Lounge cards compared
| Card | Annual fee | Lounge access | Guests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capital One Venture X | $395 | Capital One Lounges and Landings; Priority Pass | Free only after $75K annual spend; otherwise $45 at Capital One Lounges, $35 at Priority Pass |
| Bilt Palladium | $495 | Priority Pass (reportedly) | Check terms |
| Citi Strata Elite | $595 | Priority Pass Select; 4 Admirals Club passes/yr | Check terms |
| Citi / AAdvantage Executive | $695 | Admirals Club membership | Check terms |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve | $795 | Sapphire Lounges; Priority Pass Select; 20+ Air Canada lounges | 2 guests at Sapphire Lounges (reportedly) |
| Amex Platinum | $895 | Global Lounge Collection: Centurion, Priority Pass, 10 Delta Sky Club visits/yr | Centurion guests reportedly $50 (ages 2–17 $30); 2 free after $75K spend |
Lower-cost options: the Citi / AAdvantage Globe ($350) includes four Admirals Club passes a year, and the United Explorer gives two United Club one-time passes a year.
The main lounge networks
Priority Pass
The largest network, with "1,900+ lounges and travel experiences" per NerdWallet in September 2026; card issuers cite 1,300–1,500+. It comes with the Sapphire Reserve, Venture X, Amex Platinum, Citi Strata Elite and, reportedly, the Bilt Palladium. Note that Priority Pass restaurant credits are no longer included with the Sapphire Reserve, Venture X or Platinum.
Amex Centurion Lounges
Reportedly 27 locations worldwide. U.S. airports include Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas-Fort Worth, Denver, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York JFK and LaGuardia, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Seattle and Washington National. San Francisco's is temporarily closed. Amex markets its full Global Lounge Collection as 1,550+ lounges.
Capital One Lounges
Five full lounges (Dallas-Fort Worth, Denver, Washington Dulles, Las Vegas and New York JFK) and two smaller Landings (Washington National and LaGuardia), with Charlotte coming.
Chase Sapphire Lounges by The Club
Reportedly nine U.S. airports: Boston, Dallas-Fort Worth, Las Vegas, JFK, LaGuardia, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Diego and Washington Dulles, with Los Angeles and Seattle announced. Sapphire Reserve cardholders can reportedly bring two guests. Upgraded Points also reports these lounges left the Priority Pass network on Aug 15, 2026; confirm before counting on Priority Pass entry.
2026 changes that cut lounge value
- Venture X (Feb 1, 2026): authorized users now pay $125 a year each for lounge access. Primary cardholders get free guests only after $75,000 in annual spending (two guests at Lounges, one at Landings). Otherwise guests pay $45 (ages 17 and under $25; under 2 free). Complimentary Priority Pass guests were removed; extra guests cost $35.
- Amex Platinum: the fee rose to $895, with existing cardmembers paying it from Jan 2, 2026. Free Centurion guests reportedly require $75,000 in annual spending.
- Sapphire Reserve: the fee rose to $795, and authorized users cost $195 each.
- Priority Pass restaurants dropped from the major premium cards.
Which lounge card fits you
- Solo travelers on a budget: Venture X. Its $300 Capital One Travel credit and 10,000 anniversary miles offset much of the $395 fee.
- Delta flyers who want the most access: Amex Platinum, for Centurion plus 10 Sky Club visits a year.
- American Airlines flyers: Citi / AAdvantage Executive for full Admirals Club membership, or the Globe for four passes. See best airline cards.
- Families traveling together: the Sapphire Reserve reportedly allows two free guests at Sapphire Lounges, one of the better guest policies left.
What it costs to add family members
Authorized-user and additional-card fees change the math for couples and families:
| Card | Authorized user / additional card cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Capital One Venture X | $125 per authorized user per year for lounge access | Free lounge access for authorized users ended Feb 1, 2026 |
| Citi Strata Elite | $75 per authorized user | Check terms for lounge benefits |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve | $195 per authorized user (was $75) | Check terms for lounge benefits |
| Amex Platinum | $195 per additional card | Companion Cards are free |
A second cardholder can cost less than paying guest fees every trip, but only if you travel separately often.
Is lounge access worth the fee?
Count how many trips you take a year from airports where your card's lounges actually exist. If your home airport has only a Priority Pass lounge, the cheaper Venture X likely covers you. Also factor in guests: at $45–$50 per guest per visit, a family of four can pay more in guest fees than the card's annual fee. Compare overall value in best travel cards or read how to choose a travel card. If lounge access isn't a must, no-fee travel cards skip it entirely. Card terms change often, so check the issuer's site before you apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
Among cards with broad network access, the Capital One Venture X at $395 is the lowest-cost option in this guide. For occasional visits, the United Explorer includes two United Club passes a year, and it has no annual fee in the first year.
Since Feb 1, 2026, authorized users on the Venture X need to pay $125 a year each for lounge access.
Yes, up to 10 Delta Sky Club visits per year when you're flying Delta, along with Centurion Lounges and Priority Pass.
Possibly not anymore. Upgraded Points reports that Chase Sapphire Lounges left the Priority Pass network on Aug 15, 2026. Sapphire Reserve cardholders still get in with their card, so confirm access with Chase before you rely on a Priority Pass membership from another card.
Not anymore on the Sapphire Reserve, Venture X or Amex Platinum. NerdWallet reports that Priority Pass restaurant credits are no longer included with those cards.
Venture X Lounge Access for Authorized Users and Guests — NerdWallet
Capital One Lounge Guide — The Points Guy
The Platinum Card — American Express
American Express Platinum Review — NerdWallet
The Most Rewarding Cards Are Here — Chase Media Center
How to Maximize Priority Pass Select — NerdWallet
Centurion Lounge Locations — AwardWallet
Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club — Upgraded Points
AAdvantage Credit Cards — American Airlines
Citi Launches Citi Strata Elite — Citi
Card terms, rates and fees change often and APRs are variable. Information was checked in October 2026; confirm current terms on the issuer's website before applying. MoneyVerge may be compensated by some card issuers; this does not affect our assessments.