There’s just so much time that you can spend waiting around for your flight in a crowded airport without going crazy. But rather than camp out in a packed boarding area, or at a bar, you could be spending your time productively at an airport business lounge. Here you’ll find comfortable chairs, free wifi and even complimentary refreshments instead of exorbitantly priced airport food.
There are some lounges that you can get into by paying about $50 per visit, and some that just aren’t open to the general public at any price. But if you have the right credit card, then you can access these lounges at no additional cost. If you want free airport business lounge access, then consider these cards:
The Platinum Card® from American Express
This card offers several different airport business lounge memberships. You can visit a Delta SkyClub when flying Delta the same day, or visit over 1,000 lounges with the Priority Pass Select membership. Then there are the luxurious American Express Centurion lounges at select airports. This card also offers you a $200 Airline Fee Credit, up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue (requires enrollment) and up to $100 in credit towards a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application. There’s a $550 annual fee for this card. (See rates & fees).
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United℠ Explorer Card
If you just need occasional lounge access, this card may be for you. It offers you two day passes each year to the United Club lounges. It also offers you 40,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 on purchases within the first three months of opening your account. You earn 2x miles per dollar spent at restaurants and on hotel stays, and on United purchases. You also receive up to a $100 credit towards the application fee for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. Other benefits include priority boarding, 25% back on United inflight purchases, and one complimentary checked bag (for the cardholder as well as a companion) when you use your card to purchase your ticket. There’s a $95 annual fee for this card that’s waived the first year.
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite™ Mastercard®
This card offers free access to the Admirals Club lounge not just for yourself but for your immediate family or two guests. In fact, authorized users also receive Admirals Club access, and there’s no charge to add users. Other benefits include the chance to earn 10,000 AAdvantage® Elite Qualifying Miles (EQMs) after you spend $40,000 in purchases within a calendar year. You also get priority boarding and your first checked bag is free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for you and up to eight companions traveling with you on the same reservation. There’s a $450 annual fee for this card.
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Delta Reserve for Business Credit Card
This card offers you a Delta SkyClub membership that’s valid when you fly on Delta. You can also earn 15,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and 15,000 bonus miles after you reach $30,000 in eligible purchases annually, and another 15,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and 15,000 bonus miles after you reach $60,000 in a calendar year. Other benefits include a complimentary checked bag, priority boarding and upgrade priority over others in the same Medallion elite tier. There’s a $450 annual fee for this card.
