Exective Airport Lounge Access Free With Forex Cards
| Card | Best for | Welcome Offer/Sign Up Bonus | Earning Rate | Annual Fee |
| The Platinum Card® from American Express | Best consumer card for airport lounges | 100,000 points |
| $695 |
| The Business Platinum Card® from American Express | Best business card for airport lounges | 120,000 points |
| $595 (10/14-1/12/22) |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve® | Best for Priority Pass lounges and restaurants | 50,000 points |
| $550 |
| Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® | Best for American Airlines flyers | 50,000 miles |
| $450 |
| Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card | Best for Delta flyers | 50,000 miles |
| $550 |
| Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card | Best for Delta business travelers | 60,000 miles |
| $550 |
Now, let's take a closer look at each of the best cards for airport lounge access.
The Platinum Card® from American Express
The Amex Platinum has a $695 annual fee (see rates and fees). But if you travel frequently and value the lounge membership benefits of this card, you'll likely get your money's worth from the card.
Lounge access
The Amex Platinum is the best consumer card for lounge access because it provides entry to the greatest number of high-quality lounges. First and foremost, you'll get access to Amex's Centurion Lounges. Although Amex closed its Centurion Lounges during the early parts of the coronavirus pandemic, all U.S. Centurion Lounges are now open. Plus, Amex has several new and expanded Centurion Lounges in the works.
Unfortunately, unless you can show that you're in transit from another flight, you'll only be able to access Centurion Lounges within three hours of scheduled departure. And access upon arrival is no longer allowed. You can bring up to two guests at no additional charge, as well as any children under 2. However, do know that this is changing in Feb. 2023 when guests will no longer be complimentary unless you charge $75,000 annually on the card.
You'll also be able to access Delta Sky Clubs when you're flying Delta or select Delta partners on the same day. And Amex Platinum cardmembers get a Priority Pass Select membership with two guests included. However, this Priority Pass Select membership won't provide access to restaurants in the Priority Pass network. Enrollment required for select benefits.
But you can also access various other lounges in the American Express Global Lounge Collection, including Escape Lounges, Airspace Lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges and international American Express lounges.
Related: Who should (and who shouldn't) get the American Express Platinum?
Other card benefits
The Amex Platinum Card earns five Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on airfare booked directly with the airline or through Amex Travel (on up to $500,000 of these purchases per calendar year) and five points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel. And the Amex Platinum has many other perks. Some of the top perks include:
- A credit of up to $200 to use toward fees on one airline of your choice each calendar year.
- Up to $200 in annual Uber Cash for U.S. services.
- Up to $100 in annual Saks Fifth Avenue credits.
- Gold elite status with Marriott and Hilton.
Enrollment required for benefits listed above.
To learn more, check out our review of The Platinum Card from American Express.
Official application link: The Platinum Card from American Express
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
The Business Platinum card has slightly different benefits than its personal Platinum counterpart, along with a slightly higher $595 annual fee (see rates and fees). But it's a compelling option for business travelers who can use the credits and perks it provides.
Lounge access
The Amex Business Platinum is the best overall business credit card for lounge access. Like the personal Amex Platinum, the Business Platinum offers access to Amex's Centurion Lounges as well as to Delta Sky Clubs on same-day Delta flights. You'll also get a Priority Pass Select membership with two guests included. Enrollment required for select benefits.
The entire American Express Global Lounge Collection is also available to Business Platinum cardmembers. However, the same restrictions on Centurion lounge access — admittance only within three hours of departure, no access upon arrival and two free guests only — also apply to the Business Platinum.
Related: Credit card showdown: Amex Platinum vs. Amex Business Platinum
Other card benefits
The Business Platinum Card has many of the same perks as the personal Platinum Card. But there are some differences. The Business Platinum Card earns five Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on flights and prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel. You'll also earn 1.5x points on eligible purchases in select business categories and eligible purchases of $5,000 or more; on up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year.
You'll get an annual airline-fee credit of up to $200 on one airline of your choice each calendar year, Gold Elite status with Marriott, Gold status with Hilton and up to $400 in annual Dell credits (for U.S. purchases) (enrollment required for these benefits). Plus, you'll get a 35% rebate when you book a first- or business-class flight through Amex Travel using Pay with Points (up to 500,000 points back per calendar year). This discount also extends to any flight class on the airline you selected for your airline fee credit. Enrollment required for select benefits.
To learn more, see our review of the Business Platinum Card from American Express.
Official application link: The Business Platinum Card from American Express
Chase Sapphire Reserve
The Chase Sapphire Reserve is easily the best travel card for Priority Pass lounge access. Admittedly, the card previously had competitors in this area. But the Citi Prestige® Card is now far less appealing than other premium travel cards. And Amex cards fell behind when they stopped offering Priority Pass restaurant access.
