The best credit cards with airport lounge access in April 2024

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Featured Offer

Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card

Welcome Bonus

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℠

60,000 bonus points

Regular APR

22.49%-29.49% Variable

Annual Fee

$550

Credit Score

Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.

Excellent

Apply Now

On Chase Bank USA, NA's Secure Website

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

*

The information for the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Best credit card with airport lounge access

Key takeaways

2X

Earn 2 miles per dollar on all eligible purchases

2X

Earn 5 miles per dollar on flights when booking via Capital One Travel

10X

Earn 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars when booking via Capital One Travel

4.7/5

The CNN Underscored Money editorial team has developed a star rating so you can see the best card for specific categories. While we believe this card excels in this category, its overall star rating may differ.

Best credit card with airport lounge access

Welcome bonus

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.

75,000 miles

Annual fee

$395

Regular APR

22.24% – 29.24% (Variable)

Credit score

Credit score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.

Excellent

Why we picked it

The Venture X (terms apply, see rates and fees) is an excellent card if you want airport lounge access without breaking the bank. Its $395 annual fee is considerably cheaper than those of competing premium cards such as the Amex Platinum ($695) and Sapphire Reserve ($550). The Venture X card includes unlimited access to over 1,300 Priority Pass and Plaza Premium lounges worldwide, as well as several Capital One lounges. What’s more, your authorized users (free to add) receive the same access, and all card holders can bring up to two guests into the lounge free of charge.

This card offers other perks that can make up for its $395 annual fee, including a $300 annual credit toward flights, hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, and a 10,000-mile bonus every account anniversary (worth at least $100 in travel).

+ Pros

• Earn 2 miles per dollar on non-bonus categories with no cap
• Annual $300 credit toward Capital One Travel bookings
• 10,000 bonus miles each account anniversary

– Cons

• May charge an above-average APR
• Charges a $395 annual fee
• Rewards are best suited for travel and are worth much less if you redeem for cash back

Highlights

• 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®

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Best for lounge amenities

Key takeaways

5x

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.

3x

Earn 3x points on other travel and dining and 1x points on all other purchases.

4.4/5

The CNN Underscored Money editorial team has developed a star rating so you can see the best card for specific categories. While we believe this card excels in this category, its overall star rating may differ.

Best for lounge amenities

Apply Now

On Chase Bank USA, NA’s Secure Website

Welcome bonus

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℠

60,000 bonus points

Annual fee

$550

Regular APR

22.49%-29.49% Variable

Credit score

Credit score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.

Excellent

Why we picked it

Like the Venture X, the Sapphire Reserve includes Priority Pass Select membership. Card holders also get access to Chase Sapphire-branded lounges at Logan Airport in Boston (BOS), Hong Kong Airport (HKG), LaGuardia Airport and JFK International Airport in New York (LGA and JFK), and Austin-Bergstrom Airport (AUS), with a handful of others opening soon. Chase Sapphire lounges have already made a splash in the frequent flyer world, with the recently opened, two-floor lounge at LaGuardia offering grab-and-go dining, a game room and the Reserve Suites — a lounge-within-the-lounge complete with a dedicated host, caviar service, and private bathroom and shower.

While the Sapphire Reserve has a $550 annual fee, it’s offset by top-notch benefits including up to $300 per year in travel statement credits, an application fee credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or NEXUS, and strong travel protections. Keep in mind that although authorized users also receive lounge access, there’s an annual fee of $75 for each additional card holder.

+ Pros

• Offers up to $300 in annual statement credits to cover travel
• Provides luxury travel benefits such as airport lounge access
• Points are worth 50% more when used to reserve travel through Chase Travel℠

– Cons

• $550 annual fee
• $75 annual fee for each authorized user
• Must book travel through Chase Travel℠ to unlock highest rewards rates

Highlights

• 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

The Platinum Card® from American Express

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The information for the The Platinum Card® from American Express has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Best for a variety of lounges

Key takeaways

5X

Earn 5 Membership Rewards Points per dollar on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel and on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex travel. The airline benefit is limited to the first $500,000 in purchases per calendar year.

