For many travelers, the airport terminal is a place of queues, frantic meals and scarce seating. Lounges flip that script by providing comfortable chairs, Wi-Fi, quieter spaces, and sometimes even showers or à la carte dining. Gaining access isn’t just about flying first class; there are dozens of ways to unlock these sanctuaries. This guide demystifies lounge access, comparing membership programs, showing how credit cards can save you money, and highlighting hidden traps such as guest fees or fare restrictions. By the end, you’ll know which option matches your travel habits and budget.
Full Comparison
| Program | Network | Annual cost | Day pass? | Guest policy | Notable cards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Priority Pass | 1,600+ lounges in 600+ cities | Standard $99; Standard Plus $329; Prestige $469 | N/A (membership only) | $35 per guest visit | Amex Platinum, Venture X, Sapphire Reserve |
| United Club | 45 United Club + 6 Polaris lounges | Individual $750 or 94k miles; All Access $1,400–$1,200 depending on elite status | $59–$79 one-day pass | Individual plan no guests; All Access includes 2 guests | United Club SM Visa ($695 annual fee) |
| Delta Sky Club | 50+ lounges globally | Individual $695 or 69,500 miles; Executive $1,495 or 149,500 miles | Guest passes $50 each | Executive members may bring 2 guests; individual members pay per guest | Amex Platinum (6 visits from Feb 2025), Delta SkyMiles Reserve card |
| American Admirals Club | 50+ Admirals Clubs and ~60 partner lounges | Individual membership $850–$750 (discounted for elites); household $1,650–$1,550 | Day pass $79 | Members may bring family or 2 guests; day pass admits one person | Citi®/AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® ($595 annual fee) |
| Alaska Lounge | 9 Alaska lounges + Plumeria Lounge; 90 partner lounges with Lounge+ | Standard membership $595; Lounge+ $795 | $60 day pass | Members may bring family or 2 guests free | Atmos Rewards Summit Visa offers 8 passes per year |
| Capital One Lounge | Three lounges (Dallas-Fort Worth, Denver, Washington Dulles) and new Landings cafés | No membership; Venture X card $395 includes unlimited access | $90 per person for walk-ins; $45 per adult and $25 per child for Venture & Spark cardholders | Two guests free (until Jan 31 2026), additional $45 per adult | Capital One Venture X and Venture X Business |
| Chase Sapphire Lounges | Eight lounges (including Hong Kong and Boston) | No membership; Reserve cardholders get unlimited access | $100 day pass for non-members | Cardholders may bring 2 guests free; additional guests $27 | Chase Sapphire Reserve, J.P. Morgan Reserve |
| Centurion Lounges | 25+ locations worldwide | No membership; included with Amex Platinum, Business Platinum & Centurion cards | N/A | $50 per adult or $30 per child unless cardholder spends $75k annually | Amex Platinum ($695 annual fee), Business Platinum |
| Alaska Lounge day pass | N/A | N/A | $65 per visit | N/A | N/A |
Category Winners
Best Overall Network: Priority Pass
With more than 1,600 lounges across 600 cities, Priority Pass offers the broadest coverage of any program. Travelers who fly on multiple airlines or spend time in smaller airports will appreciate the sheer reach. The mid-tier Standard Plus plan gives 10 free visits for $329 per year and charges a reasonable $35 per visit thereafter, making it ideal for people who travel moderately.
Best Airline Club: United All Access
United’s new All Access membership isn’t cheap at $1,400 per year (less for elite members), but it grants unlimited access to United Clubs, Polaris lounges and partner lounges for the member plus two guests. If you often travel with family or colleagues through United hubs, the guest privileges can quickly offset the cost compared to buying day passes or individual memberships.
Best Credit-Card Perk: Capital One Venture X
The Venture X card charges a relatively modest $395 annual fee yet bundles unlimited Priority Pass and Capital One Lounge access. Cardholders can bring two guests for free until early 2026 and pay just $45 for additional guests. When you factor in the card’s annual travel credit and 10X earning on hotels and rental cars, it beats many high-fee competitors.
Best for Occasional Flyers: Day Passes & Trials
Not every traveler needs a full membership. Many airlines sell day passes for $25–$80 each; Alaska charges $60, while American charges $79. Before committing to a costly plan, buy a pass, explore the amenities and see whether the experience justifies a long-term investment.
Best Premium Experience: Centurion Lounges
American Express’s Centurion Lounges are beloved for their craft cocktails and chef-curated menus. There’s no standalone membership; access comes with the $695 Platinum or Business Platinum cards. Guests typically cost $50 per adult, but heavy spenders who charge $75,000 in a calendar year unlock two complimentary guests for the rest of that year and the next.
