What are Lounge Access Credit Cards?
An Airport Lounge Access Credit Card is a card designed for the ease of frequent travellers that offers complimentary i.e. free airport lounge access as an added advantage on the card at domestic and international airport lounges.
By using these Credit Cards, you not just get complimentary access to priority pass membership for airport lounges, but also get air miles that can later be used to avail special waivers on flight prices and many other perks. These cards fetch you offers and discounts not only on travel but also on entertainment, shopping and dining.
But first let’s understand what an airport lounge is and how it add benefits to the travellers.
What is Airport Lounge?
An airport lounge is a facility operated at many airports that offer, for selected passengers, comforts beyond those afforded in the airport terminal itself, such as more comfortable seating, quieter environments, sense of privacy and security and often better access to customer service representatives.
It may also include private meeting rooms, telephones, wireless internet access and other business services, along with provisions to enhance passenger comfort, such as free drinks, snacks, magazines, and showers.
The airport lounge facility was first started in 1939 in New York city by The American Airlines Admirals Club. Till then it now become the necessity for every airport to handle its high paying travellers.
Benefits of Airport Lounge
Relax
If you are experiencing a flight delay, cancellation or misconnect, lounges are quiet spaces where you can relax and escape the stress of the terminal.
Productive
With the facility of meeting rooms, high speed wifi and sense of privacy, these lounges are proving to be a place for productive tasks. Lots of businessmen do their lots of business meetings and tasks in these lounges.
Add-On Facility
Complimentary amenities can include premium alcohol and food, fast WiFi, showers, business centers and much more.
Types of Airport Lounges
Airline lounges
Airlines operate airline lounges as a service to premium passengers, usually passengers flying first class and business class, with high level frequent flyer status, and premium travel credit card memberships.
Most major carriers have one or more lounges in their hubs and focus cities as well as in the major airports they serve. The major US airlines—American (Admirals Club), Delta (Delta Sky Club), and United (United Club) — operate dozens of lounges, while smaller airlines like Alaska Airlines (Alaska Lounge) tend to only operate a handful of lounges in their hub and focus cities.
Pay-per-use lounges
Private companies, such as Airport Dimensions by Collinson Group, Aspire Lounges by Swissport, Plaza Premium Lounge, and Global Lounge Network, also operate generic pay-per-use lounges.
In contrast to airline lounges, these facilities are open to any traveller traversing the airport, regardless of class of ticket or airline, subject to payment of a fee. Most only offer day passes, but some also offer yearly and lifetime memberships.
Access to the lounges can be booked via online platforms such as LoungeBuddy or, in limited cases, one-day passes can be purchased directly at the lounge entrance.
First class airline lounges
For many airlines, a first class lounge will also be offered to international first class and top-tier passengers. First class lounges are usually more exclusive and will feature extra amenities over business class that are more in line with the European/Asian concept of an airport lounge.
In the few cases where an amenity is offered only in the business class lounge, first class passengers are permitted to use the business lounge if they wish.
In any case, anyone with first class lounge access almost automatically has access to the business class lounge—such as if a traveling companion is not in first class and cannot be brought into the first class lounge as a guest.
In most cases, airlines will offer first class passengers a free pass to their standard airport club. Some airlines offer “arrival lounges” for passengers to shower, rest, and eat after a long-haul international flight.
Access to lounges
Access to airport lounges may be obtained in several ways. In Australia, Canada, and the United States, a common method to gain access is by purchasing an annual or a lifetime membership, while in Asia and Europe this is usually impossible. Membership fees are sometimes discounted for elite members of an airline’s frequent flyer program and may often be paid using miles. You can read more about these on wikipedia
Features and Benefits of the Lounge Access Credit Cards
Access to airport lounges
As mentioned above, these lounge access credit cards give access to airport lounges at domestic as well as international airports. You can take rest, relax and do meetings at the very premium type luxurious spaces.
Money saving benefits
Among the different benefits you can get through airport lounge Credit Cards, one is, special waivers on various cost components of a flight ticket price. For example, some cards can give you exemptions on fuel surcharge or meal bookings etc.
These cards come with a host of discounts and savings on flight tickets. They give you bonus air miles along with dining privileges and access to airport lounges. Thus these Credit Cards help frequent fliers save a lot of money.
Some lounge credit cards also gives you interest-free period, this way you can save some money from loosing.
Insurance benefits
Various airport lounge Credit Cards offer insurance benefits like accident cover or insurance against damage of goods. These cards get you cover in case of any travel mishappen.
Best Lounge Access Credit Cards in USA
1. The Platinum Card® from American Express : Top rated lounge access credit card
The Platinum Card from American Express is one of the best lounge access credit cards in the united states.
This card is known to provide access to more lounges around the world than any other credit card. Cardholders can access lounges in 140 countries through the Global Lounge Collection and the Priority Pass network once enrolled, plus American Express Centurion lounges.
Additionally, Cardholders can also access Delta SkyClub lounges when flying Delta same-day.
Features of Platinum Card from American Express :-
- 100,000 Membership Rewards Points once you spend $6,000 on purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Up to $200 annually in Uber credits for rides in the U.S.
- $200 annual credit for checked bags, in-flight meals and other travel expenses.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- The Lounge Access to Centurion® Lounge, American Express Lounges, Priority Pass™ Lounges, Delta Sky Club® Lounges when flying Delta, Escape Lounges and Domestic Partner Lounges.
2. Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card : Emerging lounge access credit card
Capital One Venture X Card have access to the Priority Pass network of lounges as well as the other growing network of Capital One airport lounges.
Access to the Capital One lounge network is unlimited for cardholders plus complimentary entry for two guests per visit and special pricing of $45 per visit for additional guests.
Features of Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Cards :-
- 100,000 bonus miles once you spend $10,000 on purchases within the first 6 months from account opening.
- $300 annual credits for bookings through Capital One Travel.
- 10,000 anniversary bonus miles.
- $200 Vacation Rental Credit for vacation rentals charged to your account within your first year.
- Enjoy unlimited free visits to capital one lounges for Venture X cardholders with 2 free guests per visit, and $45 per additional guest.
- Access to 1,300+ participating VIP lounges, in more than 600 cities and more than 148 countries.
3. Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard
The Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard is one of Citi’s best travel credit cards for flights on American Airlines. This credit card is the only travel credit card with Admirals Club® membership where you get access to elite facilities for up to two guests or immediate family (spouse, domestic partner and/or children under 18 years of age) may accompany the member.
Features of Citi AAdvantages Executive World Elite Mastercard :-
- Admirals Club Membership for upto 3 people.
- First checked bag free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for you and up to 8 travel companions.
- Receive 25% savings on food and beverage purchases when you use your card on American Airlines flights.
- Two AAdvantage® miles earned for every dollar spent on eligible American Airlines purchases
- Receive a statement credit up to $100 every 5 years as reimbursement for your application for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
- Two AAdvantage® miles earned for every dollar spent on eligible American Airlines purchases.
4. Chase Sapphire Reserve®
The Chase Sapphire Reserve is one of our top rated travel cards giving you tons of lucrative benefits for its customers.
This card best suited for best for priority pass lounge and restaurants giving you various perks 300 credit, various loss Reimbursement, Insurance and protecions.
Features of Chase Sapphire Reserve :-
50,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months.
$300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
Earn 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
Earn 5x total points on flights when you purchase travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards.
Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass Select and up to $100 application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.Post navigation.