1X

Earn 1 point for every dollar spent on other eligible purchases.

4/5

The CNN Underscored Money editorial team has developed a star rating so you can see the best card for specific categories. While we believe this card excels in this category, its overall star rating may differ.

Best for a variety of lounges

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.

Earn 80,000 points

Annual fee

$695

Regular APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Credit score

Credit score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.

Excellent/Good

Why we picked it

The Amex Platinum (terms apply, see rates and fees) boasts excellent perks for frequent travelers, including an impressive lounge network. Card holders have access to more than 1,400 lounges in over 650 cities through the American Express Global Lounge Collection, which includes:

• Centurion Lounges
• Delta Sky Club (when flying Delta)
• Priority Pass Select
• Escape Lounges – The Centurion Studio Partner
• Plaza Premium
• Lufthansa Lounges
• Global Lounge Collection Partner Lounges

Even with its robust lounge network, the Amex Platinum’s high annual fee of $695 per year can be hard to justify if you don’t travel often. In your cost-benefit analysis, factor in up to $240 in annual digital entertainment credits (up to $20 per month), hotel elite status with Marriott Bonvoy and Hilton Honors, and up to $200 per year in airline incidental fee credits on one qualifying airline of your choice (enrollment required).

+ Pros

• Generous welcome bonus offer
• Premium benefits including statement credits, hotel elite status and airport lounge access
• Top-notch travel and purchase protections

– Cons

• High annual fee
• Base rewards rate is just 1 point per dollar on most purchases
• Statement credits and perks can be hard to maximize

Highlights

• 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.

All information about The Platinum Card® from American Express has been collected independently by CNN Underscored.

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card

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The information for the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Best for Delta loyalists

Key takeaways

3X

Earn 3X Miles on Delta flights and Delta Vacations®.

1X

Earn 1 mile per dollar for all other eligible purchases.

3.7/5

The CNN Underscored Money editorial team has developed a star rating so you can see the best card for specific categories. While we believe this card excels in this category, its overall star rating may differ.

Best for Delta loyalists

Welcome bonus

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

Earn 60,000 bonus miles

Annual fee

$650

Regular APR

20.99%-29.99% Variable

Credit score

Credit score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.

Good/Excellent

Why we picked it

The Delta SkyMiles Reserve (terms apply, see rates and fees) is an ideal card if you fly Delta and travel through its many hub airports. It offers access to Delta Sky Club, Escape Lounge — The Centurion® Studio and Centurion Lounges when flying on a Delta-marketed or operated flight. Sky Clubs are located at many major airport hubs, such as Atlanta (ATL), Los Angeles (LAX) and Minneapolis (MSP).

Keep in mind that Delta cut some lounge benefits last year and increased the Delta Reserve card’s annual fee to $650 (from $550) in early 2024. Beginning Feb. 1, 2025, Reserve card holders will receive 15 Sky Club visits per year (or unlimited visits after spending $75,000 per year on eligible purchases). If you use your 15 visits and don’t hit the spending requirement, you can purchase access for $50 per person.

+ Pros

• Cardholders receive complimentary Delta Sky Club access when they fly Delta
• Free first checked bag and priority boarding on Delta flights
• Annual companion certificate

– Cons

• $650 annual fee
• Must be flying Delta to access Delta Sky Clubs
• Non-Delta purchases only earn 1 mile per dollar

Highlights

• 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.
• Terms Apply.

All information about Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored.

United Club℠ Infinite Card

Best for United loyalists

Key takeaways

4X

Earn 4 miles per dollar on United purchases

2X

Earn 2 miles per dollar on all other travel and on dining, including eligible delivery services

1X

Earn 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases

3.2/5

The CNN Underscored Money editorial team has developed a star rating so you can see the best card for specific categories. While we believe this card excels in this category, its overall star rating may differ.

