Which Banks Offer Airport Lounge Access?

Airport lounges have brought an altogether different experience to travelers all across the world. Offering full comfort with ultra-modern facilities, these cozy spaces have made travel luxurious like never before. However, if you need to visit a lounge during your air travel, this question might bother you – Which banks offer airport lounge access?

Well, Enrolling in card memberships offered by various banks is one of the major ways to access airport lounges. 

It is true that a journey involves a hectic schedule. You have to pass through the crowded airport terminal areas while fulfilling your check-in and security formalities. In such a situation, you certainly crave some relaxed moments while you wait for the boarding time of your flight or you arrive at the airport after a tiring flight. Thus, you definitely need to immerse yourself in a peaceful atmosphere. 

So, airport lounges are now within your easy reach. Your memberships with selected banks are a great benefit you receive being their distinguished customer.

Being in collaborations and partnerships with airport lounges, banks offer various cards and services that make you eligible to access lavish lounges.

Read ahead and discover your way to an impeccable lounge experience. This guide will make you conversant with various cards you can use to access suitable lounges so as to enhance your overall travel experience.

Major Banks Offering Access to Airport Lounges

Having partnered with famous airport lounges, many of the banks have recognized the importance of enabling an unparalleled travel experience for their customers. 

Here are some of the major banks you can choose to get a membership from for airport lounge access.

American Express

Enjoying a huge base of customers at the global level, American Express has been popularly known for its matchless benefits or perks, and airport lounge access is one of them. 

You can select from:

The Platinum Card® from American Express

If you have this card’s membership, you need to show your same day’s boarding pass (any airline) and a government ID to enjoy the following benefits:

• Complimentary access to over 1,300 lounges in 140 countries, including The International American Express lounges, The Centurion® Lounge, Delta Sky Club® (if traveling with Delta), Airspace, Escape Lounges Priority Pass™ Select, and Plaza Premium Lounges

• Up to two guests are allowed for free at The Centurion® Lounge and The International American Express lounges

• One guest allowed for free at Delta Sky Club® (when flying with Delta)

• Up to two guests are allowed at Priority Pass™ Select lounges at a charge of US$32 per person 

This card can be used at numerous airport lounges. Here is a list of some of them:

Orlando International Airport

• The Club, Terminal A
• The Club, Terminal B
• Delta Sky Club Lounge, Terminal B
• Plaza Premium Lounge, Terminal C

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport

• Delta Air Lines Delta Sky Club, Main Terminal

Boston Logan International Airport

• Delta Airlines Delta Sky Club A6
• Delta Airlines Delta Sky Club A18
• Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club, Terminal B
• Air France Lounge, Terminal E 
• Lufthansa Lounge, Terminal E

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

This card’s membership makes you eligible to enjoy the following benefits. You must present your same-day boarding pass (any airline) and a government ID.

• Complimentary access to over 1,300 lounges in 140 countries, including The International American Express lounges, The Centurion® Lounge, Lufthansa Business Lounges (if traveling with Lufthansa, Austrian, or Swiss Airlines), Delta Sky Club® (if traveling with Delta), Airspace, Escape Lounges Priority Pass™ Select, and Plaza Premium Lounges

• Up to two guests are allowed for free at The Centurion® Lounge and The International American Express lounges 

• One guest is allowed for free at Delta Sky Club® (when flying with Delta) and Lufthansa Business Lounges (if traveling with Lufthansa, Austrian, or Swiss Airlines)

• Up to two guests are allowed at Priority Pass™ Select lounges at a charge of US$32 per person 

The Centurion Card® by American Express

Here are some of the benefits offered by the Centurion Card, which is also known as the Black Card. It is actually a Charge Card issued by American Express.

If you have this card, you need to show your boarding pass for the same day (flying on any airline) and a government ID.

• Complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge network; Up to two guests allowed for free

• Complimentary access to The International American Express lounges; Up to two guests allowed for free 

• Complimentary access to Delta Sky Club® lounges (flying on a Delta-operated flight or a Delta-marketed flight run by a partner airline); Up to two guests allowed for US$39 per person

• Complimentary access to Priority Pass™ Select lounges (traveling on any airline); Up to two guests allowed for free

• Complimentary access to Escape Lounges – The Centurion® Studio Partner (flying on any airline); Up to two guests allowed for free

• Complimentary access to Lufthansa First Class Lounges and Lufthansa Senator Lounges (flying on a Lufthansa-operated flight in first class or business class); One guest allowed for free 

• Complimentary access to Airspace lounges (flying on any airline); Up to two guests allowed for free

A Centurion Card membership makes you eligible to access various lounges. Some of them are given below:

• Centurion Lounge PHX, Terminal 4
• Escape Lounge MSP, Terminal 1 – Concourse E
• Delta Sky Club Seattle Lounge, Concourse A
• Escape Lounge Columbus, Concourse B
• Escape Lounge PBI, Concourse B
• Centurion Lounge Heathrow, Terminal 3
• Escape Lounge Bradley Airport, Terminal A
• Escape Lounge Sacramento, Terminal B
• Centurion Lounge JFK, Terminal 4
• Escape Lounge Sacramento, Terminal B

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card

You can enjoy the following benefits by presenting your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, same-day boarding pass, and a government ID.

