8 Credit Cards that Allow Nonrevs into Airport Lounges

The best way to upgrade your non-rev experience is to figure out how to get into airport lounges around the world. Getting bumped to a later flight sucks a lot less when you can pop into a nearby club for snacks & a drink. The only problem is that getting into a lounge as a nonrev is trickier than it is for regular passengers. After hundreds of lounge visits, I present to you the best credit cards to help you get into an airport lounge on your next non-rev trip.

Why should nonrevs care about airport lounge access?

As nonrevs, we spend a lot of time waiting around in the airport. Whether we are getting rolled between flights or you just need somewhere quiet to plan our next trip, there is a lot of downtime. 

If you are already spending a ton of time in the airport, why not upgrade your experience? Stepping into an airport lounge gets you access to a more relaxing atmosphere that is stocked with free food & drinks. 

Flight delays and itinerary changes used to mean bellying up to a busy airport bar and dropping unreasonable sums of money on an overpriced burger or beer. It’s nearly impossible to walk out of an airport restaurant without spending at least $20 per person. Those trips add up quickly: order too many drinks during your next layover and you may end up spending more money feeding yourself at the airport than your whole budget at your destination!

With airport lounge access, I now spend my extra time enjoying complimentary snacks & bloody Marys instead. Not only do you feel like a VIP inside airport lounges, but gaining access saves me hundreds of dollars per year.

What airport lounge networks can nonrevs access?

Not all lounges are created equal, and different lounge network memberships have unique benefits. Here are some of the most well-known lounge networks available to U.S. travelers.

Alaska Lounge (Alaska Airlines)

Annual Fee: $450 (tiered discounts available if you have Mileage Plan elite status)
One-Day Pass Cost: $50 ($25 for eligible Alaska Airlines Visa cardholders)
Number of Locations: 7

There are seven Alaska Lounges currently operational at Alaska Airlines’ most popular airports (including three separate lounges in SEA alone). $450 is a bit steep for a network that only spans five airports, so buying this membership also grants you access to Alaska’s partner lounges (including American Airlines’ network of Admirals Clubs and a handful of United Clubs). 

Inside, you can expect a bar stocked with local draft beer and West Coast wines along with small bites (including their famous pancakes). Coffee & tea drinks are also available, and an on-site barista can help you whip up a fancier drink.

This is the only airline lounge network that doesn’t have its co-branded credit card, but it is important to note that Alaska Lounges can be accessed by anyone with an Admirals Club membership. While buying Alaska’s membership is cheaper than an Admirals Club membership, gaining Alaska Lounge access through American Airlines’ credit card is a great alternative.

Admirals Club (American Airlines)

Annual Cost: $650 for new members, $600 renwal (tiered discounts available if you have AAdvantage elite status) 
One-Day Pass Cost: $59 (up to 3 children included with entry of a parent/guardian)
Number of Locations: ~50

The cost of accessing American Airlines’ Admirals Clubs has climbed in price over the years. Buying a membership outright at the current price makes no sense when AA’s top-of-the-line credit card offers you this same level of access for hundreds of dollars (more on this later). To access an Admirals Club, you will need a membership and a same-day AA boarding pass.

Admirals Clubs vary in size & design, but they all offer the same general level of amenities. Ample seating area and hi-speed wifi are standard, and many locations offer purpose-built business centers and shower suites for members.

Complimentary drinks & a snack bar are available at every Admirals Club. La Colombe coffee, assorted tea bags, and an automatic espresso machine provide the caffeine kick if you need it. Depending on the time of day you are inside, you could find a station for avocado toast, breakfast tacos, guacamole dip, or even a build-your-own mac & cheese.

You can expect a more premium experience in Admirals Clubs at international destinations. Many of these far-flung locations, like the Admirals Clubs I visited in Buenos Aires & London, feature self-serve alcohol as well.

