Best credit cards for airport lounge access

Spending money on a credit or debit card can give you greater protection on large purchases than with cash – such as chargeback and section 75 for credit card users. But some of these cards also come with extra perks, such as cashback or rewards points.

Whether you’re choosing a new rewards credit card or looking to switch current accounts, it’s important to first consider which benefits you are likely to actually use.

For instance, an airline credit card or a travel credit card which has fee-free overseas spending will be more attractive if you go abroad often, but might not be as useful if you tend to stay in the UK.

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Likewise, while packaged bank accounts with lots of benefits can be appealing, you’ll need to work out whether you would have otherwise paid for them, and if the individual cost outweighs the monthly account fee.

Frequent fliers may value the comfort and complimentary refreshments in airport lounges, and some credit cards and packaged bank accounts include complimentary or discounted access as a benefit.

We list the top credit cards for airport lounge access below. It’s a good idea to compare these cards with other options and consider whether the majority of benefits are worth it to you – rather than choosing the card solely for the airport lounge perks. You could get airport lounge access for less in other ways.

Remember, these cards are only worth having if you are able to pay off the credit card bill in full each month to avoid high interest charges.

Top credit cards for airport lounge access

American Express Preferred Rewards Gold Credit Card

Representative 85.8% APR variable

Fee: £195 per year (£0 in your first year)

Airport lounge access: Four free Priority Pass visits per year

Benefits include:

• Earn 40,000 Membership Rewards bonus points when you spend £5,000 in the first six months of Cardmembership. This offer ends 26 May 2026. The welcome bonus points offer will then revert to 20,000. (Only available if you don’t have a personal American Express card and haven’t had one in the past 24 months)
• Earn one point for every £1 spent and two points for airline purchases
• Get four complimentary Priority Pass airport lounge visits per year
• Get £5 Deliveroo statement credit – twice per month

American Express Platinum Card

Representative 685.3% APR variable

Fee: £650 per year

Airport lounge access: Free, unlimited access, including one guest

Benefits include:

• Earn 75,000 membership rewards bonus points and £250 in Travel Credit when you spend £10,000 in the first six months of Cardmembership. This offer ends 26 May 2026, and then the welcome points offer will revert to 50,000. This offer is only available if you don’t currently have a personal American Express card that earns membership rewards points, and you haven’t had one in the past 24 months
• Earn one point for every £1 spent and two points for every £1 spent with Amex Travel
• Complimentary access to more than 1,550 airport lounges across more than 140 countries worldwide including the American Express lounges
• Metal card
• Worldwide travel insurance
• Hotel benefits – complimentary benefits worth an average total value of $600^* with Fine Hotels & Resorts at over 1,500 luxury hotels worldwide. This includes room upgrades when available, complimentary breakfast and guaranteed 4pm late check-out. Plus, benefits with The Hotel Collection including US $100 hotel credit and late checkout

We look at the top American Express credit cards in a separate piece.

Santander World Elite Mastercard

This card is exclusively for Santander Select and Private Banking customers.

Representative 49.8% APR

Fee: £15 per month (equivalent to £180 per year)

Airport lounge access: Free, unlimited access to LoungeKey airport lounges. Guests and children can join for £24 per person per visit.

Benefits include:

• 0.5% cashback (up to £15 a month) on all purchases
• 0% interest on purchases and balance transfers for 18 months with no balance transfer fee
• 40% off Santander Travel Insurance when you apply online
• Complimentary access to over 1,400 airport lounges worldwide with LoungeKey for cardholders. Guests and children can join you in the lounge for £24 per person, per visit

Barclaycard Avios Plus Card

Representative 80.1% APR (variable)

Fee: £20 per month (equating to £240 per year)

Airport lounge access: Discounted rate of £20.50 per lounge pass, per person

Benefits include:

• New Barclaycard customers can get 25,000 bonus Avios points if they spend £3,000 in the first three months
• Earn 1.5 Avios for every £1 spent on eligible purchases
• The choice between a British Airways cabin upgrade voucher to use on an Avios Reward Flight booking or 7,000 bonus Avios, if you spend £10,000 on your card within 12 months
• Discounted rate for airport lounges – access over 1,000 airport lounges worldwide at a discounted rate of £20.50 per lounge pass, per person
• Enjoy Mastercard Airport Security Fast Track via Mastercard Travel Experiences

HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard

This card is available for HSBC Premier customers only.

Representative 100.2% APR (variable)

Fee: £290

Airport lounge access: Free, unlimited access for the main cardholder and any additional cardholders

Benefits include:

• Earn 60,000 reward points when you spend £3,000 on your card in the first 90 days of card membership. Offer ends on 28 May 2026.
• Earn 3 reward points for every £1 of eligible spending in sterling
• Earn 4 reward points for every £1 of eligible spending in another currency (fees apply). Reward points can be converted into certain airline miles or swapped for use at participating hotels, retailers (including M&S and Amazon) and charity donations
• Get unlimited access (main cardholder and any additional cardholders) to more than 1,700 airport lounges worldwide with Priority Pass
• Airport security fast track at participating airports worldwide via Mastercard Travel Experiences powered by DragonPass

HSBC Premier Credit Card

This card is exclusively available for HSBC Premier customers.

Representative 29.9% APR (variable)

Fee: No annual fee

Airport lounge access: Priority Pass membership – airport lounge access costs £24 per person, per visit, subject to availability.

Benefits include:

• Earn 20,000 reward points when you spend £2,000 on your card in the first 90 days of your card membership
• Earn 1.5 reward points for every £1 spent on purchases in sterling
• Earn 2 reward points for every £1 spent on purchases in another currency (a non-sterling transaction fee of 2.99% will apply). Reward points can be converted into airline miles or swapped for hotel stays, shopping vouchers and more
• Access to airport lounges with Priority Pass – access more than 1,700 airport lounges worldwide for £24 per person per visit, subject to availability