Best for United loyalists

Apply Now

On Chase Bank USA, NA’s Secure Website

Welcome bonus

Earn 80,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Earn 80,000 bonus miles

Annual fee

$525

Regular APR

21.99% – 28.99% Variable

Credit score

Credit score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.

Excellent

(750 – 850)

Why we picked it

With the United Club Infinite card, you’ll have access to more than 45 United Club locations around the world. Many United Clubs are in hubs such as Logan Airport in Boston, Newark Liberty Airport (EWR) and Heathrow Airport in London (LHR) and offer full-service bars, buffets and showers. Card holders also get access to participating Star Alliance-affiliated lounges worldwide.

The United Club Infinite card has a steep $525 annual fee. But when you consider a United Club membership can cost as much as $650 or 85,000 United MileagePlus miles per year, the card can more than pay for itself if you’re a frequent United flyer.

+ Pros

• United Club airport lounge membership
• Free first and second checked bags for cardholder and a companion on United
• Up to a $100 credit toward TSA PreCheck, Global Entry or NEXUS application fee

– Cons

• $525 annual fee
• Must pay for your flight with the card to get free checked bags
• Access to United Club lounges requires a same-day boarding pass for a United, Star Alliance or contracted partner operated flight

Highlights

• 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)
• Member FDIC

Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®

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The information for the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Best for American Airlines loyalists

Key takeaways

10X

Earn 10 AAdvantage miles for every $1 spent on eligible hotels and car rentals booked through aa.com

4X

4 miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases

1X

1 mile for every $1 spent on all other purchases

3.4/5

The CNN Underscored Money editorial team has developed a star rating so you can see the best card for specific categories. While we believe this card excels in this category, its overall star rating may differ.

Best for American Airlines loyalists

Welcome bonus

Earn 70,000 AAdvantage bonus miles after spending $7,000 in the first 3 months of account opening. Plus, Admirals Club membership (a value of up to $850)

70,000 miles + Admirals Club membership

Annual fee

$595

Regular APR

21.24% – 29.99% Variable

Credit score

Credit score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.

Excellent, Good

(700 – 749)

Why we picked it

The Citi AAdvantage Executive Card is a must-have if you’re an American Airlines loyalist. This is the only credit card that provides an individual Admirals Club membership, which otherwise costs up to $850.

The downside is the card’s high $595 annual fee, but given the card’s benefits, it’s still worth considering. For example, you and up to eight companions on the same reservation receive the first checked bag free on domestic AA itineraries. The card also offers up to $360 per year in statement credits toward purchases with Avis, Budget, Lyft and Grubhub, and travel coverage including trip cancellation/interruption insurance, rental car insurance, trip delay insurance and lost baggage protection.

+ Pros

• Admirals Club airport lounge membership
• Benefits on American Airlines flights including a a free first checked bag on domestic American Airlines itineraries for cardholder and up to eight companions on the same reservation
• Statement credits for Lyft, Grubhub, Avis, Budget and Global Entry/TSA PreCheck

– Cons

• $595 annual fee
• Only earns 1 mile per dollar on non-American Airlines purchases
• First three authorized users cost $175, then $175 for each user thereafter

Highlights

• Earn 70,000 AAdvantage bonus miles after spending $7,000 in the first 3 months of account opening. Plus, receive a complimentary Admirals Club membership (a value of up to $850)
• Earn 10 miles per dollar spent on eligible hotels and car rentals booked through aa.com, 4 miles for every dollar spent on eligible American Airlines purchases and 1 mile for all other purchases
• Admirals Club Membership: Access to nearly 50 lounge locations worldwide for you and your immediate family (or up to 2 traveling guests that accompany you)
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® application fee credit up to $100 every 4 years

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card

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The information for the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Best for Marriott loyalists

Key takeaways

6X

Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®.

3X

3X points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines.

2X

2X points on all other eligible purchases.

3.9/5

The CNN Underscored Money editorial team has developed a star rating so you can see the best card for specific categories. While we believe this card excels in this category, its overall star rating may differ.

