Your guide to credit cards with lounge access

From a single-use lounge pass to unlimited lounge access, some premium frequent flyer credit cards offer their users a range of travel perks. Lounge access can be a big benefit, in particular for long-haul flights or those travelling regularly. Lounge access can help you relax before you fly, avoid crowds in the terminal and enjoy some food and drinks and a quiet place to work while you wait.

Additionally, some of these credit cards may offer a level of travel insurance coverage and the ability to earn bonus frequent flyer or rewards points with eligible spending.

Here’s how they work to help you measure up if the benefits outweigh the costs.

There are a few exclusive cards that will offer unlimited lounge access every time you fly. Often these cards will have high minimum income requirements and bigger annual fees. There are also a range of more accessible frequent flyer style cards that may offer up to two complimentary visits annually, for example.

Some premium reward and frequent flyer credit cards offer you access to airport lounges so that you can enjoy a variety of perks, such as free food and drink, Wi-Fi access and quiet areas to work, and some may even offer showers and a day spa at an additional fee.

Depending on the card and the lounge, you might even be able to bring a guest or family members who are travelling with you. These cards may come with heftier annual fees than more basic cards.

In Australia, there are a variety of credit cards with airline lounge options from both major banks as well as American Express and a co-branded American Express cards with Qantas. Many of these cards give you access to various domestic and international lounges from the American Express Lounge in Sydney or Melbourne to the Qantas or Virgin Australia lounges nationally.

If it is lounge access you're after with your credit card, it's important to carefully review the terms and conditions to understand if lounge access is included, if there are limitations on the number of visits or the lounges you will have access to.

Which lounge you’re able to enter will depend on your credit card and who you’re flying with on the day. For example, premium Qantas branded credit cards may allow you access to Qantas Club lounges, while a premium Velocity branded card may likewise allow you access to Virgin Australia lounges and the same goes for American Express credit cards.

Alternatively, the LoungeKey and Priority Pass programs give you access to a wide variety of airport lounges globally, no matter what airline you fly or what class your ticket. It may be handy for travellers who fly on a range of airlines and don’t always fly business.

Most cards that offer complimentary airport lounge access will give you a limited number of single-use passes you can use each year as long as you still actively use your credit card.

Some premium cards may offer a free membership into the Priority Pass or LoungeKey programs giving you a limited number of complimentary passes annually. Once you have used your passes, you may have the option of paying for individual lounge visits and this would usually be charged to your credit card.

Only a few exclusive, high-income cards will give you unlimited access every time you fly. These cards will often have high minimum income requirements, strict eligibility criteria, higher interest rates and bigger annual fees. These are likely to be more useful for those who travel all the time, spending more time in airports than at home.

It might be hard to find a credit card on the market that offers lounge access without an annual fee, so it’s technically not free to access. That’s why it’s important to consider whether the cost of the annual fee offers enough benefit for it to be worthwhile for your situation.

Comparing a range of frequent flyer credit cards can help. Be sure to check which cards offer lounge access, and weigh that lounge access against other frequent flyer benefits that may be available and the costs of the card.

To enter an airline lounge using your partnered card, you’ll usually need to meet a few eligibility requirements such as spending limits, program enrolment, having the correct ticket and maybe even a dress code on the day you arrive.

For example, some cards may require you to spend a certain amount on the card each year to make you eligible for the complimentary airport lounge passes. Some could require you to enrol in an external partnered program like Priority Pass, to receive the passes. Some credit card issuers may require you to contact them in advance and request the passes for your dates of travel so they can be issued in your name.

With most branded airline lounges, such as Qantas or Virgin Australia, you will be required to be travelling on that particular airline on the day you arrive. It’s unlikely you’ll be required to be travelling in a particular class such as business or first class. It’s also important to remember that as these lounges are designed for the most part, for business travellers, dress code requirements may apply. Usually, smart casual is just fine. Boardshorts and thongs — maybe not?

If you’re planning on using the complimentary airport lounge passes affiliated with your particular credit card, do your research well before your travel dates to ensure you meet any requirements before you arrive at the airport.

At the airport, find your participating lounge and present your card or single-use pass as well as your valid ticket for travel that day.

An exclusive space, food and drinks versus higher card fees and accessibility. Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons of credit cards with airport lounge access.

On the plus side, the airport lounge offers a space of exclusivity, separating you from the noisy, crowded airport terminals and providing a quiet space for those looking to relax or catch up on work. They usually include drinks and food while in the lounge, access to Wi-Fi and sometimes, depending on the lounge, you’ll even find showers, a day spa, children’s play areas and more.

The downside is that in some cases the fees and interest rates for cards with benefits such as lounge access, travel insurance and discounted travel perks can be significantly higher than regular cards. You may also be limited to which airports will have lounges available. Not all airports have certain lounges, limiting your availability to use the lounge when you travel. Lastly, if you’re travelling with a group, everyone may not be able to join you in the lounge.

For some, it may make more sense to purchase airport lounge access separately rather than relying on what’s provided by your credit card.

Airport lounge access is just one feature that might be associated with a credit card. So, it’s important to look at all the aspects of the card, weighing up the benefits and costs to determine if it’s right for you. This includes the annual fee, interest rates and the type of lounge access or other travel perks you receive.

Many credit cards with airport lounge access are a part of a frequent flyer reward program affiliated with a specific airline, which is only helpful if that’s your preferred or most regularly used airline.

To decide which credit card with lounge access is right for you, a good start could be to compare a variety of cards and read the information available on each to make an informed decision on what might suit your specific financial situation and lifestyle needs.