lounge access, so you may want to look for lounge access benefits on a personal consumer credit card, as these tend to have more lounge benefits.

When you’re traveling, complimentary lounge access for you and your family or other travel companions is a great perk.

There are times, however, when others traveling without you would greatly benefit from complimentary lounge access. Adding an authorized user can give them the same travel benefits with the credit card, including complimentary lounge access.

These are some of the cards that grant lounge access for authorized users , along with a breakdown of the associated fees.

Adding an authorized user can be a cost-effective way to secure lounge access and other card benefits. But remember that there could be Chase 5/24 rule implications for the authorized users. You’re also responsible for all charges made to the credit card, including those made by an authorized user.

The Real Value of Airport Lounge Access

You don’t need a premium credit card to enjoy access to airport lounges, but without one you need to secure a potentially pricey lounge membership or a day pass. And remember, not all lounges can be accessed with a card, such as PS LAX .

This breakdown of membership costs illustrates  the approximate value of the complimentary lounge access you can receive with premium cards.

If you’re a frequent traveler who purchases several single-lounge access passes per year or an annual lounge membership, you may fare better by selecting a premium credit card that includes complimentary lounge access.

The added value of credit card welcome bonus offers , additional travel perks, rewards, credits for travel purchases, and travel and purchase protections can make securing a premium travel credit card a wise financial decision.

While premium credit cards that include complimentary airport lounge access may come with high annual fees, these cards provide excellent value beyond what you’d receive with an annual lounge membership.

Usually, the way to receive airport lounge access is by purchasing an annual membership or a day pass during each visit.

But the easiest way to receive airport lounge access is by holding a credit card that gives you complimentary access as a benefit of holding the card. This way, as long as your account remains open, you can access the eligible lounges connected to your card each time you travel.

For the most part, there are 4 types of airport lounges: standard airline lounges, business and first class lounges, credit card lounges, and lounge networks.

Standard airline lounges are tied to the specific airline you are flying with. To access these lounges, you need to hold an eligible airline co-branded card that includes lounge access and you must be flying with that airline (or one of its partners) on the same day. Examples of these lounges include American Admirals Clubs , Delta Sky Clubs , and United Clubs .

Business and first class lounges, while still tied to specific airlines, are only accessible by passengers flying business class or first class with the airline or its partners , regardless of what card you hold. Examples include American Airlines Flagship lounges and United Polaris lounges.

Credit card lounges are airport lounges offered directly by credit card issuers to entice customers to sign up for their most premium credit card offerings. This includes Amex Centurion Lounges , which are accessible to those with the Amex Platinum card or Amex Business Platinum card; Capital One Lounges , which are accessible to those with the Capital One Venture X card; and Chase Sapphire Lounges , which are accessible to those with the Chase Sapphire Reserve card.

Lastly, lounge networks like Priority Pass and Plaza Premium offer access to a large number of lounges under their umbrella, and there are many different credit cards that you might be able to use to access these lounges.

Are Credit Cards for Lounge Access Worth It?

If you travel often enough to take advantage of airport lounges at least a handful of times per year, and if the card you hold allows you to bring traveling companions into the lounge as well, then yes, getting a card with airport lounge access could be worth it.

Additionally, airport lounge access isn’t the only benefit that these cards offer. You may receive perks such as annual statement credits, elite status or the ability to fast-track your elite status, and travel protections.

That depends on your travel habits. If both credit cards significantly overlap in the lounges that they provide access to, then there would be little benefit in holding both cards if the motive for doing so is lounge access.

On the other hand, if you primarily fly with United and regularly visit United Clubs, but also want to have access to Priority Pass lounges, Amex Centurion lounges, etc., then it could be useful to hold both the United Club Infinite card and the Amex Platinum card.

Depending on the lounge and how crowded it gets, there could be restrictions that limit you from entering the lounge until 3 hours before your flight departs.

Once you are in the airport lounge, though, there usually is no limit to how long you can stay. For instance, if you enter a lounge 3 hours before your scheduled departure time and then your flight is delayed by 2 hours, you’ll still be allowed to remain in the lounge for that additional time if you’d like.

While this can change depending on the credit card and the lounge that you’re visiting, for most airport lounge credit cards, there is no limit to the number of times you can access airport lounges with your credit card. This is also the case regardless of how frequently you fly or how many layovers you have in a day.

Notably, Delta and American Express have introduced access limitations for Amex Platinum card and Delta Reserve cardholders entering Delta Sky Clubs. These limitations will go into effect in 2025.

The exact offerings of an airport lounge can vary significantly from lounge to lounge, but for the most part, you can expect free food and drinks including alcohol , comfortable seats to relax in before your flight, outlets to charge your devices, restrooms, and dedicated Wi-Fi.

More premium lounges might also offer made-to-order food, business centers, fitness areas, spa services, showers, and more.

Lounge access is one of the most valuable perks you can get in travel, so securing this benefit with a credit card makes sense for serious travelers. Plus, if you’re spending money on lounge access membership elsewhere, a premium credit card that includes this perk is an easy way to cut down on costs.

And while lounge access may be important, it’s just one of many valuable benefits available with a premium travel card. You should consider the whole package of benefits that come with each card.

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For the trip delay insurance benefit of The Platinum Card ® from American Express, eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

For the cell phone protection benefit of The Platinum Card ® from American Express, eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

For the purchase protection benefit of The Platinum Card ® from American Express,, eligibility and benefit level varies by Card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

Enrollment required through Capital One website or mobile app. Upon enrollment, eligible cardholders will remain at upgraded status level through December 31, 2024. Please note, enrolling through the normal Hertz Gold Plus Rewards enrollment process (e.g. at Hertz.com) will not automatically detect a cardholder as being eligible for the program and cardholders will not be automatically upgraded to the applicable status tier. Additional terms apply.

The information regarding the Capital One Venture X Business Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding the American Express ® Green Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card ® from American Express, click here . For rates and fees of Delta SkyMiles ® Reserve American Express Card, click here . For rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card ® from American Express, click here . For rates and fees for the Delta SkyMiles ® Reserve Business American Express Card, click here . For rates and fees of The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card, click  here .

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the best credit card for lounge access.

The best credit card for lounge access is the one that fits your travel priorities and budget. If you travel often with a specific airline, for example, consider that airline’s branded credit card. If you frequent airports with Priority Pass lounges , you may want to consider a different credit card entirely. If you’re looking for a card with a lower annual fee than the typical $450 fee for premium cards, your choices will be limited, but a few are available.

Narrow your options to the cards that match your lounge access priorities and then thoroughly review the card packages before applying. Many travelers like the Amex Platinum card  (or the Amex Business Platinum card ), as it gets you access to the largest number of airport lounges worldwide.

How does Priority Pass work?

Priority Pass is a global lounge network that offers lounge access with different membership levels and price points. Priority Pass partners with credit card issuers that include complimentary membership for cardholders. Depending on your card’s membership, you may enjoy complimentary unlimited lounge access or have a limited number of complimentary passes annually (then $35 per visit), or pay $35 for each visit.

Is there a credit card with no annual fee that comes with lounge access?

Most of the credit cards that offer complimentary lounge access have hefty annual fees. However, the Hilton Business Amex card has a lower annual $195 fee and comes with 10 complimentary passes to Priority Pass lounges worldwide, making it an economical choice for lounge access.

Does adding an authorized user to my card hurt my credit score?

Adding an authorized user to your credit card will not hurt your credit score because you’re still responsible for paying and managing the account. The authorized user is simply an additional user.

With that said, if the authorized user makes a lot of purchases you don’t know about and you fail or are late to make sufficient payments, your credit score will be affected. For this reason, you should only add authorized users you know and trust.

Do I use my credit card for lounge access?

If your credit card comes with Priority Pass Select membership, you need to register with Priority Pass to receive a digital membership card and subsequent physical card that arrives in the mail. You can then use your Priority Pass Select membership card to gain access to Priority Pass lounges.

Airline-branded credit cards and other premium credit cards such as the Amex Platinum card allow you to use your credit card for lounge access. For others, you need your Priority Pass Select card. You should reference your associated credit card agreement when you receive your card to determine which card to use for lounge access.

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About Christine Krzyszton

Christine ran her own business developing and managing insurance and financial services. This stoked a passion for points and miles and she now has over 2 dozen credit cards and creates in-depth, detailed content for UP.

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The Best Credit Cards for Airport Lounge Access

The right credit card can make traveling more comfortable.

Chase Sapphire

Credit cards are more than just a way to pay for your everyday expenses. These days, they offer lots of benefits that make traveling more comfortable. One of those perks is airport lounge access . Instead of waiting for your next flight in the hustle and bustle of the airport terminal, you can relax in a lounge with comfortable seating, complimentary food and drinks, and even extras like showers or spa treatments. The best part is that you can access many lounges just by having the right credit card in your wallet. Here’s a look at some of the best credit cards that include airport lounge access, so you can decide which one is right for you.

The Platinum Card from American Express

American Express

The Platinum Card from American Express is often cited as the best credit card for airport lounge access. It offers access to more than 1,200 lounges worldwide through the Global Lounge Collection. This group includes the coveted Centurion Lounges , which offer menus curated by local chefs and premium cocktails. Each location is different and can include perks like spa treatments and even a “secret” speakeasy bar .

The Amex Platinum card also comes with access to these lounge networks: International American Express Lounges; Priority Pass ; Escape Lounges ; Delta Sky Clubs (when flying on Delta Air Lines); Lufthansa lounges (when flying Lufthansa), Plaza Premium Lounges ; and Airspace Lounges.

Chase Sapphire Reserve

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card is the premium Chase Ultimate Rewards card, and it comes with one of the best Priority Pass memberships of any credit card. (Priority Pass is an independent lounge network with more than 1,300 locations worldwide.)

The reason the Chase Sapphire Reserve card has the best Priority Pass membership is that it includes non-lounge experiences — something not offered when you get it through American Express or Capital One credit cards.

The non-lounge experiences include restaurants, sleeping areas, and even spas. Priority Pass restaurant access can be especially valuable. At these locations, the Priority Pass cardholder and one guest each get a $28 credit to use for food and drinks.

Additionally, Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders get exclusive access to the brand-new Chase Sapphire Terrace at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS). This new indoor and outdoor space offers complimentary local beverages, grab-and-go snacks, and even games like shuffleboard.

Capital One Venture X Credit Card

Capital One

The Capital One Venture X card comes with access to one of the most exciting new lounge brands in recent years: Capital One Lounges. There is currently only one location at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), but two additional locations, including one at Denver International Airport (DEN) and one at Dulles International Airport (IAD), are due to open in 2023.

The Capital One Lounge in Dallas offers premium perks including gourmet grab-and-go food, dining stations, a full bar, a yoga room, an exercise room with Peloton bikes, and a shower suite.

To round out its airport lounge offerings, the Capital One Venture X card also comes with a Priority Pass membership and access to Plaza Premium Lounges. All lounge access through this card is for the cardholder plus two guests.

Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card

Many top-tier airline credit cards offer access to airline-branded lounges, and the Delta SkyMiles Reserve card is no exception. With this card, you’ll get complimentary access to Delta Sky Clubs, plus two one-time guest passes so you can bring along your traveling companions. After that, you’ll pay $50 each for up to two guests per visit. Delta Sky Clubs offer complimentary food, drinks, Wi-Fi, flight assistance, and even showers in select locations.

Cardholders also get access to Centurion Lounges when flying on a Delta flight that was booked with the Delta Reserve card. This is the only card other than the Amex Platinum card, Amex Business Platinum card, or Centurion card that grants access to Centurion Lounges.

Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard

American Airlines fliers will want to look at the Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard because it’s the only credit card that comes with an Admirals Club membership. Without the card, an Admirals Club membership costs $650. Even taking into account this card’s $450 annual fee, it’s a definite winner for anyone who values Admirals Club membership.

There are almost 50 Admirals Clubs locations (plus more than 60 partner lounges) that can be accessed with the Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard. These lounges offer complimentary food and beverages along with business centers and shower suites in select locations.

United Club Infinite Card

United Airlines

The United Club Infinite Card comes with complimentary United Club membership and access to participating Star Alliance partner lounges when flying on United Airlines, a Star Alliance member, or a partner airline.

This membership usually costs $650 per year, so it’s a huge benefit to get it with a credit card. United Clubs offer an escape from crowded airport terminals as well as complimentary snacks, drinks, and high-speed Wi-Fi.

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is packed with benefits, like a $250 airline fee credit, an annual Hilton free night, and even top-tier Hilton Diamond status, which includes free Wi-Fi, executive lounge access, and room upgrades at Hilton hotels. It also comes with lounge access in the form of a Priority Pass membership. 

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express card is one of the best hotel credit cards available right now. This premium card costs $650 per year, but it comes with an impressive suite of benefits including a $300 dining statement credit, a free Marriott night each year, and a complimentary Priority Pass membership. It also includes Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status , which includes bonus points on stays, extended checkout, a welcome amenity, room upgrades, and more.

Best credit cards for airport lounge access in 2021

My friends and family are often impressed when they travel with me due to the lounges we visit. If you aren't used to being able to go behind those closed doors, it can feel pretty fancy. But they too could access many of the same lounges even when traveling on their own. After all, many of the best premium travel rewards cards offer complimentary airport lounge access as a perk.

For example, several of the best rewards cards , including the Chase Sapphire Reserve , offer Priority Pass access or membership as a card benefit. And cardmembers of The Platinum Card® from American Express have access to Centurion Lounges and many other lounge types through the American Express Global Lounge Collection . Enrollment required for select benefits.

The types of lounges you can use vary significantly from card to card, though. So, today I'll take a closer look at the best travel rewards cards that offer complimentary airport lounge access. Then, you can apply for the card or cards that provide the best lounge access for your travels.

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• The Platinum Card® from American Express : Best consumer card for airport lounges.
• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express : Best business card for airport lounges.
• Chase Sapphire Reserve : Best for Priority Pass lounges and restaurants.
• Citi®/ AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard® : Best for American Airlines flyers.
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card : Best for Delta flyers.
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card : Best for Delta business travelers.
• United Club Infinite Card : Best for United Airlines flyers.

Before diving into the lounge access and benefits provided by each card, let's look at how many points or miles you can earn from the welcome bonus on each of these credit cards.

Comparing offers across the best cards for airport lounge access

Now, let's take a closer look at each of the best cards for airport lounge access.

The Platinum Card® from American Express

The Amex Platinum has a $550 annual fee (see rates and fees ). But if you travel frequently and value the lounge membership benefits of this card, you'll likely get your money's worth from the card.

Lounge access

The Amex Platinum is the best consumer card for lounge access because it provides entry to the greatest number of high-quality lounges. First and foremost, you'll get access to Amex's Centurion Lounges . Although Amex closed its Centurion Lounges during the early parts of the coronavirus pandemic, all U.S. Centurion Lounges are now open . Plus, Amex has several new and expanded Centurion Lounges in the works.

Unfortunately, unless you can show that you're in transit from another flight, you'll only be able to access Centurion Lounges within three hours of scheduled departure . And access upon arrival is no longer allowed. You can bring up to two guests at no additional charge, as well as any children under 2. However, do know that this is changing in Feb. 2023 when guests will no longer be complimentary unless you charge $75,000 annually on the card.

You'll also be able to access Delta Sky Clubs when you're flying Delta or select Delta partners on the same day. And Amex Platinum cardmembers get a Priority Pass Select membership with two guests included. However, this Priority Pass Select membership won't provide access to restaurants in the Priority Pass network . Enrollment required for select benefits.

