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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 multiple lounges here, but other choices — like an American Express Centurion Lounge, a Delta Sky Club and Priority Pass options — are available too.
About CLT lounges
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 only airline-operated lounges are for American and Delta Air Lines.
If you don't qualify to enter those lounges, you'll need to hang out in the terminal unless you have access to Priority Pass lounges or the American Express Global Lounge Collection, which comes with the American Express Platinum Card® 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.
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To enter any lounge at the airport, you’ll need to show a departing boarding pass.
Terminal A: The Club, Delta Sky Club, Provisions by Admirals Club
There are multiple lounge options in this terminal, including a Priority Pass option.
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 $60. Priority Pass and Lounge Key members can also enter, subject to availability.
Visitors can enjoy hot and cold buffet meals and drinks, as well as refreshments from the open bar. There are spaces to work, a shower and family zones. This is also the lounge for passengers on Star Alliance member Lufthansa’s flight to Munich; eligible guests gain access with their boarding pass.
Delta Sky Club
- Located near gate A32.
- Open from 4:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
- Open to certain passengers traveling on Delta Air Lines, as well as holders of the American Express Platinum Card® (10 visits a year) and the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card (15 visits a year) who are flying on a same-day Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight. Spending $75,000 a year on the card can unlock unlimited access. Passengers booked in Delta One are also welcome, as are elite members who buy an annual membership. Enrollment required. Terms apply.
At more than 14,000 square feet, this Charlotte outpost offers an elevated design with a special focus on botany and floral patterns. Located on the mezzanine level, it offers views of the airfield and the concourse, as well as a large buffet and two beverage stations.
» Learn more: Your guide to getting into a Delta Sky Club
Provisions by Admiral Club
- Located near gate A1.
- Open from 6:15 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®.
This is American's first location for its Provisions grab-and-go lounge concept. You won't find many places to sit in this approximately 2,000-square-foot space, as it's meant to be a quick stop for travelers. In the morning, breakfast options include pastries and fruit, while all-day offerings feature both sweet and salty snacks. Meal boxes and beverages are also available.
Terminals B and C: Admirals Clubs
Each of these terminals has only one lounge option, and they're both Admirals Clubs.
American Airlines Admirals Club, Terminal B
- Located between gates B3 and B5.
- Open from 4:15 a.m. to 9:45 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. Additionally, Citi Strata Elite℠ Card holders receive four Admirals Club passes per year.
» 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. Additionally, Citi Strata Elite℠ Card holders receive four Admirals Club passes per year.
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.
Terminal D: Centurion Lounge, Minute Suites
There is only one lounge in this terminal, the American Express Centurion Lounge.
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 American Express Platinum Card®, 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.
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.
Cards with built-in access to CLT lounges
If you purchase a qualifying flight with any of these cards, you can gain access to eligible lounges at Charlotte airport.
Cards with lounge access
Annual Fee
- $895
- $595
- $650
Still not sure?
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.
Best cards with Priority Pass
Annual Fee
- $395
- $400
- $795
Still not sure?
Note that the American Express Platinum Card® includes Priority Pass membership privileges on top of access to The Centurion Lounges at Charlotte. Enrollment is required. Terms apply.
To view rates and fees of the American Express Platinum Card®, see this page.
To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, see this page.
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