Credit Cards with airport lounge access Background

Credit cards with airport lounge access

Want to escape the crowds and enjoy food and drinks away from the crowds the next time you travel? Your credit card might offer complimentary access to an airport lounge. The table below displays Rewards credit cards with airport lounge access offered by our online partners.

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BONUS
Get 50000 Rewards Points once you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months... 
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Features Glossary
  • icon Travel insurance
  • icon Points never expire
  • icon Airline lounge access more
  • icon 0% currency conversion fee
  • icon Fraud protection
star-rating-icon star-rating-icon star-rating-icon star-rating-icon star-rating-icon
2 Glossary
uncapped Glossary
$395 Glossary
55 Glossary

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We couldn’t find any other products from our Online Partners, so here are a few from other providers…

HSBC | Premier World Mastercard - Rewards Option
OFFER
0.00% p.a. interest rate on balance transfers for 12 mths. Rate reverts to 21.99% p.a. Balance transfer fee of 2% applies... 
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Tooltip icon
HSBC logo
Credit Cards Image
Features Glossary
  • icon Travel insurance
  • icon Points never expire
  • icon Airline lounge access more
  • icon 0% currency conversion fee
  • icon Fraud protection
star-rating-icon star-rating-icon star-rating-icon star-rating-icon star-rating-icon
1.50 Glossary
up to $120,000/yr Glossary
$0 Glossary
55 Glossary
Commonwealth Bank | Smart Awards - Rewards Option
BONUS
Get 75000 Rewards Points once you spend $1,500 or more per month for the first three months... 
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Tooltip icon
Commonwealth Bank logo
Credit Cards Image
Features Glossary
  • icon Travel insurance
  • icon Points never expire
  • icon Airline lounge access more
  • icon 0% currency conversion fee
  • icon Fraud protection
star-rating-icon star-rating-icon star-rating-icon star-rating-icon star-rating-icon
1.50 Glossary
up to $5,000/month then 0.5 uncapped Glossary
$228 Glossary
$0 if $24,000 is spent annually Glossary
55 Glossary
Commonwealth Bank | Ultimate Awards - Rewards Option
Commonwealth Bank logo
Credit Cards Image
Features Glossary
  • icon Travel insurance
  • icon Points never expire
  • icon Airline lounge access more
  • icon 0% currency conversion fee
  • icon Fraud protection
star-rating-icon star-rating-icon star-rating-icon star-rating-icon star-rating-icon
1 Glossary
up to $10,000/month then 0.5 uncapped Glossary
$420 Glossary
$0 if $48,000 is spent annually Glossary
55 Glossary
HSBC | Platinum Credit Card
OFFER
0.00% p.a. interest rate on balance transfers for 12 mths. Rate reverts to 21.99% p.a. Balance transfer fee of 2% applies... 
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DISCOUNT
Save $149 with a first year card fee of $0. Annual ongoing card fee is $149... 
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Tooltip icon
HSBC logo
Credit Cards Image
Features Glossary
  • icon Travel insurance
  • icon Points never expire
  • icon Airline lounge access more
  • icon 0% currency conversion fee
  • icon Fraud protection
star-rating-icon star-rating-icon star-rating-icon star-rating-icon star-rating-icon
1.50 Glossary
up to $120,000/yr Glossary
$149 Glossary
$0 in first year Glossary
55 Glossary
Bank of Melbourne | Amplify Signature - Rewards Option
BONUS
Get 150000 Rewards Points once you spend $12000 on eligible purchases within the first year... 
#
Tooltip icon
OFFER
0.00% p.a. interest rate on balance transfers for 24 mths. Rate reverts to 21.49% p.a. Balance transfer fee of 1% applies... 
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Tooltip icon
DISCOUNT
Save $96 with a first year card fee of $199.00. Annual ongoing card fee is $295... 
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Tooltip icon
Bank of Melbourne logo
Credit Cards Image
Features Glossary
  • icon Travel insurance
  • icon Points never expire
  • icon Airline lounge access more
  • icon 0% currency conversion fee
  • icon Fraud protection
star-rating-icon star-rating-icon star-rating-icon star-rating-icon star-rating-icon
1.50 Glossary
uncapped Glossary
$295 Glossary
$199 in first year Glossary
55 Glossary
BankSA | Amplify Signature - Rewards Option
BONUS
Get 150000 Rewards Points once you spend $12000 on eligible purchases within the first year... 
#
Tooltip icon
OFFER
0.00% p.a. interest rate on balance transfers for 24 mths. Rate reverts to 21.49% p.a. Balance transfer fee of 1% applies... 
#
Tooltip icon
DISCOUNT
Save $96 with a first year card fee of $199.00. Annual ongoing card fee is $295... 
#
Tooltip icon
BankSA logo
Credit Cards Image
Features Glossary
  • icon Travel insurance
  • icon Points never expire
  • icon Airline lounge access more
  • icon 0% currency conversion fee
  • icon Fraud protection
star-rating-icon star-rating-icon star-rating-icon star-rating-icon star-rating-icon
1.50 Glossary
uncapped Glossary
$295 Glossary
$199 in first year Glossary
55 Glossary
St.George Bank | Amplify Signature - Rewards Option
BONUS
Get 150000 Rewards Points once you spend $12000 on eligible purchases within the first year... 
#
Tooltip icon
OFFER
0.00% p.a. interest rate on balance transfers for 24 mths. Rate reverts to 21.49% p.a. Balance transfer fee of 1% applies... 
#
Tooltip icon
DISCOUNT
Save $96 with a first year card fee of $199.00. Annual ongoing card fee is $295... 
#
Tooltip icon
St.George Bank logo
Credit Cards Image
Features Glossary
  • icon Travel insurance
  • icon Points never expire
  • icon Airline lounge access more
  • icon 0% currency conversion fee
  • icon Fraud protection
star-rating-icon star-rating-icon star-rating-icon star-rating-icon star-rating-icon
1.50 Glossary
uncapped Glossary
$295 Glossary
$199 in first year Glossary
55 Glossary
Bankwest | More World Mastercard
OFFER
0.00% p.a. interest rate on balance transfers for 6 mths. Rate reverts to 19.99% p.a. Balance transfer fee of 1% applies... 
#
Tooltip icon
Bankwest logo
Credit Cards Image
Features Glossary
  • icon Travel insurance
  • icon Points never expire
  • icon Airline lounge access more
  • icon 0% currency conversion fee
  • icon Fraud protection
star-rating-icon star-rating-icon star-rating-icon star-rating-icon star-rating-icon
2.50 Glossary
uncapped Glossary
$270 Glossary
44 Glossary
Latitude Financial Services | David Jones Prestige
BONUS
Get $250 Back once you spend $5,000 in first 90 days from card approval... 
#
Tooltip icon
Latitude Financial Services logo
Credit Cards Image
Features Glossary
  • icon Travel insurance
  • icon Points never expire
  • icon Airline lounge access more
  • icon 0% currency conversion fee
  • icon Fraud protection
star-rating-icon star-rating-icon star-rating-icon star-rating-icon star-rating-icon
1 Glossary
uncapped Glossary
$295 Glossary
55 Glossary