Best for Marriott loyalists

Welcome bonus

185,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership

185,000 points

Annual fee

$650

Regular APR

20.99%-29.99% Variable

Credit score

Credit score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.

Excellent, Good

Why we picked it

If you stay at Marriott hotels frequently but aren’t loyal to a particular airline, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant (terms apply, see rates and fees) is a solid option for getting into airport lounges. It comes with Priority Pass Select membership, which gets you and up to two guests unlimited visits to over 1,200 lounges worldwide.

But the card’s best perks are reserved for Marriott Bonvoy devotees. Card members receive Marriott Bonvoy Platinum elite status, a free night award worth up to 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points each year after their renewal month (certain hotels have resort fees), 25 elite night credits each calendar year toward the next level of Marriott Bonvoy elite status, and up to $100 to use on dining, spa services and other eligible expenses on qualifying stays at Ritz-Carlton or St. Regis hotels. The card also offers up to $300 per year (up to $25 per month) to reimburse restaurant purchases. Altogether, these and other perks can make the card’s $650 annual fee a lot easier to swallow.

+ Pros

• Valuable perks for Marriott stays
• Premium travel and dining benefits
• High base rewards rate

– Cons

• High annual fee
• Rewards have limited flexibility
• No introductory 0% APR

Highlights

• Earn 185,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
• $300 Brilliant Dining Credit: Each calendar year, get up to $300 (up to $25 per month) in statement credits for eligible purchases made on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card at restaurants worldwide.
• With Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status, you can receive room upgrades, including enhanced views or suites, when available at select properties and booked with a Qualifying Rate.
• Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. 3X points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines. 2X points on all other eligible purchases.
• Free Night Award: Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Award can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 85,000 Marriott Bonvoy points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
• Each calendar year after spending $60,000 on eligible purchases on your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, you will be eligible to select a Brilliant Earned Choice Award benefit. You can only earn one Earned Choice Award per calendar year. See https://www.choice-benefit.marriott.com/brilliant for Award options.
• $100 Marriott Bonvoy Property Credit: Enjoy your stay. Receive up to a $100 property credit for qualifying charges at The Ritz-Carlton® or St. Regis® when you book direct using a special rate for a two-night minimum stay using your Card.
• Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®: Receive either 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 for TSA PreCheck® (up to $85 through a TSA PreCheck official enrollment provider) and pay the application fee with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
• Each calendar year with your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card you can receive 25 Elite Night Credits toward the next level of Marriott Bonvoy® Elite status. Limitations apply per Marriott Bonvoy member account. Benefit is not exclusive to Cards offered by American Express. Terms apply.
• Enroll in Priority Pass™ Select, which offers unlimited airport lounge visits to over 1,200 lounges in over 130 countries, regardless of which carrier or class you are flying. This allows you to relax before or between flights. You can enjoy snacks, drinks, and internet access in a quiet, comfortable location.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees on international purchases.
• With Cell Phone Protection, you can be reimbursed, the lesser of, your repair or replacement costs following damage, such as a cracked screen, or theft for a maximum of $800 per claim when your cell phone line is listed on a wireless bill and the prior month’s wireless bill was paid by an Eligible Card Account. A $50 deductible will apply to each approved claim with a limit of 2 approved claims per 12-month period. Additional terms and conditions apply. Coverage is provided by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.
• $650 Annual Fee.
• Terms Apply.

All information about Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored.

Capital One Venture X Business Card

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The information for the Capital One Venture X Business Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Best for small businesses

Key takeaways

2X

Earn 2 miles per dollar spent on every purchase

5X

Earn 5 miles per dollar on flights and 10 miles on hotels and rental cars booked through the Capital One Travel portal

4.4/5

The CNN Underscored Money editorial team has developed a star rating so you can see the best card for specific categories. While we believe this card excels in this category, its overall star rating may differ.

Best for small businesses

Welcome bonus

Earn 150,000 bonus miles when you spend $30,000 in the first 3 months, which is equal to $1,500 in travel.

