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.

Credit cards with lounge access

13 of 33 results

Bonus points	Points per $ spent	Purchase rate p.a.	Annual fee
Qantas American Express Ultimate Card Most LovedQantas Frequent FlyerUncapped points	Bonus points 120,000	Points per $ spent 1.25	23.99%	Annual fee $450	Get 70,000 bonus Qantas Points when you spend $5,000 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months and additional 50,000 points when you meet the same spend requirement in year 2. New American Express card members only. Ends 17 Nov 2026. T&Cs apply.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
ANZ Frequent Flyer Black Finder AwardQantas Frequent Flyer	Bonus points 100,000	Points per $ spent 1	22.49%	Annual fee $370	Get up to 100,000 bonus Qantas Points: 50,000 bonus Qantas Points when you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months from approval, and an additional 50,000 points when you keep your card for over 12 months.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
Westpac Altitude Qantas Black Qantas Frequent FlyerUncapped points	Bonus points 150,000	Points per $ spent 0.8	23.98%	Annual fee $295	Get 90,000 bonus Qantas Points and 50 Status Credits in year 1 when you spend $9,000 on eligible purchases in the first 90 days of card approval and 60,000 points when you meet the same spend requirement within 90 days of card anniversary in year 2. T&Cs apply.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
Qantas Money Titanium Qantas Frequent Flyer	Bonus points 120,000	Points per $ spent 1.25	20.99%	Annual fee $1,200	Receive 20% bonus Status Credits on eligible flights and 2 Qantas First Lounge Invitations.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
American Express Platinum Business Card Most LovedAmerican Express Membership RewardsUncapped points	Bonus points 350,000	Points per $ spent 2.25	N/A	Annual fee $1,750	Limited-time offer: Get 350,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points when you spend $12,000 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months. Only available to new card members who have not held any Amex card in the last 18 months. Ends 04 May 2027. T&Cs apply. ABN holders w/ $75,000 revenue.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
American Express Explorer Credit Card Most LovedAmerican Express Membership RewardsUncapped points	Bonus points 100,000	Points per $ spent 2	23.99%	Annual fee $395	Earn 75,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points when you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months and additional 25,000 points when you meet the same spend requirement in year 2. Only available to new card members who have not held any Amex card in the last 18 months. Ends 27 Apr 2027. T&Cs apply.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
American Express Velocity Platinum Card Finder AwardMost LovedVelocity Frequent FlyerUncapped points	Bonus points 50,000	Points per $ spent 1.25	23.99%	Annual fee $440	Earn 50,000 bonus Velocity Points when you spend $5,000 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months, plus up to 100 bonus Status Credits. New American Express card members only. T&Cs apply.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
American Express Velocity Business Card Most LovedVelocity Frequent FlyerUncapped points	Bonus points 120,000	Points per $ spent 1	N/A	Annual fee $249	Limited-time offer: Receive 120,000 bonus Velocity Points when you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months. New American Express card members only. Ends 19 Jan 2027. T&Cs apply. ABN holders w/ $75,000 revenue.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
Westpac Altitude Velocity Black Velocity Frequent FlyerUncapped points	Bonus points 150,000	Points per $ spent 0.8	23.98%	Annual fee $295	Offers 90,000 bonus Velocity Points in year 1 when you spend $9,000 on eligible purchases in the first 90 days of card approval and 60,000 points when you meet the same spend requirement within 90 days of card anniversary in year 2. T&Cs apply.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
American Express Platinum Card Most LovedAmerican Express Membership RewardsUncapped points	Bonus points 150,000	Points per $ spent 2.25	N/A	Annual fee $1,450	Earn 150,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points when you spend $5,000 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months. Only available to new card members who have not held any Amex card in the last 18 months. Ends 12 Jan 2027. T&Cs apply.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
American Express Qantas Business Rewards Card Finder AwardMost LovedQantas Business RewardsUncapped points	Bonus points 150,000	Points per $ spent 1.25	N/A	Annual fee $450	Earn 150,000 bonus Qantas Points plus $200 in your Qantas Business Rewards Travel Fund when you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months. New American Express card members only. Ends 10 Nov 2026. T&Cs apply. ABN holders w/ $75k revenue.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
Westpac Altitude Rewards Black Westpac Altitude RewardsUncapped points	Bonus points 150,000	Points per $ spent 2	23.98%	Annual fee $200 first year ($295 after)	Earn 90,000 bonus Altitude Rewards Points when you spend $9,000 in the first 90 days of card approval and 60,000 points when you meet the same spend requirement within 90 days of card anniversary in year 2. T&Cs apply.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading
NAB Rewards Travel Card – Velocity Points NAB Rewards	Bonus points 90,000	Points per $ spent 1.5	22.49%	Annual fee $395	Get up to 90,000 bonus Velocity Points: 50,000 points when you spend $5,000 in the first 90 days and 40,000 points when you keep your card open for over 12 months. Plus, no foreign transaction fees.	Go to site View details Compare product selectionCompare	loading

Showing 13 of 13 results

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.

Finder's best credit cards with lounge access

These credit cards were the top performing frequent flyer credit cards with lounge access at the 2026 Finder Credit Card Awards.

American Express Velocity Platinum Card won in the Velocity Frequent Flyer Credit Card category at the 2026 Finder Credit Card Awards. It combined a solid bonus points offer with high points-earning potential, lounge access, status credits and a complimentary domestic flight.
The American Express Qantas Ultimate Card finished highly commended in the Qantas Frequent Flyer Credit Card category in 2026 with its strong bonus points offer and other frequent flyers benefits.
The Westpac Altitude Velocity Black Card is highly commended in the Velocity Points category thanks to its generous bonus points offer.
The ANZ Frequent Flyer Black won this year's Finder Qantas Frequent Flyer Credit Card Award. At the time of judging, the card had one of the biggest bonus points offers, plus a cashback (which is no longer offered) and other perks that made it a winning offer for frequent flyers.

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?

Pros

Calm and convenient space. An airport lounge gives you a way to avoid crowds in the main waiting areas. Most lounges also include comfortable chairs, dining areas and work stations. And some even offer showers.
Refreshments and meals. You can get free drinks and food while you're waiting for your flight, as well as entertainment such as Wi-Fi, TV or magazines.
Other benefits. Most credit cards with lounge access also offer rewards programs and other benefits such as complimentary insurance.

Cons

Restrictions. Depending on the card, you may be limited to visiting specific lounges. For example, domestic lounges or only international lounges that are part of a particular network.
Card fees. Credit cards that offer lounge access typically have higher annual fees than more basic cards.
Lounge requirements. Lounges have their own dress codes and policies for guests, including additional guests or children. They also have guest capacity limits, which could mean you're not able to visit a lounge if it's already full.

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.

The cost of free airport lounge access

There are over 30 credit cards in Finder's database that offer some kind of airport lounge access. These credit cards have annual fees that range all the way from several hundred dollars to well over $1,000 in some cases. The median fee is $395.

Source: Finder's credit card database

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 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

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

Finder writers are subject matter experts and use primary sources, in-depth research and interviews with other experts to ensure you're getting accurate, up-to-date information. Articles are fact checked in line with our editorial guidelines.

Thank you for your feedback!

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

Add to Preferred Sources

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

Amy's expertise

Amy has written 425 Finder guides across topics including:

Credit cards
Frequent flyer
Credit score
BNPL
Money management
Sustainability

More resources on Finder

Ask a question

Click here to cancel reply.

Display name

Your email (will not be published)

Your question

Finder only provides general advice and factual information, so consider your own circumstances, or seek advice before you decide to act on our content. By submitting a question, you're accepting our Terms Of Service and Finder Group Privacy & Cookies Policy.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

26 Responses

GeoffreySeptember 21, 2016

Currently a Velocity Red card member can I upgrade to higher grade to get access to Virgin Lounge when travelling through Melbourne Airport and what is the cost for both my wife and self with our Velocity membership Rad.

Finder

MaySeptember 22, 2016Finder

Hi Geoffrey,

Thank you for your inquiry. Just to confirm, you’ve come through to finder.com.au, not actually Velocity.

Velocity actually assesses memberships on a daily basis, to determine whether you are eligible for an upgrade to the next level of membership to be able to enjoy a range of membership benefits like access to the airport lounges. Virgin lounge access is actually available for Velocity Platinum or Gold members.

So as soon as your Velocity status credit and eligible sector balances reach the required number to upgrade, you will automatically be upgraded to the next level at no cost. Eligible Sectors are the minimum amount of Virgin Australia-marketed flights that you need to take in order to upgrade. So the upgrade requirements are:

Status Credits Required to Upgrade: Silver = 250; Gold = 500; Platinum = 1,000
Eligible Sectors Required to Upgrade: Silver = 2; Gold = 4; Platinum = 8

Cheers,
May

CarolAugust 11, 2016

Hi, I have an ANZ Frequent Flyer Platinum Credit Card with my husband as an additional cardholder. Can you please advise if we are eligible for complementary lounge passes. Thank you

Finder

MayAugust 11, 2016Finder

Hi Carol,

Thanks for your inquiry.

Unfortunately, the free access to airport lounges is not among the benefits of the ANZ Frequent Flyer Platinum Credit Card. This benefit, however, is available with the ANZ Frequent Flyer Black Card, ANZ Rewards Black Card and ANZ Rewards Travel Adventures Card.

Cheers,
May

RosaApril 27, 2016

I have a Commonwealth MasterCard credit card and want to know if I have free access to priority pass lounges in Rome and Dubai?

Finder

MayApril 27, 2016Finder

Hi Rosa,

Thanks for your inquiry.

Unfortunately, Commonwealth MasterCard credit card does not come with complimentary access to the airport lounges. The credit cards that give free access to airport lounges are featured above.

Cheers,
May

More guides on Finder

Best international credit cards November 2026
Find credit cards that make international spending cheaper with 0% international transaction fees.
Buying gift cards with a credit card
Paying for gift cards is usually treated as a cash advance on your credit card, so what does that mean for your Christmas shopping budget?
Credit cards for pensioners and retirees
Learn how to apply for a credit card when you're retired or on a pension and compare cards to find one that suits your needs.
Instant approval credit cards
Compare credit cards that give you an outcome within 60 seconds of when you submit your application online and find out how to increase your chances of getting this type of "instant" credit card approval.
Best credit cards in Australia November 2026
You deserve the best credit card. Let us help you find it.
How your credit card limit is calculated
Learn what information the bank uses to determine your credit limit and the steps you need to take before you request a limit increase.
Best Velocity credit cards
Check out bonus point offers and travel perks such as lounge access and complimentary insurance with these Velocity Frequent Flyer credit cards.
Easy credit cards to get approval for in Australia
When you apply for a credit card online, you could receive a response within 60 seconds. Find out how you to find a card that you're eligible for and increase your chances of approval.
Credit cards for people on Centrelink benefits
Find out what your credit card options are, whether you're employed casually or get Centrelink payments as your main source of income.
No international transaction fee credit cards
Find out how you can keep your overseas spending costs down by comparing credit cards with no foreign transaction fees and no currency conversion fees.

Credit cards with lounge access

Plenty of frequent flyer credit cards also give you airport lounge access. It's a nice travel perk, but these cards have hefty annual fees, so you have to choose your card carefully.

What credit cards offer free lounge access?

Some credit cards offer lounge access for a fee

Finder's best credit cards with lounge access

How to choose the right credit card with airport lounge access

Should I get a credit card with lounge access?

Pros

Cons

Credit card airport lounge access conditions

What if I'm travelling with family or friends?