6 Best Lounge Access Credit Cards

Earning Structure:

• 10x points on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• 5x points on flights booked through Capital One Travel
• 2x points on all other purchases

Welcome Bonus:

Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening.

Card Details:

• Annual fee: $395
• Foreign transaction fees: None
• APR: Variable, typically around 19%–29%
• Includes a $300 annual travel credit through Capital One Travel
• Complimentary lounge access for the primary cardholder and up to two guests
• Authorized users receive lounge access at no additional cost

Key Benefits:

• Access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide
• $300 travel credit yearly
• 10,000-point anniversary bonus each year
• Premium travel insurance coverage

Redemption Options:

Points can be redeemed for travel bookings, statement credits, or transferred to multiple travel partners.

Credit Requirements:

Requires excellent credit, typically a FICO score of 740 or higher.

Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:

Guest access policies have changed, now requiring additional fees to bring more guests in some lounges.

Why it Works for Beginners:

It offers straightforward rewards and travel perks without complex rules, making it easy to use and understand.

Earning Structure:

• 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel℠, including The Edit℠
• 4x points on flights and hotels booked directly
• 3x points on dining worldwide
• 1x point on all other purchases

Welcome Bonus:

Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months of account opening.

Card Details:

• Annual fee: $795
• Foreign transaction fees: None
• $300 annual travel credit automatically applied to travel purchases
• Includes Priority Pass Select membership with access to 1,300+ lounges
• Access to Chase Sapphire Lounge locations

Key Benefits:

• Access to Chase Sapphire Lounges and Priority Pass lounges with up to two guests for free
• $300 annual travel credit that applies to a wide range of travel expenses
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee reimbursement
• Travel and purchase protections, including trip cancellation insurance

Redemption Options:

Points can be redeemed for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards at an enhanced rate or transferred to multiple airline and hotel partners.

Credit Requirements:

Applicants usually need excellent credit for approval due to the premium nature of the card.

Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:

The high annual fee might not suit casual travelers or those who do not frequently use travel benefits.

Why it Works for Beginners:

It offers straightforward rewards and lounge access, making it easy for new cardholders who want reliable travel perks without complex rules.

Earning Structure:

• 5x Membership Rewards points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel
• 5x points on prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel
• 1x point on all other purchases

Welcome Bonus:

You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new card in your first 6 months of membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.

Card Details:

• Annual fee: $695
• Foreign transaction fees: None
• APR: Pay Over Time feature applies; rates vary
• Includes premium travel and purchase protections
• Contactless payment enabled

Key Benefits:

• Access to over 1,550 airport lounges worldwide, including Centurion Lounges and Delta Sky Clubs
• $200 airline fee credit annually
• Uber rides and Uber Eats credits
• Complimentary hotel elite status with select partners
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credit

Redemption Options:

Points can be redeemed for travel bookings, gift cards, statement credits, or transferred to airline and hotel partners.

Credit Requirements:

It typically requires excellent credit for approval due to its premium status.

Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:

The high annual fee may not suit occasional travelers or those with low spending on travel-related expenses.

Why it Works for Beginners:

It suits beginners who plan to travel frequently and want consistent, high-value rewards along with luxury travel perks.

Earning Structure:

• Earn 5x points on flights and prepaid hotels booked on AmexTravel.com
• Earn 1.5x points on purchases at U.S. construction material & hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers, software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on each eligible purchase of $5,000 or more, up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year. Purchases eligible for multiple additional point bonuses will only receive the highest eligible bonus
• Earn 1x points on other eligible purchases

Welcome Bonus:

Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $20,000 in eligible purchases within the first 3 months.

Card Details:

• Annual fee: $695
• Foreign transaction fees: None
• APR: Pay Over Time and Flexible Payment options available; variable rates apply
• Access to Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass, and Delta Sky Clubs (when flying Delta)
• Includes statement credits for select services such as Dell, Adobe, Indeed, and wireless providers

Key Benefits:

• Access to Amex Centurion Lounges and over 1,400 other lounges worldwide with Priority Pass
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credit every four years
• Hotel and car rental elite status upgrades
• Yearly statement credits for business and travel services

Redemption Options:

Points can be redeemed for travel, gift cards, statement credits, or transfers to airline and hotel partners.

Credit Requirements:

Generally requires excellent credit for approval.

Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:

The high annual fee might not be suitable for those who travel less or use fewer card benefits.

Why it Works for Beginners:

The combination of travel perks, lounge access, and business credits helps users get strong value from the card early on.

Earning Structure:

• 3 miles per dollar on Delta purchases
• 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases

Welcome Bonus:

Earn 70,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $5,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

Card Details:

• Annual fee: $650
• Foreign transaction fees: None
• APR: Variable, typically around 20%–29%
• Complimentary access to Delta Sky Clubs when flying Delta
• Centurion Lounge access when flying Delta same-day
• Annual companion certificate for a domestic round-trip (Main Cabin)

Key Benefits:

• Access to Delta Sky Clubs and Amex Centurion Lounges
• Annual companion certificate for a round-trip domestic flight
• Boost toward Delta Medallion elite status
• 20% statement credit on in-flight Delta purchases with the Reserve Additional Card

Redemption Options:

Miles can be redeemed for Delta flights, seat upgrades, and other travel-related rewards.

Credit Requirements:

Applicants typically need good to excellent credit to qualify.

Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:

The high annual fee may not suit infrequent travelers or those who rarely fly Delta.

Why it Works for Beginners:

The card provides valuable lounge access and travel perks, making it a strong choice for those new to premium travel benefits.

Earning Structure:

• 3 SkyMiles per dollar spent on Delta purchases
• 1 mile per dollar on all other eligible purchases

Welcome Bonus:

Earn 80,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $10,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

Card Details:

• Annual fee: $650
• Foreign transaction fees: None
• APR: Variable, typically around 20%–29%
• 15 annual visits to Delta Sky Club lounges
• Complimentary Centurion Lounge access when flying Delta
• Annual Main Cabin companion certificate

Key Benefits:

• Complimentary Delta Sky Club lounge access
• 20% savings on in-flight purchases
• Medallion status boost opportunities
• Travel insurance and purchase protection features

Redemption Options:

Miles can be redeemed for Delta flights, upgrades, and Delta partner flights through the SkyMiles program.

Credit Requirements:

Applicants typically need good to excellent credit to qualify.

Spending Limitations / Potential Drawbacks:

High annual fee compared to other cards, which might not suit occasional travelers.

Why it Works for Beginners:

It offers straightforward earning and valuable travel perks that help new Delta flyers get more from their spending.