• Complimentary access to Delta Sky Club® lounges if traveling on a Delta-operated flight or a Delta-marketed flight (run by a partner airline); Up to two guests allowed for US$39 per person

• Complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge if traveling flying on a Delta-operated flight or a Delta-marketed flight (run by a partner airline); Up to two guests allowed for US$50 per person

• Complimentary access to Escape Lounges – The Centurion® Studio Partner (traveling on any airline); Up to two guests allowed for free

• Access to Delta Sky Club® lounges (flying on any airline) allowed through one-time guest passes available for two times purchases per year 

• Access to more than 1,200 Priority Pass™ Select lounges globally (flying with any airline) is allowed through enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select; Up to two guests are allowed for free

If you are a Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card member, you can access a great number of lounges located at airports across the world. Some of those lounges are listed below:

• Escape Lounge GSP Airport, Concourse B
• Delta Sky Club Seattle Lounge, Concourse A
• Delta Sky Club Newark Lounge, Terminal B
• Delta Sky Club San Diego Lounge, Terminal 2
• Escape Lounge Sacramento Terminal B
• Delta Sky Club Jacksonville Lounge, Main Terminal
• Centurion Lounge SFO, Terminal 3
• Delta Sky Club Atlanta Concourse B Lounge
• Escape Lounge Oakland, Terminal 1
• Delta Sky Club ATL Lounge, Concourse A (Gate A17)
• Escape Lounge CVG, Main Terminal – Concourse B
• Delta Sky Club Seattle Lounge, Concourse A
• Delta Sky Club PHX Lounge, Terminal 3

The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card

You can enjoy the following benefits by showing your Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, same-day boarding pass, and government ID.

• Complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership offering access to more than 1200 lounges in 130 countries; Up to two guests allowed for free

• Complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge (traveling on any airline); Up to two guests allowed for US$50 per person

• Complimentary access to Escape Lounges – The Centurion® Studio Partner (traveling on any airline); Up to two guests allowed for free

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card

You can enjoy the below-mentioned benefits by showing your Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card, same-day boarding pass, and a government ID.

• Complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership offering access to over 1,200 lounges in 130 countries; Up to two guests allowed for free

• Complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge (traveling on any airline); Up to two guests allowed for US$50 per person

• Complimentary access to Escape Lounges – The Centurion® Studio Partner (traveling on any airline); Up to two guests allowed for free

These are the best American Express cards used for lounge access. You may also need to enroll in Priority Pass™ Select in some of the cases. Amex cards come with an annual fee.

Besides, you will be required to meet a credit card’s minimum spending requirements to be able to use a related lounge.

Citibank 

Citibank offers a Citi Prestige® Card that comes with a lot of travel perks. Since the bank holds a partnership with Priority Pass, you can gain complimentary access to more than 1300 lounges in over 600 cities all around the world. 

Apart from this, passengers holding a Citi Prestige® Card membership can also visit American Airlines Admirals Club lounges if they travel with American Airlines.

You will have to pay an annual fee for this card. You will also have to meet the minimum spending requirements to get the Priority Pass membership and access to American Airlines Admirals Club lounges.

Chase

Chase offers Chase Sapphire Reserve® credit card membership through which you can gain access to airport lounges. You can also avail of the Priority Pass Select membership, thereby becoming eligible to visit more than 1,300 airport lounges globally. 

Not only this, this card also lets you access lounges by some of the airlines. Delta Air Lines Delta Sky Club and United Airlines United Club are some of them. 

The Chase card also has an annual fee. You must meet the minimum spending requirements that will make you eligible to gain the Priority Pass Select membership and access to lounges by certain airlines.

Hence, these are some best banks you can consider to buy membership for lounge access whether you travel for vacation or you need to fly out frequently for official purposes.

You are advised to gather complete details through their websites, analyze the cards, review all the features, and choose the one as per your travel preferences. It is also mandatory to comply with their terms and conditions.

Which Banks Offer Free Airport Lounge Access?

It cannot be denied that many banks require you to be a member of a particular credit card with an annual fee to gain access to airport lounges. Nevertheless, there are a few banks that offer free airport lounge access as part of their banking services. 

Let’s go through the details of some of such banks:

Standard Chartered

You can enjoy complimentary airport lounge access if you are a member of the Visa Infinite credit card offered by Standard Chartered.

This credit card offers a great number of premium benefits, including airport lounge access through the Priority Pass program. If you have this card, you are eligible to access more than 1,300 lounges globally.

