Airport Lounges on a Budget
Lounge access is no longer a super exclusive experience made only for first class flyers. The credit card game has changed everything! Even the everyday family traveler can enjoy lounge life. We’ve come to LOVE these spots for their relaxing spaces, plenty of charging outlets, and completely free food and beverages (including adult bevs too!) We’ve saved tons of money on overpriced airport food and gained space for extra comfort while we do it.
From our Instagram @Fierescape :
Three of the personal cards (i.e. non-business cards) give you open access to Priority Pass, a membership company that allows entrance to hundreds of lounges across the world. Unlike airline-specific cards which may give you access once you’ve accrued enough miles, these three cards give you automatic access right away.
Capital One Venture X
This card previously allowed the card holder and two guests access to Priority Pass affiliated as well as Capital One Lounges located in DEN, DFW, IAD, JFK, DCA, LGA, and LAS. It also USED to allow an authorized user a free Priority Pass with 2 Guests which gave us all the guest power we needed for a family of 5 (and even a chance to bring a friend!) But sadly, in February 2026 they’re changing all of this and only allowing membership to the primary card holder unless you put a steep spend, to the tune of $75,000 a year, on the card.
The Venture X does have a $395 Annual Fee but also a $300 travel credit which effectively brings the fee down to $95 when used once for travel. We get significantly more value than that $95 with a trip or two to the lounge, and we avoid steep airport food prices.
Chase Sapphire Reserve
This card allows access to Priority Pass lounges as well as Chase Sapphire Lounges currently in BOS, LGA, and JFK (with LAS and PHL coming soon). This one also allows you to bring two guests, but an authorized user card is an additional $75 a year. The fee on this one is $795 a year with a similar $300 travel credit bringing its effective expense to $250 a year, $325 if you add an authorized user. There are several other credits to offset the fee with $500 in The Edit hotels, $300 dining credit in the Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables program.
American Express Platinum
Here’s another one that gives Priority Pass Lounge access in addition to Amex Centurion Lounges. Also included are the Delta Sky Club Lounges (limited to 10 a year starting in February 2025) when flying Delta, Select Virgin Clubhouses, Plaza Premium Lounges, and Escape Lounges. This card allows two additional guests into the Priority Pass Lounges but charges each non-cardholder guest $50 per visit (in some locations this fee is higher based on demand) in the Centurion Lounges.
We’ve also heard rumors that access to additional guests may not be available if the lounge is at capacity, but we’ve never encountered that problem. The annual fee is $895 and Authorized Users for this card are charged $195 each year. On the plus side, this card is like a “coupon book” with lots of ways to earn the annual fee back, but it takes some effort.
The newest update to the program is $300 a year in Lululemon and $400 in Resy dining credits. Presently sign on bonuses are as very high as 175,000 points which is GREAT. Try the link above while in Chrome Incognito mode for the best chance of a high sign on bonus. Our Referral Link here: thanks for using!
Hope this inspires you to use your everyday expenses to help earn yourself some luxury for CHEAP!
All of the links above benefit both you and FierEscape. We appreciate your support!
For more info on using credit cards to cover your travel expenses click here!
Interested in some family travel itineraries? Click here!