Credit cards with lounge access

What credit cards offer free lounge access?

If you want free airport lounge access then you need a credit card that earns you frequent flyer points or rewards points. Your main options are:

• Qantas credit cards. Plenty of banks and card companies offer credit cards that let you earn Qantas Points on your spending. Many also offer complimentary Qantas Lounge passes.
• Velocity credit cards. Like Qantas cards, there are plenty of credit cards that let you earn Velocity Points, the Virgin Australia frequent flyer program. Virgin Lounge passes are a common perk with these cards.
• American Express credit cards. Some Amex credit cards let you earn Qantas or Velocity Points, with lounge passes for the corresponding airlines. Some let you earn Amex Membership Rewards Points and offer access to Amex Centurion lounges.

Most cards with lounge passes offer complimentary 2 lounge invitations a year.

Some credit cards offer lounge access for a fee

Some credit cards that offer complimentary airport lounge passes also give you membership to a travel or airport lounge program. This includes Priority Pass and LoungeKey.

How to choose the right credit card with airport lounge access

When choosing a credit card you really can't just look airport lounge passes. It's a nice perk, but a credit card is a serious financial tool with lots of features and perks, plus fees and costs.

• Look at the card's annual fee. Credit cards with complimentary lounge passes are usually platinum or frequent flyer cards with high annual fees. Depending on the card, these can cost hundreds or sometimes thousands of dollars per year. Make sure the extra features, including the lounge passes, can justify this cost.
• Choose the right points program. This is very important. You can earn Qantas Points or Velocity Points and redeem them for flights. You can also earn bank or card rewards points, which usually convert to frequent flyer points (often a lower rate than earning those points directly).
• Interest rates. These credit cards typically have higher interest rates, making them more expensive if you don't pay off the total balance each month.
• Other features. Look for other features that are important to you. For example, complimentary travel insurance, no foreign transaction fees or an introductory offer. These features can add value, but only if you use them.

"Personally lounge access doesn't mean much to me. I fly with an unruly toddler and keeping an eye on him inside an airport lounge sounds horrible. I chose to focus my points earning in the Velocity program because the main thing I care about is getting cheap domestic rewards flights. If I was focused on international flights I'd go with Qantas instead."

Richard Whitten

Senior Money Editor

Should I get a credit card with lounge access?

The bottom line: If you fly often, want to earn points on your spending and can afford a fancier frequent flyer credit card then lounge access is a great perk. But this kind of card is not for everyone.

Credit card airport lounge access conditions

Check the terms and conditions on your credit card to make sure you understand how the airport lounge access works.

It varies by card but you should always look at factors like:

• Membership. You'll need to be a Qantas Frequent Flyer member to access Qantas Lounges. If you get a credit card with airport lounge access through Priority Pass or another lounge service, you'll typically need to enrol in that program to access lounges.
• Frequency. Most cards offer you a pair of lounge passes each calendar year but some may issue the passes on the anniversary of your card activation instead.
• Spending requirement. For example, Qantas Club lounge invitations may be offered after you make a Qantas purchase with an eligible credit card.
• Invitation requests. With some credit cards, you need to request the lounge invitations through your account or by contacting the credit card company.
• Valid ticket. You may need to show your ticket for a flight departing on the same day and from the same airport terminal as the lounge you want to visit.
• Dress code. Some lounges have their own dress codes (Qantas lounges require smart casual dress, for example).

What if I'm travelling with family or friends?

Many credit cards give you 2 single-use lounge passes in a year. You could use one and then give one to a partner.

Some lounge passes let you bring in children for free under a certain age. And some may charge a fee if you want to bring a guest in.

What types of airport lounges can I access with a credit card?

Centurion Lounges

A range of American Express cards offer access to The Centurion Lounges at Sydney and Melbourne international airports, including the American Express Explorer, Qantas American Express Ultimate and American Express Velocity Platinum.

Amex lounge access at international airports

American Express also has a network of international lounges, as well as partnerships with other lounge networks around the world – including Priority Pass and Plaza Premium.

Qantas Club Lounges

Qantas Club lounges are designed for domestic travellers and offer perks including barista coffee in the morning, bar service in the afternoon and evening, other refreshments and meals, Wi-Fi, family areas and more, depending on which lounge you visit.

Virgin Australia Lounges (domestic)

Virgin Australia has domestic airport lounges in Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. Each lounge offers different seating areas and services, with popular features including complimentary Wi-Fi, meeting rooms and complimentary food and beverages.

Lounge programs

• LoungeKey Lounges. LoungeKey is an airport lounge program offered by credit card providers. If you have an eligible credit card, you'll get access to over 1,500 lounges at airports around the world, regardless of which airline you're flying with or the fare class. Credit cards that offer LoungeKey membership in Australia include the HSBC Platinum and Bankwest More World Mastercard. It has also partnered with Mastercard to offer Mastercard Airport Experiences on eligible credit cards.
• Priority Pass Lounges. Priority Pass is a membership-based service that gives you access to over 1,700 lounges and airport experiences around the world. Depending on the level of membership, you can get unlimited access at no extra cost, a fixed number of free passes per year, or entry for a reduced fee. Credit cards that offer Priority Pass access and/or membership include the MyCard Prestige Card, the St.George Amplify Signature and the Westpac Altitude Black.

Frequently asked questions about airport lounge access

• What lounges can I visit with my credit card?

  This depends on the credit card, as usually the lounge access is offered through an airline partnership or lounge network. For example, if your card offered Qantas Club lounge passes, you could use them at over 30 lounges around Australia, while Priority Pass membership would give you access to over 1,700 airport lounges and experiences around the world.

• What's the difference between airport lounge passes and airport lounge access with a credit card?

  Airport lounge passes typically offer you 2 single visits to a lounge, which you can use separately or when travelling with someone. Airport lounge access typically refers to ongoing lounge access through a membership with Priority Pass, LoungeKey or another program.

  It's worth noting that the term "lounge access" could also technically refer to any type of lounge visit.

• Can additional cardholders get airport lounge access through their card?

  Some credit cards include complimentary airport lounge access for at least one additional cardholder, such as the American Express Platinum Card. But not all credit cards do. You can check your card's terms and conditions, or call the provider to confirm whether or not an additional cardholder can access airport lounges when they travel.

• Can my family member use my credit card to get lounge access?

  If you're not travelling with a family member, they won't typically be able to use your credit card to visit a lounge. But you can sometimes transfer complimentary lounge passes to them.

  If you are travelling with a family member, you could get lounge access for both of you with a credit card that offers 2 single-use lounge passes or unlimited lounge visits. It depends on the lounge access and the actual lounge you want to visit, and fees may apply.

• If I have a Qantas Club Lounge pass but am flying with a different airline, can I still visit the Qantas Club before my flight?

  No, the boarding pass will have to show that you are flying with Qantas or Jetstar on the same day that you want to visit the Qantas Club lounge.

• How do I know if my credit card has access to lounges?

  One of the easiest ways to check if your credit card offers airport lounge access is to look at the card details on the bank's website or a review page. Usually, lounge access will be listed as one of the key benefits. You could also check the card's terms and conditions or contact the bank or provider to find out if airport lounge access is offered.

To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Richard Whitten as part of our fact-checking process.

Written by

Amy Bradney-George

Journalist

Amy is an experienced journalist with over 16 years of experience, contributing to major publications like Money Magazine, The Sydney Morning Herald, and ABC News Australia. Specialising in personal finance, she frequently appeared in media outlets and on radio. Amy holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Drama from Griffith University and earned RG146 certifications in Tier 1 Generic Knowledge and Tier 2 General Advice Deposit Products, ensuring her expertise is grounded in current financial regulations. Amy was Finder's Senior Writer for Credit Cards from 2016 to 2024. See full bio

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