150,000 bonus miles

Annual fee

$395

Regular APR

N/A

Credit score

Credit score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.

Excellent

Why we picked it

Similar to the personal Venture X, the Venture X Business offers unlimited access to Priority Pass, Plaza Premium and Capital One lounges worldwide. It also comes with the same $300 annual Capital One Travel credit and 10,000 miles after each card anniversary, both of which can effectively negate the $395 annual fee.

The Venture X Business is best suited to small business owners with bigger expenses — especially considering the hefty minimum spending requirement to unlock the welcome bonus. It doesn’t have a preset spending limit, but note that you’ll be required to pay your balance in full each month, as is common with cards that don’t set a specific credit limit.

+ Pros

• $300 annual travel credit
• Airport lounge access (Priority Pass and Capital One Lounge)
• 10,000-mile account anniversary bonus

– Cons

• Charges a $395 annual fee
• Travel must be booked through Capital One Travel to earn top bonus rewards
• No intro APR offer

Highlights

• Earn 2 miles per dollar spent on every purchase
• Earn 5 miles per dollar on flights and 10 miles on hotels and rental cars booked through the Capital One Travel portal
• Annual $300 travel credit for bookings through Capital One Travel
• 10,000 bonus miles each year after the first membership anniversary

Our picks at a glance

	Annual fee	Welcome bonus	Best for	Included lounges (conditions may apply)
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card * The information for the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.	$395	75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening	Airport lounge access	Priority Pass, Plaza Premium and Capital One Lounges
Chase Sapphire Reserve®	$550	60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on the card within the first three months after opening the account, which are worth a guaranteed $900 when you redeem them for travel via Chase Travel℠	Lounge amenities	Priority Pass, Chase Sapphire Lounges
The Platinum Card® from American Express * The information for the The Platinum Card® from American Express has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.	$695	80,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $8,000 on purchases within the first six months of account opening	Variety of lounges	Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Club, Priority Pass, Escape Lounges — The Centurion Studio Partner, Plaza Premium, Lufthansa Lounges, Global Lounge Collection Partner Lounges
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card * The information for the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.	$650	60,000 miles after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership	Delta loyalists	Delta Sky Club, Escape Lounge — The Centurion® Studio and Centurion Lounges
United Club Infinite	$525	80,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening	United loyalists	United Club, participating Star Alliance-affiliated lounges
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® * The information for the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.	$595	70,000 AAdvantage bonus miles after spending $7,000 in the first three months of account opening	American Airlines loyalists	Admirals Club
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card * The information for the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.	$650	185,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases within the first six months	Marriott loyalists	Priority Pass
Capital One Venture X Business Card * The information for the Capital One Venture X Business Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.	$395	150,000 miles after spending $30,000 in the first three months of account opening	Small businesses	Priority Pass, Plaza Premium and Capital One Lounges

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Why get a credit card with lounge access?

Airport lounge access is a boon for travelers looking to relax or get some work done and avoid spending more on food and drinks before a flight. When your credit card gets you into an airport lounge, you’ll usually have access to snacks, beverages (including alcohol), Wi-Fi, private restrooms, and dedicated work and rest areas at no additional cost.

Some premium lounges offer facials and nail treatments, while others feature outdoor terraces with airport runway views.

Benefits of credit cards for lounge access

You’ll often save money by having lounge access through a credit card versus buying a lounge membership outright. For instance, a Delta Sky Club annual membership (available to consumers with Delta Medallion status) can be purchased for $695 or 69,500 Delta miles.

Instead of paying for that membership, you could open the Amex Platinum or The Business Platinum Card® from American Express * The information for the The Business Platinum Card® from American Express has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. (terms apply, see rates and fees) (both cards charge a $695 annual fee) and have access to Delta Sky Club lounges (when flying Delta).

