There isn’t any denying that airport lounges may be the very best a part of the on-ground expertise when flying. You will discover fascinating facilities, akin to complimentary foods and drinks, bathe services and seating areas to sit back and calm down earlier than your flight takes off.
However with extra methods than ever to realize lounge entry, the lounges can get fairly crowded. All of those lounge entry strategies can even create confusion relating to who can enter and what number of friends you possibly can (or cannot) carry into the lounge along with your bank card perks.
Let’s take a look at bank cards that provide lounge entry and the visitor insurance policies of every card, so you possibly can keep away from surprises when getting into a lounge earlier than your subsequent flight.
Alaska Lounges
Most individuals achieve entry to Alaska lounges by having elite standing with Mileage Plan or a Oneworld accomplice loyalty program.
| Entry | Visitor coverage |
|---|---|
| Alaska Airways lounge member | Fast household or two friends; further friends $30 every |
| American Airways Admirals Membership member when departing or arriving on flights with American Airways or Alaska Airways | Fast household or two friends; further friends $30 every |
| Alaska MVP Gold, MVP Gold 75K and MVP Gold 100K members touring on Oneworld airways past the U.S., Canada or Mexico | Fast household or two friends; further friends price $30 every. |
| Oneworld Emerald and Sapphire members
(excludes members w/standing via American Airways) |
One visitor flying on a Oneworld airline; further friends price $30 every. |
| Precedence Go member (choose Alaska lounges solely) | Relying on the cardboard, it usually grants entry for the cardholder and two friends for gratis. |
| Lively responsibility army touring in uniform and on orders | No friends are listed within the coverage. |
Members could buy visitor passes at a lowered price of $30 per individual for all different friends. Be aware that members don’t have to be touring with their visitor to buy a visitor move, so you possibly can snag this discounted price pretty simply for any of your family and friends touring quickly. Youngsters underneath 2 years outdated can enter freed from cost when accompanying an grownup.
Associated: Six issues you should learn about Alaska’s new lounge entry guidelines
American Airways Admirals Membership
There are numerous other ways to entry Admirals Golf equipment, however maybe the simplest approach to achieve membership is by opening a Citi® / AAdvantage® Govt World Elite Mastercard® (see charges and charges). Though the cardboard comes with a $595 annual payment, the Admirals Membership membership value by itself prices $850 a 12 months — a substantial deal for loyal AA flyers. With an Admirals Membership membership, your instant household (partner, home accomplice and youngsters as much as 18) or as much as two friends could entry the lounge with you (with a same-day boarding move for an eligible flight). Opening an airline card could also be definitely worth the annual payment for frequent lounge guests.
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| Entry kind | Visitor coverage |
|---|---|
| Admirals Membership members | Fast household or as much as two friends. |
| Citi/AAdvantage Govt cardholders and approved customers | Fast household or as much as two friends. |
| Lively U.S. army touring on orders and in uniform | Fast household or as much as two friends. |
| First-class passengers on qualifying worldwide flights | One visitor (kids over 2 depend as a visitor); no friends for business-class passengers. |
| AAdvantage Platinum members and better flying on qualifying worldwide flights (no matter class) | One visitor (kids over 2 depend as a visitor). |
| Oneworld Emerald and Sapphire members on all American and Oneworld flights | One visitor (kids over 2 depend as a visitor). |
| Admirals Membership day move holders | As much as three kids underneath 18. |
Be aware you can add as much as three approved customers to the Citi® / AAdvantage® Govt World Elite Mastercard® for an extra $175 annual payment and $175 for every approved consumer thereafter. Thus, they will carry instant household or as much as two friends on their very own once they have a same-day boarding move for an eligible flight.
Associated: Bank card assessment: The Citi / AAdvantage Govt World Elite Mastercard
In any other case, first-class passengers or AAdvantage Platinum members (or greater) on qualifying worldwide flights, and Oneworld Emerald and Sapphire members can carry one visitor every. Should you pay $79 for a day move, you possibly can carry as much as three kids underneath 18 with you to the Admirals Membership as properly.
American Categorical Centurion Lounges
These playing cards grant you entry to American Categorical Centurion Lounges, and the visitor insurance policies depend upon the cardboard you might have.
The data for the Amex Company Platinum has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or offered by the cardboard issuer.
Amex Platinum and Enterprise Platinum cardholders
The Amex Platinum Card and the Amex Enterprise Platinum Card are two standard luxurious journey playing cards that grant complimentary entry to the Centurion Lounges (enrollment required).
Amex’s coverage for lounge entry modified and went into impact in February 2023. Until you spend $75,000 or extra in purchases per calendar 12 months in your card, you may be charged $50 per grownup visitor. This variation would not impression Company Platinum cardholders.
Should you’re touring with kids, perceive that anybody over 2 years outdated counts as a visitor. Youngsters underneath 2 years outdated can enter at no further price, whereas these aged 2-17 are charged a $30 visitor payment.