But you can also access various other lounges in the American Express Global Lounge Collection , including Escape Lounges , Airspace Lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges and international American Express lounges.

Related: Who should (and who shouldn't) get the American Express Platinum?

Other card benefits

The Amex Platinum Card earns five Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on airfare booked directly with the airline or through Amex Travel (on up to $500,000 of these purchases per calendar year) and five points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel. And the Amex Platinum has many other perks . Some of the top perks include:

• A credit of up to $200 to use toward fees on one airline of your choice each calendar year.
• Up to $200 in annual Uber Cash for U.S. services.
• Up to $100 in annual Saks Fifth Avenue credits .
• Gold elite status with Marriott and Hilton .

Enrollment required for benefits listed above.

To learn more, check out our review of The Platinum Card from American Express .

Official application link: The Platinum Card from American Express

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

The Business Platinum card has slightly different benefits than its personal Platinum counterpart, along with a slightly higher $595 annual fee (see rates and fees ). But it's a compelling option for business travelers who can use the credits and perks it provides.

The Amex Business Platinum is the best overall business credit card for lounge access. Like the personal Amex Platinum, the Business Platinum offers access to Amex's Centurion Lounges as well as to Delta Sky Clubs on same-day Delta flights. You'll also get a Priority Pass Select membership with two guests included. Enrollment required for select benefits.

The entire American Express Global Lounge Collection is also available to Business Platinum cardmembers. However, the same restrictions on Centurion lounge access — admittance only within three hours of departure, no access upon arrival and two free guests only — also apply to the Business Platinum.

Related: Credit card showdown: Amex Platinum vs. Amex Business Platinum

The Business Platinum Card has many of the same perks as the personal Platinum Card. But there are some differences. The Business Platinum Card earns five Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on flights and prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel . You'll also earn 1.5 points per dollar spent on each eligible purchase of $5,000 or more, up to 1 million additional points per calendar year.

You'll get an annual airline-fee credit of up to $200 on one airline of your choice each calendar year, Gold Elite status with Marriott , Gold status with Hilton and up to $200 in annual Dell credits (for U.S. purchases) (enrollment required for these benefits). Plus, you'll get a 35% rebate when you book a first- or business-class flight through Amex Travel using Pay with Points (up to 500,000 points back per calendar year). This discount also extends to any flight class on the airline you selected for your airline fee credit. Enrollment required for select benefits.

To learn more, see our review of the Business Platinum Card from American Express .

Official application link: The Business Platinum Card from American Express

Chase Sapphire Reserve

The Chase Sapphire Reserve is easily the best travel card for Priority Pass lounge access . Admittedly, the card previously had competitors in this area. But the Citi Prestige® Card is now far less appealing than other premium travel cards. And Amex cards fell behind when they stopped offering Priority Pass restaurant access . Enrollment required for select benefits.

The information for the Citi Prestige has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders get a Priority Pass Select membership that includes access to airport lounges, restaurants, cafes and markets participating in the Priority Pass Select network. Primary cardmembers and authorized users each get their own Priority Pass Select memberships. However, you will need to enroll in Priority Pass before you have access. And, once registered, you can bring up to two guests into each lounge with you.

Many Priority Pass airport lounges are reopening , but some are still closed. So, check the lounge's page on the Priority Pass website to determine whether a particular lounge has reopened.

Enrollment required for select benefits.

Related: Sapphire showdown: Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve

The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers 10x Chase Ultimate Rewards points per dollar spent on Lyft through March 2022, 3x points per dollar spent on other travel and dining worldwide and 1x points per dollar spent on all other purchases. The card also offers a $300 annual travel credit and travel protections such as trip delay protection and delayed baggage protection .

To learn more, check out our Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card review .

Official application link: Chase Sapphire Reserve

Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard

The Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard has a $450 annual fee, with no charge for up to 10 authorized users . Suppose you're mainly interested in the card for Admirals Club access . In that case, you'll notice that the annual fee is lower than the cost to purchase or renew an individual Admirals Club membership.

The AAdvantage Executive Card comes with an Admirals Club membership for the primary cardholder. Admirals Club membership includes access to American Airlines Admirals Club lounges and other lounges with which American Airlines has reciprocal access privileges. Authorized users, on the other hand, only have access to American's Admirals Club lounges.

The primary cardholder and each authorized user can bring immediate family members or two other guests into the lounge. However, you must show a boarding pass for same-day travel on any departing or arriving flight that is marketed or operated by American Airlines, marketed and operated by any Oneworld carrier or marketed and operated by Alaska Airlines.

Note that only some American Airlines lounges have reopened . You can see a current listing of open lounges on American Airlines' website .

Related: 3 reasons why this is the best card for Admirals Club lounge access as travel returns

With the AAdvantage Executive Card, you'll earn 2 miles per dollar spent on eligible American Airlines purchases and 1 mile per dollar spent on all other purchases. Plus, you'll get Group 4 priority boarding and your first checked bag free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for you and up to eight companions traveling on the same reservation. And you can earn 10,000 elite qualifying miles after making $40,000 in purchases within the calendar year.

To learn more, see our Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard credit card review .

Official application link: Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card

The Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card has a $550 annual fee (see rates and fees ). But the card offers Delta Sky Club access as one of its benefits — and this single benefit may justify the annual fee if you travel with Delta frequently.

Delta Reserve cardmembers have complimentary access to Delta Sky Clubs when traveling on a same-day Delta-operated or Delta-marketed flight. However, not all Delta Sky Club locations have reopened. You can see a list of the open Sky Club locations on Delta's website .

You can also access Delta Sky Clubs when traveling on a Delta partner flight that isn't marketed or operated by Delta. But, in this case, you'll need to pay $39 per visit. You can bring up to two guests, or a partner and children under 21, for $39 per person per visit. But Reserve cardholders also get two one-time guest passes each year for complimentary guest access to the Delta Sky Club.

Delta Reserve cardholders also get access to American Express Centurion Lounges when traveling on a Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight paid for with a U.S.-issued American Express card . You'll only be able to access the lounge up to three hours before your flight or during connections, though. And although you can bring up to two guests, you'll pay $50 for each.

Related: Credit card showdown: Amex Platinum vs. Delta Reserve

The Delta Reserve Card earns 3 miles per dollar spent directly with Delta and 1 mile per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.

You and up to eight companions on the same reservation will get your first checked bag free and Main Cabin 1 priority boarding when flying with Delta. You'll also receive a domestic first class, Comfort+ or Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your card.

Elite status is also more attainable with this card. When you spend $25,000 on your card within a calendar year, you will get a Medallion Qualification Dollar waiver for Platinum, Gold and Silver Medallion status. For Diamond Medallion status, you'll need to spend $250,000 on the card.

For more information, check out our Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card review .

Official application link: Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card

Delta Skymiles® Reserve Business American Express Card

The Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express Card also offers Delta Sky Club access as one of its benefits. As such, the Delta Reserve Business Amex can be helpful for business travelers who frequently fly on Delta.

Like the personal Delta Reserve credit card, Delta Reserve for Business cardholders have complimentary access to Delta Sky Clubs when traveling on a same-day Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight. You can also get access when flying on a Delta partner flight not operated or marketed by Delta, but you'll have to pay $39 per visit. You get two one-time complimentary guest passes each account year. But you'll need to pay $39 per person per visit for other guests.

Cardholders also get access to Centurion Lounges when traveling on a same-day Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight when paying the fare with a U.S.-issued American Express card . You can access the lounge up to three hours before departure or during connections. And you can bring up to two guests by paying $50 per person per location.

Related: Choosing the best credit cards for Delta flyers

The Delta Reserve for Business earns 3 Delta miles per dollar spent directly with Delta and 1 mile per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. However, you'll earn 1.5 miles per dollar spent on all purchases after $150,000 in spending each calendar year.

Like the personal Delta Reserve, you'll get a first free checked bag for you and up to eight companions on the same reservation, along with Main Cabin 1 priority boarding when flying with Delta. You'll also get a round-trip companion certificate for bookings in domestic first class, Comfort+ or Main Cabin each year upon renewal. Plus, you can spend to get a Medallion Qualification Dollar waiver .

For more information, see our Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express Card review .

Official application link: Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express Card

United Club Infinite Card

The United Club Infinite Card offers United Club membership as a perk. So, this card can make sense for frequent United flyers.

The United Club Infinite Card offers United Club membership for the primary cardholder. This membership gives the primary cardholder access to United Club locations with a same-day boarding pass for travel on United, a Star Alliance partner or a contracted partner. United Club members can bring two adults or one adult and dependent children under 21 years of age as guests.

Not all United Club locations have reopened yet, though. To see which lounges are currently open, check the list on United's website .

Related: The best credit cards for United Airlines flyers

The United Club Infinite Card offers various other perks besides lounge access when flying United. For example, you'll earn 4 miles per dollar spent on United purchases, 2 miles per dollar spent on travel and dining and 1 mile per dollar spent on all other purchases. And you and one companion can get your first and second checked bags free on United-operated flights when you buy the tickets with your card. Plus, you'll get a statement credit of up to $100 every four years to reimburse a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee.

For more information, see our United Club Infinite Card review .

Official application link: United Club Infinite Card

Comparing benefits for the best credit cards with airport lounge access

Low-annual-fee options.

The annual fees on the cards discussed so far in this guide all top $400. These cards carry enough benefits and earn enough points to recoup the annual fee many times over for some travelers.

But if you can't justify high annual fees or don't travel frequently, you may want a card with a lower annual fee. So, here are a few ways to get a few complimentary lounge visits each year while paying a lower annual fee:

• Get 10 complimentary visits to Priority Pass lounges every Priority Pass year with the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card ($95 annual fee, see rates and fees ) and The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card ($95 annual fee, see rates and fees ).
• Earn up to $100 in statement credits for lounge access purchased through LoungeBuddy every calendar year with the American Express® Green Card ($150 annual fee, see rates and fees ).
• Get two United Club one-time passes when you sign up and on each account anniversary with the United Explorer Card ($95 annual fee, waived the first year) and the United Business Card ($99 annual fee, waived the first year).

Enrollment required for select benefits

The information for the Amex Green card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Related: The best credit cards with annual fees under $100

Frequently asked questions

Here are a few of the most commonly asked questions about the use of credit cards for lounge access:

What is Priority Pass and how does it work?

Priority Pass is an airport lounge membership program that provides members with access to more than 1,300 airport lounges — and sometimes non-lounge experiences such as restaurants — around the world. With a Priority Pass membership, you can visit these lounges regardless of the airline you're flying or your ticket class. You can even access Priority Pass lounges when you're flying in economy class on a low-cost airline .

If you have Priority Pass access benefits through a credit card, you'll usually need to enroll in Priority Pass Select . However, the access policies vary across cards, so be sure to determine what benefits your card offers before heading to the airport. For example, Priority Pass Select memberships for American Express cards don't cover visits to restaurant lounges. And cards with lower annual fees , such as the Hilton Surpass and Hilton Business cards, only offer 10 complimentary lounge visits per year.

Related: The best credit cards for Priority Pass lounge access

What are Centurion Lounges and how do they work?

Centurion Lounges are high-end lounges accessible to select American Express cardmembers. These lounges are often known for offering locally curated, high-quality dining and drinks. Some Centurion Lounges even provide other perks, including spa services and wine tasting. However, Amex has modified select Centurion Lounge perks during the pandemic.

The easiest way to access Centurion Lounges is by holding an eligible card such as The Platinum Card from American Express or The Business Platinum Card from American Express . But Delta SkyMiles Reserve and Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business cardholders can also access Centurion Lounges when flying Delta on the same day on a ticket paid for with a U.S.-issued Amex card.

Delta Reserve cardholders don't get complimentary guest access, but Amex Platinum cardholders can bring up to two guests with them free of charge. And Centurion members can bring up to two guests or their immediate family free of charge.

Related: 6 ways airport lounges are improving — and one way they definitely aren't

Should I have multiple cards with lounge access?

Depending on how frequently you travel, the airports you visit and the airlines you fly, it may make sense to have multiple cards that offer access to different lounge networks. Since you can only access Delta, United and American lounges when flying each airline , it's essential to have the correct credit card for lounge access based on the airports you're visiting and the airline you're flying.

Related: 4 reasons why the Amex Platinum might be the ideal credit card for Delta flyers

Are cards with lounge access worth it during the pandemic?

If you are traveling during the pandemic and travel through airports with open lounges, it can make sense to carry one or more cards that provide lounge access. But if you don't intend to restart travel soon or plan to skip airport lounges , it may not make sense to have airport lounge cards now. I recommend assessing your credit card portfolio to determine which cards are worth their annual fees .

Related: 7 ways I've changed my flight routine to make pandemic travel easier

What's included in free airport lounge access?

Airport lounges typically provide access to seating, power, Wi-Fi, nonalcoholic drinks and snacks for no additional charge. However, some airport lounges offer other amenities such as meals, spa services, shower rooms, meeting rooms and alcoholic drinks. And in some cases, these additional amenities are also complimentary for anyone who has access to the lounge.

Related: How valuable is a Priority Pass lounge membership?

How do I get free airport lounge access?

The easiest way to get free airport lounge access is to sign up for a credit card that offers lounge access as a perk. However, you may be able to snag airport lounge access with some types of airline elite status . And if you reside outside the U.S., you may find that some non-travel memberships include free access to some airport lounges.

Related: The 8 do's and don'ts in an airport lounge

For rates and fees of the Platinum Card, please click here . For rates and fees of the Business Platinum Card, please click here . For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve, please click here . For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business, please click here . For rates and fees of the Hilton Surpass, please click here . For rates and fees of the Hilton Business Card, please click here . For rates and fees of the Amex Green Card, please click here .

Best credit cards for airport lounge access

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The airport is usually not an enjoyable place to spend time, especially when delays spring up. You can easily spend an entire day at a crowded airport gate, spending significant money on food and drinks while you wait.

Having airport lounge access can change your airport experience entirely. Many premium travel credit cards offer complimentary, unlimited access to thousands of airport lounges worldwide. When choosing a credit card for lounge access, consider the annual fee, rewards, other benefits and whether that card fits your travel needs. Here is our guide on airport lounge access and recommendations for the best credit cards.

Comparing the best credit cards for airport lounge access

Top credit cards for airport lounge access.

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Bankrate’s view.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers access to some of the best luxury lounges as well as top-of-the-line travel benefits and protections. You’ll get a Priority Pass Select membership with unlimited access and access to Sapphire Lounge by the Club locations for cardholders and authorized users. While this card has a high annual fee, its premium perks like an up to a $300 travel credit each account anniversary year and up to a $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit (every four years) can help offset the yearly cost.

Plus, you can transfer points to Chase’s travel partners and get 50 percent more value for your points when redeeming for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards . The overall set of travel benefits makes this one of the top rewards credit cards available.

Pros & cons

• The travel credit works for a wide range of travel-related expenses, including airport parking.
• You’ll get top-of-the-line travel protections if you use your card to pay for travel.
• There are only four Sapphire lounges currently available.
• It doesn’t offer access to as many lounges as its competitors.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is an excellent lower annual fee option for travelers who want solid perks, simple rewards and can take advantage of its authorized user privileges. You’ll get a Priority Pass Select membership and unlimited access to Capital One Lounges for yourself and two guests. And you can add up to four authorized users who will also receive lounge access for no additional fee. This makes it a great card to share your benefits with your favorite people.

On top of that, the card comes with up to $300 in annual credit toward Capital One Travel purchases, 10,000 bonus miles every account anniversary (equal to $100) and up to a $100 credit for TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry (every four years).  

