Points for Normal People by Katie's Travel Tricks

The Best Credit Card for Airport Lounge Access (2025-2026 Changes)


Listen Later

Click MORE to see Ad disclosures

Finding the "best" credit card for airport lounge access is a trick question. The real answer depends on your home airport, who you travel with, and your budget. With changes to guest policies and new cards being released, the lounge landscape is totally different in 2025.

In this episode, I’ll walk you through all the options, from airline-specific cards to the big bank lounges like Centurion, Capital One, and the newer Sapphire Lounges. I’ll cover the "secret" card that still offers unlimited guests, which cards still work at Priority Pass restaurants, and help you decide which card (if any) is the right move for you.

ACTION STEPS:

  • Check the chart: Look at this blog post chart to see which bank lounges (Amex, Capital One, Chase) are in the airports you frequent: https://katiestraveltricks.com/best-credit-card-for-lounge-access-by-airport/ 
  • Research your airports: Go to prioritypass.com to see what other lounges, restaurants, or "Experiences" are available at your home airport and common destinations.
  • Target restaurants (if needed): If your airport's main option is a Priority Pass restaurant, consider the Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite or the US Bank Altitude Connect card.
  • Plan for the Ritz card: If you want the best guest benefits, open a Chase Marriott card (like the Boundless) and set a reminder to call and upgrade it to the Ritz-Carlton card after one year.
  • Do a trial run: If you're unsure, consider upgrading a Chase Sapphire Preferred to the Reserve for one year to see if you use the lounge benefits enough to make it worth it.

New Here?

Hi, I’m Katie from Katie’s Travel Tricks! I am here to help you learn the secrets that my family has been using for over a decade, using everyday expenses and welcome offers to supercharge your points earning. When you learn to do this, you can cover entire vacations every year.

Our family has been to Hawaii, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe — and more — all thanks to strategically earning and redeeming points. We've done this on a limited travel budget and now want to help you do it, too.


More from Katie’s Travel Tricks

🔗 Website

Instagram

💻 Free Course

💳 Best Current Card Offers

🎒 Favorite Travel Gear

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the card links and other products that appear on this podcast are from companies which Katie's Travel Tricks will earn an affiliate commission. Katie's Travel Tricks is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CreditCards.com. The content in this podcast is accurate as of the posting date. Some of the offers mentioned may no longer be available. Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are the autho...

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Points for Normal People by Katie's Travel TricksBy Katie's Travel Tricks

  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9

4.9

377 ratings


More shows like Points for Normal People by Katie's Travel Tricks

View all
Miles to Go - Travel Tips, News & Reviews You Can't Afford to Miss! by Ed Pizza, Richard Kerr

Miles to Go - Travel Tips, News & Reviews You Can't Afford to Miss!

382 Listeners

Award Travel 101 by Award Travel 101 Team

Award Travel 101

167 Listeners

Frequent Miler on the Air by Frequent Miler

Frequent Miler on the Air

631 Listeners

Travel Squad Podcast by Travel Squad Podcast

Travel Squad Podcast

232 Listeners

MTM Travel - The Fun Side of Points & Travel! by Shawn Coomer & Mark Ostermann

MTM Travel - The Fun Side of Points & Travel!

334 Listeners

Geobreeze Travel by Julia Menez

Geobreeze Travel

406 Listeners

All the Hacks: Money, Points & Life by Chris Hutchins

All the Hacks: Money, Points & Life

1,614 Listeners

The Daily Churn by thedailychurn

The Daily Churn

165 Listeners

Points Talk® with the Travel Mom Squad by Travel Mom Squad: Travel on Credit Card Points

Points Talk® with the Travel Mom Squad

967 Listeners

Point Me To First Class by Devon Gimbel MD

Point Me To First Class

1,178 Listeners

Takeoff: A Points and Miles Podcast by 10xTravel by 10xTravel

Takeoff: A Points and Miles Podcast by 10xTravel

407 Listeners

Wonderland on Points | Credit Card Rewards & Budget Travel by Mary Ellen and Jo

Wonderland on Points | Credit Card Rewards & Budget Travel

199 Listeners

Let's Get To The Points by Serena, Miguel and Mitch Shannon

Let's Get To The Points

120 Listeners

Revolutionizing Your Journey: Travel With Points & Miles by DeAndre Coke

Revolutionizing Your Journey: Travel With Points & Miles

63 Listeners

The Thrifty Traveler Podcast by Thrifty Traveler

The Thrifty Traveler Podcast

137 Listeners