Unlock Airport Lounge Luxury Without Breaking the Bank: The Insider’s Guide to the Cheapest Access Cards

Have you ever found yourself stranded in an airport, staring down an interminable layover and dreaming of a secret sanctuary away from the chaos? Airport lounges—those elusive havens of calm, cushy seats, and endless snacks—often feel like exclusive clubs reserved for card-carrying members of the elite Platinum Card® crowd. But what if I told you that you don’t have to empty your wallet or break the bank to sneak past those doors? Believe me, there are clever paths to lounge access that won’t leave you clutching your receipt with regret. Whether you buddy up as an authorized user or pick from some wallet-friendly cards, you can kick back, sip that complimentary latte, and forget the airport madness for a while. Ready to discover how to lounge like a pro without splurging like a billionaire? Let’s dive in. LEARN MORE

There’s nothing quite like airport lounge access. With the right credit card, you can escape from the general airport stress to a separate space to work, relax and enjoy complimentary refreshments while you wait for your flight.

But typically, that access is reserved for those with the most premium cards, like The Platinum Card® from American Express. If you’re keeping your annual fee costs low, you may have accepted your fate to wait out your layover at whichever eatery is closest to your gate.

However, there are several ways to achieve airport lounge access without paying a high annual fee.

Here are our favorite cards that don’t break the bank and get you through the lounge doors.

Related: Best credit cards for lounge access

Become an authorized user

Before you apply for a new credit card, consider whether a loved one already has a card with lounge access and is willing to add you as an authorized user.

Authorized users can often enjoy the same lounge access as the primary cardholder and can be added relatively cheaply. If you can swing it, this will give you the biggest bang for your buck.

If a friend or family member has a Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees), for instance, they can add you as an authorized user for just $195 per year. As an authorized user, you’ll enjoy the same lounge access — to Priority Pass and Chase Sapphire Lounges — as the primary cardholder for much lower than the $795 annual fee they pay.

Just keep in mind that, as an authorized user, you won’t earn your own points or enjoy some other benefits the card offers the primary cardholder.

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Related: The 7 credit cards with the greatest value for authorized users

The least expensive cards for lounge access

Even if you don’t have a loved one who can (or is willing to) add you as an authorized user on their premium account, you still have some good options. While the cards below have more limited lounge access than their premium counterparts, they’ll get you through a lounge door at a fraction of the cost.

U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card

The U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card has no annual fee and comes with four Priority Pass visits each year. If you’re an infrequent traveler or only pass through airports with Priority Pass lounges a few times a year, this card is an excellent option.

The information for the U.S. Bank Altitude Connect has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

With Altitude Connect, you’ll earn 4 points per dollar spent on travel purchases and 2 points per dollar spent on dining, streaming services and grocery store purchases.

Cardholders also receive a statement credit up to $100 every four years for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck — an excellent perk for a card with no annual fee.

For more details, check out our full review of the U.S. Bank Altitude Connect.

Related: Best no annual fee credit cards

United Explorer Card and United Business Card

You don’t have to get United’s premium United Club℠ Card (see rates and fees) to enjoy access to the United Club network.

Both the United℠ Explorer Card (see rates and fees) and the United℠ Business Card (see rates and fees) have annual fees of $150 ($0 intro annual fee for the first year with the Explorer card) and come with two United Club passes each cardholder year (redeemable for the cardholder or authorized user).

Both cards also offer United perks such as bonus miles on United purchases, a free checked bag and a fast track to earning elite status, as well as valuable travel protections.

With the United Business Card, you’ll also earn bonus miles at gas stations, office supply stores, transit purchases and dining purchases (including eligible delivery services). Meanwhile, with the United Explorer Card, you’ll earn bonus miles on dining and receive a credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus.

For more details, check out our full reviews of the United Explorer and United Business cards.

Apply here: United Explorer Card
Apply here: United Business Card

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card and Capital One Venture X Business

Even though it’s in the premium credit card category, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card and Capital One Venture X Business are worth considering for lounge access on a budget. Although their $395 annual fee may initially seem steep, it’s still much lower than their premium competitors.

Plus, the cards also come with a $300 annual credit for Capital One Travel. If you can maximize that, your out of pocket cost is just $95 — a bargain, given that it comes with unlimited access to Priority Pass and Capital One lounges.

As a cardholder, you’ll earn bonus points on travel booked through Capital One Travel and 2 miles per dollar spent on all other purchases. You’ll also enjoy valuable perks like bonus miles each account anniversary and a credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.

Plus, with the Venture X, lounge access isn’t just for the main cardholder. Authorized users (you can add up to four for no additional cost) receive the same access, and each cardholder also gets complimentary access for up to two guests each until Feb. 1, 2026.

For more details, check out our full review of the Venture X and Venture X Business.

Learn more: Capital One Venture
Learn more: Capital One Venture X Business

Related: Capital One Venture X vs. Venture X Business: Small but important differences

Atmos Rewards Summit Visa Credit Card

Another premium card, the Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® Credit Card offers some lounge access with a lower $395 annual fee. While this fee may be steep, the perks provided by the card can help offset it.

Cardholders receive eight annual Alaska lounge passes (two per calendar quarter). If you already have an Alaska Lounge membership, you can share these passes with friends and family. Additionally, this card offers perks like priority boarding and a free checked bag when flying on Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines.

Plus, you’ll also receive an annual global companion award, earn bonus points on Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines purchases and on international transactions and receive an application fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.

For more details, check out our full review of the Atmos Rewards Summit.

Apply here: Atmos Rewards Summit Visa Infinite Credit Card

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

PenFed Pathfinder Rewards Card

As a credit union card, the PenFed Pathfinder® Rewards Card flies under the radar. But if you’re looking for reasonably priced airport lounge access, it’s definitely worth a look.

It has an annual fee of $95 that is waived for PenFed Honors Advantage members and comes with Priority Pass access for the cardholder and one guest. It’s important to note that cardholders have to pay a $35 lounge entry fee for each person, each lounge visit.

The information for the PenFed Pathfinder Rewards Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

The card also offers a $100 airline incidental credit, which can be used to cover lounge passes, and earns bonus rewards on travel purchases and comes with a statement credit to cover your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.

You must be a PenFed member to apply for the Pathfinder Rewards Card, but you can become a member by opening a savings account with PenFed and depositing at least $5.

Related: Cash back vs. travel rewards: How to choose a credit card

Bottom line

Airport lounge access is a luxury perk, but you don’t necessarily have to pay luxury annual fee prices to get it. With any of these cards, you’ll be able to enjoy a reprieve during your next long layover for a much lower cost than what is typically associated with lounge access.

Just be warned — a taste of the good life with one of these cards might convince you to splurge for a more premium travel rewards credit card after all.

Related: How to choose a credit card for airport lounge access