A guide to guest policies for airport lounges

There is no denying that airport lounges will be the perfect a part of the on-ground expertise when flying. You may discover fascinating facilities like complimentary foods and drinks, bathe services and seating areas to chill and chill out earlier than your flight. Even higher, you lounges assist you to escape from the chaos that’s the airport terminal.

However since there are more ways than ever to score lounge access, they’ll turn into fairly crowded. All of those lounge entry strategies may create confusion concerning who can enter and what number of company can (or cannot) come into the lounge with you.

Let’s take a look at bank cards that provide lounge entry and their visitor insurance policies, so you possibly can keep away from surprises the following time you fly.

Alaska Lounges

Most individuals acquire entry to Alaska lounges by having elite standing with Alaska Airways Atmos Rewards or a Oneworld associate loyalty program.

If you happen to maintain an Alaska Airlines lounge membership, you possibly can carry fast relations (this implies companions and youngsters beneath 21 years outdated) or as much as two company when getting into an Alaska lounge. (There are eight of those lounges, with a ninth on the best way in 2026.) Be aware that your company should stick with you always.

Alaska Lounge members could buy visitor passes at a decreased price of $35 per particular person for all different company. Be aware that members don’t have to be touring with their visitor to buy a visitor cross, so you possibly can snag this discounted price pretty simply for any of your family and friends touring quickly (who would in any other case need to pay $65 for a single-entry lounge cross in the event that they bought it themselves). Youngsters beneath 2 years outdated can enter Alaska Lounges freed from cost when accompanied by an grownup.

Associated: Is this new space the best Alaska Airlines lounge in the country?

American Airways Admirals Membership

There are numerous methods to entry Admirals Golf equipment, however the best solution to get in is with the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® (see rates and fees).

Though the cardboard comes with a hefty $595 annual charge, a standalone Admirals Membership membership prices $850 a yr, so it is a appreciable deal for loyal American Airways flyers. With an Admirals Membership membership, your fast household (partner or home associate and youngsters as much as 18) or as much as two company could be part of you within the lounge (with a same-day boarding cross for an eligible flight).

Reward your inbox with the TPG Each day publication

Be part of over 700,000 readers for breaking information, in-depth guides and unique offers from TPG’s consultants

By signing up, you’ll obtain newsletters and promotional content material and comply with our Terms of Use and acknowledge the information practices in our Privacy Policy. It’s possible you’ll unsubscribe at any time.

Associated: Three reasons why this is the best card for Admirals Club lounge access

You may add as much as three licensed customers to the Citi / AAdvantage Executive card for an extra $175 annual charge. After that, you may pay $175 for every licensed person thereafter. Approved customers can carry fast household or as much as two company, offered they’ve a same-day boarding cross for an eligible flight.

Associated: Credit card review: The Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard

Moreover, first-class passengers, AAdvantage Platinum members (or increased) on qualifying worldwide flights, and Oneworld Emerald and Sapphire members can carry one visitor every on qualifying itineraries. If you happen to pay $79 (or 7,900 AAdvantage miles) for a day cross, you possibly can carry as much as three youngsters beneath 18 with you to the Admirals Membership as effectively.

American Categorical Centurion Lounges

These playing cards grant you entry to American Express Centurion Lounges, in addition to Sidecar by The Centurion Lounge places once they open subsequent yr. Visitor insurance policies depend upon the cardboard you’ve gotten and your annual spending.

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 common way of life and luxurious journey playing cards that provide complimentary entry to Centurion Lounges (enrollment required).

Amex’s coverage for lounge entry modified and took effect in February 2023. Until you spend $75,000 or extra in purchases per calendar yr in your card, you should pay $50 per grownup visitor. This alteration would not affect Company Platinum cardholders.

If you happen to’re touring with youngsters, perceive that anybody over 2 years outdated counts as a visitor. Youngsters beneath 2 years outdated can enter at no further value, however there is a $30 visitor charge for these ages 2 to 17.

Associated: Solo travelers rejoice: Why I’m in favor of new Amex Centurion Lounge guest rules

Delta Reserve and Enterprise Reserve cardholders

When flying on Delta, Reserve and Enterprise Reserve cardholders can entry each Delta Sky Clubs and the Centurion lounges. If you happen to select to go to the Centurion Lounge as a substitute, you possibly can pay to carry as much as two company on the per-visit price of $50 per particular person.

Capital One Lounges

Capital One presently has lounges at six airports: Dallas Fort Price Worldwide Airport (DFW), Dulles Worldwide Airport (IAD), Denver Worldwide Airport (DEN), John F. Kennedy Worldwide Airport (JFK), Harry Reid Worldwide Airport (LAS), and Ronald Reagan Washington Nationwide Airport (DCA). (Be aware that the one at DCA is named a Capital One Landing.)

Associated: A complete guide to Capital One’s airport lounges

* Beginning Feb 1, 2026 major cardholders should pay $125 for licensed customers to obtain lounge entry. Till then, Enterprise X cardholders can add quite a lot of free licensed customers to the cardboard.

Presently, every cardholder can carry two company into the lounge. Capital One recently announced lounge access changes to the Enterprise X and the Enterprise X Enterprise that can require spending $75,000 or extra in a calendar yr to unlock complimentary visitor entry.