The information for the Citi Prestige has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Lounge access
Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders get a Priority Pass Select membership that includes access to airport lounges, restaurants, cafes and markets participating in the Priority Pass Select network. Primary cardmembers and authorized users each get their own Priority Pass Select memberships. However, you will need to enroll in Priority Pass before you have access. And, once registered, you can bring up to two guests into each lounge with you.
Many Priority Pass airport lounges are reopening, but some are still closed. So, check the lounge's page on the Priority Pass website to determine whether a particular lounge has reopened.
Related: Sapphire showdown: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card vs. Chase Sapphire Reserve
Other card benefits
The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers 10x on hotels, car rentals and Chase Dining purchases through the Ultimate Rewards portal, 10x on Lyft purchases (through March 2022), 5x on flights booked through the Ultimate Rewards, 3x on all other travel and dining purchases and 1x on all other eligible purchases.
The card also offers a $300 annual travel credit and travel protections such as trip delay protection and delayed baggage protection.
To learn more, check out our Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card review.
Official application link: Chase Sapphire Reserve
Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard
The Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard has a $450 annual fee, with no charge for up to 10 authorized users. Suppose you're mainly interested in the card for Admirals Club access. In that case, you'll notice that the annual fee is lower than the cost to purchase or renew an individual Admirals Club membership.
Lounge access
The AAdvantage Executive Card comes with an Admirals Club membership for the primary cardholder. Admirals Club membership includes access to American Airlines Admirals Club lounges and other lounges with which American Airlines has reciprocal access privileges. Authorized users, on the other hand, only have access to American's Admirals Club lounges.
The primary cardholder and each authorized user can bring immediate family members or two other guests into the lounge. However, you must show a boarding pass for same-day travel on any departing or arriving flight that is marketed or operated by American Airlines, marketed and operated by any Oneworld carrier or marketed and operated by Alaska Airlines.
Note that only some American Airlines lounges have reopened. You can see a current listing of open lounges on American Airlines' website.
Related: 3 reasons why this is the best card for Admirals Club lounge access as travel returns
Other card benefits
With the AAdvantage Executive Card, you'll earn 2 miles per dollar spent on eligible American Airlines purchases and 1 mile per dollar spent on all other purchases. Plus, you'll get Group 4 priority boarding and your first checked bag free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for you and up to eight companions traveling on the same reservation. And you can earn 10,000 elite qualifying miles after making $40,000 in purchases within the calendar year.
To learn more, see our Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard credit card review.
Official application link: Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard
Delta SkyMiles®Reserve American Express Card
The Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card has a $550 annual fee (see rates and fees). But the card offers Delta Sky Club access as one of its benefits — and this single benefit may justify the annual fee if you travel with Delta frequently.
Lounge access
Delta Reserve cardmembers have complimentary access to Delta Sky Clubs when traveling on a same-day Delta-operated or Delta-marketed flight. However, not all Delta Sky Club locations have reopened. You can see a list of the open Sky Club locations on Delta's website.
You can also access Delta Sky Clubs when traveling on a Delta partner flight that isn't marketed or operated by Delta. But, in this case, you'll need to pay $39 per visit. You can bring up to two guests, or a partner and children under 21, for $39 per person per visit. But Reserve cardholders also get two one-time guest passes each year for complimentary guest access to the Delta Sky Club.
Delta Reserve cardholders also get access to American Express Centurion Lounges when traveling on a Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight paid for with a U.S.-issued American Express card. You'll only be able to access the lounge up to three hours before your flight or during connections, though. And although you can bring up to two guests, you'll pay $50 for each.
Related: Credit card showdown: Amex Platinum vs. Delta Reserve
Other card benefits
The Delta Reserve Card earns 3 miles per dollar spent directly with Delta and 1 mile per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
You and up to eight companions on the same reservation will get your first checked bag free and Main Cabin 1 priority boarding when flying with Delta. You'll also receive a domestic first class, Comfort+ or Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your card.
Elite status is also more attainable with this card. When you spend $25,000 on your card within a calendar year, you will get a Medallion Qualification Dollar waiver for Platinum, Gold and Silver Medallion status. For Diamond Medallion status, you'll need to spend $250,000 on the card.
For more information, check out our Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card review.
Official application link: Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
The Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express Card also offers Delta Sky Club access as one of its benefits. As such, the Delta Reserve Business Amex can be helpful for business travelers who frequently fly on Delta.
Lounge access
Like the personal Delta Reserve credit card, Delta Reserve for Business cardholders have complimentary access to Delta Sky Clubs when traveling on a same-day Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight. You can also get access when flying on a Delta partner flight not operated or marketed by Delta, but you'll have to pay $39 per visit. You get two one-time complimentary guest passes each account year. But you'll need to pay $39 per person per visit for other guests.
