Best Rewards Cards for Airport Lounge Access

If you’re a frequent flyer, you already know how cumbersome, loud and uncomfortable airports can be. The bright lights and loud intercom announcements can be jarring, and it’s difficult to find a comfortable spot to relax.

Airport lounge access solves this problem by giving travelers a comfortable, quiet place to unwind. Many airport lounges also offer drinks and snacks, which can help you fill up and kill time before your next flight departs.

Fortunately, many rewards credit cards offer airport lounge access as a cardholder perk. Some even offer access good to more than 1,000 airport lounges worldwide. Before you sign up for a travel credit card to get access to your favorite lounge, consider these cards and offers:

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Platinum Card from American Express

The Platinum Card from American Express, as well as the business version of the card, offers one of the most comprehensive airport lounge access offerings available.

Not only do you get access to Centurion Lounges in airports such as Miami and Las Vegas, but you can utilize Delta Sky Clubs when you fly Delta. This card also affords you a Priority Pass Select Membership that gives you access to more than 1,000 lounges around the world.

Ritz Carlton Rewards Credit Card

While the Ritz Carlton Credit Card is a hotel credit card at heart, it also offers some amazing perks for frequent travelers. In addition to a generous signup bonus and a $300 annual travel credit, you also get a Priority Pass Select membership.

Chase Sapphire Reserve Card

The Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card took the travel world by storm when it was released last year, and that’s not just because of its initial 100K signup bonus.

This card offers a bevy of perks for frequent travelers, including a $300 annual travel credit, special rental car privileges and more. Last but not least, cardholders get a free Priority Pass Select membership good for 1,000+ airport lounges worldwide.

READ MORE: How to Navigate the Airport Lounge Scene

Citi Prestige Card

The Citi Prestige credit card is another premier card option that offers Priority Pass Select membership as a cardholder perk. In addition, you’ll earn a healthy signup bonus, $250 annual air credit and a fourth-night-free hotel benefit that offers more savings on hotel travel, among other benefits.

Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite MasterCard

The Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite MasterCard is a smart card option for frequent flyers who use airports with Admirals Clubs.

This card offers Admiral Club membership as a cardholder perk, along with other benefits like a healthy signup bonus and your first checked bag free. You’ll also earn 10,000 EQM with the American AAdvantage program after you use your card for $40,000 in purchases within one year of account opening.

READ MORE: Miami’s Centurion is Everything an Airport Lounge Should Be

While it's ideal to get a rewards credit card that offers free airport lounge access as a cardholder perk, keep in mind that there's no such thing as a free lunch. Cards that offer this perk and other rewards tend to come with large annual fees you'll have to pay every year.

Before you select a card with airport lounge access or other travel benefits you want, make sure you understand the annual fee and decide if the rewards are, in fact, worth the financial cost.