There’s no denying that airport lounges can be the best part of the on-ground experience when flying. You’ll find desirable amenities, such as complimentary food and drink, shower facilities and seating areas to kick back and relax before your flight takes off.
But with more ways than ever to gain lounge access, the lounges can get pretty crowded. All of these ways to access lounges can also create confusion regarding who has access and how many guests they can (or can’t) bring into the lounge, thanks to their credit card perks.
Let’s look at credit cards that offer lounge access and the guest policies of each card, so you can avoid surprises when entering a lounge before your next flight.
Alaska Lounges
Most people gain access to Alaska lounges by having elite status with Mileage Plan or a Oneworld partner loyalty program.
| Access | Guest policy |
|---|---|
| Alaska Airlines lounge member | Immediate family or two guests; additional guests $30 each |
| American Airlines Admirals Club member when departing or arriving on flights with American Airlines or Alaska Airlines | Immediate family or two guests; additional guests $30 each |
| Alaska MVP Gold, MVP Gold 75K and MVP Gold 100K members traveling on Oneworld airlines beyond the U.S., Canada or Mexico | Immediate family or two guests; additional guests $30 each |
| Oneworld Emerald and Sapphire members
(excludes members w/status through American Airlines) |
One guest flying on a Oneworld airline; additional guests $30 each |
| Priority Pass member (select Alaska lounges only) | Depending on the card, it typically grants access for the cardholder and two guests at no cost |
| Active duty military traveling in uniform and on orders | No guests are listed in the policy |
Suppose you hold an Alaska Airlines lounge membership. In that case, you can bring immediate family members (considered partners and children under 21 years old) or up to two guests when entering an Alaska lounge (of which there are eight). Note that your guests must stay with you at all times.
Members may purchase guest passes at a reduced rate of $30 per person for all other guests. Note that members do not need to be traveling with your guest to purchase a guest pass, so you can snag this discounted rate fairly easily for any of your friends and family traveling soon. Children under two years old can enter free of charge when accompanying an adult.
Related: Six things you need to know about Alaska’s new lounge access rules
American Airlines Admirals Club
Admirals Clubs can be accessed in many different ways, but perhaps the easiest way to gain membership is by opening a Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® (see rates and fees). Although the card comes with $595 annual fee, the Admirals Club membership price by itself costs $850 a year — a considerable deal for loyal A.A. flyers. With an Admirals Club membership, your immediate family (spouse, domestic partner and children up to 18) or up to two guests may access the lounge with you.
Related: Three reasons why this is the best card for Admirals Club lounge access as travel returns
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| Access type | Guest policy |
|---|---|
| Admirals Club members | Immediate family or up to two guests |
| Citi/AAdvantage Executive cardholders and authorized users | Immediate family or up to two guests |
| Active U.S. military traveling on orders and in uniform | Immediate family or up to two guests |
| First-class passengers on qualifying international flights | One guest (children over 2 count as a guest); no guests for business-class passengers |
| AAdvantage Platinum members and higher flying on qualifying international flights (regardless of class) | One guest (children over 2 count as a guest) |
| Oneworld Emerald and Sapphire members on all American and Oneworld flights | One guest (children over 2 count as a guest) |
| Admirals Club daypass holders | Up to three children under 18 |
Note that you can add up to three authorized users to the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® for an additional $175 annual fee and $175 for each authorized user thereafter, thus granting them the unique ability to bring immediate family or up to two guests on their own.
Related: Credit card review: The Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard
Otherwise, first-class passengers or AAdvantage Platinum members (or higher) on qualifying international flights and Oneworld Emerald and Sapphire members can bring one guest each. If you pay $79 for a day pass, you can bring up to three children under 18 with you to the Admirals Club as well.
American Express Centurion Lounges
These cards grant you access to American Express Centurion Lounges, with the guest policies depending on the card you have:
The information for the Centurion Card, Business Centurion Card and Corporate Platinum 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.
Amex Platinum and Business Platinum cardholders
The Platinum Card and the Business Platinum Card are two popular luxury travel cards that grant complimentary access to the Centurion Lounges (enrollment required).
Earlier this year, Amex’s policy for lounge access changed and went into effect on February 2023. Unless you spend $75,000 or more in purchases per calendar year on your card, you’ll be charged $50 per adult guest. This change doesn’t impact Corporate Platinum cardholders.
If you’re traveling with children, understand that anyone over two years old counts as a guest. Children under two years old can enter free of charge, while those aged 2-17 are charged a $30 guest fee.
Related: Solo travelers rejoice: Why I’m in favor of new Amex Centurion Lounge guest rules
Delta Reserve and Business Reserve cardholders
When flying on Delta, Reserve and Business Reserve cardholders can access both Delta Sky Clubs and the Centurion lounges. If you choose to visit the Centurion Lounge instead, you can pay to bring up to two guests at the per-visit rate of $50 per person.