Associated: Solo vacationers rejoice: Why I am in favor of recent Amex Centurion Lounge visitor guidelines
Delta Reserve and Enterprise Reserve cardholders
When flying on Delta, Reserve and Enterprise Reserve cardholders can entry each Delta Sky Golf equipment and the Centurion lounges. Should you select to go to the Centurion Lounge as a substitute, you possibly can pay to carry as much as two friends on the per-visit price of $50 per individual.
Capital One Lounges
Capital One at present has lounges at Dallas Fort Value Worldwide Airport (DFW), Dulles Worldwide Airport (IAD), Denver Worldwide Airport (DEN), and Washington, D.C.’s Ronald Reagan Washington Nationwide Airport (DCA) known as a Capital One Touchdown.
Associated: An entire information to Capital One’s airport lounges
Enterprise X cardholders can add quite a lot of free approved customers to the cardboard. Every individual can carry two friends into the lounge. Thus, one bank card can present admission for quite a few folks right into a Capital One Lounge.
Associated: Why you must add approved customers on the Capital One Enterprise X
Chase Sapphire Lounges
The next playing cards present you entry to Chase Sapphire Lounges. Entry is granted to cardholders and approved customers as properly. Take into accout you possibly can solely entry lounges after you activate the complimentary Precedence Go membership.
| Entry kind | Visitor coverage |
|---|---|
| Chase Sapphire Reserve® | Major cardholders and approved customers can carry two friends per go to free of charge, with further friends costing $27 an individual. |
| J.P. Morgan Reserve® | Major cardholders and approved customers can carry two friends per go to free of charge, with further friends costing $27 an individual. |
| Ritz-Carlton™ Credit score Card | Limitless friends with no further prices. |
Chase’s lounge presence is slowly increasing throughout the U.S. and the world. At the moment, there are seven lounges worldwide — together with 4 lounges and one terrace within the U.S.
Since two of the three playing cards that present entry to Chase Sapphire Lounges usually are not open to new candidates, your finest guess for entry is to be a Sapphire Reserve cardholder.
Associated: Chase unveils opening particulars for two new lounges, extra updates
The data for the J.P. Morgan Reserve and Ritz-Carlton playing cards has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or offered by the cardboard issuer.
Delta Sky Membership
There are a number of methods to enter a Delta Sky Membership, whether or not you maintain a Delta Sky Membership govt membership or are an eligible Delta Medallion. Like different airline lounges, the visitor insurance policies rely in your entry kind.
| Entry kind | Visitor coverage |
|---|---|
| Delta Sky Membership Govt and Lifetime membership | Two friends or instant household; $50 per go to for extra friends. |
| Delta Sky Membership Particular person member | $50 per visitor for 2 friends or instant household. |
| Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Categorical Card or Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Enterprise American Categorical Card | $50 per visitor for 2 friends or instant household; obtain 4 one-time visitor passes per 12 months (efficient Feb. 1, 2025). Reserve cardmembers will obtain 15 visits per 12 months to the Delta Sky Membership. To earn a vast variety of visits every year beginning Feb. 1, 2025, the whole eligible purchases on the cardboard should equal $75,000 or extra between Jan. 1, 2024, and Dec. 31, 2024, and every calendar 12 months thereafter. |
| Delta SkyMiles Diners Membership, TRUST Membership Platinum and TRUST Membership Gold cardholders | Two friends (kids over 2 depend as a visitor). |
| Delta Gold Medallion standing or greater (SkyTeam Elite Plus standing) | One visitor. |
| Delta One or Delta SkyTeam premium cabin passenger | No friends allowed. |
| The Platinum Card from American Categorical* or The Enterprise Platinum Card from American Categorical* | $50 per visitor for 2 friends. |
| Single-visit move | No friends allowed. |
*Efficient February 1, 2025: Eligible Platinum Card Members will obtain 10 Visits per Eligible Platinum Card per 12 months to the Delta Sky Membership or to Seize and Go when touring on a same-day Delta-operated flight.
The data for the Delta Diners Membership, Delta TRUST Membership Platinum and the Delta TRUST Membership Gold Card has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or offered by the cardboard issuer.
Typically, the one approach to achieve complimentary visitor entry is to buy a Delta Sky Membership Govt membership. One other approach to entry Delta Sky Golf equipment is to be a Delta Gold Medallion member (or greater), however solely when flying Delta Premium Choose or Delta One internationally (or its equal on a accomplice). Delta elite members can entry SkyTeam lounges when flying in top quality to Mexico, Canada or Central America (one visitor allowed), however flights to the Caribbean usually are not included.
These with SkyTeam Elite Plus standing from one other airline can entry Sky Membership lounges with one visitor, however solely when touring on a SkyTeam worldwide flight (no matter cabin) or on a home flight that may join onward internationally.
Should you’re a Reserve cardholder, you possibly can carry as much as two friends or instant relations, and you should pay $50 per visitor.