Realistic Math Examples
Understanding the numbers helps clarify which option saves money. The following examples compare membership costs with pay-per-visit fees and credit-card alternatives. Actual day-pass prices vary by airport, but $65–$80 is typical.
Frequent traveler (20 visits)
If you expect to visit lounges 20 times a year, a Priority Pass Prestige membership at $469 is the cheapest option. By contrast, Standard membership ($99 plus $35 per visit) would cost about $799, and buying 20 day passes at $65 each would run around $1,300. Even a high-fee card like the Amex Platinum ($695) costs more than Prestige for this travel pattern.
Occasional flyer (6 visits)
For six lounge visits, the math flips. A Priority Pass Standard membership plus visit fees totals roughly $309, only slightly cheaper than a Standard Plus plan at $329. Buying six day passes at $65 comes to $390, but if you already carry a Venture X card ($395) or another premium card with lounge perks, those visits become essentially free after the annual fee is paid.
Family of four (single trip)
A family of four planning one lounge visit could pay $320 buying four day passes at around $80 each. The Venture X card includes entry for the cardholder and two guests; adding a fourth person costs $45, making the total about $440 for the first year including the card’s $395 fee. Premium airline memberships like Delta’s Executive plan ($1,495) or United’s All Access plan ($1,400) are far more expensive and only make sense if you fly frequently with family.
Gotchas You Shouldn’t Ignore
- Most airline club memberships require you to fly on that airline or an eligible partner; Delta, for example, bars entry on basic economy tickets.
- Guest fees add up quickly. Delta charges $50 per guest, Centurion Lounges charge $50 per adult and $30 per child, and Capital One will start charging guests unless you spend $75,000 annually.
- Some credit cards cap lounge visits. Beginning Feb 1 2025, the Amex Platinum allows only six Sky Club visits per year and the Delta Reserve card allows 15 visits unless you spend $75,000.
- Membership fees rise regularly: United raised its individual membership to $750 and introduced the $1,400 All Access tier in 2025; Alaska increased standard membership to $595 and Lounge+ to $795 in early 2025; and American raised its individual membership to $850.
- Hours and amenities vary widely. Some lounges are mere rooms with snacks, while others offer full dining and showers; check reviews before assuming a lounge is worth the detour.
How We Picked
- Network size: We favored programs with broad geographic coverage so that members can benefit worldwide.
- Value per visit: Annual fees were compared against typical day-pass costs to determine break-even points.
- Guest policy: Programs with generous guest allowances ranked higher because travelers often fly with family or colleagues.
- Ease of access: We assessed whether memberships require specific flights or fare classes (Delta, for instance, limits entry for basic economy tickets) and whether entry is straightforward or involves enrollment hoops.
- Credit-card integration: Cards offering lounge access were evaluated on annual fee, travel credits and additional perks to see if they provide better overall value than standalone memberships.
- Future changes: We factored in known policy updates, such as Capital One’s guest access changes in 2026 and the upcoming Sky Club visit limits.
FAQs
Can I use a lounge if I’m flying economy?
Yes. Economy travelers can access lounges through memberships, day passes or qualifying credit cards. However, some airline clubs require a same-day boarding pass on their own flights or partner carriers. Delta, for instance, does not allow basic economy passengers into Sky Clubs unless they have an eligible credit card.
Do lounge memberships include guests?
Guest policies vary. Priority Pass charges $35 per guest, Delta charges $50, and Centurion Lounges charge $50 per adult or $30 per child. United’s All Access membership includes up to two guests, while individual memberships generally don’t allow guests.
Are lounge memberships worth it?
It depends on how often you travel. Frequent flyers who value a quiet workspace, complimentary food and premium amenities can easily recoup the cost of a membership. Occasional travelers should do the math: if you’ll visit fewer than ten times a year, day passes or a mid-tier credit card may be more economical. The Realistic Math Examples above illustrate typical break-even points.
Which credit card offers the best lounge access?
The Capital One Venture X offers a strong combination of low annual fee ($395) and unlimited access to Priority Pass and Capital One Lounges. The Amex Platinum ($695) unlocks the broadest variety of lounges, including Centurion and Delta Sky Clubs, but starting in 2025 it limits Sky Club visits to six per year.
Do day passes have time limits?
Many lounges limit how long you can stay. United’s one-time passes allow entry up to three hours before departure, while Alaska’s day passes are only valid for the lounge where purchased and for same-day travel. Always check the fine print.