
Get exclusive money-saving offers and guides
Straight to your inbox
We’re reader-supported and may be paid when you visit links to partner sites. We don’t compare all products in the market, but we’re working on it!
Eligibility criteria, terms and conditions, fees and charges apply
Enjoy a 0% introductory balance transfer rate for 36 months, with no balance transfer fee.
Many rewards and frequent flyer credit cards provide complimentary access to airport lounges. This gives you the opportunity to relax between flights and enjoy premium services without paying an entry fee. Depending on the card and the lounge, you may even be able to share your access with a guest or family members travelling with you.
You can compare and apply for credit cards that offer complimentary airport lounge entry in this guide. We've also covered the common requirements you need to meet to get airport lounge access, highlighted popular lounges and weighed up the pros and cons so you can find the right card for your needs.
Compare the airline lounge options and annual fees offered on these four, premium credit cards.
Most cards that offer complimentary airport lounge access give you a limited number of single-use passes you can use each year you have the card. There are also a few cards that provide lounge access on an ongoing basis through programs such as LoungeKey or Véloce.
Depending on the card and the type of airport lounge access available, you may be able to invite a guest or get access for a supplementary cardholder. In most cases, you also need to meet a set of requirements to enjoy airport lounge access through your credit card, such as spending a certain amount, keeping your account in good standing or requesting the passes directly through your card provider.
The first step is to make sure you meet the eligibility requirements for this credit card perk. While these can vary based on the provider and the airport lounge, some of the most common conditions include:
Once you have met the requirements, you can access eligible airport lounges by either presenting your invitations or showing your credit card to lounge staff, along with a valid boarding pass. If you want to bring a guest or family members into the lounge, the staff will then advise you of any charges that may apply for your companion/s.
Airport lounge access is just one feature you'll get on a credit card. So, as well as looking at the type of lounge access you'll get, make sure you compare the card's other features and costs to decide if it's worth it for you. This includes:
The design and features of airport lounges vary depending on the company or airlines that operate them. But if you've never set foot in a lounge and want to know what they offer, here are some of the locations you could gain access to with an eligible credit card:
Virgin Australia has 10 domestic airport lounges in locations including Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Darwin, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. Each lounge offers unique design elements and services, with popular features including complimentary Wi-Fi, meeting rooms and complimentary food and beverages. Credit cards that offer complimentary access include the American Express Platinum, the American Express Velocity Platinum, and the Virgin Australia Velocity High Flyer. You can also enjoy complimentary access as a Velocity Gold or Platinum member, a business class guest or for a fee of $65 when you have a valid Virgin Australia fare. Note specific lounge terms and conditions apply.
Compare Virgin Australia Velocity credit card features and benefits
Priority Pass is a subscription-based service that provides members with access to over 800 lounges 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 provide Priority Pass access and/or membership include the Citi Prestige Card, the St.George Amplify Signature and the Westpac Altitude Black. You can also pay for a membership, with fees ranging from US$99 per year to US$399 per year.
Several credit cards provide complimentary access to the Qantas Club or Qantas Lounge invitations when you're booked on an eligible flight, including the ANZ Frequent Flyer Black, the Qantas American Express Premium and the Westpac Altitude Black (when you choose Altitude Qantas Rewards). You can also enjoy complimentary Qantas Lounge access when you have an eligible first class or business class fare with Qantas, Jetstar (Business Max only), if you're a Qantas Frequent Flyer Gold, Platinum or Platinum One member, a Qantas Club member, or have matching status with a partner airline program including Emirates Skywards and oneworld alliance.
Many high-tier American Express credit cards come with complimentary passes to the American Express lounges. There are currently two Amex lounges, located at the Terminal 1 departures at Sydney International Airport and T2 international terminal at Melbourne Airport. When you visit an American Express lounge, you can treat yourself to complimentary dining and snacks which often includes buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner. You can also order soft drink, cocktails, wine, beer and barista-made coffee from the bar. Both of the lounges are well equipped with individual seats, lounges and bench-style tables. Whether you need to do some work or just want to scroll through your feed, you can look forward to complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi and device charging points in both lounges.
Want to know what it's really like to visit an American Express lounge? Check out our review of the Sydney lounge and the Melbourne lounge for more.
Pictures: Shutterstock
Earn flexible rewards points as you spend and enjoy a big 100,000 bonus points offer with the Citi Rewards Credit Card.
This card offers 0% interest on balance transfers for 36 months, a discounted $29 first year annual fee and platinum benefits including airport lounge passes and complimentary insurance covers.
Enjoy 100,000 bonus Velocity Points, a reduced first-year annual fee and points per $1 spent with the Citi Rewards credit card.
The American Express Velocity Business Card earns points per $1 spent and offers complimentary travel insurance and two complimentary Virgin Australia lounge passes each year.
The American Express Business Card offers reliable service, a wide range of benefits, additional features, and competitive fees.
The Amex Qantas Business Rewards Card offers 150,000 bonus Qantas Points, no pre-set spending limit and platinum perks including complimentary insurances.
Pay 0% interest on balance transfers and get a $50 Kogan.com Credit with a new Kogan Money Black Card.
Enjoy an introductory 90,000 bonus Citi reward Points, a $100 Coles eGift card, plus a reduced first-year annual fee with this Citi Rewards Card offer.
Earn Altitude rewards with Westpac’s Altitude Platinum credit card, while enjoying the benefits and privileges of platinum status.
Pay no interest on your credit card debt and clear it faster with a 0% balance transfer credit card. Compare and apply here.
Have a black credit card and according to some lists, I have access to various lounges. I have been to several of these lounges in countries like NZ, India, Bahrain and Singapore where this card is listed as accepted. In each case, the people in the lounge check their own list, and this black card is not on it. So far it has not been accepted in any country I have visited. How can it be listed but then not accepted. I think it is false advertising for the banks to say one can gain entry to lounges with this card when it is not so. Who actually checks these lists?
Hi CT,
Thank you for contacting Finder.
Each credit card provider has different terms and conditions as well as lounge accessibility. There are different black card listed on this site and the policy and lounge list may differ from one provider/bank to another.
I feel sorry that you see that your card can access a specific lounge but as you arrive at your destination country, you cannot enter. I suggest that you check your card’s lounge access terms and conditions to check or maybe try to contact your credit card provider to raise it. They may have a way on how to fix this from their end to ensure that you know what lounge you can access for using your black card.
Hope this helps! 😊
Kind Regards,
Mai
I have an ANZ Platinum QANTAS FF card. The new customer ANZ offers of bonus points are not available to me. What is the best CC offer currently available to me to maximise
Points and other benefits?
Hi Patrick,
Thank you for contacting Finder.
You may compare a range of Qantas Frequent Flyer Credit Cards where you can earn up to 100,000 bonus points. To receive the bonus points, you must meet the eligibility requirements and spend. Kindly click on the name of the credit card on the table to see the complete criteria for the card itself and the bonus points as well. When you are ready, press the ‘Go to site’ button to apply.
I hope this helps.
Please do not hesitate to reach out again to us if you have additional questions.
Cheers,
Ash
I have a Jetstar platinum card, does this cover travel insurance when trips booked on the card? Specifically, does it cover rental car excess in case of an accident?
Hello Ken,
Thank you for your comment.
To be eligible for the complimentary insurance benefits, you must first purchase and pay for the full amount of a Trip using the Jetstar Platinum MasterCard Credit Card Account. Yes, it will cover you if you become legally liable to pay any Collision Excess in respect of loss or damage to a Hire Car during the rental period stipulated in the Vehicle Rental Agreement. They will reimburse you any Collision Excess that you have paid under that Vehicle Rental Agreement(s) up to $5,000. This is with a condition, so it’s best to check the Jetstar Platinum MasterCard Credit Card Insurance PDF found on their website.
Should you wish to have real-time answers to your questions, try our chat box on the lower right corner of our page.
Regards,
Jhezelyn
Currently I have a Westpac Altitude Black Reward card. I am the primary card holder and my wife is having the supplementary card . Will she get the complementary Priority Pass membership ?
Hi Wins,
Thanks for getting in touch with finder. I hope all is well with you. :)
Upon checking, the two complimentary airport lounge visits can only be used by the primary cardholder. If you’re travelling with your wife,
she can join you in the lounge by paying a fee which is US$27 (at the time of this writing). This will be charged directly to your card.
I hope this helps. Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach us out again.
Have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Joshua
Can I use my SBI debit card to access the air port lounge at Kuala Lumpur lon my way to Chennai India?
Hi Gopalakrishnan,
Thanks for contacting finder.
Unfortunately, your SBI debit card doesn’t have access to the KLIA airport.
Hope this clarifies!
Cheers,
Nikki
What is the best credit card in 2018 to maximize your Singapore Airlines points, now that the banks don’t offer Amex Cards any more?
Hi Barbara,
Thank you for getting in touch with Finder!
You may check our list of KrisFlyer credit cards. In most of the cards, you will need to convert the rewards points to Velocity Frequent Flyer then transfer to Krisflyer. Before applying to a certain card, you may need to ensure that you have met their eligibility requirements then click on the green “Go to site” button to be redirected to the provider’s site and submit your application.
It also has a guideline on how you can earn KrisFlyer miles and bonus points for it.
I hope this helps.
Cheers,
Ash
Can I take a friend into the Sydney lounge with my AMEX platinum velocity card next month. I have only had it since Jan 2018
Hi Julie!
Thanks for your message and for visiting finder.
Generally, they do not allow access to the Sydney lounge other than the name on the pass and on the boarding pass. It must usually be the same person.
As for the AMEX Platinum Velocity card, this card offers two single entry passes to Virgin Australia lounges each year that can be used at selected domestic airports. You’ll also receive two complimentary entries to the American Express Lounge at Sydney International Airport or Melbourne International Airport per year. For as long as you, the cardholder is present, you can avail of the two entry passes to the lounge. You may want to call Sydney airport lounge to confirm this.
Please note that we’re a product comparison website. We provide general information on products to assist you in your buying decision process hence we cannot recommend product / service that is rightfully fit for you.
Hope this helps!
Thanks and Best regards,
Nikki
Can I transfer my points from an CBA MasterCard or American Express card to a new Qantas MasterCard if I change to it?
Hi Rudi,
Thank you for your inquiry. Are you referring to CommBank Awards points?
If yes, CommBank Awards points need to be converted to Qantas points first as these points cannot be transferred to non-CommBank Awards Account. Take note that you must be a Qantas Frequent Flyer member to earn and redeem Qantas Frequent Flyer points.
These points usually get to your Qantas Frequent Flyer Account after three days of being redeemed. As soon as it gets there, you may claim those points through Flight Centre to avoid losing them should you cancel the old card.
You may refer to Terms and Conditions of the Commonwealth Awards Program and/or Qantas Frequent Flyer Programme for more information.
Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Jonathan
I need a frequent flyer membership as follows
min. 1 point per $ spent
Min or no annual fee
free access to qantas or virgin lounge
interest rates not a problem
Hi James,
We do have a list of no-annual fee frequent flyer credit cards. Please check out this list and find the right option for you.
You may review and compare the offers available on the table. Once you have selected one, you may proceed by clicking the green “Go to Site” button.
I hope this helps.
Cheers,
Danielle
I have a NAB Qantas c/c do they offer free lounge access and what is there point per $ spend?
Hi Lee,
Thanks for getting in touch with finder.com.au.
I’m not too sure which NAB Qantas credit card that you have, but usually their cards comes with two single-entry complimentary lounge invitations each year on your card anniversary. These passes can be used at domestic Qantas Club lounges or Qantas-operated International Business Lounges (excluding Los Angeles Tom Bradley Terminal International Business Lounge).
Moreover, NAB Qantas credit cards earn you 1 reward point for every dollar you spend.
You may be interested in our complete guide to the Qantas Frequent Flyer program to learn more about your card. Of course, please feel free to read the terms and conditions of your card or get in touch with your card issuer to learn more.
Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Rench