Do you really need airport lounge access on your credit card?

Reading Time: 3 min

While airport lounge access once felt like an exclusive perk, today's lounges often feel crowded and dated. And with credit cards that offer lounge access charging annual fees from $395 to $895, it's more important than ever to decide if this perk is actually worth paying for.

If you’re debating whether to upgrade to a lounge-friendly credit card, here’s how to figure out if the benefit truly fits your lifestyle (and your budget).

For the most part, the value proposition of high-annual-fee travel credit cards increases the more you travel. If you fly several times each year, especially on long-haul or international trips, costs for cards with lounge access can be easier to justify.

And remember that airport lounges are about more than just comfort. Having access can help you save money on meals and drinks every time you visit. For a trip with a big layover, you can easily save $100 or more if you bring family in the lounge with you.

If you only fly once or twice a year, on the other hand, you may not get enough use from a high-fee card to make the perk worthwhile.

In case you missed it...

Our roundup of this week's top 5 travel deals

Airport lounge access may or may not improve your travel experience in a huge way — it all depends on the type of traveler you are. If you value comfort, quiet time, free Wi-Fi, or an escape from crowded terminals, having access can be a godsend. It’s especially appealing for people who work on the go or for families who appreciate a calmer space before boarding.

But if you’re someone who gets to the airport at the last minute or prefers grabbing a quick snack and heading straight to the gate, lounge access may not offer enough practical value to justify the cost.

Premium credit cards that offer lounge access typically come with annual fees ranging from $395 to $895. Before signing up, compare the fee to the value of what you’d receive.

A single lounge visit can run $40 to $65 per person when purchased outright. If you travel multiple times a year, you can easily consume more value than the card's fee in food, drinks and quiet workspace alone.

Also remember that some airport lounge memberships (like Priority Pass Select membership with most cards) let you bring up to two guests with you into the lounge. That adds even more value to your membership.

Finally, consider how many lounge networks the card actually provides access to, especially at airports you fly through. If your home airport has a lounge you can access and you frequently have layovers in airports with lounges, you can squeeze more value out of your card.

Our 6 favorite travel backpacks for your next trip

A great travel backpack is essential, and the best one depends on your trip. Whether you need a spacious carry-on replacement or a compact daypack, features like a laptop sleeve, water bottle holder, and multiple compartments make all the difference. From the rugged Cotopaxi to the budget-friendly Matein, there’s a backpack for every traveler’s needs. But with so many backpacks on the market, which ones are the best? Take a look at our top picks — each one packed with the features we love!

See our list of favorite backpacks

Airport lounge access is never the only perk tied to a travel credit card. Many premium cards include additional benefits like annual travel credits, travel insurance, TSA PreCheck, or Global Entry fee reimbursement or airline elite status boosts.

When evaluating a card, add up the value of all the benefits you’d use — not just the lounge entry. Sometimes lounge access is the icing on the cake on top of other perks like statement credits toward hotel stays and other travel.

Even if you have access, not all lounges are held to the highest standards or big enough to accommodate their guests.

In some airports, lounges experience frequent crowding and waitlists that make it harder to enter during peak times. Before choosing a card, look up the lounges available at your home airport to gauge how accessible and convenient they really are.

If your closest airport has few participating lounges — or none at all — you may want to skip credit cards with the highest annual fees unless you can get enough value out of other perks.

This one item makes packing and traveling easier

If you're looking to save space in your suitcase, we highly recommend packing cubes. And after testing many options, the ​Amazon Basics Packing Cubes​ are still our favorite (and you truly can't beat the price).

Get it at Amazon!