Cardholders also get access to Centurion Lounges when traveling on a same-day Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight when paying the fare with a U.S.-issued American Express card. You can access the lounge up to three hours before departure or during connections. And you can bring up to two guests by paying $50 per person per location.
Related: Choosing the best credit cards for Delta flyers
Other card benefits
The Delta Reserve for Business earns 3 Delta miles per dollar spent directly with Delta and 1 mile per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. However, you'll earn 1.5 miles per dollar spent on all purchases after $150,000 in spending each calendar year.
Like the personal Delta Reserve, you'll get a first free checked bag for you and up to eight companions on the same reservation, along with Main Cabin 1 priority boarding when flying with Delta. You'll also get a round-trip companion certificate for bookings in domestic first class, Comfort+ or Main Cabin each year upon renewal. Plus, you can spend to get a Medallion Qualification Dollar waiver.
For more information, see our Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express Card review.
Official application link: Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express Card
United Club Infinite Card
The United Club Infinite Card offers United Club membership as a perk. So, this card can make sense for frequent United flyers.
Lounge access
The United Club Infinite Card offers United Club membership for the primary cardholder. This membership gives the primary cardholder access to United Club locations with a same-day boarding pass for travel on United, a Star Alliance partner or a contracted partner. United Club members can bring two adults or one adult and dependent children under 21 years of age as guests.
Not all United Club locations have reopened yet, though. To see which lounges are currently open, check the list on United's website.
Related: The best credit cards for United Airlines flyers
Other card benefits
The United Club Infinite Card offers various other perks besides lounge access when flying United. For example, you'll earn 4 miles per dollar spent on United purchases, 2 miles per dollar spent on travel and dining and 1 mile per dollar spent on all other purchases. And you and one companion can get your first and second checked bags free on United-operated flights when you buy the tickets with your card. Plus, you'll get a statement credit of up to $100 every four years to reimburse a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee.
For more information, see our United Club Infinite Card review.
Official application link: United Club Infinite Card
Comparing benefits for the best credit cards with airport lounge access
| CREDIT CARD | ANNUAL FEE | LOUNGE ACCESS | PRIMARY BENEFITS |
| The Platinum Card from American Express | $695 (see rates & fees) | Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges and other lounges in the American Express Global Lounge Collection when flying any airline (enrollment required for select benefits)Delta Sky Club when flying Delta or select partner airlines | 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines or Amex Travel(on up to $500,000 of these purchases per calendar year) and prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel Airline fee credit up to $200 each calendar year (enrollment required for select benefits) Uber Cash up to $200 each calendar year (enrollment required) Terms apply |
| The Business Platinum Card from American Express | $595 (see rates & fees) | Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges and other lounges in the American Express Global Lounge Collection when flying any airline(enrollment required for select benefits)Delta Sky Club when flying Delta or select partner airlines | 5x points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel; 1.5x points on eligible purchases in select business categories and eligible purchases of $5,000 or more; on up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year. 35% rebate when booking eligible flights through Pay with Points (up to 500,000 points per calendar year) Terms apply |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve | $550 | Priority Pass lounges and restaurants when flying any airline | 10x on hotels, car rentals and Chase Dining purchases through the Ultimate Rewards portal, 10x on Lyft (through March 2022), 5x on flights booked through the Ultimate Rewards portal, 3x points on all other travel and dining and 1x on everything else $300 annual travel credit |
| Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard | $450 | Admirals Club membership for the primary cardholder and access for authorized users (limited to when you're flying American Airlines or select partner airlines) | 2x miles on eligible American Airlines purchases Group 4 priority boarding First checked bag free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for you and up to eight companions |
| Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card | $550 (see rates & fees) | Delta Sky Club access when traveling on a Delta-operated or Delta-marketed flightCenturion Lounge access when traveling on a Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight for which you paid with a U.S.-issued Amex card | 3x miles on eligible purchases made directly with DeltaFirst checked bag free and Main Cabin 1 priority boarding for you and up to eight companions Round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your card Terms apply |
| Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express Card | $550 (see rates & fees) | Delta Sky Club access when traveling on a Delta-operated or Delta-marketed flightCenturion Lounge access when traveling on a Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight for which you paid with a U.S.-issued Amex card | 3x miles on eligible Delta purchases First checked bag free and Main Cabin 1 priority boarding for you and up to eight companions Round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your card Terms apply |
| United Club Infinite Card | $525 | United Club access when traveling on United, a Star Alliance partner or a contracted partner | 4x miles on eligible United purchases First and second checked bags free for you and a companion Priority boarding |
Low-annual-fee options
The annual fees on the cards discussed so far in this guide all top $400. These cards carry enough benefits and earn enough points to recoup the annual fee many times over for some travelers.