• You can gift Priority Pass membership to your authorized users, who can also bring guests with them.
• This card has the lowest annual fee of the premium lounge cards.
• It no longer offers restaurant credit with Priority Pass membership.
• The travel benefits of this card have recently dropped in value, such as losing Hertz elite status at the end of 2024.

The Platinum Card® from American Express

The Platinum Card® from American Express boasts the most extensive lounge access. You’ll get a Priority Pass Select membership and access to the Centurion Lounge network plus the Escape Lounges – The Centurion Studio Partner, Delta Sky Clubs, Lufthansa airline lounges and Plaza Premium lounges. However, you’ll only be able to access Lufthansa and Delta lounges when flying with them. Delta further limits Platinum cardholders to ten visits per year starting Feb. 1, 2025, and requires a non-Basic Economy ticket for entry. While it has a high annual fee, you’ll get significant cardholder perks, including up to a $189 credit for CLEAR Plus membershipClear Plus membership , up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck (every four years), up to $200 in credits for airline incidental charges and much more.  

• This card has access to possibly the largest number of lounges worldwide.
• You’ll get extensive travel protections and credits with this card, which will more than offset the annual fee.
• This card has the highest annual fee of all premium travel cards.
• Centurion Lounge guest policies and Delta Sky Club access have been devalued recently.

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card

The Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card is the premium Delta Air Lines card for frequent Delta flyers . You’ll get complimentary access to the Centurion Lounge network and Delta Sky Club lounges for the primary cardholder (when flying on a non-Basic Economy ticket) as well as four free Delta Sky Club one-time guest passes annually. In February 2025, Delta Sky Club access will be limited to 15 visits per year.

An individual membership to the Delta Sky Club costs at least $695 annually (or 69,500 miles), and additional guest passes are $50 per visit. For a $650 annual fee, this card can be a solid choice if you’ll offset that cost with frequent lounge visits.

• This is Delta’s top offering for complimentary lounge access and flight upgrades.
• The annual companion certificate and free checked baggage help to offset the annual fee.
• The high annual fee might not be worth it, especially if you don’t earn elite status.
• The card has mediocre reward rates outside of Delta purchases.

United Club℠ Infinite Card

The United Club℠ Infinite Card focuses on a quality airport experience and added value for United frequent flyers. For a $525 annual fee, you‘ll get United Club membership (which generally costs $650 annually) for you and eligible travel companions, which also grants access to Star Alliance lounges. You can also benefit from perks like Premier Access, free checked baggage, in-flight discounts and upgrades and up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck (every four years).

Additional card highlights include award redemption discounts, elite status with Avis and IHG Hotels and an annual hotel credit with IHG. This card pays for itself if you are a regular United flyer.

• You’ll have access to Star Alliance lounges and United lounges, which is valuable for traveling abroad.
• You’ll enjoy numerous additional benefits for travel-related needs outside of flying United.
• This can be a pricey card if United isn’t your primary airline.
• You can earn more United miles with other cards in categories outside of United purchases.

Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®

The Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® offers solid benefits to American Airlines loyalists with perks like Admirals Club membership, priority boarding, free checked baggage for up to eight guests on your reservation, in-flight discounts, up to a $100 credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry (every four years) and more.

You’ll get complimentary Admirals Club membership for you and your immediate family or up to 2 guests. That’s valued from $850 (or 85,000 miles) for a new membership to as high as $1,650 (or 165,000 miles) for a household membership. For a $595 annual fee, that offers the potential for outsized value for frequent flyers.

• The card grants unlimited Admirals Club access to the primary cardholder and immediate family, which can be a significant value.
• You’ll earn excellent rates on American Airlines purchases and get solid in-flight benefits like priority boarding when flying with American Airlines.
• Justifying the annual fee is hard if you don’t fly with American Airlines frequently.
• There isn’t much value in spending on the card outside American Airlines purchases.

How airport lounge access works

The quality of lounges can vary widely based on location and brand. While every lounge differs in terms of what they offer, they all give you a less crowded and more comfortable place to relax.

Airline-specific lounges

Many airlines have lounge membership programs where you can pay for membership or have access through elite status. You’ll also have access to the lounge when flying in a premium class, although it differs by airline and itinerary.

If you don’t want to pay for a membership, the right co-branded credit card might give it to you as a benefit. You may also get the membership at a lower cost or a certain amount of passes annually. For instance, the United Club Infinite card gets unlimited access to United Clubs (worth up to $650 annually).

If you’re researching airline credit cards for lounge access, remember that certain limitations will apply. For example, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card only lets you access Delta Sky Clubs and Centurion Lounges when you fly with Delta. Also, if you have a Basic Economy ticket, you won’t have access to Sky Clubs for that itinerary.

Credit card lounges

Access premium lounges with premium cards.

You’ll also find lounges exclusively for premium cardholders. These can be a step up in quality from most lounges and offer an ideal place to relax. One of the most popular with the most locations are Amex Centurion lounges .

Only cardholders of the Amex Platinum or Centurion cards have complimentary access. However, due to overcrowding, American Express recently changed its guest access policy. You can pay per guest or spend $75,000 annually on a qualifying American Express card for complimentary guest access.

Chase and Capital One are also entering this arena with their own credit card lounges. While there are more in development, each has only a few locations. You’ll need the Chase Sapphire Reserve or Capital One Venture X Rewards card to enter those lounges.

Access to these lounges comes at the expense of a high annual fee on the cards needed for entry. The Amex Platinum charges $695, the Sapphire Reserve charges $550 and the Capital One Venture X card charges $395. However, each card offers enough additional benefits to offset the fee if you regularly use lounge access. So, there is an added incentive to pick up one of these cards if you have one of these lounges in your home airport.

Priority Pass

Priority Pass is one of the most popular and common airport lounge memberships featured as a credit card benefit. You don’t have to fly with a specific airline to enter one of more than 1,400 locations in airports worldwide. You’ll need to purchase a Priority Pass membership or hold a credit card that offers access to Priority Pass lounges. However, these lounges are generally not as luxurious as other lounges and can often be overcrowded.

There are tiered membership levels, and certain cards offer better Priority Pass benefits than others. Some only offer a limited number of annual visits, while others provide unlimited visits for the cardholder and additional guests. Be sure to consider the difference between card offerings to find what best suits your needs.

How to choose a credit card for lounge access

If you’re debating between credit cards with lounge access, you can use these tips to help compare options:

• Decide if you want unlimited access. If you want a credit card with unlimited lounge access, you’ll want to choose an option with a Priority Pass Select membership or unlimited access to a credit card or airline lounge. However, fees can be higher for cards with unlimited lounge access, so you might consider cards with a set number of lounge visits per year at a lower fee.
• See what lounges are at your home airport. It makes sense to prioritize cards accessing lounges at your home airport. For example, the Amex Platinum might be ideal if you have a Centurion Lounge at your home airport.
• Remember your travel companions. If you travel regularly with family or friends, consider guest access policies on various cards. For instance, Centurion lounges no longer grant complimentary guest access, while the Capital One Venture X lets you share access with multiple people who can bring their own guests.
• Compare other perks. All credit cards with lounge access charge an annual fee , but the benefits you receive can offset it. Consider the welcome bonuses, rewards and perks offered to see if that can be the deciding factor.

Frequently asked questions

How can i access airport lounges for free, how long can i spend in an airport lounge, are airport lounges crowded, what’s next.

Check out the resources below to find a card that matches your travel needs and to help budget for your next trip.

Find your credit card match

Travel Toolkit

Financially prepare for travel

The bottom line

The best credit cards with airport lounge access offer a variety of benefits in exchange for a high annual fee. Pay attention to the different lounge access types and benefits each card offers.

When deciding between cards, you’ll want to choose a travel card that best suits your travel needs. Consider the type of rewards offered, the travel benefits provided and whether you’ll utilize those benefits enough to offset the annual fee.

*The information about the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® and United Club℠ Infinite Card has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.

Your guide to Priority Pass

Guide to American Airlines Admirals Club

An ultimate guide to Amex Centurion Lounges

Guide to Capital One Lounges

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The 5 best credit cards for airport lounge access: Travel in comfort

Airport lounges are no longer limited to first class fliers and airline elites. With lounge access credit card benefits, any savvy cardholder can escape the airport chaos and enter into the world of free airport snacks. Although, beware of the costs.

The cards we recommend charge at least $395 in annual fees. But, if you're accustomed to luxury, these cards are more economical for you. With airline fee statement credits, sizeable signup bonuses, complimentary lounge access, and more, there are plenty of credit cards that are worth it for frequent flyers. 

Different credit cards offer different types of lounge access. You'll want to choose a card that matches your flying preferences, including the airlines you like to fly and the airports you frequent. With that in mind, here are our top picks for credit cards with lounge access:

The Platinum Card® from American Express

The best credit card for airport lounge access overall.

• 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.
• Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.

The Platinum Card® is the best all-around card for lounge access -- no matter what airline you fly or where you travel. Its lounge benefits give you access to six different airport lounge networks, including Priority Pass Select, American Express Centurion lounges, Delta Sky Clubs (when flying on Delta or Lufthansa same day), Escape lounges, Airspace lounges, and Plaza Premium lounges.

In general, cardholders can access the lounges with up to two additional guests for no charge, unless the lounge network has different rules (additional fees apply for guests at Delta Sky Clubs). American Express allows additional cardholders to access the same lounge benefits as the primary cardmember, however, there is a charge of $175 to add up to three additional users to your American Express Platinum account.

The business version of this card -- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express -- also offers comparable access to these same lounge networks.

• Access to six lounge networks
• 24 Centurion Lounges (13 US and 11 abroad)
• High value travel benefits and annual credits
• High annual fee of $695
• Fee for additional card users
• American Express Priority Pass excludes participating airport restaurants
• Some of the benefits aren't practical for the average user (like private jet credits)

You can read our full review here .

Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card

Best all-around travel card with a lounge network.

• Earn 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠.
• Earn 5x total points on flights through Chase Travel℠.
• Earn 3x points on other travel and dining.
• Earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve is the top all-around credit card for avid travelers, and it also comes with solid lounge benefit that are about to get even better.

While Chase's list of lounges you can access as a cardholder isn't as extensive as the Amex Platinum's list, the card does give you full access to Priority Pass for you and two guests, including the participating airport restaurants excluded by American Express's Priority Pass access. This can be a game-changer if your home airport is in a smaller city and has Priority Pass restaurant options but not lounge options. 

Chase has also announced it is planning to open six Sapphire lounges in 2022 and 2023, with the first three slated for New York LaGuardia (LGA), Boston (BOS), and Hong Kong (HKG).

Additional users on your Chase Sapphire Reserve account do get full access to the same benefits of the primary cardholder, but there is a $75 annual fee per additional card.

• Priority Pass Select with access to airport restaurants
• $300 annual travel purchase credit
• Best travel insurance options
• High annual fee of $550
• $75 fee per authorized user
• Sapphire lounge network not yet open

Capital One Venture X Rewards Card

Best for domestic luxury lounges.

• Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel.
• 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel.
• 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Card is a credit card for the luxury lounge seeker. This card is best for travelers who frequently travel through airports with a Capital One Lounge.

The Capital One Lounge is currently open in Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) with locations in Denver (DEN) and Washington Dulles (IAD) opening soon. Venture X cardholders receive unlimited access to the lounges with up to two additional guests at no charge. These lounges offer a full bar, hot food, grab-and-go meals, showers, and even a yoga room with Peloton bikes.

In addition to the growing network of Capital One lounges, the Venture X also gives you Priority Pass Select membership for you and two guests, with access to participating airport restaurants included.

Capital One allows you to add four additional cardholders to your Venture X Rewards Card account at no cost, and additional users are able to access the full lounge benefits -- including registration for Priority Pass.

• Growing network of Capital One Lounges
• Travel credits on Capital One travel
• No additional user fee for four additional cards
• High annual fee of $395
• Only open lounge is currently in DFW
• Priority Pass membership may be discontinued as the Capital One Lounge network grows

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card

Best for delta elites.

• Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases.
• Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.

The Delta SkyMiles Reserve credit card from American Express is the best airline-specific lounge card on the market -- if you're a frequent Delta flyer who often travels solo. The Delta SkyMiles Reserve not only allows you to access Delta Sky Clubs, but you can also gain access to the American Express network of Centurion Lounges when you're flying on Delta and have purchased your ticket using a US-issued American Express card.

Unlike many of the other cards that allow two of your companions to access the lounge at no charge, the Delta SkyMiles Reserve only covers lounge access for you. Cardholders get two guest passes each year; outside of the guest passes, you may bring two guests at a cost of $50 per person when accessing the Sky Club. When accessing the American Express Centurion Lounge with a Delta SkyMiles Reserve card, you may bring up to two guests. However, the cost per person is $50.

While both the American Express Platinum card and the Delta SkyMiles Reserve card offer access to both the Sky Club and the Centurion Lounges, this card may be more appealing to avid Delta flyers. This is especially great for those hoping to maintain levels of elite status, as this card offers Medallion Qualifying Miles earning bonuses.

• Access to American Express Centurion Lounges
• Medallion Qualifying Miles earning benefits
• Delta SkyMiles bonus earnings
• Additional charge for lounge guests
• Annual fee costs more than a Sky Club membership

You can read our full review  here .

Citi / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®

Best for american airlines elites.

• Earn 4x AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases.
• 1 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent on other purchases

The Citi AAdvantage World Elite Mastercard grants cardholders and two guests access to American Airline's (AA) network of nearly 50 Admirals Clubs worldwide. Cardholders can also access some Alaska Airlines lounges and Qantas lounges when flying on the respective airline. Selective lounges internationally that are part of the Oneworld network are also accessible.

You do not have to be flying American on the same day to use your Citi AAdvantage World Elite Mastercard, but those who frequent American Airlines will get the most use out of this card's lounge benefits, as nearly every AA hub has one or more lounges to visit.

A major perk to this card is that Citi will allow either immediate family members (such as a spouse or domestic partner and children under 18) or up to two guests traveling with you to the Admirals Club lounge for free. (Some partner lounges require you to be the primary card member to gain access).

• Annual fee costs less than an Admirals Club Annual Membership
• Additional authorized users can access Admirals Club lounges for no charge
• AA airline benefits and Loyalty Points bonus earnings
• Not a great option if you often fly with other airlines
• High annual fee of $450

How did we choose these airport lounge access credit cards?

There are many different credit cards that offer access to airport lounges. To select the best card for you, we considered:

• Type of lounge benefit: Which airline you fly and the airport hubs that you visit the most will help you determine which airport lounge rewards card will best meet your needs.
• Annual fee value: Does the lounge access -- alongside the other rewards and benefits of the card -- add up to meet or exceed the value of the annual fee?
• Other travel benefits: In addition to lounge access, most of these cards offer other specific travel benefit including free baggage, priority boarding, or travel credits. These benefits help offset the high annual fees common to luxury travel cards. 

What is the best airport lounge access credit card?

The Platinum Card from American Express  stands out above the rest as the best credit card for airport lounge access. With six networks as part of the American Express Platinum lounge program, you'll likely be able to access a lounge at almost any airport in the world.

What's the target credit score for these cards?

If you have excellent or good credit score, you can get approved. In other words, if your FICO score is above 670, these cards are suited for you. 

Are credit cards with lounge access worth the annual fee?

It depends on your travel habits and budget. If you travel frequently, it's pricey to pay for lounge access. Many cards offer complimentary lounge access and are more economical than annual memberships.