With either card, you’d have access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries, including Centurion Escape and Priority Pass lounges. Plus, the card reimburses eligible spending, includes Hilton and Marriott elite status (enrollment required) and comes with other valuable perks you wouldn’t get from a standalone lounge membership.

If you’re set on opening a premium credit card with Chase or Capital One, you’ll also have access to the Priority Pass network, plus those issuers’ individual lounge networks. Capital One and Chase have expanded their lounge offerings, with new openings at Denver Airport and LaGuardia Airport, respectively.

How can you get lounge access with a credit card?

Getting lounge access is simple when you have the right credit card. The largest airport lounge network, Priority Pass, offers the benefit on several major US premium cards, including the Amex Platinum, Sapphire Reserve and Venture X. American Express, Chase and Capital One also offer their own lounge networks.

American Express has a sprawling lounge network with more than 40 lounges worldwide through the Centurion Network, which includes Centurion Lounges and Escape Lounges — The Centurion Studio. You can visit these lounges when you have a premium card such as the Amex Platinum or Amex Business Platinum.

Capital One has three open lounges: Dallas-Fort Worth Airport (DFW), Denver (DEN), and Washington Dulles Airport (IAD). These lounges are available to Venture X and Venture X Business card holders.

Chase operates the Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club, available in several US airports and Hong Kong. In addition to premium Sapphire Reserve credit card members, Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club is available to consumers with the J.P. Morgan Reserve Card and The Ritz-Carlton Credit Card. If you don’t have any of these cards but have a Priority Pass membership, you receive one free visit to any Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club location besides Hong Kong each calendar year.

Additionally, American Airlines, Delta and United offer some form of lounge access to their premium card members.

Choosing a credit card with lounge access

The best credit card with lounge access for you depends on your travel habits. If you’re loyal to one airline and/or live near an airline’s major airport hub, opening a credit card that gives you lounge privileges with that airline may make sense.

If you’re a more frequent traveler or like variety in lounge networks, opening a credit card through a major issuer such as Amex, Chase, or Capital One might be a better deal, as all three issuers’ premium cards include Priority Pass access.

How to maximize your lounge access

The best way to maximize your lounge access is to use it whenever you travel from or through airports that have qualifying lounges. Starting in 2025, lounge networks such as Delta Sky Club will begin restricting visits for certain credit cards (including the Amex Platinum and Delta SkyMiles Reserve card) — so you’ll want to visit as much as you’re permitted to.

You’ll also want to be mindful of the flights you book. American Airlines, Delta and United require you to have a same-day ticket for travel on the airline or an eligible partner to access their branded airport lounges. In addition, Delta no longer allows passengers booked on a basic economy fare to enter Sky Club lounges, even if they have a membership.

Some travelers even plan their itineraries to connect in cities that have lounges they can access. For example, if you have the Amex Platinum, you might plan to connect in Philadelphia Airport (PHL) or LaGuardia Airport, both of which have Centurion Lounges, instead of Washington, DC’s Reagan National Airport (DCA), which does not (for now).

Also, remember that Capital One and American Express no longer offer Priority Pass restaurant access, so make alternative plans to eat if you visit a location that only has airport restaurants through the program. In addition, the Sapphire Reserve, Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card (not available to new applicants) and J.P. Morgan Reserve Credit Card (available by invitation only) will lose access to Priority Pass restaurants and spas as of July 1, 2024.

Are credit cards for lounge access worth it?

Credit card airport lounge access can be well worth the annual fee if you travel regularly. You’ll have access to a (usually) quiet place to take a meeting, catch up on work or relax ahead of a flight.

If you’re an infrequent traveler — or can’t justify paying a high annual fee — but you want to take advantage of lounge perks from time to time, here are some credit cards to keep in mind:

• United℠ Explorer Card: Offers two United Club one-time lounge passes each year and charges a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95.
• U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card * The information for the U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. : Offers four Priority Pass lounge visits per year and charges a $0 introductory annual fee for the first 12 months, after that $95.

Even if you travel a dozen times (or less) per year, you can take advantage of lounge access with a mid-tier credit card with a significantly cheaper annual fee.