United Club (United Airlines)

Annual Cost: $650 (tiered discounts available if you have MileagePlus elite status)
One-Day Pass Cost: $59
Number of Locations: 45+

Just like the other major airline lounge networks listed, access to the United Club is now limited to passengers who are holding a same-day boarding pass on United (or one of its partner airlines). That shouldn’t pose much of an issue for any nonrevs with United flight benefits, but gone are the days of being able to jump into any airline’s lounge regardless of who you were flying on that day.

United Clubs feature breakfast & afternoon snacks along with complimentary beer, wine, and house spirits from the bar. TV and hi-speed wifi are other amenities one would expect in a domestic airport lounge, and the food & beverage options will keep you satisfied every time you return. Some of the best United Clubs are the international locations in LHR, NRT, and HKG; each of these clubs features expansive interiors & superior food.

With a hefty $650 price tag, United nonrevs who want access to the United Clubs are much better off gaining access through the co-branded Infinite credit card to save some cash.

Priority Pass

Annual Cost: $429 (unlimited visits) or $299 (10 visits per year)
One-Day Pass Cost: Varies by location
Number of Locations: 1,300+

Priority Pass isn’t a single brand of lounges, but rather a collection of hundreds of smaller lounges & clubs who have banded together to form a worldwide network that can be accessed with a single membership card. In addition to some amazing third-party airport lounges, Priority Pass also has partnered with some airline-owned lounges around the globe. Their reach has even extended to airport establishments that aren’t lounges: you can now swipe your PP card at some airport restaurants & bars to knock off a large chunk of your total bill.

Priority Pass lounges are nonrev-friendly: simply present your Priority Pass Select card (or digital membership card) along with your standby boarding pass and you will be granted entry. 

I have used my Priority Pass Select card to enter PP lounges hundreds of times without issue. That said, I do recommend using an electronic boarding pass instead of your paper ticket if your airline’s standby boarding pass doesn’t resemble a confirmed boarding pass at all).

This is one of my favorite lounge networks because it offers something that the airline-specific lounges can’t compete with: variety. 

It should be noted that the annual cost of buying a $429 Priority Pass “Prestige” membership is lower than the annual fee on all of the credit cards listed below. However, I do not recommend buying the $429 Prestige package because every single card included in this list offers value to nonrevs that is above & beyond simple lounge access.

What airport lounges do not allow entry to non-rev travelers?

Sky Club (Delta Air Lines)

Annual Cost: $845 for an Executive Membership (includes up to 2 complimentary guests per visit) or $545 for an Individual Membership
One-Day Pass Cost: Not available for purchase
Number of Locations: 50+

Delta’s Sky Clubs offer an oasis for travelers to relax away from the hustle & bustle of busy terminals. Delta has made the Sky Club more exclusive over the years by eliminating one-day passes in 2018 and restricting access to passengers who have a same-day Delta boarding pass in 2019.

You can expect a good domestic lounge experience at the Sky Clubs: hi-speed wifi, satellite TV, complimentary drinks, and food are all available. That said, some Sky Clubs can feel worlds different than others. ATL, home to Delta’s headquarters campus, boasts some of the most impressive Sky Clubs in the system. JFK has a couple well-regarded clubs, and Delta opened up a massive Sky Club in the new terminal at SLC that looks amazing.

The Executive Membership is the most expensive offering on this list, and the more reasonably priced Individual membership is the same level of access that you can find on the $550 American Express Platinum Card & Delta SkyMiles Reserve credit card. Given the choices, I think the Amex Platinum Card offers the best value for travelers who want access to Delta’s airport lounges.

The Centurion Lounge (American Express)

Annual Cost: Not available for purchase
One-Day Pass Cost: Not available for purchase
Number of Locations: 14

Now we begin diving into the world of third-party airport lounges, and who better to start with than the fabled Centurion Lounge network by American Express? Long considered the pinnacle of domestic airport lounges, the Centurion Lounge features elevated food options & an air of elegance that is unmatched by many domestic lounges.

Unfortunately, access to the Centurion Lounge is limited to passengers with eligible premium American Express credit cards who also hold a same-day boarding pass with a confirmed seat.