Centurion and Business Centurion cardholders
If you’re a Centurion or Business Centurion cardholder, you can bring up to two guests or immediate family members (spouse or children under 18) for no charge. Additional guests will cost $50 per person. The upcoming guest changes outlined for Platinum cardholders will not affect Centurion cardholders.
Capital One Lounges
Capital One currently has just one lounge located at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). However, additional lounges are slated to open in 2023.
Related: A complete guide to Capital One’s airport lounges — with new locations slated for 2023
Venture X cardholders can add up to four free authorized users to the card. Each person can bring two guests (plus children under 2) into the lounge. Thus, one credit card can provide admission for numerous people into a Capital One Lounge.
Related: You and 14 friends can all access the airport lounge with this card
Delta Sky Club
There are multiple ways to enter a Delta Sky Club, whether you hold a Delta Sky Club executive membership or are an eligible Delta Medallion. Like other airline lounges, the guest policies depend on your access type.
The information for the Delta Diners Club, Delta TRUST Club Platinum and the Delta TRUST Club Gold 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.
Generally, the only way to gain complimentary guest access is to purchase a Delta Sky Club Executive membership or be a Delta Gold Medallion member (or higher). If you’re a cardholder of either the Delta Platinum or the Reserve, you’re limited to two guests or immediate family and must pay $50 per guest.
Related: Delta’s latest promo helps you earn elite status faster, includes award tickets
Delta considers anyone over age 2 to be a guest. Children under 2 receive complimentary entry. On the other end of the spectrum, children up to age 21 can gain entry as family members on categories of admission that allow for guest entry for immediate family members.
Plaza Premium lounges
Prices to enter Plaza Premium lounges varies greatly, so what you might pay for a daypass or to bring an extra guest ranges from $35-$65.
Related: Under new management: Plaza Premium now running most Virgin Atlantic Clubhouses
Priority Pass lounges
Premium travel cards like the Amex Platinum and the Chase Sapphire Reserve offer cardholders complimentary Priority Pass Select memberships — giving you access to over 1,300 lounges worldwide. The guest policy depends on the type of card you have, so we’ve outlined the differences for our top card picks for Priority Pass lounge access below (enrollment required):
Enrollment required for select benefits.
The information for the Hilton Aspire card, Citi Prestige Card, Altitude Reserve and Ritz-Carlton 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.
Related: The best credit cards for Priority Pass lounge access
Most cards that grant you Priority Pass Select membership allow lounge access for you and up to two guests. There’s an additional guest fee that ranges between $27 and $32, depending on the card you have. Employees can limit the number of guests for capacity controls, so you may not be guaranteed to bring multiple guests if a certain lounge is especially crowded.
The notable exceptions are the Venture X and Ritz-Carlton cards, which offer generous guest policies. If you have a large family, these cards could be worth holding onto.
Related: Reader question: Can I use multiple Priority Pass memberships to bring in extra guests?
United Club
United has relatively straightforward guest policies: United Club members may bring one adult and dependent children under 21 or bring up to two guests. Any additional guests will incur additional fees. If you want complimentary access, the United Club Infinite Card offers a complimentary United Club membership — up to a $650 value.
Related: Best for loyal flyers: United Club Infinite Card review
| Access type | Guest policy |
|---|---|
| United Club membership | Up to two adults or one adult and dependents under 21 years of age |
| United Premier Gold status or higher (or Star Alliance Gold member) | One guest; the guest must be on the same flight |
| Star Alliance first-class passenger | One guest |
| Active U.S. military personnel | Family members traveling on the same flight as the military member |
| United or Star Alliance business-class passenger | No guests allowed |
| Air Canada Maple Leaf Club Worldwide members | One guest |
| Virgin Australia Velocity elite members with Gold, Platinum or VIP status when flying on an international United or Virgin Australia flight | One guest only if the member is flying on a United-operated flight |
| United Club one-time pass | No guests allowed |
Members with United Premier Gold status or higher can bring one guest, but note that your guest must be on the same flight as you. Star Alliance first-class passengers may also bring one guest into United Clubs.
If you’re a one-time United Club passholder or a business-class passenger on a United or Star Alliance flight, you’re not allowed to bring any guests with you — unless you have a child under two years old.
It’s also worth noting that these access policies do not apply to United’s Polaris lounges. These are accessible only by passengers flying in long-haul Polaris business class with United or flying in long-haul business or first class with a Star Alliance partner airline.
Related: The best credit cards for United Airlines flyers
Bottom line
The guest guidelines will vary greatly if you have lounge access through your credit card or airline elite status. Some lounges allow you to bring free guests, while others charge a fee of as high as $65 per person. As a general rule of thumb, you can bring children aged two or younger at no additional charge. Past this age, as frustrating as it may seem, you’ll need privileges for free guests or will have to pay up to bring your child into the lounge with you.
Additional reporting by Danyal Ahmed.
