About credit cards with airport lounge access

Want to escape the airport crowds (and enjoy free food and drinks) the next time you travel? Some credit cards offer complimentary access into airport lounges, usually in return for a high annual card fee.

While there are a handful of premium credit cards that offer unlimited entry, most credit cards that come with this particular perk tend to offer around two complimentary visits per year. Which lounges you can enter will depend on the card you have.

Which credit cards offer airport lounge access?

The credit cards that offer airport lounge access are generally premium frequent flyer and rewards credit cards. These types of credit cards usually allow you to earn frequent flyer or rewards points on eligible spending and may come with other perks like complimentary travel insurance. However, keep in mind these cards usually charge higher annual fees and come with higher interest rates than non-rewards credit cards.

How do credit cards with free airport lounge access work?

Most credit cards with airport lounge access offer a limited number of complimentary passes per year. This is commonly two single-entry passes per year.

There are a handful of premium cards that offer unlimited free airport lounge access at eligible locations, including the American Express Platinum Card. These cards generally have high minimum income requirements and high annual fees. For example, the Amex Platinum Card has an annual fee of $1,450 at the time of writing.

Which lounges you can enter depends on your card. For example, a Qantas branded credit card may allow you to enter Qantas Club lounges, while a Velocity branded card may allow you to enter Virgin Australia lounges. Many American Express credit cards allow you to enter the Centurion Lounge in Sydney or Melbourne international airports.

Some credit cards offer lounge access through Mastercard’s partnership with LoungeKey or the Priority Pass program. These programs give you access to over 1,000 airport lounges around the world. Eligible cards typically offer complimentary membership to the program and you may receive a couple of complimentary passes each year. Once you have used your passes, you may have the option of paying for individual lounge visits and this will be charged to your credit card.

How do I get free airport lounge access with a credit card?

To get free airport lounge access, you may need to meet some conditions. Some common examples include:

• Having a valid airline ticket: Generally, you will need to present a same-day airline ticket to enter the lounge. Depending on the lounge, you may need to have a ticket with the same airline. For example, to enter the Qantas Club lounge, you may need to be travelling on a Qantas or Jetstar flight.
• Meeting any purchase requirements: You may need to make an eligible purchase to get the complimentary passes. For example, some cards require you to purchase Qantas items (such as Qantas flights) using the card to be eligible for Qantas Club passes.
• Enrolling in the lounge program: If airport lounge access is provided through a program such as Priority Pass, you usually need to enrol in the program.

Make sure you read the terms and conditions so you understand what the specific requirements are.

Is a credit card with lounge access worth a higher annual fee?

Complimentary lounge access is a perk offered with some travel/rewards credit cards. It’s described as ‘complimentary’ (as opposed to ‘free’) by credit card providers because the cost is typically bundled into your card’s annual fee.

And the reality is, credit cards with airport lounge access included are on average significantly more expensive than other credit cards. Whether they are worth the higher annual fee will depend on your needs and financial circumstances. If you travel frequently, then they may be worth the additional fee. If you rarely travel, they may not provide you with much value for money.

It’s important to read any relevant documentation, such as the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS), Key Facts Sheet and Target Market Determination (TMD), for any product you’re considering.