I don’t know about you, but I normally don’t get my seat assignment until boarding time, which makes it nearly impossible for me to have a confirmed boarding pass early enough before my flight to let me take advantage of the Centurion Lounge.

I have been in a couple Centurion Lounges and raved about their amenities, but Amex’s rule change made this lounge network all but unattainable for airline employees flying standby.

What credit cards offer complimentary airport lounge access?

As you can see above, purchasing a lounge membership directly with each program can be pricey. 

Thankfully, many premium travel credit cards offer some form of lounge access as a built-in perk. 

Travelers who carry the credit cards listed below can access different lounges around the country (and the world). Ready to figure out which card works best for you? Here are 8 credits cards that nonrevs can use for airport lounge access.

Capital One Venture X

Annual Fee: $395
Lounge Network: Priority Pass Select & Capital One Lounges 

The newest premium travel rewards credit card just might be the best of the bunch. With the lowest annual fee of any credit card that offers a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership, the Venture X provides a ton of value.

Capital One is also trying to replicate the success of American Express Centurion Lounge by building their own lounges that cardholders can access. The first opened up at DFW airport in November 2021, and there are plans to build more in 2022. Note: travelers must have a confirmed boarding pass to enter the Capital One lounges, so nonrevs may have difficulty using that perk.

The Venture X is a great option for travelers who don’t have status with any particular hotel brand. Cardholders can earn bonus points by booking hotels & rental cars through the Capital One Travel Portal.

I did an in-depth review of the Venture X’s perks that you can read here. If you are ready to apply, considering using Standby With Me’s Venture X referral link.

Chase Sapphire Reserve

Annual Fee: $550
Lounge Network: Priority Pass Select

It is easy to see why the Chase Sapphire Reserve is one of the best premium travel credit cards available: the Sapphire Reserve offers a ton of value. 

To help offset its steep $550 annual fee, cardholders earn 3x UR points on dining & travel (plus temporary bonus categories to earn 10x points on Lyft rides & 5x points at the grocery store). A slew of other premium perks offered to cardholders include $100 TSA Pre/Global Entry credit, an annual $300 travel credit, and a generous Priority Pass Select membership.

Sapphire Reserve cardholders can use their Priority Pass Select card to get themselves and up to two guests into any Priority Pass location around the world (additional guests can be admitted for $27/person). Sapphire Reserve cardholders can present either the digital Priority Pass membership card or their physical membership card to gain access to the PP lounge network.

Without taking any of this credit card’s perks into account beyond the easy-to-use $300 travel credit, the net cost of holding the Chase Sapphire Reserve is $250/year ($550 annual fee – $300 travel credit). Add in the value you get from earning extra Ultimate Rewards with the CSR’s bonus categories and it is easy to justify the annual fee of holding this credit card to help you access Priority Pass lounges & partner restaurants.

Chase United Club Infinite Card

Annual Fee: $525 (waived first year for new cardmembers)
Lounge Network: United Club (and participating Star Alliance-affiliated lounges)

If you want access to the United Club lounges, Chase’s United Club Infinite credit card might be for you. The standard $100 credit for TSA Pre/Global Entry is of course offered on this card, and the earnings rate of 4x MileagePlus miles on United Purchases and 2x miles on dining & travel are decent (though probably not useful for hardcore non-rev travelers who don’t often buy flights). When traveling on a paid ticket, cardholders will also enjoy priority boarding & two free bags.

The United Club Infinite only grants United Club lounge access to the primary cardholder, so your authorized users are out of luck. United Club members can bring up to two guests (or one adult & any dependent children) into the lounge. Additionally, holding a United Club membership through this card will get you into participating Star Alliance-partnered lounges around the world.

Though the price tag is steep, gaining access to the United Club via the Infinite card is a cheaper option than buying the lounge membership for $650 directly through United.

Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard

Annual Fee: $595
Lounge Network: Admirals Club & Alaska Lounge

For those with American Airlines standby benefits, the Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard is a valuable card to have in your wallet. Like all premium travel cards, this Mastercard comes with the $100 credit for TSA Pre or Global Entry. Cardholders also receive perks like 25% off food & drinks purchased on AA planes and priority boarding (which does not apply when you are flying with a non-rev boarding pass). The earnings potential is limited: 2x AA miles on purchases with American Airlines and 1x on all other charges.

The real value of holding this card is that it grants you access to AA’s Admirals Club lounges around the world as long as you have a same-day boarding pass on an AA or eligible oneworld flight. 

Since buying an Admirals Club lounge membership can cost you up to $650, opting to hold this credit card instead of purchasing a membership is a no-brainer. The best part is that access is granted to all cardholders (including authorized users) and two guests. You can add up to 10 authorized users to this card without any additional fees, which means a single $450/year credit card could get up to 33 people into the Admirals Club at one time (if 1 primary cardholder and 10 authorized users each brought in 2 guests). 

Unfortunately, American Airlines announced in July 2023 that the ability to add up to 10 authorized users with no extra charge no longer exists. Primary cardholders must now pay an extra $175 to add just 3 authorized users, and any additional authorized user beyond that will cost you an extra $175/person.

American Express Platinum Card

Annual Fee: $695
Lounge Network: Delta Sky Club, Centurion Lounge, and Priority Pass Select

Delta nonrevs who want access to the Sky Club: this is the card for you. I am generally not a fan of the Amex Platinum Card for non-rev travelers for a number of reasons, but those who value Delta Sky Club access are the exception to that rule. The sign-up bonus is often large and can be used to book hotels, though the earnings rate is nothing to write home about. Simply put, this is a card for Delta nonrevs to hold in their wallet solely for the perks and not for actually purchasing stuff with.

While most of the credit cards on this list grant you access to a single lounge network, the Platinum Card allows passengers into three:

• Priority Pass Select (cardholders and up to two guests)
• Delta Sky Club (entry requires a same-day boarding pass on a Delta flight)
• Centurion Lounge (entry requires a same-day boarding pass with a confirmed seat assignment)

That last part is important to nonrevs because we often do not have a seat assignment until boarding has started. Most non-rev travelers who attempt to access a Centurion Lounge will be denied entry unless they manage to snag a seat assignment well before departure. 

Don’t get me wrong; I used to love having this card in my wallet because my home airport had a Centurion Lounge. I was heartbroken when Amex updated their terms & conditions in 2019 to all but ban nonrevs. 

Still, the Amex Platinum Card remains the best option for Delta nonrevs who want to experience the Sky Club. For non-Delta folks: without guaranteed access to the Centurion Lounge, there are cheaper ways to get a Priority Pass Select membership.

Hilton Honors Aspire from American Express

Annual Fee: $450
Lounge Network: Priority Pass Select

If you find yourself staying at Hiltons more often than not, the Hilton Honors Aspire credit card may be a valuable way to gain access to a lounge network. This $450/year card offers top-tier elite status (Hilton Honors Diamond) along with a $250 resort credit & a free weekend night stay every year. Cardholders also earn 14x Hilton points for charges at Hilton properties and 7x points on dining & travel. 

The Aspire card offers something that none of the other cards on this list share: Hilton Honors Diamond status grants access to Hilton’s Executive Lounges which offer similar amenities as many airport clubs. While many of Hilton’s lower-end hotels will not have an Executive Lounge, this is worth mentioning in an article about using credit cards to get lounge access. If you like staying in aspirational Hilton properties, unlocking the Executive Lounge is an easy way to upgrade your travels.

American Express offers a $250 airline credit on this card as well (the same benefit offered on the Amex Platinum Card). This incidental airline credit can only be applied to 1 airline and cannot be used on tickets. Unless you plan on buying $250 worth of food & drinks on flights, this credit may be hard for nonrevs to take advantage of without getting creative.

American Express includes a Priority Pass Select membership with this card that allows unlimited complimentary access for the cardholder and up to two guests per visit.

