Whether or not you have a first-class plane ticket, you can still gain entry to many of the US’s top airport lounges.
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In fact, you might already have access to airport lounges across the country—just check your wallet. Many credit card programs come with perks, like Priority Pass access. Without lifting a finger, you could find yourself inside a relaxing lounge—far from the noisy iPads and hustle of the terminal’s public areas.
But which lounges are actually worth paying to get into? And what about opening up a new account with a rewards program—are there any lounges that are worth a new credit card? Let’s dive in.
Best airport lounges in the United States: Capital One, Sapphire, and Centurion
In 2026, the best airport lounges belong to Capital One, Chase Sapphire, and Centurion members.
You can enter Capital One lounges if you’re a Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card holder or a Capital One Venture X Business Card holder.
If you have a Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, you can enter lounges for $45 per person. If you aren’t a member at all, you can pay $90 to get past the door.
At Capital One lounges, expect high-quality gastronomy. The JFK lounge, for example, has its own cheesemonger lounge, if that paints a better picture. Aside from food, you can find signature cocktails from masterful mixologists.
You can enter Sapphire airport lounges with your Chase Sapphire Reserve, Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business, JP Morgan Reserve, or The Ritz-Carlton Credit Card.
You also have one entry per year via a Priority Pass membership.
Sapphire lounges are high-class, hard to get into (there are waitlists), and trendy. They partner with well-known restaurants to offer sought-after dishes, offer unique features like an arcade (at NYC’s La Guardia), and have curated an ambiance that feels like a social club. One you might not get into.
To get into Centurion airport lounges, you need an American Express card.
These include The Platinum Card, The Business Platinum Card, and the Centurion Card. However, there’s a catch: You can only use lounges within three hours of your flight. No extended layovers allowed.
Centurion lounges aren’t overly crowded and have all the basics you could want. There are great bites served up buffet-style. You can also order cocktails at most locations, which can be customized.
Is Priority Pass still worth it?
The airport lounges listed above are the crème de la crème. But what about Priority Pass? As little as five years ago, it was one of the most expansive and accessible airport lounge networks. Today, the options are much more limited.
Priority Pass took a hit in 2024 when Chase reduced its membership perks. Around the same time, many lounges began filling up, meaning many travelers couldn’t get in. Other lounges were stripped of their Priority Pass perks entirely—partly in order to help create the exclusive lounges listed above.
In short, because Priority Pass lounges are shared by multiple credit card programs, they fill up faster. Plus, each lounge has a vastly different approach. Some serve up hot food and cocktails, while others have very basic, cold buffets.
