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Travelling by air means having to spend time in airports, which can be busy and stressful places at the best of times. Paying a regular membership fee to access the more relaxed atmosphere of airport lounges, though, can be costly—and may not always be worth it, especially if you’re not a frequent traveller.
Premium frequent flyer and credit cards that offer airport lounge access can be a more cost-effective (and enjoyable) option, provided you fulfil the card provider’s terms and conditions).
Which credit cards offer access to airport lounges?
Airport lounge access is often included as part of premium rewards or frequent flyer cards, and while each card differs slightly, below we break down a number of card offerings on our website, based on annual fee and lounge access:
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| Credit Card | Annual Fee | Lounge Access |
|---|---|---|
| Westpac Altitude Black (Rewards) | $295 ($200 first year) | Priority Pass included |
| Commonwealth Bank Ultimate Awards (Rewards) | $420 (or $0 if $48k spend) | Included |
| Latitude David Jones Prestige | $295 ($0 first year) | Included (uncapped) |
| Bank of Melbourne Amplify Signature (Rewards) | $295 ($199 first year) | Included |
| HSBC Platinum Credit Card | $199 ($0 first year) | Included |
| HSBC Premier World Mastercard (Rewards) | $199 | Included |
| Bankwest More World Mastercard | $270 | Included |
| St.George Amplify Signature | $295 ($199 first year) | Included |
| Commonwealth Bank Smart Awards (Rewards) | $228 (or $0 if $24k spend) | Included |
Want to find the right option for you? Compare the best rewards credit cards and cards that offer airport lounge access on our comparison tables.
Which airport lounges can you access with a credit card?
The airport lounges you can enter depends on your card. For example, a Qantas credit card may allow you to enter Qantas Club lounges, while a Velocity 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 provide lounge access through Mastercard’s LoungeKey or the Priority Pass program, granting entry to over 1,000 lounges worldwide. Eligible cards usually include complimentary membership and a few free passes each year, with the option to pay for additional visits using the card.
How do credit cards with 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 also a handful of premium cards that offer unlimited free airport lounge access at eligible locations, though these cards generally have high minimum income requirements and annual fees.
To get free airport lounge access, you may need to meet some conditions, such as:
- Having a valid airline ticket: Depending on the lounge, you may need to have a same-day 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.
You may also need to consider any restrictions on guest access to airport lounges. Even if your credit card offers you complimentary lounge access, your travelling companion may not always be able to also enjoy this benefit. Make sure you read the terms and conditions so you understand what the specific requirements are.
Is lounge access worth it? Let’s do the numbers
One way to gauge the value of lounge access on a credit card is to compare it to the cost of joining a lounge separately.
-
- Qantas Club: $129 joining fee + $699 annual membership = $828 for the first year
- Virgin Australia Lounge: $99 joining fee + $450 annual membership = $549 for the first year
- Priority Pass (Standard): US$99 (~$170 AUD) annual fee, plus $35 per guest visit.
What this means:
If you take just two return trips per year, and each trip lets you use one lounge pass (roughly $50–$60 per visit), you’re already getting $100–$120 in value. Compare that to paying hundreds of dollars for a standalone membership—your credit card could save you between $400–$700 in the first year alone, depending on which lounge you use.
Tips to get the most value from your lounge access
If you’ve gone to the effort (and cost) of getting a card with lounge access, you’ll want to make sure you squeeze every bit of value from it. Here’s how to get the most bang for buck:
1. Activate your benefits early
Many cardholders forget this step—and miss out. If your lounge access is through a network like Priority Pass or LoungeKey, you’ll need to register or activate your membership before you travel. Do this as soon as your card arrives, so you’re ready to go when you book your next flight.
2. Know your limits (and plan ahead)
Most cards include two complimentary lounge visits per year, while premium options might offer unlimited access. Track how many passes you’ve used through your online account or the lounge program’s app. If you’ve got leftover passes near the end of your membership year, plan a short trip and use them before they expire—they rarely roll over.
3. Time your visits strategically
Use your lounge access when it adds real value. For example, if you have a long layover or early-morning flight, you’ll get more benefit (and savings) than if you pop in for a 20-minute wait before boarding. Think of each visit as being worth around $50–$60, so spend enough time to enjoy it.
4. Combine perks for extra savings
Many travel credit cards bundle other benefits like complimentary travel insurance, frequent flyer or rewards points and annual travel or hotel credits. Use these together; for instance, pay for your flights with the same card that gives you lounge access to trigger your travel insurance cover and earn points on the same purchase.
5. Check guest and entry rules
Some lounges allow you to bring a guest for free, while others charge a fee. If you often travel with a partner, look for cards that include guest passes or discounted companion entry. Also check eligibility rules; some lounges only accept passengers flying with certain airlines, or you may need a same-day boarding pass.
6. Compare and reassess each year
Your travel habits—and card perks—can change. At renewal time, check whether you’ve used enough lounge visits and benefits to justify the annual fee. If not, consider switching to a lower-fee card or one that offers travel credits you can actually use.
7. Don’t let interest eat your savings
Premium cards often have high interest rates. The value of lounge access quickly disappears if you’re paying interest each month. Always pay off your balance in full to enjoy the perks guilt-free.
When is lounge access worth paying for?
Remember, lounge access isn’t “free”; the cost is baked into your card’s annual fee. Whether it’s worth it depends on how often you fly and what you value most.
Having lounge access can be worth it if:
- You fly a few times a year
- You have long layovers or travel at awkward hours
- You’ll also use the other card perks (like travel insurance or bonus points)
- You always pay your card off in full, as accruing interest wipes out any benefit.
Having lounge access may not be worth it if:
- You rarely travel or prefer budget airlines
- You’d rather pay per visit
- You don’t need or won’t leverage the other premium perks bundled with the card
Credit cards with airport lounge access can turn travel days from stressful to smooth—but only if you’ll actually use them. Before signing up, weigh the annual fee against the real value you’ll get, and 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.