The $450 annual fee on the Hilton Honors Aspire card could effectively be wiped clean if you can find ways to take advantage of the $250 Hilton resort & $250 airline credit. Unless you plan on staying exclusively at Hilton properties, this may not be the best value for you.

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card

Annual Fee: $450
Lounge Network: Priority Pass Select

The other co-branded hotel card on this list is the Amex Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant credit card. In addition to the $100 credit for TSA Pre or Global Entry that is standard on most premium travel credit cards, cardholders will receive mid-tier Marriott Gold Elite status and a complimentary night’s stay every year. You will also earn 6x Marriott Bonvoy points at their hotels, 3x on flights & dining, and 2x points on all other spend.

Like the other credit cards already listed, the Priority Pass Select membership offered by the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card allows you and up to two guests complimentary access into any of the PP locations across the globe.

American Express includes a $300 statement credit for spend at Marriott properties, so the effective cost of holding the Bonvoy Brilliant card is only $150. As long as you plan on spending at least $300 at Marriott hotels throughout the year, the Bonvoy Brilliant’s $150 effective cost  is one of the cheapest paths towards gaining Priority Pass Select access.

Citi Prestige Credit Card

Annual Fee: $495
Lounge Network: Priority Pass Select 

Citi’s Prestige card is best known for its 4th-night-free perk (Citi will pay for the 4th consecutive night of your hotel stay up to twice per year). Unfortunately, this credit card is no longer accepting new applicants.

Travel credit cards issued by Citi Bank earn ThankYou points, and holding the Prestige lets you supercharge your earnings with 5x points on restaurants & air travel along with 3x on hotels & cruises. Unfortunately, most nonrevs will be disappointed to find that Citi only has airline transfer partners; there are no hotel transfer partners for us to take advantage of. Nonrev cardholders can still redeem ThankYou points through Citi’s ThankYou Travel Center portal for a fixed rate of 1 cent-per-point (though this is generally considered a suboptimal use of TY points). 

Beyond the less-than-ideal point redemptions, the Citi Prestige still offers value to some nonrevs. Just like Chase, Citi offers a $100 credit for TSA Pre or Global Entry applications once every 4 years.

The Priority Pass Select membership that comes with the card is nearly identical to the Chase Sapphire Reserve, but with the added benefit of allowing all immediate family members (including “spouse, domestic partner and/or children under 18 years of age”). If you travel with a large family, the Citi Prestige may be valuable to ensure the entire gang can get into the Priority Pass lounge without paying the extra $27/person fee.

Considering the $495 annual fee is effectively reduced by the $250 travel credit offered to cardholders, the Citi Prestige’s effective cost is $245/year. 

In my eyes, this puts the Prestige in direct competition with the ever-popular Sapphire Reserve. Choosing the more valuable card between the Sapphire Reserve & the Prestige will come down to how much you value Chase’s Ultimate Rewards points+transfer partners as opposed to Citi’s 4th-night-free perk & expanded lounge access for family members.

Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card

Annual Fee: $550
Lounge Network: Delta Sky Club & Centurion Lounge

As of February 2023, Delta nonrevs should no longer consider picking up the Delta’s Amex SkyMiles Reserve credit card if they want to gain Sky Club access because employees have been temporarily banned.

Final Thoughts

There are a lot of valuable travel credit cards to choose from. Your choice will ultimately come down to what works best for your travel patterns. 

If you find yourself constantly flying to airports that don’t have legacy airline lounges, choosing a card that gives you access to the network of Priority Pass lounges may be the best option. On the other hand, nonrevs who are constantly flying between fortress hubs and major focus cities might find airline-specific lounges to be the best bang for their buck.

Personally, I travel enough to justify holding a credit card with Priority Pass Select as well as my own airline’s co-branded card because I live in a hub city. It’s the best of both worlds & it works well for me, but choosing a credit card & lounge network is a personal decision.

What airport lounge network are you a part of? Let us know in the comments below!