HSBC

HSBC offers free airport lounge access to its customers using its exclusive banking service i.e., Premier. It is available to customers who maintain a certain level of deposits or investments with the bank.

As a Premier customer, you can enjoy unlimited access to more than 1,000 airport lounges across the world through the LoungeKey™ program.

Barclays

Barclays offers free airport lounge access to its Premier Banking customers. Premier Banking is available to customers who maintain a certain level of deposits or investments with the bank.

These customers are eligible for unlimited access to more than 800 airport lounges all around the globe through the LoungeKey™ program.

Therefore, these banks recognize the value of providing their customers with complimentary airport lounge access, which actually elevates their overall banking experience and also provides them with a premium lounge experience. 

If you meet the eligibility criteria for these banking services, you can enjoy spending time at airport lounges. In this way, you won’t have to enroll in a particular credit card membership.

Which Banks Offer Airport Lounge Access UK?

If you are based in the United Kingdom, you can consider several banks that offer airport lounge access in line with their banking services. These banks provide you with the desired opportunity to relax and unwind in airport lounges before departure or after the arrival of your flights. 

Let’s take a look at the UK banks that offer airport lounge access and related benefits:

Lloyds Bank

Lloyds Bank offers airport lounge access to its Premier Account customers. The Premier Account is a premium banking service that is provided only to those customers who fulfill certain eligibility criteria.

Premier Account customers can enjoy airport lounge access through the LoungeKey™ program which offers access to more than 800 lounges at a global level. 

NatWest

NatWest offers airport lounge access to its Black Account customers, which is a premium banking service that comes with a range of benefits. As a member of this banking service, you can enjoy complimentary airport lounge access to over 1,000 airport lounges all around the world through the LoungeKey™ program.

Barclays

Barclays also offers airport lounge access to its Premier Banking customers in the UK. Premier Banking is available to customers who meet specific eligibility criteria. Premier customers can access over 800 airport lounges worldwide through the LoungeKey™ program.

These UK banks understand the importance of providing their customers with an enhanced travel experience. By offering airport lounge access as part of their banking services, they suitably cater to the needs of frequent travelers. This is how they ensure a comfortable and enjoyable journey.

Alternative Ways to Access Airport Lounges

No doubt, banking programs offer a convenient and sure-shot way to access airport lounges, you may still explore some alternative methods in case you don’t meet their eligibility criteria or you need different options. 

Also, you may not desire to opt for a long-term relationship with a bank such as buying its card or a specific service.

Hence, here are some other ways through which you can access airport lounges:

Priority Pass

You can consider buying a Priority Pass membership if you are a frequent traveler and don’t have a membership of any credit card with lounge access. Priority Pass provides access to a vast network of airport lounges all across the world.

You can enjoy modern amenities and services for your personal and/or business requirements. 

Business or First Class Tickets of Specific Airlines

If you need to fly in business or first class on a specific airline, you can explore whether the airline has made available lounge access for these classes or not, as generally it happens.

This is an appropriate way to experience the luxury and comfort of airport lounges without enrolling in a membership.

Airline Loyalty Programs

Many airlines offer their own loyalty programs that provide you with access to their lounges. You can enjoy lounge access by joining an airline’s loyalty program and earning elite status.

One-Day Pass Facility 

Some airport lounges can be accessed through their one-time pass which can be bought online or directly at the lounge reception. This is surely a convenient option if you require lounge access on rare occasions and you don’t need to fly frequently. 

If you want to experience a great travel experience by visiting airport lounges, these alternative methods prove to be suitable for you. You don’t need to buy a specific credit card or a banking service. You just need to analyze your travel habits and preferences so as to select the best available option for airport lounge access.

Final Thoughts 

Considering such vast benefits offered by airport lounges, it won’t be wrong to say that today lounges have become an integral part of luxury travel. Passengers can relish a separate zone of comfort and relaxation amid the chaotic areas inside airports. 

The humongous partnerships between banks and airport lounge networks have paved the way for travelers across the globe to access lounges. They have a huge opportunity to examine or analyze the modalities of various lounges and whether they align with their own travel preferences or not.

This is how they can perfectly choose a card membership program or a service offered by a bank and go ahead with experiencing pleasant air travel.

You can explore cards offered by American Express, Citi, and Chase as one of the potential mediums to gain access to world-class lounges.  

Furthermore, there are also ways to access airport lounges through alternative means like airline loyalty programs, choosing the banks that offer free lounge access, flying in first or business class, and many more. All this has certainly unlocked your door to enjoying premium amenities while you look for ways to escape the crowds at airport terminals.

So, you can surely experience refreshing moments and memorable times at airport lounges before taking off for your journey. No matter whether you need to fly out for a vacation or you are traveling with your corporate team, you can look forward to an enhanced travel experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Take a look at some of the major queries addressed below for your quick reference: