The least expensive cards for airport lounge access

There’s nothing quite like airport lounge access. With the right credit card, you can escape from the general airport stress to a separate space to work, relax and enjoy complimentary refreshments while you wait for your flight.

But typically, that access is reserved for those with the most premium cards, like The Platinum Card® from American Express. If you’re keeping your annual fee costs low, you may have accepted your fate to wait out your layover at whichever eatery is closest to your gate.

However, there are several ways to achieve airport lounge access while avoiding paying a high annual fee.

Here are our favorite budget-friendly cards to get you through the lounge doors.

Related: Best credit cards for lounge access

Become an authorized user

Before you apply for a new credit card, consider whether a loved one already has a card with lounge access and is willing to add you as an authorized user.

Authorized users can often enjoy the same lounge access as the primary cardholder and can be added relatively cheaply. If you can swing it, this route gives you the biggest bang for your buck.

If a friend or family member has a Chase Sapphire Reserve®, for instance, they can add you as an authorized user for just $75 per year. As an authorized user, you’ll enjoy the same lounge access — to Priority Pass and Chase Sapphire Lounges — as the primary cardholder for much lower than the $550 annual fee they pay.

Just keep in mind that, as an authorized user, you won’t earn your own points or enjoy some other benefits the card offers the primary cardholder.

Related: The 7 credit cards with the greatest value for authorized users

The least expensive cards for lounge access

Even if you don’t have a loved one who can (or is willing to) add you as an authorized user on their premium account, you still have some good options. While the cards below have more limited lounge access than their premium counterparts, they’ll get you through a lounge door at a fraction of the cost.

U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card

The U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card has no annual fee and comes with four Priority Pass visits each year. If you’re an infrequent traveler or only pass through airports with Priority Pass lounges a few times a year, this card is an excellent option.

With Altitude Connect, you’ll earn 4 points per dollar spent on travel purchases and 2 points per dollar spent on dining, streaming services and grocery store purchases.

Cardholders also receive a statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck — an excellent perk for a card with no annual fee.

For more details, check out our full review of the U.S. Bank Altitude Connect.

The information for the U.S. Bank Altitude Connect 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: Best no annual fee credit cards

United Explorer Card and United Business Card

You don’t have to get United’s premium United Club℠ Infinite Card to enjoy access to the United Club network. Both the United℠ Explorer Card and the United℠ Business Card have annual fees under $100 ($95 for the United Explorer and $99 for the United Business, and a $0 intro annual fee in the first year for both cards) and come with two United Club passes each cardholder year.

Both cards also offer United perks such as bonus miles on United purchases, a free checked bag and a fast track to earning elite status, as well as valuable travel protections.

With the United Business Card, you’ll also earn bonus miles at gas stations, at office supply stores, on transit purchases and on dining purchases (including eligible delivery services).

With the United Explorer Card, you’ll earn bonus miles on dining and receive a credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus.

For more details, check out our full reviews of the United Explorer and United Business cards.

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Apply here: United Explorer Card

Apply here: United Business Card

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Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Even though it’s in the premium credit card category, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is worth considering for lounge access on a budget. Although its $395 annual fee may initially seem steep, it’s still much lower than its premium competitors.

Plus, it also comes with a $300 annual credit for Capital One Travel. If you can maximize that, your out of pocket cost is just $95 — a bargain, given that it comes with unlimited access to Priority Pass, eligible Plaza Premium and Capital One lounges.

As a cardholder, you’ll earn bonus points on travel booked through Capital One Travel and 2 miles per dollar spent on all other purchases. You’ll also enjoy valuable perks like bonus miles each account anniversary and a credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.

Plus, this card’s lounge access isn’t just for the main cardholder. Authorized users (you can add up to four for no additional cost) receive the same access, and each cardholder also gets complimentary access for up to two guests each.

For more details, check out our full review of the Venture X.

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Learn more: Capital One Venture X

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PenFed Pathfinder Rewards Card

As a credit union card, the PenFed Pathfinder flies under the radar. But if you’re looking for reasonably priced airport lounge access, it’s definitely worth a look.

It has an annual fee of $99 that is waived for PenFed Honors Advantage members and comes with Priority Pass access for the cardholder and one guest.

This card also earns bonus rewards on travel purchases and comes with a statement credit to cover your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck membership.

You must be a PenFed member to apply for the Pathfinder Rewards Card, but you can become a member by opening a savings account with PenFed and depositing at least $5.

The information for the PenFed Pathfinder Rewards 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.

Bottom line

Airport lounge access is a luxury perk, but you don’t necessarily have to pay luxury annual fee prices to get it. With any of these cards, you’ll be able to enjoy a reprieve during your next long layover for a much lower cost than what is typically associated with lounge access.

Just be warned — a taste of the good life with one of these cards might convince you to splurge for a more premium travel rewards credit card after all.

Related: How to choose a credit card for airport lounge access