Additionally, the $150-annual-fee American Express® Green Card * The information for the American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. comes with up to $100 in statement credits per calendar year to the lounge network LoungeBuddy. The $100 statement credit can cover a couple of visits to a lounge, such as the Turkish Airlines Lounge at JFK International Airport, which starts at $49 per visit.

Methodology

Our money and data analytics teams reviewed 16 travel rewards credit cards that offer airport lounge access (both unlimited and limited visits). From there, we chose our top picks for the best credit cards with airport lounge access by giving each card a star rating out of five, based on the following factors and our editorial judgment:

Benefits (30%)

A good card for airport lounge access should offer complementary benefits for frequent travelers. Cards with perks such as free checked bags, trip cancellation/interruption insurance, rental car insurance and trip delay insurance got more points in this category. We also considered non-travel benefits such as cell phone protection, purchase protection, extended warranty and a 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers to arrive at our rankings.

Select fees (25%)

Every card with airport lounge access charges an annual fee, but we gave higher scores to cards with fees that are easily outweighed by benefits and/or cards with a relatively modest yearly cost.

Rewards value (20%)

The value of credit card points and miles varies depending on the rewards program. We used spending data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and valuations from The Points Guy to determine which cards dole out the best rewards value.

Sign-up bonus value (20%)

Each of the credit cards we considered offers a welcome bonus of points or miles after meeting a minimum spending requirement in the first months of account opening. Again, we calculated how much each bonus is worth using points valuations from The Points Guy, and gave cards that offer more value a leg up.

Annual credits and bonuses (5%)

We boosted credit cards that offer statement credits toward qualifying purchases (such as airline incidental fees), bonuses for spending in certain categories or rewards for meeting spending thresholds in a specified time frame.

What didn’t make the cut

• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express * The information for the The Business Platinum Card® from American Express has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. : This card offers the same lounge perks as the personal Amex Platinum with the same annual fee of $695 (terms apply, see rates and fees) , but as a business card, it’s less accessible.
• U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card * The information for the U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. /U.S. Bank Business Altitude™ Connect World Elite Mastercard® * The information for the U.S. Bank Business Altitude™ Connect World Elite Mastercard® has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. : While you do get a Priority Pass Select membership with these cards, you’re limited to just four complimentary visits per year.
• U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card * The information for the U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. : This card has a too-high annual fee of $400 to justify the eight complimentary Priority Pass Select visits per year.
• United Club℠ Business card * The information for the United Club℠ Business card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. : This is a good card for business owners who are loyal to United, but it doesn’t have Global Entry or TSA PreCheck like the personal version and offers a lower welcome bonus.
• Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite credit card * The information for the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite credit card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. : The card does include Priority Pass Select, but the $550 annual fee coupled with the inability to transfer points to major transfer partners makes other cards more appealing.
• United Explorer Card: This card is a good starter card for United flyers and comes with two United Club one-time lounge passes each year, but United loyalists should instead apply for the United Club Infinite.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

*The information for the following card(s) has been collected independently by CNN Underscored Money: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card * The information for the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. , The Platinum Card® from American Express * The information for the The Platinum Card® from American Express has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. , Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card * The information for the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. , Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® * The information for the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. , Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card * The information for the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. , Capital One Venture X Business Card * The information for the Capital One Venture X Business Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. , The Business Platinum Card® from American Express * The information for the The Business Platinum Card® from American Express has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. , U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card * The information for the U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. , U.S. Bank Business Altitude™ Connect World Elite Mastercard® * The information for the U.S. Bank Business Altitude™ Connect World Elite Mastercard® has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. , and U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card * The information for the U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. . The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

To view rates and fees for Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card * The information for the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. , please visit this page.
To view rates and fees for The Platinum Card® from American Express * The information for the The Platinum Card® from American Express has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. , please visit this page.
To view rates and fees for Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card * The information for the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. , please visit this page.
To view rates and fees for Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card * The information for the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. , please visit this page.