But if you can't justify high annual fees or don't travel frequently, you may want a card with a lower annual fee. So, here are a few ways to get a few complimentary lounge visits each year while paying a lower annual fee:
- Get 10 complimentary visits to Priority Pass lounges every Priority Pass year with the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card ($95 annual fee; see rates & fees) and The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card ($95 annual fee, see rates and fees). (Enrollment required)
- Earn up to $100 in statement credits for lounge access purchased through LoungeBuddy every calendar year with the American Express® Green Card ($150 annual fee, see rates and fees). Enrollment required.
- Get two United Club one-time passes when you sign up and on each account anniversary with the United Explorer Card ($95 annual fee, waived the first year) and the United Business Card ($99 annual fee, waived the first year).
The information for the Amex Green card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Related: The best credit cards with annual fees under $100
Frequently asked questions
Here are a few of the most commonly asked questions about the use of credit cards for lounge access:
What is Priority Pass and how does it work?
Priority Pass is an airport lounge membership program that provides members with access to more than 1,300 airport lounges — and sometimes non-lounge experiences such as restaurants — around the world. With a Priority Pass membership, you can visit these lounges regardless of the airline you're flying or your ticket class. You can even access Priority Pass lounges when you're flying in economy class on a low-cost airline.
If you have Priority Pass access benefits through a credit card, you'll usually need to enroll in Priority Pass Select. However, the access policies vary across cards, so be sure to determine what benefits your card offers before heading to the airport. For example, Priority Pass Select memberships for American Express cards don't cover visits to restaurant lounges. And cards with lower annual fees, such as the Hilton Surpass and Hilton Business cards, only offer 10 complimentary lounge visits per year.
Related: The best credit cards for Priority Pass lounge access
Enrollment required for select benefits
What are Centurion Lounges and how do they work?
Centurion Lounges are high-end lounges accessible to select American Express cardmembers. These lounges are often known for offering locally curated, high-quality dining and drinks. Some Centurion Lounges even provide other perks, including spa services and wine tasting. However, Amex has modified select Centurion Lounge perks during the pandemic.
The easiest way to access Centurion Lounges is by holding an eligible card such as The Platinum Card from American Express or The Business Platinum Card from American Express. But Delta SkyMiles Reserve and Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business cardholders can also access Centurion Lounges when flying Delta on the same day on a ticket paid for with a U.S.-issued Amex card.
Delta Reserve cardholders don't get complimentary guest access, but Amex Platinum cardholders can bring up to two guests with them free of charge. And Centurion members can bring up to two guests or their immediate family free of charge.
Related: 6 ways airport lounges are improving — and one way they definitely aren't
Should I have multiple cards with lounge access?
Depending on how frequently you travel, the airports you visit and the airlines you fly, it may make sense to have multiple cards that offer access to different lounge networks. Since you can only access Delta, United and American lounges when flying each airline, it's essential to have the correct credit card for lounge access based on the airports you're visiting and the airline you're flying.
Related: 4 reasons why the Amex Platinum might be the ideal credit card for Delta flyers
Are cards with lounge access worth it during the pandemic?
If you are traveling during the pandemic and travel through airports with open lounges, it can make sense to carry one or more cards that provide lounge access. But if you don't intend to restart travel soon or plan to skip airport lounges, it may not make sense to have airport lounge cards now. I recommend assessing your credit card portfolio to determine which cards are worth their annual fees.
Related: 7 ways I've changed my flight routine to make pandemic travel easier
What's included in free airport lounge access?
Airport lounges typically provide access to seating, power, Wi-Fi, nonalcoholic drinks and snacks for no additional charge. However, some airport lounges offer other amenities such as meals, spa services, shower rooms, meeting rooms and alcoholic drinks. And in some cases, these additional amenities are also complimentary for anyone who has access to the lounge.
Related: How valuable is a Priority Pass lounge membership?
How do I get free airport lounge access?
The easiest way to get free airport lounge access is to sign up for a credit card that offers lounge access as a perk. However, you may be able to snag airport lounge access with some types of airline elite status. And if you reside outside the U.S., you may find that some non-travel memberships include free access to some airport lounges.
Related: The 7 do's and don'ts in an airport lounge
Additional reporting by Stella Shon.
For rates and fees of the Platinum Card, please click here.
For rates and fees of the Business Platinum Card, please click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve, please click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business, please click here.
For rates and fees of the Hilton Surpass, please click here.
For rates and fees of the Hilton Business Card, please click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Green Card, please click here.
Featured photo of the Amex Centurion Lounge at New York-JFK by Zach Griff/The Points Guy.
Updated 09/27/21.
Exective Airport Lounge Access Free With Forex Cards
Source: https://thepointsguy.com/credit-cards/airport-lounge-access/
0 Response to "Exective Airport Lounge Access Free With Forex Cards"
Post a Comment