Associated: Why you should add authorized users on the Capital One Venture X

Chase Sapphire Lounges

The next playing cards provide you with entry to Chase Sapphire Lounges. Entry is granted to each major cardholders and licensed customers. Remember, you possibly can solely entry lounges after you activate the complimentary Precedence Go membership. You could carry your bodily Precedence Go card or present a QR code within the Precedence Go cell app to entry Sapphire Lounges.

Chase’s lounge presence is slowly increasing throughout the U.S. and the world. Presently, there are seven lounges worldwide — together with six within the U.S. (with three extra coming quickly) and one at Hong Kong Worldwide Airport (HKG).

Since two of the 4 playing cards that present entry to Chase Sapphire Lounges are both not open to new candidates or are by invitation solely, your greatest guess for entry is to be a Sapphire Reserve cardholder, whether or not in private or enterprise kind.

Associated: Chase unveils opening details for 2 new lounges, more 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 Club, 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 sort.

*Eligible Platinum Card Members will obtain 10 Visits per Eligible Platinum Card per yr to the Delta Sky Membership or to Seize and Go when touring on a same-day Delta-operated flight.

Usually, the one solution to acquire complimentary visitor entry is to buy a Delta Sky Membership Government membership. One other solution to entry Delta Sky Golf equipment is to be a Delta Gold Medallion member (or higher), however solely when flying Delta Premium Choose or Delta One internationally (or its equal on a associate). Delta elite members can entry SkyTeam lounges when flying in first-class to Mexico, Canada or Central America (one visitor allowed), however flights to the Caribbean are usually 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 can join onward internationally.

If you happen to’re a Reserve cardholder, you possibly can carry as much as two company or fast relations, and you should pay $50 per visitor getting into the Delta Sky Membership or pay $25 per visitor at Seize and Go places.

Delta considers anybody over age 2 to be a visitor, so solely youngsters beneath age 2 obtain complimentary entry.

Plaza Premium lounges

Costs to enter Plaza Premium lounges range vastly. What you may pay for a day cross or to carry an additional visitor is dependent upon which lounge you are visiting. Passes begin at $45 for a two-visit cross.

Associated: Under new management: Plaza Premium now running most Virgin Atlantic Clubhouses

Precedence Go lounges

Premium journey playing cards just like the Amex Platinum and the Chase Sapphire Reserve give cardholders complimentary Priority Pass Select memberships, which embrace entry to over 1,600 lounges world wide. The visitor coverage is dependent upon the kind of card you’ve gotten, so we have outlined the variations for our prime card picks for Precedence Go lounge entry under (enrollment required).

Enrollment is required for choose advantages.

The data for the Citi Status Card 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 credit cards that offer Priority Pass airport lounge access

Most playing cards that embrace Precedence Go Choose membership enable lounge entry for you and as much as two company. After that, there’s an extra visitor charge of $27 to $35, relying in your card. Workers can restrict the variety of company to regulate capability, so visitor entry is not assured when the lounge is crowded.

Associated: Can I use multiple Priority Pass memberships to bring in extra guests?

United Membership

United makes use of a tiered method to visitor entry for its United Golf equipment, with a normal membership and an All-Access membership. If you would like entry by way of a bank card, the United Club℠ Card (see rates and fees) affords a complimentary United Membership membership.

Associated: Best for loyal flyers: United Club Card review

Members with United Premier Gold status or increased can carry one visitor, however the 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 cross, 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 if in case you have a same-day departure boarding cross on any Star Alliance-operated flight, together with United home flights. Star Alliance first-class passengers may carry one visitor into United Golf equipment.

As a United enterprise 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 first-class passengers may entry United Membership or Polaris lounges on the departure airport, solely with a same-day boarding cross for a world flight. For instance, when you’re flying from San Francisco Worldwide Airport (SFO) to Munich Worldwide Airport (MUC) in Lufthansa’s first-class, you possibly can entry the Polaris Lounge at SFO. Nonetheless, when you’re flying into SFO on Lufthansa’s first-class, you can not entry the Polaris Lounge on arrival.

These with a United Membership membership can solely entry the lounge with a same-day boarding cross for journey on a United, Star Alliance or one other partner-operated flight.

If you happen to’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 company with you, until you’ve gotten a toddler beneath 2 years outdated.

It is also price noting that these entry insurance policies don’t apply to United’s premium Polaris lounges. These are accessible solely to passengers flying in United Polaris long-haul enterprise class or in long-haul enterprise or first-class with a Star Alliance associate airline.

Associated: The best credit cards for United Airlines flyers

Backside line

The visitor pointers will range vastly if in case you have lounge entry by way of your bank card or airline elite standing. Some lounges assist you to carry free company, whereas others cost as much as $65 per particular person. As a basic rule, you possibly can often carry youngsters aged 2 or youthful with you for no further cost. As irritating as it could appear, you may typically want a visitor cross for any little one over this age. Regardless, ensure to evaluation entry necessities earlier than you head to the lounge to keep away from disagreeable surprises.

Associated: The best credit cards for lounge access

For charges and costs of the Amex Platinum Card, click on here

For charges and costs of the Amex Enterprise Platinum Card, click on here

For charges and costs of the Amex Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card, click on here

For charges and costs of the Amex Delta SkyMiles Reserve Enterprise Card, click on here

For charges and costs of the Amex Bonvoy Good, click on here