The joys of an airport lounge are even better when shared.
From complimentary food and drinks to premium amenities like showers and quiet rooms, lounges are a reprieve from chaotic terminals and hurried travelers. If you’re traveling with a companion, it’s likely you’d want them to join you when you visit.
While many rewards cards promote complimentary airport lounge access as a perk for primary cardholders, guest access has been tightening in the face of overcrowding. What’s a traveler and their companion to do?
Thankfully, some travel cards offer lounge access to authorized users — often for an additional fee.
If you’re frequently traveling with a partner or have someone who would benefit from having their own lounge privileges, these are the cards you should be adding to your wallet.
Comparing the best cards with authorized user lounge access
CardAuthorized user lounge accessAnnual feeAuthorized user fee American Express Platinum Card®They also receive access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection, including Delta Sky Club*, Centurion and Priority Pass™ lounges with the same entry privileges as the primary cardmember. (Enrollment is required.)$895 (see rates and fees)$195 for each additional authorized user (see rates and fees)The Business Platinum Card® from American ExpressThey also receive access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection, including Delta Sky Club*, Centurion and Priority Pass lounges with the same entry privileges as the primary cardmember. (Enrollment is required.)$895 (see rates and fees)$400 per additional cardmember (see rates and fees)Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees)They also receive access to Chase Sapphire lounges, as well as their own Priority Pass Select membership, which offers access to over 1,800 airport lounges worldwide.$795$195 per additional cardholderCapital One Venture X Rewards Credit CardThey also receive access to Capital One lounges and Priority Pass lounges. Beginning Feb. 1, 2026, authorized users on the Venture X will no longer receive complimentary access to Capital One lounges and Priority Pass lounges. Instead, additional cardholders will need to pay $125 per card to retain lounge access.$395No additional cost for up to four authorized users (unless you want complimentary lounge access, then it’s $125 per card starting Feb. 1, 2026) Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® (see rates and fees)They also receive access to select American Airlines Admirals Clubs and can bring immediate family members or up to two guests with them at no additional cost. However, they do not get access to partner lounges.$595Up to three additional cardholders for $175, then $175 for each additional authorized user Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express CardThey also receive access to Delta Sky Clubs** and Amex Centurion Lounges when they travel on flights marketed and operated by Delta Air Lines and present a same-day Delta boarding pass.$650 (see rates and fees)$175 per additional cardmember (see rates and fees) Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express CardThey also receive access to Delta Sky Clubs** and Amex Centurion Lounges when they travel on flights marketed and operated by Delta and present a same-day Delta boarding pass.$650 (see rates and fees)$175 per additional cardmember (see rates and fees)
*Eligible Platinum Card members will receive 10 visits per eligible Platinum Card, per year to the Delta Sky Club or to Grab and Go locations when traveling on a same-day Delta-operated flight, unless they spend $75,000 or more on their card to unlock unlimited visits.
**Reserve cardmembers will receive 15 visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of visits each year, the total eligible purchases on the card must equal $75,000 or more per calendar year.
Related: 5 ways to ensure you have lounge access before your next flight
Cards with authorized user lounge access
American Express Platinum Card
The Amex Platinum provides the same extensive lounge access enjoyed by primary cardmembers to authorized users. You’ll have to pay an additional cardmember fee of $195 per authorized user.
Reward your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter
Join over 700,000 readers for breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive deals from TPG’s experts
By signing up, you will receive newsletters and promotional content and agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
THE POINTS GUY
The Amex Platinum features a slew of valuable statement credits and high earning rates on travel-related purchases. Frequent travelers can’t go wrong with this card.
To learn more, read our full review of the Amex Platinum.
Apply here: American Express Platinum Card
The Business Platinum Card from American Express
Authorized users of the Amex Business Platinum receive the same lounge access privileges as primary cardmembers. However, there’s a steep $400 fee for additional cardmembers on this one.
THE POINTS GUY
Like its personal counterpart, the Amex Business Platinum is a fantastic card for frequent travelers with a small business. It provides many perks that differ from the consumer card, so it could be a good idea for some cardmembers to carry both.
To learn more, read our full review of the Amex Business Platinum.
Apply here: The Business Platinum Card from American Express
Chase Sapphire Reserve
If you want to share access to the growing collection of Chase Sapphire lounges (and enjoy a Priority Pass Select membership), you’ll want to add an authorized user to your Chase Sapphire Reserve for a $195 fee.
THE POINTS GUY
This premium card from Chase earns valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards points and offers solid benefits on travel, dining and lifestyle purchases.
To learn more, read our full review of the Sapphire Reserve.
Apply here: Chase Sapphire Reserve
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
The Venture X has been known for its generous lounge policy for authorized users at no additional cost, but that’s changing in 2026.
THE POINTS GUY
Still, the Venture X remains a great option for travelers since it comes in at a lower annual fee threshold (compared to other premium cards) while providing luxury perks.
To learn more, read our full review of the Venture X.
Learn more: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard
If access to select Admirals Clubs matters to you, you may want to add an authorized user to the Citi / AAdvantage Executive. You’ll be charged $175 for up to three additional cardholders, then $175 for each additional authorized user.
THE POINTS GUY
Frequent American Airlines flyers will appreciate the value this top-tier card provides, especially if Admirals Club access is important to them.
To learn more, read our full review of the Citi / AAdvantage Executive.
Apply here: Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard
Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card
Delta SkyMiles Reserve cardmembers can add an additional cardmember for $175, and they’ll receive access to Delta Sky Clubs and Amex Centurion Lounges when they travel on flights marketed and operated by Delta and present a same-day Delta boarding pass.
THE POINTS GUY
The features on this card, including multiple perks when you fly Delta and an annual companion certificate, have Delta loyalists in mind.
To learn more, read our full review of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve.
Apply here: Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card
Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express Card
Like the previously mentioned personal Delta Reserve, you can add additional cardmembers to the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business for $175 each and receive Delta Sky Club and Amex Centurion Lounge access for them.
THE POINTS GUY
Business owners who frequently find themselves on Delta jets will appreciate the benefits of this card, which allows cardholders to spend toward elite status and earn Delta SkyMiles on purchases.
To learn more, read our full review of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business.
Apply here: Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express Card
Bottom line
If lounge access is a top priority for someone you travel with frequently, it makes sense to add them as an authorized user on one of these cards.
These seven travel rewards cards also provide multiple useful benefits outside of lounge access, so be sure to factor in the additional perks before you apply.
Remember that complimentary lounge access for authorized users still comes at a cost — most cards on this list charge an additional fee to add cardholders. And once Capital One rolls out its new policies for the Venture X in February 2026, every card will require an additional fee for authorized user lounge access.
Related: 9 domestic lounges that are worth going out of your way for
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Delta Reserve card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Delta Reserve Business card, click here.
