The joys of a airport lounge They are even better when shared.
From complimentary food and beverages to premium amenities like showers and quiet rooms, lounges are a respite from chaotic terminals and harried travelers. If you are traveling with a companion, you will likely want them to accompany you during your visit.
While many rewards cards promote for free access to the airport VIP lounge As a benefit to primary cardholders, guest access has been restricted due to overcrowding. What should a traveler and his companion do?
Fortunately, some travel cards offer access to the lounge authorized users — often for an additional fee.
If you frequently travel with a partner or have someone who would benefit from having their own lounge privileges, these are the cards to add to your wallet.
Comparing the best cards with access to VIP rooms for authorized users
| Card | Access to authorized user rooms | Annual fee | Authorized user fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Express Platinum® Card | They also receive access to the American Express Global Lounge Collectionincluding Delta Sky Club*, Centurion and Priority Pass™ Lounges with the same entry privileges as the primary cardholder. (Registration is required). | $895 (see rates and fees) | $195 for each additional authorized user (see rates and fees) |
| The Business Platinum Card® from American Express | 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 cardholder. (Registration is required). | $895 (see rates and fees) | $400 per additional cardholder (see rates and fees) |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees) | They also receive access to Chase Sapphire Salonsas well as your own Priority Pass Select Membershipwhich offers access to more than 1,800 airport lounges around the world. | $795 | $195 per additional cardholder |
| Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card | They also receive access to Capital One Salons and Priority Pass VIP lounges. Starting February 1, 2026, authorized users of the Venture no longer receive free access to Capital One and Priority Pass lounges. Instead, additional cardholders will have to pay $125 per card to retain lounge access. | $395 | No additional cost for up to four authorized users (unless you want free lounge access, then it will be $125 per card starting February 1, 2026) |
| Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® (see rates and fees) | They also receive access to select American Airlines Admirals Clubs and you can bring immediate family or up to two guests at no additional cost. However, they do not have access to the associated lounges. | $595 | Up to three additional cardholders for $175, then $175 for each additional authorized user |
| Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card | They also receive access to Delta Sky Clubs** and Amex Centurion Lounges when traveling on flights marketed and operated by Delta Air Lines and present a Delta same-day boarding pass. | $650 (see rates and fees) | $175 per additional cardholder (see rates and fees) |
| Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card | They also receive access to Delta Sky Clubs** and Amex Centurion Lounges when traveling on Delta-marketed and operated flights and present a Delta same-day boarding pass. | $650 (see rates and fees) | $175 per additional cardholder (see rates and fees) |
*Eligible Platinum Card members will receive 10 visits per eligible Platinum Card, per year, to Delta Sky Club or Grab and Go locations when traveling on a Delta-operated flight on the same day, unless they spend $75,000 or more on their card to unlock unlimited visits.
**Reservation cardholders 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: Five Ways to Make Sure You Have Lounge Access Before Your Next Flight
Cards with access to authorized user rooms
American Express Platinum Card
He Amex Platinum provides the same wide access to the living room enjoyed by primary cardholders through authorized users. You will be required to pay an additional cardholder fee of $195 per authorized user.
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The Amex Platinum features a host of valuable statement credits and high profit rates travel related shopping. Frequent travelers can’t go wrong with this card.
For more information, read our full review of the Amex Platinum.
Apply here: American Express Platinum Card
The American Express Business Platinum Card
authorized users of the Amex Business Platinum Receive the same lounge access privileges as major cardholders. However, there is a hefty $400 fee for additional cardholders in this case.
Like its personal counterpart, the Amex Business Platinum is a fantastic card for frequent travelers with a small business. Provides many benefits that differ from the consumer card, so it might be a good idea for some cardholders carry both.
For more information, read our full review of the Amex Business Platinum.
Apply here: The American Express Business Platinum Card
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 fee of $195.
This premium card from Chase earns valuable Pursue ultimate rewards points and offers solid benefits about travel, food and lifestyle shopping.
For more information, read our complete review of the Sapphire Reserve.
Apply here: Chase Sapphire Reserve
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
He Company X has been known for its generous lounge policy for authorized users at no additional cost, but that will change in 2026.
Still, the Venture great option for travelers as it has a lower annual fee threshold (compared to other premium cards) while providing luxury benefits.
For more information, read our full review of the Venture.
More information: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Citi/AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard
If access to selected Admirals Clubs is important to you, you may want to add an authorized user to the Citi/AAdvantage Executive. You will be charged $175 for up to three additional cardholders, then $175 for each additional authorized user.
Frequent American Airlines Brochures will appreciate the worth This top-tier card delivers, especially if access to the Admirals Club is important to them.
For more information, read our full review of the Citi/AAdvantage Executive.
Apply here: Citi/AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard
Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card
Book Delta SkyMiles Cardholders can add an additional cardholder for $175 and will receive access to Delta Sky Clubs and Amex Centurion Lounges when traveling on Delta marketed and operated flights and present a Delta same-day boarding pass.
The functions of this card, including multiple Benefits when you fly with Delta and an annual companion certificate, have Delta loyalists in mind.
For more information, read our full review of Delta SkyMiles Reserve.
Apply here: Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card
Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express Card
Like the Personal Delta Reserve mentioned above, you can add additional cardholders to the Delta SkyMiles Reservation Business for $175 each and receive access to Delta Sky Club and Amex Centurion Lounge for them.
Business owners who frequently travel on Delta aircraft will appreciate the benefits of this card, which allows cardholders to spend toward elite status and earn Delta Sky Miles in purchases.
For more information, read our full review of Delta SkyMiles booking business.
Apply here: Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express Card
In a nutshell
If lounge access is a 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 They also provide multiple useful benefits in addition to lounge access, so be sure to consider the additional benefits before applying.
Remember that free access to the lounge for authorized users It still comes with a cost: Most cards on this list charge an additional fee to add cardholders. And once Capital One implements its new policies for Venture X in February 2026, each card will require an additional fee for authorized lounge access.
Related: 9 national salons worth striving for
For Amex Platinum Card rates and fees, click here.
For rates and fees for the Amex Business Platinum Card, click here.
For Amex Delta Reserve Card rates and fees, click here.
For rates and fees for the Amex Delta Reserve Business Card, click here.