Delta considers anybody over age 2 to be a visitor. Youngsters underneath 2 obtain complimentary entry. On the opposite finish of the spectrum, kids as much as age 21 can achieve entry as relations on classes of admission that enable for visitor entry for instant relations.
Plaza Premium lounges
Costs to enter Plaza Premium lounges differ tremendously. What you would possibly pay for a day move or to carry an additional visitor ranges from $35 to $65.
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Precedence Go lounges
Premium journey playing cards just like the Amex Platinum and the Chase Sapphire Reserve supply cardholders complimentary Precedence Go Choose memberships — providing you with entry to over 1,600 lounges worldwide. The visitor coverage depends upon the kind of card you might have, so we have outlined the variations for our prime card picks for Precedence Go lounge entry under (enrollment is required):
Enrollment is required for choose advantages.
The data for the Citi Status Card, Altitude Reserve and Ritz-Carlton Card has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or offered by the cardboard issuer.
Associated: 10 bank cards that provide Precedence Go airport lounge entry
Most playing cards that grant you Precedence Go Choose membership enable lounge entry for you and as much as two friends. There’s an extra visitor payment that ranges between $27 and $35, relying on the cardboard you might have. Staff can restrict the variety of friends for capability controls, so that you will not be assured to carry a number of friends if a sure lounge is particularly crowded.
Associated: Can I exploit a number of Precedence Go memberships to usher in additional friends?
United Membership
United has comparatively simple visitor insurance policies: United Membership members could carry one grownup and dependent kids underneath 21 or carry as much as two friends. Any further friends will incur further charges. If you would like complimentary entry, the United Membership℠ Infinite Card gives a complimentary United Membership membership — as much as a $650 worth.
Associated: Finest for loyal flyers: United Membership Infinite Card assessment
| Entry kind | Visitor coverage |
|---|---|
| United Membership membership | As much as two adults or one grownup and dependents underneath 21 years of age. |
| United Premier Gold standing or greater (or Star Alliance Gold member) | One visitor; the visitor should be on the identical flight. |
| Star Alliance first-class passenger | One visitor. |
| Lively U.S. army personnel | Members of the family touring on the identical flight because the army member. |
| United or Star Alliance business-class passenger | No friends allowed. |
| Air Canada Maple Leaf Membership Worldwide members | One visitor. |
| Virgin Australia Velocity elite members with Gold, Platinum or VIP standing when flying on a world United or Virgin Australia flight | One visitor provided that the member is flying on a United-operated flight. |
| United Membership one-time move | No friends allowed. |
Members with United Premier Gold standing or greater can carry one visitor, however your visitor should be on the identical flight as you. These with United Gold standing can solely entry U.S. lounges with a world same-day boarding move, however not when flying domestically. In the meantime, Star Alliance Gold standing with an airline aside from United provides you entry to United Golf equipment in case you have a same-day departure boarding move on a Star Alliance-operated flight, together with United. Star Alliance first-class passengers may additionally carry one visitor into United Golf equipment.
As a United first-class passenger, you possibly can entry the United Membership when departing, connecting or arriving with a same-day ticket to or from Canada. Star Alliance top quality passengers may additionally entry United Membership or Polaris lounges on the departure airport solely with a same-day boarding move for a world flight. For instance, if you happen to’re flying from San Francisco Worldwide Airport (SFO) to Munich Worldwide Airport (MUC) in Lufthansa’s top quality, you possibly can entry the Polaris Lounge at SFO. Nonetheless, if you happen to’re flying into SFO on Lufthansa’s top quality, you can not entry the Polaris Lounge.
These with a United Membership membership can solely entry the lounge with a same-day boarding move for journey on a United, Star Alliance or different partner-operated flight.
Should you’re a one-time United Membership passholder or a business-class passenger on a United or Star Alliance flight, you are not allowed to carry any friends with you — until you might have a toddler underneath 2 years outdated.
It is also value noting that these entry insurance policies don’t apply to United’s Polaris lounges. These are accessible solely by passengers flying in long-haul Polaris enterprise class with United or flying in long-haul enterprise or top quality with a Star Alliance accomplice airline.
Associated: The very best bank cards for United Airways flyers
Backside line
The visitor tips will differ tremendously in case you have lounge entry via your bank card or airline elite standing. Some lounges will let you carry free friends, whereas others cost charges as excessive as $65 per individual. As a normal rule of thumb, you possibly can carry kids age 2 or youthful at no further cost. As irritating as it could appear, you may want privileges free of charge friends over this age, or you’ll have to pay to carry your baby into the lounge with you.
Associated: The very best bank cards for lounge entry
For charges and charges of the Amex Platinum Card, click on right here
For charges and charges of the Amex Enterprise Platinum Card, click on right here
For charges and charges of the Amex Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card, click on right here
For charges and charges of the Amex Delta SkyMiles Reserve Enterprise Card, click on right here
For charges and charges of the Amex Bonvoy Good, click on right here
