Best Airport Lounges in the US and How to Get In for Free

Airport lounges exist in a different world from a crowded terminal gate. Free food, full-bar drinks, comfortable seating, fast Wi-Fi, showers, and quiet. The right credit card gets you into hundreds of them for free — and some lounges are genuinely excellent.

Here’s what you need to know about lounge access in the US.

How to Get Lounge Access with Credit Cards

Priority Pass Select Membership

Priority Pass is the largest independent lounge network with 1,400+ lounges worldwide. Many premium credit cards include Priority Pass Select — the full membership tier with complimentary access for the cardholder and guests.

Cards that include Priority Pass Select:

• Chase Sapphire Reserve ($550/year): Unlimited visits for cardholder + up to 2 guests free
• Capital One Venture X ($395/year): Unlimited visits + 2 free guests
• American Express Platinum ($695/year): Unlimited visits for cardholder, but no complimentary guests — each guest costs $30+

The Amex Platinum guest policy is notably stingy compared to Capital One Venture X, which is one reason many travelers prefer the Venture X for Priority Pass value.

Airline Club Memberships

Most major US airlines run their own lounges — American Airlines Admirals Club, United Club, Delta Sky Club, Alaska Lounge. You can access these through:

• Annual membership (~$400-650/year for the respective airline card or direct purchase)
• Specific credit cards that include access (Delta Reserve Amex, United Club card)
• First or business class tickets (day-of access included with eligible fares)
• Priority Pass (some third-party lounges participate; airline clubs generally don’t)

Centurion Lounges (Amex)

American Express has built its own premium lounge network under the “Centurion Lounge” brand. These are widely considered the best US airport lounges available to credit card holders.

Access: Amex Platinum cardholders. As of 2024, Amex added restrictions — to access Centurion Lounges, you must have made $75,000 in purchases on your Amex card in the current or prior calendar year, or you pay $50/visit (cardholder) without the threshold.

Centurion Lounge locations include: JFK, LGA, LAX, SFO, SEA, PHX, PHL, LAS, DEN, CLT, DFW, MIA, BOS, IAH, and several others.

Capital One Lounges

Capital One’s own lounge network, while smaller, has been well-reviewed for quality. Locations include Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), Denver (DEN), and Washington Dulles (IAD).

Access: Free for Capital One Venture X cardholders + 2 guests. $45/visit for other Capital One cardholders.

The Best US Airport Lounges

Centurion Lounge, JFK (Terminal 4)

Consistently the best-reviewed non-airline lounge in the US. Full restaurant-quality food menu, a cocktail bar, spa treatments, private shower suites, and a separate family area. The JFK location has the dining experience of a nice restaurant — not a cafeteria.

Access: Amex Platinum (subject to spend threshold or guest fees).

Centurion Lounge, LAS (Las Vegas)

One of the most popular Centurion Lounges and recently expanded. Good food, solid bar, and a calmer environment than the Las Vegas casino floor you just walked through.

Centurion Lounge, LAX (Terminal 4)

Beautifully designed with California cuisine focus, dedicated bar program, and outdoor terrace. Often crowded.

Capital One Lounge, DFW (Terminal E)

The Capital One DFW lounge features made-to-order hot food (a premium above most airport food options), a coffee and cocktail bar, and a relaxed layout. Given the Venture X’s easy access terms, it’s among the best value lounges in the US system.

Delta Sky Club, ATL

Delta’s hub lounge in Atlanta is enormous and frequently upgraded. When you’re connecting through ATL, the Sky Club is a genuine respite — hot food, full bar, shower rooms. Access for Delta Sky Club members or premium ticket holders.

United Club, ORD

One of United’s better Clubs — Chicago O’Hare has a large, well-equipped United Club with hot food. Accessible with United Club cards or first/business class tickets.

Priority Pass Lounges Worth Knowing

Priority Pass gives you access to a variety of third-party lounges and restaurant credits at some airports. Quality varies widely — some Priority Pass lounges are excellent; others are small, crowded, and underwhelming.

Best Priority Pass lounge experience: Look for dedicated lounges (not just restaurant credit). The Plaza Premium Lounges (at many international airports) and Aspire Lounges (common in the UK) are consistently good.

At US airports, Priority Pass restaurants (where your card covers a food credit rather than lounge access) are at airports including SFO, LAX, DEN, and others. The credit is typically $28-35 per person — enough for a decent meal at the designated restaurant.

How to Find Lounge Access Before Your Flight

Priority Pass app: Shows all lounges at your airport, hours, and which are accessible with your membership. Download before travel.

LoungeBuddy app: Lists every lounge at an airport with access requirements, ratings, and photos.

Your card’s travel portal: Amex, Chase, and Capital One each have trip planning sections that list your lounge benefits.

Is Lounge Access Worth It?

If you fly 2+ times per year and have a card that includes Priority Pass or Centurion access as part of other valuable benefits, yes — meaningfully.

A free meal and drinks in a lounge before a flight saves $20-60 vs. buying at the gate. If you fly 10+ times per year, that’s $200-600/year in tangible savings, on top of the comfort and quiet.

The mistake is paying separately for lounge access through a membership or at-the-door fee when a credit card would give it as a bundled benefit. The Chase Sapphire Reserve and Capital One Venture X both include Priority Pass as part of their overall package at effective annual costs of $250 and ~$0 respectively (after credits). Lounge access is essentially free as part of those packages.

Always confirm lounge eligibility and access conditions directly with your card issuer and with the lounge, as policies change.