The best credit cards for airport lounge access justify their annual fees through extensive perks and a network of lounges. So, if you travel often and prefer to kick your feet up, these cards are a great option for you. However, keep in mind that our selection of cards requires at least $395 in annual fees. If you're looking to save money and fly infrequently, don't waste your time.

Which airport lounge access credit card is right for you?

The right card for you will depend on factors like your airline preferences, frequent travel hubs, and more. Whether you often fly solo or not can also make a difference in your decision. The chart below can help you figure out where to start:

What are the credit card benefits for lounge networks vs. airline clubs?

Many of the best credit cards that offer airline lounge access offer some combination of access to either a lounge network or a membership to a specific airline's club. There are also a few cards that offer both.

Some popular lounge networks are Priority Pass Select, Escape lounges, Airspace lounges, and Plaza Premium lounges. Each of the large and most popular credit card-issuing banks have also begun to launch their own networks of airline lounges: the American Express Centurion Lounges, the Capital One Lounges, and the recently announced Chase Sapphire Lounges. These networks allow you to visit any of the lounges within their network if your credit card gives you access to their membership. 

In the US, each of the large airlines has their own branded airline club, which you can join and access whenever you visit the airport. In lieu of a paid membership, most of the airlines offer a co-branded card that gives you access to their club when you travel. Choosing a card with this type of lounge access is typically best for travelers who frequently fly on a specific airline. These lounges are most often located within that airline's hub cities and in the terminal from which that airline's flights depart, making it convenient if you match your lounge credit card access choice to the airline you'll most likely be flying.

What can I access with the Priority Pass Select credit card benefit?

Priority Pass is one of the most common lounge network benefits granted by credit cards, including access to more than 500 lounges and airport restaurants around the globe. Not all Priority Pass credit card benefits are created equal, however. Some credit cards, like the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Capital One Venture X, give you universal access to all Priority Pass airport outlets -- including participating restaurants and lounges. Others, like the American Express cards, offer a select access benefit which only allows you to use lounges and excludes participating restaurants. 

If you live in a smaller city that has few airport lounges but does have participating Priority Pass restaurants, you'll want to make sure your credit card provides a Priority Pass membership with access to the restaurant benefit.

Can I use my credit card benefits to take a guest into the lounge?

The number of guests that you can bring into the lounge with you will vary by card as well as the amount charged for additional guests. Most cards will allow you to bring two additional guests or one guest and your dependent children. Additional guests will often be charged a discounted daily rate. For your guest to receive the lounge benefit, you, the cardholder, must be present with them.

Do credit card authorized users get lounge access? If you have a partner or dependent who is an authorized user on your credit card, most cards will grant this user the same lounge privileges as the cardholder. You will want to check the exact card terms to confirm. 

Some credit cards with lounge access charge a high fee to add an additional person, such as the American Express Platinum card. While other cards like the Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard will allow you to gift your Admirals Club lounge access benefits to up to 10 additional users (by making them additional cardholders on your card).

Are there alternative airport lounge access credit cards worth considering?

In addition to our top recommendations above for credit cards offering lounge access, there are many other options to consider. These may be better suited to meet your needs if you're looking to gain exclusive access to one particular airline's club, are looking for a business card, or are a less frequent traveler.

• American Express Business Platinum Card: Comparable lounge benefits as American Express Platinum personal card
• Hilton Honors American Express Card: 10 Priority Pass Select passes a year
• United Club Infinite Card: Access for cardholder and two guests into United Clubs (excluding Polaris locations)
• United℠ Explorer Card: Two one-time United Club passes per year (no guests)
• United Club Business Card: United Club membership with two guests.
• American Express Green Card: $100 LoungeBuddy credit
• U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Card: Priority Pass select membership with four lounge visits and four guest passes annually
• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Two free Capital One lounge visits per year, and special pricing of $45 per additional visit or guest
• Capital One Spark Miles Card: Two free Capital One lounge visits per year, and special pricing of $45 per additional visit or guest

Opinions expressed here are author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.    

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Best credit cards for airport lounge access

Take a break from the crowds: These cards offer complimentary access to airport and hotel lounges

Published: March 9, 2022

Author: Aaron Broverman

Editor: Kaitlyn Tang

Reviewer: Barri Segal

How we Choose

Relax or work away from the crowds while you wait for your flight. These cards offer complimentary access to airport lounges around the world.

The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired. Please review our list of best credit cards , or use our CardMatch™ tool to find cards matched to your needs.

Travel, for both business and pleasure, has become a stressful, cramped and exhausting experience. But it doesn’t have to be – at least, until you board the plane.

Several rewards credit cards and travel credit cards offer complimentary access to airport lounges, where you can relax, work and freshen up before your flight. You might also be able to take advantage of free food, drinks and Wi-Fi. Want to find a calm, quiet place to relax before your flight? Find the best credit card for lounge access for you among our favorite picks.

• Airport lounge networks

There are a few lounge networks you can access with credit cards. Here are the most common offerings:

Priority Pass Select

The Priority Pass Select membership is granted to cardholders through their membership with a U.S. financial institution – essentially through your membership of a credit card. Cards that provide this perk include The Platinum Card from American Express , the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card *, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card and the Marriott Bonvoy™ Brilliant American Express® Card and more.

Priority Pass Select gives you access to more than 1,300 lounges around the world. All have free Wi-Fi and comfy seats. They also provide complimentary drinks and snacks. Some lounges even have extra amenities for relaxation and refreshment like massage rooms and sleeping areas.

Airline executive lounges

Airlines offer their own lounges to travelers who have a membership and are flying the airline. Some examples are the Delta Sky Club, the United Club and American Airlines Admirals Club, which offer memberships to cardholders with certain co-branded cards. These include the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® , Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card and the United MileagePlus Club Card* .

In addition to the customary free Wi-Fi and refreshments, airline lounges usually offer a designated agent for reservations, seat assignments and e-ticketing along with productivity tools (Xerox machines and printers) and free entertainment. Some may include shower suites (many remain closed due to COVID-19), made-to-order food specials and a business center for a quick before-flight meeting.

Independent lounges

These lounges aren’t tied to airlines and don’t have as many lounges in their network as Priority Pass, but they’re accessible via credit card and sometimes are the issuer’s own lounge network.

American Express Centurion lounges , AirSpace, Escape and Plaza Premium come to mind. These lounges feature children’s rooms, private rooms, TVs, spas, bars, restaurants, comfy chairs, high-speed internet, retail options, shower facilities and premium food and drinks.

Capital One is also working on opening its own Capital One lounges – one at the Dallas-Fort Worth airport is open now and another two, in Denver and Washington, D.C., are set to open in 2022.

Chase is also venturing into the lounge space with its new Chase Sapphire Lounges with five planned locations in Boston, Hong Kong, New York, Phoenix and San Diego.

• The Platinum Card from American Express: Best credit card for lounge access

Why we picked it : No matter what airport you’re stuck in, The Platinum Card® from American Express is your key to between-flights relaxation since it gives you access to the entire American Express Global Lounge collection, which numbers to over 1,200 locations worldwide. It also gives access to the luxurious Centurion Lounges as well as Priority Pass, Delta Sky Club and Airspace lounges.

Not only can you, the primary cardholder, access these lounges, but also two guests accompanying you, for free. Terms apply, of course. Authorized users of your Amex Platinum may also access the lounges, plus their own guests.

• Known for providing numerous annual credits for Clear membership , Global Entry, airline fee credit, hotel credit and more
• 100,000 points if you spend $6,000 in six months
• Ability to transfer Membership Rewards points to more than 20 transfer partners at a 1:1 rate (for the most part)
• $695 annual fee
• Must redeem travel rewards through American Express Travel
• Some annual credits, like for Saks Fifth Avenue and Equinox, not suited to every cardholder’s lifestyle

Who should apply : If you travel extremely frequently, for either work or pleasure, and find yourself spending a lot of time at the airport, you should definitely consider this card.

Who should skip : Cardholders who are infrequent travelers (once a year or less) will find it difficult to justify the annual fee , so they should steer clear.

• Chase Sapphire Reserve: Best rewards card with lounge access

Why we picked it : You want a card with fairly broad airport lounge access and a generous rewards structure? Look no further than the Chase Sapphire Reserve® . In terms of airport lounges, this card also you a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership, which translates to more than 1,300 airport lounges around the world. You have unlimited access to the lounges, and you may bring along two guests.

Other than lounge access, the Chase Sapphire Reserve also gives a $300 annual travel credit for you to spend on all travel purchases. After that, you’ll earn 10X points on hotels and rental cars purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards , 5X points on Chase Ultimate Rewards air travel and 3X points on general travel. You’ll also get 3X points on restaurants and 1X point on all other purchases.

• Access granted to authorized users and their guests
• $300 annual travel credit
• Travel insurances like trip cancellation/interruption insurance, baggage delay insurance, etc.
• Points redeemable through Chase Ultimate Rewards portal for 50% more value per point
• $550 annual fee
• Lower rewards value for merchandise

Who should apply : Anyone who wants airport lounge access but would also like to earn travel points should apply for this card. Existing Chase cardholders, who already have the Chase Freedom Unlimited® and the Chase Freedom Flex℠ should also think about applying, to maximize their cards when they use them in tandem with the Chase Sapphire Reserve.

Who should skip : If you don’t travel multiple times a year, you should look elsewhere. You will find it difficult to maximize rewards and justify the card’s annual fee.

United Club Infinite Card: Best for frequent flyers

Why we picked it : Due to its complimentary United Club membership (worth $650) the United Club℠ Infinite Card provides entrance to more than 45 United Club locations, five United Polaris lounges, partner lounges and participating Star Alliance lounges, which number more than 1,000.

It also has one of the highest return rates on purchases for any airline lounge credit card – you get 4 MileagePlus points per dollar on United purchases like tickets, Wi-Fi and in-flight food. You’ll also earn 2X miles on all other travel, 2X miles on dining (including eligible delivery services ) and 1X mile on all other purchases.

• 4X miles on United purchases plus 25% back in statement credits on those purchases
• First and second checked bags free for you and one traveling companion
• Up to $100 as a statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck every four years
• Good rewards rate on non-United travel
• $525 annual fee
• Lacks any annual travel credits

Who should apply : Current United Airlines enthusiasts should definitely apply for this card to earn a solid amount of MileagePlus miles . Frequent flyers for work, who don’t need a well-rounded travel card, will enjoy the United Club Infinite Card as well.

Who should skip : Cardholders who travel but don’t fly often, like road-trip lovers, shouldn’t apply. If you’d prefer to earn points over miles , you should also look at other cards.

• Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card: Best for occasional loungers

Why we picked it : Though not as lavish as the Priority Pass Select membership, the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card gives cardholders 10 free Priority Pass lounge passes per year. Nevertheless, you still have access to the over 1,300 Priority Pass locations around the globe.

The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass card also gives bountiful rewards, like 12X points on select Hilton properties, 6X points on U.S. restaurants, U.S. supermarkets and U.S. gas stations and 3X points on general purchases.

• $95 annual fee
• 130,000 points plus a Free Night Reward after spending $2,000 in three months
• Annual bonus of a free weekend night if you spend $15,000 in a year
• Card grants automatic Hilton Honors gold status
• Hilton points estimated at 0.5 cents per point
• Expensive and confusing seasonal chart
• Points best redeemed only on hotel stays

Who should apply : If you love to travel but do it sporadically, this card is perfect for you.

Who should skip : Business travelers and globetrotters should skip this one ­– you will find the 10 Priority Pass passes per year restrictive.

• Comparing the best credit cards for lounge access

Which cards offer Priority Pass Select memberships and which ones give access to independent lounges? Don’t worry – we compile all our best picks in this table to see how they compete directly.

• How to choose the best credit card for lounge access for you

Of course, these are not the only cards on the market that offer airport lounge access. Nevertheless, how does one go about choosing the best credit card to suit one’s own spending and travel habits? Contemplate the following factors while you shop around for the best credit card for lounge access for you.

• Points or miles? Most travel cards provide rewards in either points or miles. Points, can be quite versatile, especially if you’re part of a major loyalty program like Chase Ultimate Rewards or American Express Membership Rewards . Airline credit cards usually earn miles, which may be redeemed as flights or by transferring to the airline’s (not necessarily other airline) partners. Either way, try to establish which rewards system you’d prefer when choosing a card.
• Which lounge network is close to you? For cards with lounge access, we should really talk about the lounge networks. If you’re a frequent flyer, think about which airports you regularly fly to and make sure the card you apply for has a lounge location there. If not, what’s the point of getting a card with lounge access?
• Is the annual fee worth it? Of course, an annual fee with three digits can seem outrageous. However, if you maximize the card’s rewards, bonuses and benefits properly, you’ll find they more than make up for the initial cost. Just make sure the card you apply for fits your lifestyle to make the maximizing an easier task.

Bottom line

Any one of the cards above would be perfectly serviceable for lounge access at any level, whether it’s the industry-leading Amex Platinum, which has the most lounges in its network of any card on the market; the United Club Infinite card, with access to the most lounges of any U.S. airline; or the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass card with its 10 lounge passes a year to give cardholders a taste of the high life every so often.

Each one is a key to a less stressful travel experience wherever you find yourself. You really can’t go wrong applying for any of them.

*All information about the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card and the United MileagePlus Club Card has been collected independently by  CreditCards.com  and has not been reviewed or approved by the issuer.

Editorial Disclaimer

The editorial content on this page is based solely on the objective assessment of our writers and is not driven by advertising dollars. It has not been provided or commissioned by the credit card issuers. However, we may receive compensation when you click on links to products from our partners.

Aaron Broverman has been covering personal finance for over a decade for Creditcards.com starting with its former sister site Creditcards.com Canada. His personal finance work has also appeared on Yahoo, Money Under 30 and Bankrate.

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Find the best credit card for you

These credit cards make flying easier by including lounge access and credits for expedited airport security, air travel is back and as busy as ever. here's how to make your airport experience easier..

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Visit  americanexpress.com  to learn more.

It's been a rough year for domestic and international travelers. Marred by issues related to understaffing, many airlines have found themselves in a precarious position — in this case, not having enough planes and crew members to accommodate so many travelers — leading to lots and lots of flight cancellations.

Needless to say, it's been a stressful time for those who have had to fly. And as demand for travel remains strong, it's predicted that this will be a long-standing issue.

Thankfully, there are a few ways to make your next trip to the airport a little bit easier, especially if you have the right credit card .

Whether you're a frequent flyer or you simply want to make your upcoming flight less of a headache, these seven credit cards are worth considering, as they each include complimentary lounge access and statement credits toward expedited airport security to make your next travel experience less stressful.

Best credit cards for lounge access and expedited security

The platinum card® from american express, delta skymiles® reserve american express card.

• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card (see rates & fees )
• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card (see rates and fees )

United Club℠ Infinite Card

Chase sapphire reserve®, citi® / aadvantage® executive world elite mastercard®, statement credits for expedited airport security.

Before you hit the airport lounge, you'll need to get through a potentially long security line. While wait times are completely out of your control, there are a few expedited security clearance programs you can enroll in to hopefully shorten your time in line.

