Best Travel Credit Cards for Free Airport Lounge Access in 2025

Introduction

Ever paid $20 for a slice of sad airport pizza and thought, there has to be a better way? That’s where airport lounges come in. Free food, drinks, fast WiFi, and a quiet place to relax before boarding.Iit’s a total game-changer!

The good news: you don’t need a first-class ticket to get in. The right credit card can unlock lounges worldwide, even when you’re flying economy.

In this guide, I’ll break down the best travel credit cards for lounge access in 2025 updated with this year’s annual fees and perks so you can see which card is actually worth it. (And if you’re ready to apply, some of these links are my referrals. Thank you for supporting my work while also earning your own rewards!)

🏆 Quick Comparison Table (2025)

Highlights by Card

1. Capital One Venture X

• Annual Fee: $395

• Lounge Access: Capital One Lounges, Priority Pass, Plaza Premium (2 free guests until Feb 2026).

• Why it’s great: It packs in premium lounge access without the premium $700+ price tag.

• Best for: Travelers who want a ton of lounge options but still care about keeping fees reasonable.

• Heads up: The free guest perk ends in 2026, so enjoy it while it lasts.

2. American Express Platinum

• Annual Fee: $695

• Lounge Access: AmEx Global Lounge Collection (Centurion, Delta Sky Clubs, Priority Pass, Plaza Premium).

• Why it’s great: No other card comes close to this much lounge access worldwide. Plus you get hotel elite status and a stack of travel credits.

• Best for: Frequent flyers who want the most luxury and coverage.

• Heads up: The fee is steep - make sure you’ll actually use the perks to justify it..

3. Chase Sapphire Reserve

• Annual Fee: $795

• Lounge Access: Priority Pass + select airline lounges.

• Why it’s great: Flexible points, strong transfer partners, and some of the best travel insurance protections out there.

• Best for: Travelers who value flexibility with points and peace of mind with insurance.

• Heads up: Recent fee hikes hurt - and compared to when it launched, it doesn’t feel as perk-heavy.

4. Delta SkyMiles Reserve (AmEx)

• Annual Fee: $650

• Lounge Access: Delta Sky Clubs (when flying Delta).

• Why it’s great: If Delta is your airline, this card unlocks Sky Clubs and comes with MQM boosts and a companion certificate.

• Best for: Delta loyalists who want status perks and Sky Club access.

• Heads up: It’s only useful if you’re flying Delta - no Priority Pass or global options.

Choosing the Right Card

Not sure which one fits? Here’s the quick breakdown:

• Best value overall: Venture X (especially while free guests are still included).

• Most luxury + global access: AmEx Platinum

• Delta flyers only: Delta Reserve.

• Insurance + points flexibility: Chase Sapphire Reserve

Think about how often you travel, which airlines you fly, and how much you’ll actually use the perks. That will tell you which card is worth it.

💡 Pro tip: Once you have your card, remembering all the perks (like which lounges you can access, or which card covers your TSA PreCheck fee) can get overwhelming. I use CardPointers to keep everything organized. It automatically tells me the best card to use for every purchase and reminds me of credits so I don’t leave money on the table.

Check out CardPointers here

🎟️ Get the Shortcut

Want something you can save on your phone? I put together a free Lounge Access Cheat Sheet (2025) with the exact cards I use to walk into lounges worldwide. It’s your quick VIP pass at a glance.

👉 Download the Lounge Access Cheat Sheet (2025)

(Affiliate and referral links may be included. Thank you for supporting my work)