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    The 7 Best Credit Cards for Free Airport Lounge Access in September 2023

    The 7 Best Credit Cards for Free Airport Lounge Access in September 2023

    We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

    The Best Personal Credit Cards for Free, Worldwide Airport Lounge Access

    Credit CardLounge Access & Guest Access Info
    The Platinum Card® from American Express

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    • This is the best card available for accessing airport lounges, worldwide.

    • Access 1,400+ lounges via American Express's Global Lounge Collection, including Priority Pass Lounge Access when enrolled, Amex Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Club lounges when flying Delta, Select Lufthansa Lounges when flying Lufthansa, Select Virgin Clubhouses, Escape Lounges – The Centurion Studio Partner and Plaza Premium Lounges

    • Allows access for cardholder plus up to 2 additional guests.

    • Add authorized users for $195 per card in addition to the annual fee on the card (see rates and fees).

    • This card (and the business version) gets you access to the most airport lounges worldwide

    • Cardholder annual fee: $695 (rates & fees)
    Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card (rates and fees)

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    • The best value lounge access card.

    • Priority Pass Lounge Access (1,300+ lounges) as well as Capital One Lounge access.

    • Allows access for cardholder plus up to 2 additional guests.

    • Add cardholders to your account for no fee.

    • Cardholder annual fee: $395 (rates & fees)
    Chase Sapphire Reserve®

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    • Sapphire Lounges and Priority Pass Lounge access.

    • Allows access for cardholder plus up to 2 additional guests.

    • Add authorized users for an additional annual fee of $75 each

    • $300 annual travel credit

    • Cardholder annual fee: $550
    Citi®/AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®

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    • American Airline's Admirals Club access and select partner One World Alliance Lounges.

    • Allows access for cardholder plus immediate family or 2 additional guests.

    • Cardholder annual fee: $595
    United℠ Explorer Card

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    • United Club Lounge access.

    • No fee to add authorized users

    • 2 single day passes issued each card anniversary year.

    • Annual Fee: $0 intro for the first year, then $95

    Most credit cards that have global lounge access, including Priority Pass Select membership, allow 2 additional guests at no cost. The number of guests you can bring and the amount you will be charged for guests beyond the allotted maximum differs by card.

    You can review the guest details in the offer information before you select a card or check the terms and conditions in the card benefits guide when you receive your card for current rates.

    The Best Business Credit Cards for Free Lounge Access

    Business Credit CardLounge Access & Guest Access Info
    The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

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    Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card

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    • Access to Delta Sky Club Lounges, Amex Centurion Lounges, and Escape Lounges - The Centurion® Studio Partner

    • Lounge access for the cardholder only when traveling on Delta; get 2 additional guests at a discounted rate, children 2 and under are free.

    • Annual Fee: $550 (Rates & Fees)
    The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card

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    • Priority Pass Select access.

    • Get 10 Free Passes per year, $27 per person per visit after the 10 passes are used

    • Annul Fee: $95(Rates & Fees)

    Hot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a huge welcome bonus offer of up to 170,000 points with the Amex Business Platinum. The current public offer is 120,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

    Similar to our personal card list, the Amex Business Platinum card takes the top spot thanks to it providing access to 6 different airport lounge networks including Priority Pass lounges, Amex Centurion lounges, Delta Sky Clubs, Escape lounges, Airspace lounges, and Plaza Premium lounges.

    The Best Credit Cards With Free Lounge Access for Authorized Users

    These are some of the cards that grant lounge access for authorized users and a breakdown of the associated fees.

    Credit CardLounge Access for Authorized UsersAnnual Authorized User Fee
    The Platinum Card® from American Express

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    JSON API Error.     		American Express Global Lounge Collection access; that's 1,400+ airport lounges, including Amex Centurion Lounges (better than most business class lounges).

    Annual Fee: $695 (Rates & Fees)    		$175 Total fee for up to 3 authorized users
    (Rates & Fees)
    Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card (rates and fees)

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    JSON API Error.     		Priority Pass Lounge and Capital One Lounge at DFW airport.

    Annual Fee: $395
    		Additional Cardholders: Add cardholders to your account for no fee--they can enjoy benefits and you will earn rewards on every dollar they spend
    Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card

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    Annual Fee: $550    		$75 per authorized user

    Final Thoughts

    Lounge access is one of the most valuable travel perks, so having this benefit included on a premium credit card makes sense for serious travelers. Plus, if you’re purchasing a lounge access membership elsewhere, it’s a simple economic decision to consider a premium credit card that includes this perk.

    And while lounge access may be important, you’ll want to consider the whole package of benefits that come with each card as lounge access will be just one of many valuable benefits available on a premium travel card.

    Ultimately, the Amex Platinum card is by far the best lounge access card and the one that we use and would recommend.

    The information regarding the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

    For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, click here.
    For rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, click here.
    For rates and fees for the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card, click here.
    For rates and fees of The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card, click here.

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    Advertiser Disclosure: Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we receive compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. For more information on our advertisers and how we make money, see our advertising policy here. In addition, as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

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