• TSA PreCheck®: Issued by the Transportation Security Administration, this is the cheapest option if you want to get through security lines at U.S. airports faster. $78 gets you five years of membership.
• Global Entry: Issued by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, I find Global Entry to be the most sensible option for most travelers, especially as it comes with all the same TSA PreCheck benefits built in. With Global Entry, you can also clear customs much quicker when arriving back to the U.S. It costs $100 for five years of membership.
• CLEAR: As its own standalone product, CLEAR provides quicker clearance through security thanks to biometric technology. By simply scanning your boarding pass and either using your eyes or fingerprints as your method of personal identification, you will be escorted to the front of the general security line, or to the front of the TSA PreCheck line if you're also enrolled in the program. CLEAR membership costs $189 per year.

With each of the credit cards mentioned below, you can enroll in one or more of these expedited security programs, then receive statement credits to cover your membership with either TSA PreCheck®, Global Entry , CLEAR or a combination of them, depending on the card.

Using credit cards to score airport lounge access

Airport lounges aren't only for travelers who fly in business or first class. There are many travel rewards credit cards offering airport lounge access just for being a card member.

Lounges provide a number of benefits to travelers, and they're especially worthwhile for those who hope to avoid large crowds in the airport terminal while waiting to board their flight. Many lounges also offer complimentary food and beverages to their guests, so visiting one is an easy way to save money instead of having to purchase expensive airport food. Some even offer unique amenities like cycling rooms, showers and complimentary massages .

Another good thing is nearly all major airports have at least one lounge, if not more. Throughout my own travels, I've found airport lounges to be an excellent way to escape noisy and crowded airport terminals .

Without further ado, here's a look at seven credit cards that include airport lounge access as well as statement credits toward membership with the aforementioned expedited security programs.

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, 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel, 1X points on all other eligible purchases

Welcome bonus

Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card®, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.

Regular APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Balance transfer fee

Foreign transaction fee, credit needed.

Excellent/Good

See rates and fees , terms apply.

Read our The Platinum Card® from American Express review .

With The Platinum Card® from American Express , cardmembers and two guests can enjoy access to more than 1,300 Priority Pass lounges across 148 countries, as well as American Express Centurion℠ lounges in the U.S. and abroad, Delta Sky Club® lounges, Escape Lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges and Air Space lounges.

It's worth noting that in order to enter a Delta Sky Club® lounge, you must be flying with Delta or one of its airline partners. Also, starting Feb. 1, 2023 cardholders will have to pay $50 per guest entering a Centurion lounge ($30 per child ages 2–17), although you can qualify for two complimentary guest passes per visit after you spend at least $75,000 on your card within a calendar year. For more information, visit the American Express Global Lounge Collection℠ website .

As for expedited security, cardholders can receive up to $189 each year in statement credits by using The Platinum Card from American Express to pay for their CLEAR® Plus membership (subject to auto-renewal) , as well as a $100 fee credit for Global Entry every 4 years or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® ( through a TSA official enrollment provider ) application fee. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost. The card also comes with an up to $200 annual  airline fee credit that you can use toward incidentals like checked baggage fees, seat selection fees, change fees and more.

Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.

Earn 60,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $5,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

20.99% - 29.99% variable

Foreign transaction fees

Credit needed.

The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is a solid choice for those seeking lounge access, especially if you fly with Delta Airlines regularly. You'll receive access to American Express Centurion℠ lounges when you book Delta flights with your Reserve card, as well as access to Delta Sky Club® lounges Reserve Card Members will receive four Delta Sky Club One-Time Guest Passes each year. After that, you may bring up to two guests at a per-visit rate of $50 per person, per location. Effective 2/1/25, Reserve Card Members will receive 15 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of Visits each year starting on 2/1/25, the total eligible purchases on the Card must equal $75,000 or more between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and each calendar year thereafter.

The card also provides a statement credit every 4 years after you apply for Global Entry ($100) or a statement credit every 4.5 years after you apply for a five-year membership through any TSA Precheck official enrollment provider (up to $85) when you pay the application fee with an eligible Card. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.

Other air travel-related perks include a first checked bag free, priority boarding and complimentary seat upgrades when you fly Delta.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

10 Miles on hotels per dollar and rental cars, 5 Miles per dollar on flights when booked via Capital One Travel; unlimited 2X miles on all other eligible purchases

Earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening

19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)

$0 at the Transfer APR, 4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer to you

See rates and fees . Terms apply.

Read our Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card review.

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is another great card option for travelers looking to escape the airport terminal. Capital One recently announced Capital One Landing , a culinary-focused alternative to the traditional airport lounge coming soon to New York's LaGuardia Airport (LGA) and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). Details are still slim, but it's expected that cardholders will receive special perks.

The card also provides a statement credit of up to $100 every four years when you use it to pay for your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® membership.

Capital One Ventures Rewards Credit Card

Capital one venture rewards credit card.

5 Miles per dollar on hotel and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 2X miles per dollar on every other purchase

Earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening

N/A for purchases and balance transfers

19.99% - 29.99% variable

$0 at the Transfer APR, 4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer to you

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a great option for those who aren't exactly frequent flyers because you can earn unlimited 2X miles on every dollar spent. You also earn 5X miles per dollar on hotel and rental cars booked through  Capital One Travel  as well as up to a $100 credit for   Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®  application fee every four years.

Earn 4 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases, 2 miles per $1 spent on all other travel and dining, and 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases

Earn 80,000 bonus miles after qualifying purchases

21.99% - 28.99% Variable

5%, minimum $5

Member FDIC. Terms apply.

Those who fly with United Airlines will enjoy complimentary United Club membership, worth a value of $650 per year, as a perk of having the United Club℠ Infinite Card . This gives you and up to two guests access to United Club and affiliated Star Alliance lounges worldwide when traveling with the airline or one of its partners. or a partner airline.

The card also provides a statement credit of up to $100 every four years to cover your membership with Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS , an expedited security program for those traveling between the U.S. and Canada.

Other perks include complimentary first and second checked bags when you fly with United, 25% back on in-flight purchases and priority check-in, boarding and baggage handling.

Earn 5X total points on flights and 10X total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3X points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases plus, 10X points on Lyft rides through March 2025

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

22.49% - 29.49% variable

Terms apply.

Read our Chase Sapphire Reserve® review.

Chase Sapphire Reserve® cardholders will have access to more than 1,300 airport lounges across 148 countries once they enroll for free through Priority Pass. You can bring up to two guests for free.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve also provides a statement credit of up to $100 every four years to reimburse you for your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® enrollment fee.

10X AAdvantage® miles per dollar spent on eligible rental cars through aa.com/cars, 10X AAdvantage® miles per dollar spent on eligible hotels through aa.com/hotels, 4X AAdvantage® miles per dollar spent on eligible American Airlines purchases and 1X AAdvantage® miles per dollar spent on all other purchases.

Earn 70,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $7,000 within the first 3 months of account opening.

21.24% - 29.99% variable

Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer

Good/Excellent

The Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard is ideal for American Airlines flyers as it comes with a full Admirals Club membership, worth a value of $650 per year. You're allowed to bring up to two guests for free but you can add up to ten authorized users to the card for free and they each get their own memberships as well.

The card also provides a statement credit of up to $100 every five years to cover your membership with Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®.

When flying American Airlines, you'll also enjoy a first checked bag free, priority check-in, early boarding and 25% savings on inflight food and beverage purchases.

Bottom line

Americans are eager to get back on the road after the pandemic-related restrictions, but it's not coming without several issues. However, with one of these cards listed above, you can not only earn a solid welcome bonus to earn rewards for traveling — but also avoid the pains of long security lines and noisy airports with the benefits of each card above.

Money matters — so make the most of it. Get expert tips, strategies, news and everything else you need to maximize your money, right to your inbox.  Sign up here .

Why trust CNBC Select?

At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every credit card review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of credit card products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics. See  our methodology  for more information on how we choose the best travel credit cards.

Catch up on CNBC Select's in-depth coverage of  credit cards ,  banking  and  money , and follow us on  TikTok ,  Facebook ,  Instagram  and  Twitter  to stay up to date.

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, click  here .

For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, click  here .

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FinanceBuzz

10 Ways to Get Easy Airport Lounge Access, According to an Expert

Posted: January 25, 2024 | Last updated: January 25, 2024

You can completely upgrade your airport experience by passing the time in an amazing airport lounge.

We’re talking about opportunities to sit and relax away from busy waiting areas while enjoying free food and beverages. Even better, getting in doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg.

For over a decade, I’ve been using credit card benefits as one of my travel planning secrets to get to some destinations nearly free of charge. Here are some simple ways you can boost your airport experience, too.

Earn Points and Miles: Find the best travel credit card for nearly free travel

Use a credit card with lounge access

One of the easiest ways to get lounge access is having a credit card that provides an airport lounge benefit.

In many cases, that’s your key to gaining access to a network of over a thousand airport lounges worldwide. And you often don’t have to do much more than qualify for a specific credit card and enroll in the lounge benefit.

Many top travel credit cards  also provide airport lounge access as a benefit.

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Become an authorized user

If you don’t currently qualify for a credit card with airport lounge access, that doesn’t have to be the end of your airport lounge story.

It’s possible to have a friend or family member add you as an authorized user on one of their credit cards that provides lounge access. Depending on the card, this might cost you a fee each year.

But you typically receive your own physical credit card and don’t have to be with the primary cardholder to access applicable airport lounges. So you can travel on your own and still enjoy lounge access benefits.

Enter as a guest

If you typically travel with a friend or family member with a premium travel card, you can enter airport lounges with them as a guest.

Access depends on the card, but many premium travel credit cards provide free access for a certain number of guests. Sometimes, you might have to pay a discounted rate to enter as a guest.

Grow Your $$: 11 brilliant ways to build wealth after 40

Consider a third-party lounge membership

You can join a third-party lounge program like Priority Pass or DragonPass that will give you access to its worldwide network.

These types of memberships could cost upwards of a few hundred dollars annually, but you typically have multiple plan options depending on how often you travel. 

For example, you might consider a cheaper plan if you only think you’ll visit lounges a few times per year.

Buy an airline lounge membership

Apart from third-party lounge memberships, you can also purchase lounge memberships directly from airline loyalty programs.

For example, you can purchase a Delta Sky Club membership if you’re a Delta SkyMiles Medallion Member. The membership would give you access to over 50 Delta Sky Club locations.

You can typically use cash or miles to purchase an airline lounge membership. Using miles for a membership might not give you the best redemption rate (redeeming miles for travel is often better), but it could help if you're flush with airline miles and don’t want to spend extra.

Buy a day pass

Many airport lounges offer the option to pay for a one-time pass to enter, allowing you to enjoy a lounge without having a particular credit card, membership, or other access.

Note that you have to research individual lounges to see if they allow one-time entries and how much they might cost. Whether paying for a day pass is worth it depends on how much you’re willing to spend if you have a long layover and what amenities the lounge offers.

For instance, if you’re about to spend $30 on airport food anyway, it might be worth spending $35 to get into a lounge that offers unlimited food and beverages.

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Fly premium class

Business and first-class travelers enjoy excellent in-flight amenities, often including more legroom and better service. These premium fares can also grant them complimentary access to specific airport lounges.

If you plan on booking a premium ticket, consider whether you receive airport lounge access at your departure airport. You can check with the airline operating your flight to see if your ticket provides any lounge benefits.

Search for lounge access with LoungeBuddy

You can book one-time lounge passes to specific lounges using the LoungeBuddy mobile app.

The app is an easy way to see how much it might cost to access specific lounges and take care of your lounge access before you even get to the airport.

LoungeBuddy can be a great way to research what lounges and amenities are available at airports worldwide, especially if you already have access to specific lounge networks with credit cards or memberships.

Earn elite status

Earning a high elite status tier with specific airline loyalty programs could provide you with a certain level of airport lounge access.

For example, qualifying AAdvantage Executive Platinum, AAdvantage Platinum Pro, and AAdvantage Platinum members can access Admirals Clubs on flights between the U.S. and Asia, Australia, Europe, South America, and many other regions of the world.

If you fly a lot with a particular airline, it is worth looking into what airport lounge benefits are available if you earn a certain elite status.

9 nearly secret things to do if you fly Southwest

Take advantage of your military status

Many airport lounge networks offer complimentary access to active duty, uniformed military members.

Of course, the rules can vary by lounge, and your actual experience with entering specific lounges can vary depending on the employee(s) there that day.

But, in any case, active duty members can often access both Admirals Clubs and United Clubs. Military members and their spouses can often get annual fees waived on several travel credit cards. 

For military personnel, accessing different lounge networks through credit card benefits is possible if you’re an eligible military service member or spouse.

Bottom line

Getting into airport lounges is easy if you plan ahead and follow tips to secure your lounge access.

And with the right credit card benefits, you don’t have to worry about paying to enter incredible lounges.

If you’re just starting with rewards cards, check out the top credit cards to find the right fit.

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The best credit cards for airport lounge access in Canada for 2024

Choose from a solid selection of credit cards that feature airport lounge access as part of their perks.

6 annual passes to over 1,200 lounges globally. Plus pay no forex fees when abroad. Get $25 gift card upon approval with Ratehub.ca.

4 annual passes to 1,300 lounges globally. Plus get a $50 cash bonus upon approval with Ratehub.ca.

Unlimited access to over 1,300 lounges globally (including premium centurion lounges). Plus get a $200 annual travel credit.

MoneySense is an award-winning magazine, helping Canadians navigate money matters since 1999. Our editorial team of trained journalists works closely with leading personal finance experts in Canada. To help you find the best financial products, we compare the offerings from over 12 major institutions, including banks, credit unions and card issuers.  Learn more about our advertising and trusted partners .

By Sandra MacGregor on April 2, 2024 Estimated reading time: 13 minutes

Airport lounge access can transform an otherwise gruelling layover into a relaxing respite. Lounges may offer free snacks and drinks (including complimentary alcoholic beverages), free Wi-Fi, plentiful comfortable seating, dedicated work areas, showers, sleep pods and even spa services. It’s little wonder, then, that for many frequent fliers, lounge access is an especially coveted credit card feature. Let’s look at the lounge access cards that currently top the category in Canada.

MoneySense tip

Credit cards with airport lounge access come with an annual fee, but these fees vary significantly between cards. When searching for the perfect card, don’t get caught up on the fee alone. Knowing how much you fly in an average year, and what other travel perks you plan to make use of, will help you determine which card offers the most value.

—MoneySense editors

Best overall airport lounge access credit card

At a glance: With six complimentary airport lounge visits a year, the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card offers the most free visits among credit cards in a comparable fee range. For that reason alone, the card pays for itself. Adding to its travel-friendly allure is the fact that it’s one of the few cards in Canada that doesn’t charge a foreign transaction (FX) fee . Other cards typically charge 2.5% on purchases made in a foreign currency.

Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite

• Annual fee: $150 (waived for the first year)
• Earn rate : 3 Scene+ points per $1 spent at Sobeys stores; 2 points per $1 on groceries, dining, entertainment and transit; 1 point per $1 on everything else. Plus, pay no FX fees
• Welcome offer: earn up to $1,300 in value in the first 12 months, including up to 40,000 bonus Scene+ points and first year annual fee waived. Offer ends July 1, 2024.
• Annual income requirement: Personal income of $60,000 or household income of $100,000
• Point value: 1 Scene+ point = $0.01 when redeemed for travel, store purchases and food and drink at Cineplex and Scene partners
• Recommended credit score   for approval : 700 or higher
• Interest rates: 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on cash advances, 22.99% on balance transfers
• Receive complimentary Visa Airport Companion Program membership, which includes six free lounge visits per year, the most free visits of any travel credit card in a similar fee range.
• No foreign transaction fees on purchases made in non-Canadian currency. 
• It’s one of the few cards that don’t make you book travel through a proprietary booking site in order to redeem points. While you can book with Scene+ Travel, you can also book travel online or with any travel agency and still redeem Scene+ points to cover the cost of your trip.
• The highest earn rate of 3 Scene+ points is only available at a few grocery retailers.
• No mobile device insurance coverage.
• Scene+ points have a lower value when redeemed for gift cards or merchandise than when used for grocery purchases and travel.

