The Best Credit Cards for Airport Lounge Access: Priority Pass Membership

Have you ever found yourself stuck in a chaotic airport, looking for an escape? Imagine your credit card being your golden ticket to an oasis—or at least to free food and drinks. Plenty of options range from airline-specific cards (i.e., Chase United Club) to bank-specific ones (i.e., Centurion Lounge via American Express Platinum Card®).

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

What is Priority Pass?

If you want to avoid committing to an airline or a bank network, one of the most popular options is Priority Pass, a network of over 1,500 lounges.

Some lounges included in the Priority Pass program are operated by specific airlines, such as Air France-KLM, British Airways, or Turkish Airlines, while others are independent and not linked to any airline. I recommend double-checking the Priority Pass website before heading to the airport!

Which Credit Cards are Best for Priority Pass Access?

There are plenty of cards that offer Priority Pass lounge access, but many will limit you based on the number of visits or guests.

These are our top 5, given that they allow for unlimited visits:

• ‍Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card‍
• Capital One Venture X Business‍
• Chase Sapphire Reserve®
• Sapphire Reserve for Business℠‍
• American Express Platinum Card®‍
• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

First on the list is one of the best cards available right now: the Capital One Venture X. It comes with a $395 annual fee, but it's the only card on this list that I would consider overpowered or S-Tier due to its superpowers.

The Venture X offers a $300 travel credit and 10,000-anniversary miles worth at least $100 in travel, totaling $400 in value. This essentially gives you a -$5 effective annual fee, making it a positive value for most people.

Capital One has its own lounges, and while they are expanding slowly, they offer some of the best lounge coffee and cocktails I've experienced. 

Additional Guests Policy

If you're debating the Venture X, we have a calculator here.

Capital One Venture X Business

Similar to the personal version, but this is a business card.

It's well worth considering if you're a business owner.

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is a long-standing favorite with a $795 annual fee and over $2,700 in cardholder value (YMMV on if you can use all the credits). This card offers Priority Pass access for you and two guests, along with access to Chase Sapphire Lounges. If you have Priority Pass through other cards, you only get one visit to Chase Sapphire Lounges each calendar year.

Sapphire Reserve for Business℠

The Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ includes a complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership after enrollment. Cardmembers can also visit the Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club network, which is expanding in key airports. The Primary Cardmember may bring up to two guests at no additional charge. Lounge access is not available for Employee Cardmembers, though they may enter as guests of the Primary Cardmember.

American Express Platinum Card®

With a $895 annual fee, you get up to $3,500+ in credits to help offset the cost, including:

• Up to $200 Uber Credit. Enrollment required. You must add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account, and then pay with any AMEX card. Up to $15 in Uber Cash per month, plus a bonus $20 in December. U.S. only.
• Up to $600 Hotel Credit: Get up to $300 back in statement credits semi-annually for up to a total of $600 per year prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®. A minimum 2-night stay is required for The Hotel Collection. Enrollment required.
• Up to $200 Airline Fee Credit. Enrollment required.
• Up to $100 Saks Credit ($50 Q1/Q2 + $50 Q3/Q4). Enrollment required.
• Up to $300 Digital Entertainment Credit. Enrollment required. Terms apply.

The above credits alone make the Amex Platinum a strong contender for value. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. See Rates and fees.

In terms of Priority Pass, it's you + 2 guests.

The benefit here, though, is that you have a lot of options beyond this if you are a frequent traveler. This includes American Express Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs when flying Delta, Plaza Premium, Lufthansa, Escape, and a host of other options. However, you must meet the respective lounge's requirements to bring a guest.

If you're debating this card, we have a calculator here.

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is another interesting pick. It's a hotel keeper card but also offers Priority Pass. With a $650 annual fee, you get:

• Up to $300 Dining Credit ($25 per month). Terms apply.
• Marriott Bonvoy® Platinum Elite Status. Enrollment Required.
• 1 Free Night Award up to 85k Bonvoy points (every cardmember anniversary). Terms apply.

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. See Rates and fees.

If you're a city traveler, you'll break even with the credits and the Free Night Award. For aspirational travelers, you might come out ahead, making it a keeper card.

This card comes with Priority Pass that works for airport lounges and allows entry for you and two additional guests.

Conclusion

For most people, the best bet in terms of access and value is the Capital One Venture X (and the same goes for the business variation). However, there is also an argument for the Chase Sapphire Reserve® if you're in their ecosystem.

If you want a stronger lounge footprint beyond Priority Pass, the American Express Platinum Card® is great for frequent travelers.

If you're looking for hotel cards, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is a great option that comes with Priority Pass as an added bonus.Have you ever found yourself stuck in a chaotic airport, looking for an escape? Imagine your credit card being your golden ticket to an oasis—or at least to free food and drinks. Plenty of options range from airline-specific cards (i.e., Chase United Club) to bank-specific ones (i.e., Centurion Lounge via the American Express Platinum Card®.