The Guide to Charlotte’s Airport Lounges

Charlotte Douglas International Airport is the busiest airport in North Carolina and one of the busiest in the world based on aircraft movements. It is a major hub for American Airlines, so it comes as no surprise that American has two lounges here, but other choices — like an American Express Centurion Lounge and several Priority Pass options — are available too.

There are five terminals currently open for flights at CLT airport: A, B, C, D and E. All but E offer a lounge, and the the only airline-operated lounges are for American Airlines.

Flyers with lounge access on other carriers will be left in the terminal unless they have access to Priority Pass lounges or the American Express Global Lounge Collection, (which comes with The Platinum Card® from American Express and includes Priority Pass). Enrollment is required. Terms apply.

You can purchase a membership to Priority Pass, but you may want to see if you have any credit cards that already offer Priority Pass access.

To enter any lounge at the airport, you’ll need to show a departing boarding pass.

» Learn more: The best Priority Pass lounges in the U.S.

There is only one lounge in this terminal, and it is accessible via Priority Pass.

The Club CLT

• Just before reaching gates A21 and A22.

• Open from 5 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

• Access is only available three hours before departure.

• Anyone can purchase access to the lounge for $50. It is also available to Priority Pass, Lounge Key and Lounge Card members, subject to space restrictions.

Visitors can enjoy hot and cold buffet meals and drinks, as well as refreshments from the open bar. There is workspace, a shower and family zones. This is also the lounge for Star Alliance member Lufthansa’s flight to Munich; eligible passengers gain access with their boarding pass.

» Learn more: Your guide to the Star Alliance

There are only one lounge in each of these terminals, and both are an Admirals Club.

American Airlines Admirals Club, Terminal B

• Located between gates B3 and B5.

• Open from 5:15 a.m. to 10:45 p.m. 

• Open to Admirals Club members and those with eligible access through an international premium cabin ticket, Oneworld status or the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®. Day passes are available (based on capacity constraints) for $79 or 7,900 AAdvantage miles.

» Learn more: The best airline credit cards right now

American Airlines Admirals Club, Terminal C

• Located at the intersection of terminals C and D.

• Open from 5:15 a.m. to 10:45 p.m. 

• Open to Admirals Club members and those with eligible access through an international premium cabin ticket, Oneworld status or the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®. Day passes are available (based on capacity constraints) for $79 or 7,900 AAdvantage miles.

Both Admirals Clubs have hot and cold snacks, an open bar, workstations and excellent views of the apron. At certain times of day, the lounge staff offers made-to-order snacks like salmon or avocado toast in the morning and guacamole in the evening.

There is only one lounge in this terminal, the American Express Centurion Lounge, but it is undoubtedly the most coveted one to access given the quality of its food and beverages.

American Express Centurion Lounge

• Located at the intersection of terminals D and E on the mezzanine level.

• Accessible by one slow elevator, but on occasion, the stairway to the far right of the elevator (across from TSA) is open for overflow.

• Open from 5:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

• Access permitted only three hours before departure or anytime if making a connection.

• The lounge is accessible to people with a variety of American Express cards, including The Platinum Card® from American Express, and when paying for a Delta flight with the card for Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card cardholders. There have been several access and guest policy changes, with more on the way. Terms apply.

This lounge offers a Southern-inspired hot and cold buffet, an open bar with mixologist-designed cocktails, workspace, a family room and plenty of great views of the airport. The lounge also has a shower suite.

» Learn more: How to get into an AmEx Centurion Lounge before your flight

Minute Suites

Priority Pass also gives members access to two Minute Suites facilities in the main atrium and Terminal D, but these are technically not lounges in Charlotte airport. They don’t provide any food or beverage options, just a private place to rest.

When using Priority Pass, guests can access a Minute Suite for only one hour without having to pay an additional fee.

If you purchase a qualifying flight with any of these cards, you can gain access to eligible lounges at Charlotte airport.

If you have a card with Priority Pass, you can also visit The Club CLT in terminal A or the Minute Suites in the main atrium or terminal D.

Note that The Platinum Card® from American Express includes Priority Pass membership privileges on top of access to The Centurion Lounges at Charlotte. Enrollment is required. Terms apply.

Charlotte is a busy airport and could use more lounges to handle the capacity of passengers who pass through it. The best Charlotte airport lounge is probably any of them you can gain access to, but few will argue that the Centurion Lounge is the most substantial.