Best luxury airport lounge access card

At a glance: For Aeroplan points collectors who want an elevated airport experience, the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege credit card can be a great travel companion. It’s packed with travel benefits like unlimited free access for you and a guest to Maple Leaf Lounges throughout North America.

TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege

• Annual fee: $599
• Rewards: 2 Aeroplan points per $1 on direct purchases with Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations, 1.5 Aeroplan points per $1 on eligible gas, grocery, travel and dining purchases, 1.25 points per $1 spent everywhere else
• Welcome bonus: You can earn a welcome bonus of 20,000 Aeroplan points when you make your first purchase with your new card; Earn an additional 40,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $10,000 within 180 days of Account opening. Conditions apply. Account must be approved by June 3, 2024.
• Annual income requirement: Personal income of $150,000 or household income of $200,000
• Point value: Aeroplan points are worth $0.02 on average
• Anniversary bonus:  Plus, as an anniversary bonus, earn 25,000 Aeroplan points when you spend at least $15,000 within 12 months of opening the account. Conditions apply.
• Interest rates: 20.99% on purchases, 22.99% on balance transfers, 22.99% on cash advances
• Other perks: Access to Maple Leaf Lounges; Nexus fee rebate of up to $100 every two years; priority check-in; priority baggage handling; priority boarding; priority airport standby; priority upgrades; access a yearly round-trip companion pass from $99 (plus taxes, fees, charges and surcharges)

The card also comes with a complimentary membership in the Visa Airport Companion Program and includes six lounge visits, usable at over 1,200 airport lounges worldwide. You’ll really feel like a VIP at the airport with other perks like priority check-in, boarding and baggage handling, and you’ll get peace of mind with an extensive suite of travel insurance .

• Includes unlimited access to Maple Leaf Lounges for you and a guest and six free visits per year to DragonPass partner lounges.
• Take advantage of a Nexus fee rebate of up to $100 every two years.
• Comes packed with generous travel-friendly perks like priority boarding and upgrades, as well as a companion pass.
• The included travel insurance is robust—with coverage for the first 31 days of your trip if you are under 65, as opposed to the more common 15-21 days. You also get flight delay/ trip cancellation coverage, common carrier and rental car accident insurance.
• To qualify, you’ll need a high personal or household income.
• Even for a premium card with tons of perks, the annual fee is high, at $599.
• Many of the travel benefits (like priority check-in and priority boarding) only apply to flights operated by Air Canada.

Best airport lounge access card for frequent travellers

At a glance: It’s one of the most expensive premium credit cards in Canada, but the $799 annual fee gets you access to the most comprehensive and amenity-laden selection of airport lounges worldwide, including top-tier American Express Centurion Lounges. Depending on the lounge, cardholders may have an unlimited number of free visits and can also bring one companion with them at no additional cost. Cardholders can also take advantage of a yearly $200 travel credit, which essentially brings the cost of the card down to $599 as long as you make a point of using the credit.

American Express Platinum

• Annual fee: $799
• Rewards: 2 points per $1 on dining and food delivery; 2 points per $1 on travel, plus 1 additional point on purchases booked through Amex Travel Online; 1 point per $1 on everything else.
• Welcome bonus: You can earn up to 100,000 rewards points ($1,000 value). Conditions apply.
• Annual income requirement: None
• Point value: 1 Amex Membership Rewards point = $0.01 when redeemed with the Flexible Points Travel Program, $0.015 on average with the Fixed Points Travel Program, and up to $0.02 with airline points transfers
• Recommended credit score: 760 or higher
• Interest rates: N/A (as a charge card, you’re required to pay off your balance in full every month)
• The card gives you access to The American Express Global Lounge Collection, which is the largest airport lounge collection available, featuring more than 1,300 lounges in over 140 countries. Lounges include American Express Centurion Lounges, Plaza Premium and Delta Sky lounges. 
• Get a $200 credit that can be redeemed towards a travel purchase made via American Express Travel Online.
• When staying at eligible Fine Hotels + Resorts, enjoy extras like guaranteed late check-out and complimentary daily breakfast for two.
• Comes with one of the highest annual fees in Canada.
• The travel medical insurance is somewhat lacklustre for such a high annual fee—it only covers you for up to 15 consecutive days (other cards offer 20 days or more) and doesn’t offer any insurance to those who are 65 or older.
• American Express isn’t as widely accepted by retailers in Canada as Visa and Mastercard.

Best airport lounge access card for occasional travel

At a glance: If you find yourself in an airport even just a few times a year, you’ll appreciate that the BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard offers free membership in the Mastercard Travel Pass program provided by DragonPass, plus four free passes a year. BMO also has one of the most flexible redemption programs in the country, so you can redeem your points to cover eligible travel purchases like flights, hotels and car rentals no matter what travel provider you booked with.

BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard

• Earn rates: 5 points per $1 spent on eligible travel purchases; 3 points per $1 on dining, entertainment, and recurring bill payments; 1 point per $1 on everything else
• Welcome bonus: You can earn up to 100,000 points and the annual fee waived in the first year for both the primary cardholder and authorized users.
• Annual income requirement: Personal income of $80,000 or household income of $150,000
• Points values: 1 BMO Rewards point = $0.0067 when redeemed for travel
• Interest rates: 20.99% on purchases, 23.99% on cash advances, 23.99% on balance transfers
• Comes with free membership in the Mastercard Travel Pass program provided by DragonPass, as well as four free passes a year. 
• Solid selection of travel insurance that includes travel medical, trip cancellation/trip interruption insurance, and delayed and lost baggage insurance.
• BMO Rewards has one of the most flexible redemption programs in the country, and you can redeem points for travel purchases without buying from a specific provider. 
• To qualify, you’ll need an annual personal income of $80,000 or a household income of $150,000.
• The card’s base earn rate of 1 BMO point per dollar comes out to a return of 0.67%, which is considerably lower than 1 % return offered by most comparable cards on generic purchases that don’t fall under a bonus category

Best airport lounge access card for travelling to the U.S.

At a glance: If you frequently cross the border to the U.S. for vacations, work trips or family visits, consider the CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite. The card includes membership in the Visa Airport Companion Program and also gives you four free lounge visits a year. Every four years, you get a statement credit of up to $100 towards a Nexus application fee.

CIBC Aventura Visa Infinite

• Annual fee: $139 (rebated for first year)
• Rewards: 2 points per $1 spent on travel through the CIBC Rewards Centre; 1.5 points per $1 on gas, groceries and drugstores; 1 point per $1 on everything else
• Welcome bonus: You can earn up to $1,500 in value including a first year annual fee rebate.
• Point value: 1 point= $0.01 on average
• Perks: Visa Airport Companion Program membership with four lounge visits a year; Nexus card fee rebate ($100 value, every 4 years); out-of-province emergency travel medical insurance; flight delay and baggage insurance; purchase protection and mobile device insurance; use Journie awards to save on gas
• Includes a free membership to the Visa Airport Companion Program managed by DragonPass, as well as four free lounge visits per year.
• Flexible rewards program that allows you to redeem points for travel, merchandise, gift cards, mortgage payments and more.
• Save up to 10 cents/litre on gas at eligible gas stations if you link your card with Journie Rewards, a loyalty program that helps you earn points at Pioneer, Fasgas, Ultramar and Chevron gas stations.
• To get the highest earn rate of 2 points for every $1 spent, you must make a travel purchase via the CIBC Rewards Centre.
• The value of points decreases when they’re not used for travel.
• There is an $80,000 cap on the 1.5-point earn rate, after which you’ll only get 1 point per $1 spent on groceries, gas and drugstore purchases.

Our methodology: How we determine the best cards

The MoneySense editorial team selects the best credit cards by assessing the value they provide to Canadians across various categories. Our best credit cards for airport lounge access ranking is based on an extensive list of card details and features—with a focus on those that matter to air travellers—including the number of airport lounge visits, annual fees, interest rates, welcome offers, rewards earn rates and redemption options, annual income requirements and perks. We have also considered the pros and cons of each card to help you determine which ones best suit your financial needs. Our rankings are an unbiased source of information for Canadians. The addition of links from affiliate partners has no bearing on the results. Read more about how MoneySense makes money .

Airport lounge access programs in Canada

How to get free access to airport lounges in canada.

Several travel credit cards offer access to airport lounges for cardholders. Depending on the credit card, you can get a certain number of lounge visits every year in specific countries around the world. If you want to get free unlimited access to airport lounges, consider a credit card like the American Express Platinum Card which includes the American Express Global Lounge Collection. The card comes with a fairly large annual fee, like most credit cards with airport lounge access, but the card’s rewards and benefits may outweigh the fee if you are a frequent flier and value the ability to visit airport lounges when you’re traveling.

DragonPass vs. Priority Pass: Which should you choose?

DragonPass and Priority Pass are third-party lounge access membership providers. Up until 2022, Priority Pass was the primary partner for most Mastercard and Visa airport lounge programs. However, DragonPass has become the partner of choice for most credit card lounge access programs for cards like the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege and the Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite . You can still access the Priority Pass program with the American Express Platinum Card , however.

Frequently asked questions

Several different credit cards give you access to airport lounges. Select Mastercards provide membership to the Mastercard Travel Pass program, and some Visa cards offer membership to the Visa Airport Companion Program . Both Visa’s and Mastercard’s airport lounge programs are provided by DragonPass, which features access to over 1,200 lounges worldwide. The American Express Platinum card gives cardholders access to The American Express Global Lounge Collection, the largest lounge collection available.

As airport lounge access is an especially desirable perk, credit card providers generally make it obvious on their websites if they offer airport lounge access. Often, this perk is listed under “travel benefits.” The best way to make sure is to contact your provider directly and ask if it provides airport lounge access, and if any free visits are included. Note that some credit card providers give a free membership to a lounge program but don’t include any free visits. Lounge visits can cost upwards of USD$32 each, even with a membership.

More of Canada’s best  credit cards :

• Canada’s best credit cards
• Canada’s best instant approval credit cards
• Canada’s best no fee credit cards
• Canada’s best credit cards for people with bad credit
• Canada’s best travel credit cards
• Canada’s best cash back credit cards

What does the * mean?

Affiliate (monetized) links can sometimes result in a payment to MoneySense (owned by Ratehub Inc.), which helps our website stay free to our users. If a link has an asterisk (*) or is labelled as “Featured,” it is an affiliate link. If a link is labelled as “Sponsored,” it is a paid placement, which may or may not have an affiliate link. Our editorial content will never be influenced by these links. We are committed to looking at all available products in the market. Where a product ranks in our article, and whether or not it’s included in the first place, is never driven by compensation. For more details, read our MoneySense Monetization policy.

Table of contents

• The best cards – at a glance
• The best airport lounge cards per category
• About airport lounge programs

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About Sandra MacGregor

Best credit cards for travel insurance in 2024

Travel insurance benefits offered through credit cards can include trip cancellation and interruption insurance, travel delay coverage and lost luggage reimbursement. You must pay for travel with a common carrier with your respective card for complimentary travel insurance benefits to apply. While credit cards with travel insurance can help protect your trip, they come up short when it comes to protection for emergency medical expenses.

Our top recommendations

• card_name : Best travel insurance benefits overall.
• card_name : Best travel insurance benefits, runner-up.
• card_name : Best for premium benefits.
• card_name : Best for luxury travel.
• card_name : Best for food spending.
• card_name : Best for flat-rate rewards.
• card_name : Best with no annual fee.
• card_name : Best airline credit card for travel insurance.
• card_name : Best for Marriott Bonvoy.
• Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card : Best for Hilton Honors.

card_name : Best travel insurance benefits overall

Chase sapphire reserve®, why we like it.

• Chase Ultimate Rewards points transfer to airlines and hotels.
• Get 50% more value for travel booked through Chase.
• Comes with $300 travel credit each year.
• Includes airport lounge access.
• No foreign transaction fees.
• Comes with generous travel insurance benefits.
• annual_fees annual fee.
• High variable APR.
• Requires very good or excellent credit.

Travel insurance benefits:

• Trip cancellation coverage worth up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip.
• Trip interruption coverage worth up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip.
• Trip delay coverage worth up to $500 per ticket (six-hour delay required).
• Baggage delay coverage worth up to $100 per day for five days.
• Lost luggage reimbursement worth up to $3,000 per passenger.
• Travel accident insurance worth up to $1 million.
• Primary rental car coverage worth up to $75,000.
• Emergency medical and dental benefits worth up to $2,500 when you're at least 100 miles from home.
• Emergency evacuation coverage worth up to $100,000.

The card_name Card has the best selection of travel insurance benefits of any credit card on the market today by far. Its coverage is broad and rewarding with included benefits for medical expenses and emergency evacuation you don't see from other travel credit cards.

This card also earns valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points that can be redeemed for cash back, gift cards, merchandise or travel through Chase with 50% more value. Points also transfer 1:1 to airline and hotel partners like British Airways, Southwest Rapid Rewards, United MileagePlus and World of Hyatt.

card_name : Best travel insurance benefits, runner-up

Chase sapphire preferred® card.

• Points transfer 1:1 to Chase airline and hotel partners.
• Get 25% more value for points when booking travel through Chase.
• Other flexible rewards options.
• Excellent earning rate for everyday purchases.
• Comes with a $50 annual hotel stay credit.
• Requires very good to excellent credit.
• No luxury travel benefits.
• Trip interruption insurance worth up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip.
• Trip delay insurance worth up to $500 per ticket (12-hour delay required).
• Baggage delay insurance worth up to $100 per day for five days.
• Travel accident insurance worth up to $500,000.
• Primary rental car insurance worth up to the actual cash value of the car.

The card_name offers similar travel insurance protections as the Reserve, but with fewer benefits and some lower coverage limits. However, the annual fee on this card is just annual_fees , and users still earn valuable and flexible Chase Ultimate Rewards points.

This makes the card_name a good option for frequent travelers who want the chance to transfer their rewards to airline and hotel partners but want to keep costs down. Customers can also use their points to book travel through the Chase portal, or they can redeem for cash back, gift cards or merchandise.

card_name : Best for premium benefits

Capital one venture x rewards credit card.

• Earns flexible miles that transfer to Capital One airline and hotel partners.
• $300 annual travel credit.
• Airport lounge membership included.
• Excellent rewards rate for eligible travel purchases.
• Lower annual fee than other premium cards with airport lounge access.
• High APR if you carry a balance.
• Excellent credit required.
• Trip cancellation coverage worth up to $2,000 per person.
• Trip interruption coverage worth up to $2,000 per person.
• Lost luggage reimbursement worth up to $3,000 per covered trip ($2,000 per bag in New York).
• Trip delay insurance worth up to $500 per ticket (six-hour delay required).
• Primary auto rental coverage worth up to $75,000.

The card_name is a Visa Infinite card, so it includes a range of travel insurance protections you won't find with other cards. This flexible travel credit card also earns Capital One miles that can be used to book travel through Capital One or transferred to Capital One airline and hotel partners. Additional flexible redemption options include gift cards, statement credits, merchandise and more.

Other reasons to love this card include its $300 annual travel credit, airport lounge membership, cell phone protection and Hertz President's Circle status.

card_name : Best for luxury travel

The platinum card® from american express.

