How Can I Get My Family Into Airport Lounges?
The Capital One Venture X lost complimentary guest access. Here are some alternatives for group travelers and families.
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Updated · 2 min read
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The ability to bring your family into an airport lounge for free is a rare perk these days, especially with a travel credit cards.
Premium travel credit cards like the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card were once known for their generous complimentary guest access policies. However, as lounges have become increasingly overcrowded, guest perks have been removed or put behind a spending threshold typically to the tune of $75,000. In some cases, you can pay a fee to add an authorized user, who will also get lounge access privileges.
However, if you travel often with a partner or family members, here are some alternatives that can get you and your guests into a lounge without having to worry about extra fees.
1. Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Annual fee: $795.
Lounge access policy: Unlimited access to Priority Pass lounges, including Chase Sapphire lounges, with complimentary access for up to two guests.
Why we like it: The Chase Sapphire Reserve® commands one of the highest annual fees on the credit card market, but it comes with perks to back it up, including a flexible $300 travel credit, statement credits for a variety of travel and lifestyle purchases and airport lounge access. This is the only consumer card that provides new applicants with unlimited access for the primary cardholder and two guests to the highly regarded (but small) network of Chase Sapphire lounges around the country.
2. Airline lounge credit card
Annual fee: Varies depending on the airline.
Lounge access policy: Varies depending on the airline.
Why we like them: If you’re loyal to an airline — whether by choice, geography or circumstance — it might be worth picking up its airline lounge credit card. American Airlines, United Airlines and JetBlue Airways are among the few that offer complimentary lounge access for both the primary cardholder and additional guests.
Airline cards with lounge access for guests
Annual fee
$595.
$695.
$499.
Guest access policy
Bring two adult guests or one adult guest and dependents under 18 into American's Admirals Clubs.
Bring one adult guest and dependents under 18 into United Club lounges. Unlock the ability to bring two adult guests (but no dependents) after spending $50,000 in a calendar year.
Bring one guest into JetBlue-branded lounges, as well as Priority Pass lounges and restaurants. (JetBlue's first-ever BlueHouse lounge opened in December 2025.)
Still not sure?
3. Citi Strata Elite℠ Card
Annual fee: $595.
Lounge access policy: Unlimited access to Priority Pass lounges, with complimentary access for up to two guests. Four passes to American’s Admirals Clubs a year (includes access for the pass holder and up to three children under 18).
Why we like it: Priority Pass lounges aren't terribly exciting, but the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card has the added benefit of its passes to Admirals Clubs. If you fly American Airlines a few times a year and take your children with you, those passes can be a useful benefit — especially if you're at an airport with one of American's more modern lounges, such as in Philadelphia (PHL) and Washington (DCA). It's also a strong fit for American flyers because this card earns the only points currency that transfers to American's AAdvantage program.
4. Bilt Palladium Card
Annual fee: $495.
Lounge access policy: Unlimited access to Priority Pass lounges, with complimentary access for up to two guests.
Why we like it: The Bilt Palladium Card lets you bring two guests into a Priority Pass lounge, and that’s about it for lounge access. Priority Pass lounges aren’t particularly remarkable or exciting if you primarily travel in the U.S., but they can shine when abroad. In addition to its lounge access, this card is a true alternative to the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, because it offers a similar rewards earning structure of 2 Bilt Points earned per $1 on everyday spending.
Annual fee: $550.
Lounge access policy: Unlimited access to Priority Pass lounges and restaurants, with complimentary guest access.
Why we like it: With the Bank of America® Premium Rewards Elite credit card, you can add up to four Priority Pass memberships to your account. That’s helpful if you and your partner often travel separately. There also isn’t a limit on the number of guests you can bring (unless there are lounge-specific restrictions). This card stands out because it’s one of a very small handful that still allows members access to Priority Pass restaurants.
6. The Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card
Annual fee: $450.
Lounge access policy: Unlimited access to Priority Pass lounges, including Chase Sapphire lounges, with complimentary access for up to two guests.
Why we like it: This card is no longer open to new applications, although it may be possible to product change to it after holding certain Chase Marriott credit cards for more than a year, including the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card. Cardholders can add authorized users to their account for free, who will get their own Priority Pass memberships, making it one of the most generous offerings available. However, this is a long-term strategy, and Chase has the right to stop allowing product changes to this card at any time.
Choosing a card with lounge access for your family
Depending on the airports you frequent and how your family travels, you'll want a card that provides access guest access to lounges that are convenient.
For example, if your family often flies with a specific airline, it’s worth considering the airline’s premium lounge access credit card. American and United, in particular, offer generous lounge access for families with children who hold their premium credit cards.
Those cards only provide access to the airline’s own lounges, such as American’s Admirals Clubs or United’s United Clubs, so you might miss out on some Priority Pass or credit card issuer lounges. You’ll also need to be flying on that airline or one of its partners.
If your family doesn’t fly with a specific airline, you’ll want to consider a credit card that comes with a Priority Pass membership that includes guests. There are several options here, and the best one for your crew will depend on how many people are in your family. Some cards offer memberships that include complimentary access for two guests, while others don’t have limits on the number of guests. You might be able to add additional memberships or authorized users at no extra charge, which can be helpful for larger families or those that don’t always travel together.
All information about the Bank of America® Premium Rewards Elite credit card has been collected independently by NerdWallet.
How to maximize your rewards
You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2026:
- Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
- No annual fee: Wells Fargo Autograph® Card
- Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- Luxury perks: American Express Platinum Card®
- Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
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