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The initial results in the table above are sorted by Star Rating (High-Low) , then Annual fee (Low-High) , then Provider Name (Alphabetical) . Additional filters may have been applied, see top of table for details.

About free airport lounge access through credit cards

Want to escape the crowds and enjoy free food and drinks the next time you travel? Your credit card might offer complimentary access to an airport lounge, usually in return for a high annual card fee.

A number of credit cards offer free entry into airport lounges, amongst other benefits. While there are a handful of premium credit cards that offer unlimited entry, most credit cards that come with this perk tend to offer around two complimentary visits per year. Which lounges you can enter will depend on the card.

Frequently Asked Questions about Credit Cards with 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. They may also come with other perks like complimentary insurance. However, keep in mind these cards usually charge higher annual fees and higher purchase rates than non-rewards credit cards.

Most credit cards with free 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 and the Citi Prestige Card. These cards have high minimum income requirements and high annual fees. For example, the Amex Platinum Card currently has a minimum income requirement of $100,000 and an annual fee of $1,450, while the Citi Prestige Credit Card currently has a minimum income requirement of $150,000 and an annual fee of $700.

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 American Express Lounge in Sydney or Melbourne.

Some credit cards offer lounge access through Mastercard’s LoungeKey program 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.

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.

Another option is purchasing airport lounge access. Some examples include Qantas Club, Virgin Australia Lounge and Priority Pass memberships. Here’s the current cost of a one-year membership:

  • Qantas Club: $99 joining fee and $600 one-year membership fee for new members.
  • Virgin Australia Lounge: $399 annual membership fee or $65 single-entry pass.
  • Priority Pass: US$99 annual fee for standard membership and US$32 member and guest visit fee.

Credit cards that offer airport lounge access come with many of the same pros and cons as regular credit cards. But there are also some specific benefits and drawbacks to be aware of:

Pros of airport lounge access

  • Receive airport lounge benefits like complimentary food and drinks, free Wi-Fi and showers.
  • Depending on your circumstances and how often you fly, it could be cheaper than purchasing airport lounge access (e.g. paying for a Qantas Club, Virgin Australia Lounge or Priority Pass membership).
  • Since they are usually frequent flyer or rewards credit cards, the card may offer other benefits such as complimentary insurances.

Cons of airport lounge access

  • They often charge higher annual fees. So consider whether the benefits you would receive offsets this.
  • They tend to charge higher interest rates.
  • You may only get a limited number of airport lounge entries.
  • You may only be able to access lounges when flying with certain airlines or at certain airports.
  • Your family or travelling companions may not be granted access to the lounge with you. Check with your card provider whether you can give a complimentary pass to a travelling companion.

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This advice is general and has not taken into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Consider whether this advice is right for you.

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The Credit Cards Star Ratings are updated daily based on product features at that date, except for the Overseas Travel profile which is updated annually. Current rates, product features and fees are displayed and may be different to what was rated. The results don’t include every provider in the market and we may not compare all features relevant to you. You can find a description of the initial sort order below the table. Depending on which card feature/use you are looking at, the results will be sorted as follows:

  • Low fee is sorted by Star Ratings, then lowest Annual Fee, then alphabetically by brand.
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  • All card types is sorted by highest Points per dollar spent, then lowest Annual fee, then alphabetically by brand.
  • Overseas Travel is sorted by Star Ratings, then lowest currency conversion on purchases, then lowest annual fee.

 

You can use the sort buttons at the top of each column to re-order the display. Learn more about our Credit Cards Star Rating Methodology and our Travel Credit Card and Travel Debit Card Star Ratings Methodology. The Occasional Overseas Traveller rating is shown in the table. The rating shown is only one factor to take into account when considering products. 

The products and Star Ratings in the table might not match your exact inputs in the selector. Sometimes the methodology uses profiles with categories or bands (e.g. income, loan amount or monthly spend), but sometimes a single methodology, without any categories or bands, is applied. The results will show the products that most closely match your selection, based on our profiles. If you are unsure about any terms used in the comparison table please refer to the glossary.

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From 5 October 2021, TMDs are compulsory for most financial products.

Issuers and distributors of financial products must take reasonable steps that are likely to result in financial products reaching consumers in the target market defined by the product issuer.

We recommend that you consider the TMD before making a purchase decision. Contact the product issuer directly for a copy of the TMD.

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