( Rates & Fees )

Insurance disclosures

• Trip Delay Insurance - Up to $500 per Covered Trip that is delayed for more than 6 hours; and 2 claims per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
• Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance - The maximum benefit amount for Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance is $10,000 per Covered Trip and $20,000 per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
• Premium Global Assist Hotline - You can rely on Global Assist Hotline 24 hours a day / 7 days a week for medical, legal, financial, or other select emergency coordination and assistance services while traveling more than 100 miles away from your home. Plus, we may provide emergency medical transportation assistance and related services. Third-party service costs may be your responsibility. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. If approved and coordinated by Premium Global Assist Hotline, emergency medical transportation assistance may be provided at no cost. In any other circumstance, Card Members may be responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.
• Cell Phone Protection - Coverage for a Stolen or damaged Eligible Cellular Wireless Telephone is subject to the terms, conditions, exclusions, and limits of liability of this benefit. The maximum liability is $800, per claim, per Eligible Card Account. Each claim is subject to a $50 deductible. Coverage is limited to two (2) claims per Eligible Card Account per 12 month period. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
• Extended Warranty – When an American Express® Card Member charges a Covered Purchase to an Eligible Card, Extended Warranty§ can provide up to one extra year added to the Original Manufacturer’s Warranty. Applies to warranties of five (5) years or less. Coverage is up to the actual amount charged to your Card for the item up to a maximum of $10,000; not to exceed $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
• Return Protection - With Return Protection, you may return eligible purchases to American Express if the seller won’t take them back up to 90 days from the date of purchase. American Express may refund the full purchase price excluding shipping and handling, up to $300 per item, up to a maximum of $1,000 per calendar year per Card account, if you purchased it entirely with your eligible American Express® Card. Purchases must be made in the U.S. or its territories. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.
• Purchase Protection - Purchase Protection is an embedded benefit of your Card Membership and requires no enrollment. It can help protect Covered Purchases made on your Eligible Card when they’re accidentally damaged, stolen, or lost, for up to 90 days from the Covered Purchase date. The coverage is limited to up to $10,000 per occurrence, up to $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year. Coverage Limits Apply. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
• Baggage Insurance Plan - Baggage Insurance Plan coverage can be in effect for Covered Persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen Baggage during their travel on a Common Carrier Vehicle (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus) when the Entire Fare for a ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an Eligible Card. Coverage can be provided for up to $2,000 for checked Baggage and up to a combined maximum of $3,000 for checked and carry-on baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the Common Carrier. The coverage is also subject to a $3,000 aggregate limit per Covered Trip. For New York State residents, there is a $2,000 per bag/suitcase limit for each Covered Person with a $10,000 aggregate maximum for all Covered Persons per Covered Trip. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.
• Car Rental Loss & Damage Insurance - Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $75,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
• Earns flexible Amex Membership Rewards points.
• $1,500+ in statement credits each year.
• Broadest airport lounge membership available today.
• Very good to excellent credit required.
• Statement credits can be difficult to use.
• Trip cancellation coverage worth up to $10,000 per trip (maximum benefit of $20,000 each 12-month period).
• Trip interruption coverage worth up to $10,000 per trip (maximum benefit of $20,000 each 12-month period).
• Trip delay coverage worth up to $500 per trip (six-hour delay required).
• Secondary rental car insurance worth up to $75,000.

‌ card_name doesn't offer as many travel insurance benefits as other premium travel credit cards on our list, but it does offer more statement credits and the broadest airport lounge membership available from a credit card. This card also earns flexible American Express Membership Rewards points that can be used for travel through Amex, point transfers to Amex airline and hotel partners, gift cards and other flexible options. Terms apply.

card_name : Best for food spending

American express® gold card.

Trip Delay Insurance - Up to $300 per Covered Trip that is delayed for more than 12 hours; and 2 claims per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period.

• Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. 
• Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. 
• Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

Global Assist Hotline - You can rely on Global Assist Hotline 24 hours a day / 7 days a week for medical, legal, financial or other select emergency coordination and assistance services while traveling more than 100 miles away from your home. Third-party service costs may be your responsibility.

• Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.
• Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.
• Card Members are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.

Extended Warranty - When an American Express® Card Member charges a Covered Purchase to an Eligible Card, Extended Warranty§ can provide up to one extra year added to the Original Manufacturer’s Warranty. Applies to warranties of five (5) years or less. Coverage is up to the actual amount charged to your Card for the item up to a maximum of $10,000; not to exceed $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year.

• Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

Purchase Protection - Purchase Protection is an embedded benefit of your Card Membership and requires no enrollment. It can help protect Covered Purchases made on your Eligible Card when they’re accidentally damaged, stolen, or lost, for up to 90 days from the Covered Purchase date. The coverage is limited up to $10,000 per occurrence, up to $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year. Coverage Limits Apply. 

Baggage Insurance Plan - Baggage Insurance Plan coverage can be in effect for Eligible Persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen Baggage during their travel on a Common Carrier (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus) when the entire fare for a Common Carrier Vehicle ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an eligible Account. Coverage can be provided for up to $1,250 for carry-on Baggage and up to $500 for checked Baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the Common Carrier (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus). For New York State residents, there is a $10,000 aggregate maximum limit for all Covered Persons per Covered Trip.

Car Rental Loss & Damage Insurance - Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $50,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply.

• Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
• Points transfer to Amex airline and hotel partners.
• Comes with up to $240 in statement credits each year.
• Generous rewards for food spending and airfare.
• High APR can apply.
• Baggage insurance plan worth up to $1,250 for carry-on bags and up to $500 for checked bags ($10,000 aggregate coverage limit for residents of New York).
• Secondary auto rental coverage worth up to $50,000 per rental agreement.
• Trip delay insurance worth up to $300 per covered trip (up to two claims allowed per 12-month period).

The card_name offers a few important travel protections, plus generous rewards for big food spenders. In addition to its impressive rewards rates for purchases at U.S. supermarkets and restaurants worldwide, this card also comes with up to $240 in credits per year that can apply to select dining purchases and Uber rides or Uber Eats food deliveries.

Cardholders with the card_name also earn American Express Membership Rewards points that are highly flexible and valuable when it comes to travel redemptions.

card_name : Best for flat-rate rewards

Capital one® venture® rewards credit card.

• Earns flexible rewards with Capital One.
• Miles transfer to Capital One airline and hotel partners.
• Excellent flat rewards rate.
• Fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership included.
• Primary auto rental coverage worth up to the actual cash value of a vehicle if you don't have your own insurance (secondary coverage if you have your own insurance)
• Lost luggage reimbursement worth up to $3,000 per trip ($2,000 per bag for New York residents)
• Travel accident insurance worth up to $250,000

The card_name offers a few travel insurance benefits that can help protect your trip. Cardholders also earn flexible Capital One miles that can be used to book travel through Capital One or transferred to airline and hotel partners. Rewards can also be used for statement credits, gift cards and other flexible options.

The annual_fees annual fee on this card makes it a steal when you consider the sign-up bonus you can earn, along with perks like a fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership.

card_name : Best with no annual fee

Chase freedom unlimited®.

• Generous cash back rate for everyday purchases.
• Comes with intro APR offer.
• Rewards points are flexible.
• Points do not transfer to Chase airline and hotel partners.
• High variable APR after intro offer.
• Charges foreign transaction fees.
• Trip cancellation coverage worth up to $1,500 per passenger and $6,000 per covered trip.
• Trip interruption coverage worth up to $1,500 per passenger and $6,000 per covered trip.
• Secondary auto rental coverage.

The card_name is an excellent choice for infrequent travelers who want protection for trip cancellation and interruption first and foremost. This card doesn't charge an annual fee, and it features incredible cash back rates in several everyday spending categories. Users even get an intro_apr_rate,intro_apr_duration and balance_transfer_intro_apr,balance_transfer_intro_duration , which can help them save on interest payments for more than a year.

card_name : Best airline credit card for travel insurance

United quest℠ card.

• Earns United miles that are redeemable for flights with United and Star Alliance partners.
• Comes with frequent flyer benefits.
• Earn PQP toward elite status.
• annual_fees annual fee applies.
• Rewards inflexibility.
• Trip cancellation coverage worth up to $1,500 per traveler and up to $6,000 per covered trip.
• Trip interruption coverage worth up to $1,500 per traveler and up to $6,000 per covered trip.
• Baggage delay insurance worth up to $100 per day for three days (six-hour delay required).
• Trip delay reimbursement worth up to $500 per ticket (12-hour delay or overnight stay required).
• Primary auto rental coverage worth up to the cash value of the vehicle.

While the card_name requires a annual_fees annual fee, this card comes with a robust selection of travel insurance benefits and frequent-flyer perks. Users also earn United miles that can be used for flights with United and partners to more than 1,200 destinations in 186 countries around the world.

This card also gives members the chance to earn PQP toward elite status with the United MileagePlus program.

card_name : Best for Marriott Bonvoy

Marriott bonvoy brilliant® american express® card.

Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance - The maximum benefit amount for Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance is $10,000 per Covered Trip and $20,000 per Eligible Card per 12 consecutive month period.

Premium Global Assist Hotline - You can rely on Global Assist Hotline 24 hours a day / 7 days a week for medical, legal, financial or other select emergency coordination and assistance services while traveling more than 100 miles away from your home. Plus, we may provide emergency medical transportation assistance and related services. Third-party service costs may be your responsibility.

• If approved and coordinated by Premium Global Assist Hotline, emergency medical transportation assistance may be provided at no cost. In any other circumstance, Card Members may be responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.

Return Protection - With Return Protection, you may return eligible purchases to American Express if the seller won't take them back up to 90 days from the date of purchase. American Express may refund the full purchase price excluding shipping and handling, up to $300 per item, up to a maximum of $1,000 per calendar year per Card account, if you purchased it entirely with your eligible American Express® Card. Purchases must be made in the U.S. or its territories.

Purchase Protection - Purchase Protection is an embedded benefit of your Card Membership and requires no enrollment. It can help protect Covered Purchases made on your Eligible Card when they’re accidentally damaged, stolen, or lost, for up to 90 days from the Covered Purchase date. The coverage is limited up to $10,000 per occurrence, up to $50,000 per Card Member account per calendar year. Coverage Limits Apply.

Baggage Insurance Plan - Baggage Insurance Plan coverage can be in effect for Covered Persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen Baggage during their travel on a Common Carrier Vehicle (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus) when the Entire Fare for a ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an Eligible Card. Coverage can be provided for up to $2,000 for checked Baggage and up to a combined maximum of $3,000 for checked and carry-on Baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the Common Carrier. The coverage is also subject to a $3,000 aggregate limit per Covered Trip. For New York State residents, there is a $2,000 per bag/suitcase limit for each Covered Person with a $10,000 aggregate maximum for all Covered Persons per Covered Trip.

Car Rental Loss & Damage Insurance - Car Rental Loss and Damage Insurance can provide coverage up to $75,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible Card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the Commercial Car Rental Company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply.

• Automatic Platinum Elite status with Marriott Bonvoy.
• Includes a range of travel benefits and statement credit offers.
• Comes with airport lounge membership.
• Generous welcome bonus and earning rates.
• Trip cancellation insurance worth up to $10,000 per covered trip and up to $20,000 per eligible card per 12-month period.
• Trip interruption insurance worth up to $10,000 per covered trip and up to $20,000 per eligible card per 12-month period.
• Trip delay insurance worth up to $500 per trip (six-hour delay required) with a maximum limit of two claims per 12-month period.
• Baggage insurance plan worth up to $2,000 for checked bags and up to $3,000 for both checked and carry-on luggage ($2,000 per bag in coverage for New York residents with aggregate limit of $10,000).

The card_name offers a suite of impressive benefits Marriott Bonvoy enthusiasts will love, including annual dining credits, automatic Platinum Elite status, and a $100 property credit. Other cardholder perks help justify the annual_fees annual fee, including Priority Pass Select membership and the credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership.

This card also includes more travel insurance benefits than many other hotel credit cards on the market today.

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card : Best for Hilton Honors

Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

• Comes with automatic Hilton Diamond status.
• Range of hotel benefits and statement credits included.
• Comes with Priority Pass Select membership.
• Free night award each year.
• Several flight benefits included.
• $550 annual fee.

The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card offers a robust selection of benefits for air travel, airports and stays with the Hilton brand. While the $550 annual fee is high, perks like airport lounge membership, annual hotel stay credits and a free night award each year can more than make up for it. The included travel insurance benefits for this card are also generous, and they can be well worth having if you need to file a claim.

Best credit cards for travel insurance 2024: Comparison

How we chose the best credit cards for travel insurance.

To find the best credit cards for travel insurance, we looked at cards based on their included insurance benefits first and foremost. We gave preference to cards that offer trip cancellation and interruption coverage, as well as insurance for lost or delayed bags and travel delays.

We also looked for credit cards that offer the most lucrative rewards structures and welcome offers, as well as flexibility within their designated rewards programs. Other factors we took into consideration include annual fees and interest rates.

Choosing the best credit card for travel insurance: Where to begin

The best credit card for travel insurance can vary from person to person, and assessing each card based on the most important factors can help you in your search. Consider the following criteria as you select a credit card for your next trip.

Travel insurance benefits

The credit cards in this ranking offer complimentary travel insurance protections, although you have to pay for travel with your card for a trip to be covered. These benefits can include trip cancellation and interruption insurance, baggage delay coverage, lost luggage reimbursement, trip delay insurance, primary auto rental coverage and more. Some cards even offer limited coverage for emergency medical expenses and emergency medical evacuation.

Annual fees

Credit cards with the most benefits tend to charge annual fees of $395 to $695. Meanwhile, there are some credit cards with travel insurance that charge $0 to $95 per year.

Either way, you'll want to make sure any annual fee you pay is worth it based on the travel insurance benefits, rewards and other perks you receive.

Travel perks and features

Decide if you want premium travel benefits like airport lounge access, expedited airport security or annual travel credits. If you do want a travel credit card with all the bells and whistles, prepare to pay several hundred dollars in annual fees each year.

Customer satisfaction rankings

You can also look at customer service rankings from different card issuers to determine the quality of customer service you'll receive. Consider the customer service scores below from J.D. Power's 2023 U.S. Credit Card Satisfaction Study , which were assigned by using responses from 31,418 credit card customers from August 2022 through June 2023.

Eligibility by credit score

Note that the majority of credit cards with travel insurance require very good or excellent credit. If you have poor credit or fair credit, you should focus on improving your credit score and financial health before you apply.

Rewards programs

Finally, consider the rewards rates for cards you're looking at and the type of rewards you'll earn. You'll find that credit cards with travel insurance can earn cash back, flexible rewards for travel, airline miles or hotel points.

What does travel insurance from a credit card cover?

Credit cards with travel insurance can offer different protections with their own unique coverage limits and policy limitations. The most common types of travel insurance you can get with a credit card include:

• Trip cancellation coverage : This coverage can reimburse you for prepaid travel expenses when you must cancel a trip for a covered reason like the death of an immediate family member or a sudden illness.
• Trip interruption coverage : Interruption insurance can reimburse you for prepaid travel expenses when a trip must be interrupted for a covered reason, such as falling ill during your vacation.
• T rip delay coverage : This coverage can pay for sudden hotel bills or meals when a trip is delayed by at least six or 12 hours or a delay forces an overnight stay.
• Baggage delay insurance : Baggage delay coverage can pay for clothing, toiletries and other essentials when your bags are delayed by at least six or 12 hours.
• Lost luggage reimbursement : Insurance for lost luggage can reimburse you for your baggage and belongings when your luggage is lost in transit while in the care of a common carrier.
• Rental car coverage : This protection can be primary or secondary to your own insurance, and policy limits apply.
• Medical and dental expense coverage : This protection can pay for emergency medical and dental expenses you incur when traveling away from home.
• Medical evacuation coverage : This type of travel insurance can pay for transportation in a helicopter, an ambulance or a plane when you must be medically transported due to a health emergency.
• Travel accident insurance : This coverage can kick in if you lose your life or are accidentally dismembered during a covered trip.

