Once you airport lounge you neverrrrr go back 🙂

Let me tell you, it’s boujee perk you never knew you needed that makes your travel days SO much more enjoyable (all the more so with kids!)….a vacation before the vacation!

Complimentary food and drinks, a quiet and nice oasis away from the hustle of the airport, CLEANNNN bathrooms…SAY NO MORE.

➡️ And by holding the right credit card you can get free lounge access for you family! Let’s dive into the top 4 BEST cards to get your family that amazing lounge life!

Different types of airport lounges for families

50,000 foot view here, there are 2 main types of airport lounges you can have access to.

➡️ Bank Sponsored Lounges: Capital One Lounges/Landing, Chase Sapphire Lounges, American Express Centurion Lounges

➡️ Independent Networks of Lounges: Priority Pass, Plaza Premium, Escape Lounges

Although what lounges are accessible at your home airport are the most important consideration, having access to lounges worldwide at alllll the destinations you travel to on the way home is also a consideration!

Also, don’t be afraid to terminal hop! We always check into terminal D at DFW because that’s where the best lounges are, but then will take the tram over to whatever terminal our flight is departing from after lounging!

Airport lounge access for families of 3

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

>>> Annual Fee: $395

If you are a solo traveler OR are up to a family of 3, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is still likely your most straightforward lounge access option.

• Main Cardholder Lounge Access: Unlimited access to all Capital One Lounges and participating Priority Pass™ lounges worldwide (1300+)
• Authorized Users: Add an authorized user for $125 for them to get that same lounge access
• Guest Policies– Capital One Lounges/Landings Guest Access: $45 per adult guest, $25 for children
• Guest Policies- Priority Pass Lounges: All guests cost $35 per visit.

Guest Access Exception: If the primary cardholder spends $75,000 or more in a calendar year, they can bring up to 2 guests to Capital One Lounges for free

Other notable perks/highlights:

• 2x points on EVERY purchase
• The yearly credits ($300 travel portal credit + 10k anniversary points) make that annual fee null
• The combination of simplicity and high value on this premium card are unmatched

The Priority Pass Lounge network has the largest footprint (compared to the only 5 Capital One options)

💳 Learn how to apply for the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card HERE!

Capital One Venture X Business

>>> Annual Fee: $395

• Main Cardholder Lounge Access: Unlimited access to all Capital One Lounges and participating Priority Pass™ lounges worldwide (1300+)
• Authorized Users: Add an authorized user for $125 so they get access to Capital One Lounges, Landings, and Priority Pass (up to 4 users)
• Guest Policies: Card holders AND authorized users can bring 2 free guests into Priority Pass lounges

Other notable perks/highlights:

• 2x points on EVERY purchase
• The yearly credits ($300 travel portal credit + 10k anniversary points) make this annual fee null
• The combination of simplicity and high value on this premium card are unmatched

💳 Learn how to apply for the Capital One Venture X Business HERE!

Best lounge access for families of 4+

The Chase Ritz-Carlton Card®

>>> Annual Fee: $450

Ok so this is probably not what you were expecting…but this lesser known card surprisingly provides one of the most extensive lounge access for larger families!

• Main Cardholder Lounge Access: Unlimited access to all Chase Sapphire and Priority Pass lounges worldwide (1300+!)
• Authorized Users: FREE unlimited authorized users (rare!) that get that same access
• Guest Policies: Main card holders and authorized users get 2 free guests at all Chase Sapphire and Priority Pass lounges

Other notable perks/highlights:

• $300/year travel credit (you do have to call in to use this and its uses are limited, so not as user friendly as other travel credits)
  • Airline lounge day pass
  • Yearly lounge membership of your choice
  • Airline seat upgrades
  • Airline baggage fees
  • In-flight internet/entertainment
  • In-flight meals
• 85,000 point annual Marriott Free Night Certificate!

Here’s the catch…

➡️ The Ritz card isn’t open for new applications

You have to hold a Chase Marriott card with Chase for a year, and THEN you can upgrade to this Ritz card.

My favorite is hands down the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card! I really recommend waiting to apply for the card when it is elevated.

🚨🚨 And chef’s kiss- it is elevated RIGHT NOW!

💳 Learn how to apply for the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card HERE!

Community Referral Links! All information about the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card has been collected independently by Wayfaren. The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card is no longer available through Wayfaren.

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

>>> Annual Fee: $795

This is the runner up in my opinion…orrrr a close tie for first, just because the Ritz card isn’t as accessible. The Reserve is easier to get because you can apply for the card directly!

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is essentially premium version of our MVP #1 travel card the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.

• Main Cardholder Lounge Access: Unlimited access to all Chase Sapphire and Priority Pass lounges worldwide (1300+)
• Authorized Users: Add authorized users for $195 for them to get that same lounge access
• Guest Policies: Both main card holders and authorized users can bring in 2 guests each into to both Sapphire and Priority Pass lounges

Other notable perks/highlights:

• $300 annual travel credit (easiest one to use as it is a statement credit that can be used on the widest variety of travel)
• Access to Chase Travel℠ where your points are worth up to 2x more with the new Points Boost (this can sometimes equate to better value than transferring your points OUT!)
• Chase points are some of the most valuable to have in the travel game (lookin’ at you $0 luxe Hyatt hotel stays)

➡️ There are currently four Sapphire lounges in the US: New York City (JFK), and Phoenix (PHX), New York LaGuardia (LGA), and Boston (BOS). Internationally, there’s also a Sapphire Lounge in Hong Kong (HKG).

➡️ Additional locations for Las Vegas (LAS), Philadelphia (PHL), and San Diego (SAN)…and rumors of Dallas (DFW) as well coming SOON!

💳 Learn how to apply for the Chase Sapphire Reserve® HERE!

The Citi Strata Elite℠

>>> Annual Fee: $595

This card is quickly becoming one of my favorite premium credit cards. Although the annual fee seems steep ($595), it comes with a slew of pretty easy to use credits that quickly knock down that annual fee.

• Main Cardholder Lounge Access: Complimentary Priority Pass Select membership
• Authorized Users: Add authorized users for $75 for them to get that same lounge access
• Guest Policies: Both main cardholders and authorized users can bring in 2 free guests each to Priority Pass Lounges
• ALSO: You receive 4 annual American Airlines Admirals Club passes (can be used by the cardmember and up to 3 children)

Other notable perks/highlights:

• Citi points are the only flexible points to transfer directly to American Airlines.
• The 1:4 transfer option to iPrefer hotels is GOLD for boutique, luxury hotels

Final Notes: Best airport lounge access for families

➡️ Solo travelers the Capital One Venture X is your best option.…LOUNGE IT UP.

➡️ Couples? It is probably worth each of you having your own Capital One Venture X (as with the yearly credits the annual fee nets to $5, versus paying $125 for an authorized user)

➡️ 1 kid? The simplicity of the Capital One Venture X is hard to beat. It could be worth it to pay the $125 to add them as an authorized user on one of your cards, versus getting a card with a higher annual fee and more credits to manage.

➡️ 2, 3, or 4 kids? You’ll want to go with the The Chase Ritz-Carlton Card®, Chase Sapphire Reserve® (Pay for partner to be authorized user or each have your own card), or Citi Strata Elite℠ (Pay for partner to be authorized user or each have your own card).

Which of those is best is likely based on your home airport + which card you find has the winning combo for you of ease of use and high value pay off!

💳 See all the best premium cards for family lounge access HERE!

Cheers to traveling MORE, and BETTER, for CHEAPER!!