Pros and cons of credit card travel insurance

Credit card travel insurance comes with its share of benefits that cannot be denied, but there are downsides that come with relying on a credit card for travel insurance protection as well.

Consider these pros and cons:

Pros of credit card travel insurance

• Complimentary coverage : The biggest upside of credit card travel insurance is the fact it's offered for free. You just have to pay for travel with your credit card (or your rewards points in some cases) for coverage to apply.
• Coverage limits can be high : Some credit card insurance protections come with high limits that are enough to cover most trips.
• Can apply to family members : The best coverages apply to the primary cardholder and other companions they're traveling with, including family members.

Cons of credit card travel insurance

• Low coverage limits in some cases : Some cards have relatively low travel insurance limits that may not provide enough protection when you need it most.
• Limited coverages with some cards : Some credit cards with travel insurance only have a few kinds, so they may leave you without important protections you need.
• Minimal protection for emergency medical expenses : Only one credit card offers travel insurance for emergency medical expenses (the card_name ), and this coverage is only worth up to $2,500 when you're traveling more than 100 miles from home.

Do you need additional travel insurance?

Whether you need to buy travel insurance that applies independently of what your credit card offers depends on the type of trip you're taking and how much it costs. If you're driving a few towns away to stay in a hotel, for example, you may be fine with credit card travel insurance. The same is true if you're flying to another state for a relatively inexpensive vacation.

If you're traveling internationally where your own health insurance won't apply, however, you'll likely want to purchase a travel insurance plan that includes robust protection for emergency medical expenses and emergency medical evacuation. Expensive trips may also need travel insurance with higher limits than you can get with credit card coverage.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Do credit card companies sell travel insurance.

Credit card companies do not sell travel insurance, but plenty of reputable travel insurance providers do. If you're ready to compare plans, you can check out companies like Allianz, Travelex and World Nomads.

Is travel insurance worth it for international travel?

Travel insurance is essential for international travel if you want to have coverage for emergency medical expenses and emergency medical evacuation. After all, U.S. health plans do not work overseas, nor do government healthcare programs like Medicare.

Does my Visa card cover travel insurance?

The travel insurance protections you get with a credit card depend on the exact card you have.

How do I know if my credit card covers travel insurance?

Read over your credit card's guide to benefits to find out which protections are already included. You can also call your card issuer to inquire about coverage, but make sure they send you the information in the mail.

For rates and fees of the card_name , please visit URL .

AP Buyline has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. AP Buyline and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.

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Best No Foreign Transaction Fee Credit Cards in Canada for 2024

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This may influence which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own.

Have you ever looked at your credit card bills after returning home from a trip abroad and been shocked at how much each purchase actually cost you? Or ordered something online from an American retailer that turned out to be more expensive than you expected? It’s not that the exchange rate is worse than you thought — your credit card issuer likely added a foreign transaction fee, or FX fee, to the purchase.

‘No foreign transaction fee’ credit cards, sometimes referred to as international credit cards , don’t charge you extra when you shop abroad. If you travel often or make frequent foreign transactions online, one of these credit cards could help you save some cash.

Here are the best ‘no foreign transaction fee’ credit cards, according to NerdWallet’s analysis. 

Best ‘no foreign transaction fee’ credit cards in Canada

• Methodology

Summary of the best ‘no FX fee’ credit cards

What to know about credits card with no foreign transaction fee.

Best for: Rewards points

Scotiabank gold american express® card.

• Earn up to $650* in value in the first 12 months, including up to 40,000 bonus Scene+ points. Offer ends July 1, 2024.
• You will not pay 2.5% foreign transaction fees on any foreign currency purchases, including online shopping and when travelling abroad. Only the exchange rate applies.
• Earn 5X Scene+ points for every $1 CAD spent on eligible grocery stores, restaurants, fast food, and drinking establishments. Includes popular food delivery and food subscriptions.
• Earn 5X Scene+ points for every $1 CAD spent on eligible entertainment purchases. Includes movies, theatre, and ticket agencies.
• Earn 3X Scene+ points for every $1 CAD spent on eligible gas and daily transit. Includes rideshare, buses, taxis, subway, and more.
• Earn 1X Scene+ point for every $1 spent on every other purchase.
• You’ll earn 6X Scene+ points for each $1 CAD charged to your account on all eligible purchases¹ at Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, Foodland, FreshCo, Voilà by Sobeys, Voilà by IGA, Voilà by Safeway, Chalo! FreshCo, Thrifty Foods, IGA West, Les Marchés Tradition, Rachelle Béry and Co-Op.
• Discounted Priority Pass™ membership, which grants you access to over 1200 VIP lounges around the world.
• Score deals on shopping, dining, travel and more with Amex Offers®, and experience special events and discounts with American Express Invites®.
• Access to Amex Front Of The Line® presale and reserved tickets.
• To be eligible, $12,000 (individual) annual income is required. Also, you must have a Canadian credit file and be a Canadian resident of the age of majority in the province or territory where you live.
• Terms and Conditions Apply. Click ‘Apply Now’ for complete details.

Best for: Premium perks and low interest rate

Scotiabank platinum american express® card.

• Earn up to $2,100* in value in your first 14 months, including up to 60,000* bonus Scene+ points. Offer ends October 31, 2024.
• Earn 2X Scene+™ points for every $1 CAD you spend on all your eligible purchases.
• Scene+ points can be redeemed for travel purchase, merchandise and other non-travel rewards such as gift cards and prepaid cards.
• You must redeem a minimum of 5,000 points per travel-related rewards redemption, equivalent to $50 in travel savings. Points must be redeemed within 12 months of the purchase date.
• $399 annual fee.
• Redeem points for any flight, any time through Scene+ Travel, a full-service travel agency. Plus, take advantage of a best price guarantee on airfare.
• Get a Hertz #1 Club Gold membership for special privileges and rental car benefits at over 8,500 locations in 147 countries.
• Enjoy culinary events and experiences, entertainment, luxury fashion, tours, and more through American Express benefits, including American Express Invites, Platinum VIP offers and access to 24/7 premium concierge services for restaurant reservations, show tickets, and gift purchases.
• Lounge access at over 600 VIP airport lounges around the world with a complimentary Priority Pass membership, which includes 10 free visits per year.
• 12 types of insurance provided, including 31-day travel medical benefits — up to $2 million in coverage — for you, your spouse and any dependent children under the age of 65. 10-day coverage available for those over the age of 65.
• Preferred rates: 9.99% for purchases, 9.99% for cash advances.
• To be eligible, you must have a Canadian credit file and be a Canadian resident of the age of majority in the province or territory where you live.

Best for: Businesses

Scotiabank passport™ visa infinite business* card.

• $199 annual fee.
• Earn 1.5X the Scene+™* points for every $1 spent on purchases for your business.
• Enjoy no Foreign Transaction Fees whether you make purchases online or outside of Canada.
• Get access to airport lounges with your complimentary Visa Airport Companion Program membership when you fly for your business.
• Use your points for travel, merchandise, gift cards for your business and more.
• $10,000 credit limit minimum, up to $150,000 unsecured.
• Most items purchased with your Card are insured against theft, loss or damage for 90 days from the purchase date and the manufacturer’s warranty is doubled for up to one year.
• Turn business purchases into business savings with Visa SavingsEdge.
• Visa Infinite Benefits with your Card which include Visa Infinite Concierge and the Luxury Hotel Collection.
• Travel Emergency Medical Insurance – Breathe easy with comprehensive coverage Coverage is provided for eligible persons under age 65 for up to 25 consecutive days and for eligible persons age 65 and older for up to 10 consecutive days.

Best for: Airport lounge access

Scotiabank passport™ visa infinite* card.

• Earn up to $1,100+ in value in the first 12 months, including up to 35,000 bonus Scene+ points and first year annual fee waived on your first supplementary card. Offer Ends January 3, 2024.
• The only major bank credit card offering you no foreign transaction fees, including for shopping online or abroad.
• Your Award Winning Card For Travel.
• Earn 2 Scene+ points on every $1 you spend on eligible grocery stores, dining, entertainment purchases, and daily transit purchases (including buses, subways, taxis and more).
• Earn 1 Scene+ point on every $1 you spend on all other eligible purchases.
• You’ll earn 3X Scene+ points for each dollar charged to your account on all eligible purchases¹ at Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, Foodland, FreshCo, Voilà by Sobeys, Voilà by IGA, Voilà by Safeway, Chalo! FreshCo, Thrifty Foods, IGA West, Les Marchés TradItIon, Rachelle Béry and Co-Op.
• Airport lounge access through complimentary Visa Airport Companion Program membership, plus six complimentary lounge visits per year from the date of enrollment, providing you with access to 1,200+ airport lounges globally, including participating Plaza Premium Lounges.
• Visa Infinite* benefits including Visa Infinite Concierge, Visa Infinite* Luxury Hotel Collection, Visa Infinite* Dining Series, and Entertainment & Lifestyle Offers.
• Access to Scotia SelectPay™.
• To be eligible, $60,000 (individual) or $100,000 (household) annual income is required, or a minimum assets under management of $250,000. Also, you must have a Canadian credit file and be a Canadian resident of the age of majority in the province or territory where you live.

Best for: Prepaid cards

Wealthsimple card.

• General fees and features: Wealthsimple does not charge any fees to use the Wealthsimple Card.
• Currency conversion fee: Mastercard will determine the applicable exchange rate from the range of rates available in wholesale currency markets for the applicable processing date, which may vary from the rate Mastercard itself receives.
• ATM withdrawals: Wealthsimple does not charge any fees for withdrawing cash, but you may see a standard ATM withdrawal fee (usually about $3.00) when you make a withdrawal at an ATM. ATM Withdrawal limits are $500 per transaction and $1,000 per day.
• Reload methods: Add funds to your card by making a deposit via a linked bank account, a wire transfer, your Visa or Mastercard debit card, or an institutional transfer to move an account from another institution.
• Rewards: Earn 1% cash back on eligible purchases. Cash back rewards can go directly into your Spend account, be added to the cash balance of a stock trading or crypto trading account, or be used to auto-purchase the cryptocurrency of your choice in your crypto trading account. Use the card anywhere Mastercard is accepted — in-store, in apps, or online. Pay bills, use direct deposit, and e-Transfer.
• The Wealthsimple Card is available as part of the everyday spending account, which comes with both a digital and physical card that you can manage right from the Wealthsimple app.
• Use the app to manage your rewards and spending preferences, or lock your card if something happens to it. Your balances are all updated in real-time, too — even if you’re using the physical card
• Add your Wealthsimple Card to Apple, Samsung or Google Pay digital wallet.
• Use the Wealthsimple Cash app to send and receive payments to anyone else who uses the Cash app without paying fees. You can also send money to people who don’t have the Cash app yet. They will receive a prompt to download the app and claim the money you sent them.
• Your money is protected for up to $100,000 through CDIC.
• To be eligible, you must be a Canadian resident with a Social Insurance Number of the age of majority in the province or territory where you live.

Methodology: How we evaluate cards

NerdWallet Canada selects the best credit cards based on overall consumer value and their suitability for specific kinds of consumers. Factors in our evaluation methodology include annual and other fees, rewards rates, the earning structure (for example, flat-rate rewards versus bonus categories), redemption options, bonus offers for new cardholders, introductory and ongoing APRs, and other noteworthy features such as airline or hotel perks or the ability to transfer points. Charge cards are not included on this list.

Credit card fees can be confusing to untangle, and foreign transaction fees are no different. Learn how and when they’re applied so the bill from your next international adventure doesn’t include any surprises.  

What is a foreign transaction fee?

When you buy something that’s not in Canadian dollars using your credit card, the issuer typically charges a fee — such as 2.5% of the purchase price. This fee is called a foreign transaction fee.  You may not have noticed it before, since it’s rolled into the total charge that shows up on your statement .

It doesn’t matter if you’re making an online purchase in U.S. dollars from your Canadian living room or paying for dinner out in Istanbul. If the product or service is being sold in a foreign currency, it’s typically subject to fees. Fortunately, there are credit cards that don’t charge foreign transaction fees. However, the card’s network may markup the exchange rate by a small amount.

Visa and Mastercard exchange rate markups

In addition to the transaction fee charged by the issuer, credit card networks typically markup the cost of converting money. For example, the Bank of Canada may list the exchange rate from USD to CAD as 1.35 (for every $1 USD you spend abroad, you’re spending $1.35 CAD). But when you use your credit card, the network (e.g., Visa) may be using a slightly marked up rate of 1.36, meaning for every $1 USD you spend, you’re actually spending $1.36 CAD. So, the conversion is costing you slightly more.     

You can use the below calculators from Visa and Mastercard to estimate your total transaction costs. American Express does not post conversion markups for Canada publicly.

Dynamic currency conversion

It’s worth noting that some merchants allow you to choose between the local currency or your home currency, which is known as dynamic currency conversion, or DCC. If you choose to pay in CAD, you’ll pay the exchange rate set by the merchant at that moment, which can be considerably higher than the standard rate. Therefore, it’s often advisable to pay in the local currency. 

How to calculate foreign transaction fees

While most credit cards charge a foreign transaction fee of around 2.5%, some can be higher. You’ll have to check your credit card terms and conditions for the specific fee you’ll be charged. 

To calculate how much you’re paying in FX fees, follow the below steps: 

• Convert the amount you’re spending to Canadian dollars using the most up-to-date exchange rate. (If you want a more accurate calculation, you can use the currency exchange rate issued by your credit card network).  
• Divide that figure by 100. 
• Then multiply it by the transaction fee.

Let’s do the math

Let’s say you’re visiting the United States and you want to pay for a meal that costs $50 USD, and your card’s foreign transaction fee is 2.5%. Assuming your credit card’s network’s current exchange rate for USD to CAD is 1.35, here is how the calculation works out:

• $50.00 USD x 1.35 = $67.50 CAD
• $67.50 / 100 = $0.675
• $0.675 x 2.5 = $1.69

The foreign transaction fee for this purchase would be $1.69. And your total would be $69.19 CAD.

Should I use a U.S. dollar credit card?

If the majority of your purchases are in American dollars, credit cards like the BMO U.S. Dollar Mastercard or Roger’s World Elite Mastercard can be handy, as U.S. purchases earn a higher reward rate. However, a foreign transaction fee will still apply. 

You also need to consider how you’ll pay your monthly credit card bills . A U.S. dollar credit card may require you to pay your bill in USD. If you don’t have a steady stream of U.S. income, you’ll need to convert your Canadian dollars to USD before you can pay your bills — which also comes with fees.

Although paying a 2.5% conversion fee may not seem like a lot, it can add up over time. If you travel frequently and plan to make more than a few sporadic purchases in foreign currencies, consider getting a ‘no foreign transaction fee’ credit card to help you keep costs down.

About the Author

Georgia Rose is a lead writer on the international team at NerdWallet. Her work has been featured in The Washington Post, The New York Times, The Independent and The Associated…

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