A guide to guest policies for airport lounges
Editor's Note
There's no denying that taking your traveling companions to an airport lounge can seriously improve your travel experience. Besides providing comfortable seating and an escape from the chaos of the airport terminal, it can also save you considerable money, since you can forgo overpriced airport restaurants and make a meal on the lounge's complimentary food and drink.
But although there are more ways to get lounge access than ever, not all guest policies are created equal. Let's take a look at each lounge's guest policy so you can avoid surprises the next time you fly.
Related: The best credit cards for airport lounge access
Alaska Airlines lounges
Most people gain access to Alaska Airlines lounges by holding elite status with Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards or a Oneworld partner loyalty program, but you can also gain access with the right credit card in your wallet or by purchasing an Alaska Lounge membership. Guest policies vary as follows:
| Access | Guest policy |
|---|---|
Alaska Lounge member | Immediate family (partner and children under the age of 21) or two guests; additional guests cost $35 each |
American Airlines Admirals Club member when departing or arriving on flights with American Airlines, Alaska Airlines or Hawaiian Airlines | Immediate family (partner and children under the age of 21) or two guests |
Atmos Gold, Atmos Platinum and Atmos Titanium members traveling on Oneworld airlines beyond the U.S., Canada or Mexico | One guest |
Atmos Gold, Atmos Platinum and Atmos Titanium members traveling on Hawaiian Airlines to Tokyo's Narita International Airport (NRT) or Seoul's Incheon International Airport (ICN) | One guest |
Up to two accompanying children | |
Oneworld Emerald and Sapphire members on any tickets, or if their status is via American Airlines or Alaska Airlines, when on an international itinerary | One guest flying on a Oneworld airline |
Paid or award first-class ticket on a Oneworld airline on an international flight longer than 5 hours | One guest flying on a Oneworld airline. |
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® (see rates and fees) primary cardholders | Immediate family (partner and children under 18) or two guests |
Active duty military traveling in uniform and on orders | No guests are listed in the policy |
Note that Alaska Lounge members do not need to be traveling with their guest to purchase a guest pass, so you can snag the discounted rate of $35 for any of your friends and family who would otherwise have to pay $65 for a day pass if they purchased it themselves.
Children under 2 years old can enter Alaska Lounges free of charge when accompanied by an adult.
Related: Is this new space the best Alaska Airlines lounge in the country?
American Airlines Admirals Club
There are many ways to access Admirals Club lounges, but the easiest way is with the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®. Although the card comes with a hefty $595 annual fee, a stand-alone Admirals Club membership costs up to $850 a year, so it's a worthwhile deal for loyal American Airlines flyers.
Related: Three reasons why this is the best card for Admirals Club lounge access
| Access type | Guest policy |
|---|---|
Admirals Club members | Immediate family (partner and children under 18) or up to two guests |
Citi/AAdvantage Executive cardholders and authorized users | Immediate family (partner and children under 18) or up to two guests |
Citi Strata Elite℠ Card (see rates and fees) and Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard® (see rates and fees) Admirals Club passes | Up to three children under the age of 18 |
Active U.S. military traveling on orders and in uniform | Immediate family (partner and children under 18) or up to two guests |
First-class passengers on qualifying international flights | One guest over age 2; no guests for business-class passengers |
AAdvantage Platinum members and higher flying on qualifying international flights (regardless of class) | One guest over age 2 |
Oneworld Emerald and Sapphire members from other Oneworld loyalty programs on all American and Oneworld flights | One guest over age 2 |
Admirals Club day pass | Up to three children under 18 |
American Express Centurion Lounges
These cards grant you access to American Express Centurion Lounges, as well as Sidecar by The Centurion Lounge locations when they open in 2026. Guest policies depend on the card you have and your annual spending, but most cardholders will have to pay to bring in guests (except children under 2 years old, who get in free). Enrollment is required.
| Card name | Guest policy |
|---|---|
Adult guests cost $50 each; children ages 2-17 cost $30 each. Cardholders who spend more than $75,000 on eligible purchases in a calendar year can bring two guests for no additional cost. | |
The American Express Corporate Platinum Card® | Two complimentary guests. Effective July 8, 2026, all guests must be traveling on the same flight as the card member. |
Up to two guests at a rate of $50 each and $30 for children 2-17 years old. |
The information for the Amex Corporate Platinum has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
When flying on Delta, Reserve and Business Reserve cardholders can access both Delta Sky Clubs and the Centurion lounges. The above guest policies apply if you opt to visit the Centurion Lounge.
Capital One Lounges
In a world once dominated by airline lounges, credit card issuers have started building their own lounge portfolios. Capital One currently has six lounges (including one "Landing"), which have arguably become victims of their own success — and the issuer recently tightened its guest policy to combat overcrowding.
Now, authorized users must pay $125 per year for lounge access, and both primary and additional cardholders must pay a fee per guest, per visit (unless you spend $75,000 or more in a calendar year).
| Access type | Guest policy |
|---|---|
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card and Capital One Venture X Business cardholders and authorized users with lounge access | Guests cost $45 per adult or $25 per child age 2-17. You can bring up to two complimentary guests to Capital One Lounges and one complimentary guest to Capital One Landings per visit if you spend at least $75,000 across your Venture X account per calendar year. |
Related: Make the most of the authorized user benefits on the Venture X while you can
As with many lounges, children under 2 get in free.
Chase Sapphire Lounges
The following cards provide access to Chase Sapphire Lounges for both primary cardholders and authorized users. Plus, all Priority Pass members can access a Chase Lounge once per calendar year, even if the membership is through a different credit card.
Since two of these four cards are either not open to new applicants or are by invitation only, your best bet for access is to be a Sapphire Reserve cardholder, whether in personal or business form.
| Access type | Guest policy |
|---|---|
Primary cardholders and authorized users can bring two guests for free; additional guests cost $27 each. Children under 2 incur no additional charge. | |
J.P. Morgan Reserve® (Note: This card is by invitation only) | Primary cardholders and authorized users can bring two guests for free; additional guests cost $27 each. |
Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card (Note: This card is not open to new applicants) | Two guests as of Jan. 15, 2026. |
Priority Pass members | Can purchase guest access for a fee. |
The information for the J.P. Morgan Reserve and Ritz-Carlton cards has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Keep in mind, you must activate your complimentary Priority Pass membership first and bring your Priority Pass card or show a QR code in the Priority Pass app to get into Sapphire lounges.
Related: Chase unveils opening details for 2 new lounges, more updates
Delta Sky Club
There are multiple ways to enter a Delta Sky Club, including via a credit card, Delta Medallion elite status or a Delta Sky Club membership. Each has its own policies for guests over 2 years of age; children under that threshold receive complimentary entry.
| Access type | Guest policy |
|---|---|
Delta Sky Club Executive and Lifetime membership | Two guests or your immediate family (partner and children under 21); $50 (or 5,000 SkyMiles) per Sky Club or $25 (or 2,500 SkyMiles) per Grab and Go visit for each additional guest. |
Delta Sky Club Individual member | Members can pay to bring their immediate family (partner and children under 21) or up to two guests: $50 (or 5,000 SkyMiles) per guest for Sky Club or $25 (or 2,500 SkyMiles) per guest for Grab and Go. |
Four one-time guest passes per year, after which you can pay $50 per guest at Sky Club locations or $25 at Grab and Go locations. You can bring your immediate family or up to two guests per visit. | |
Delta Gold Medallion status or higher (SkyTeam Elite Plus status), flying Delta One or Delta Premium Select or the equivalent abroad | One guest traveling in Delta One or Delta Premium Select (or an equivalent cabin). |
SkyTeam Elite Plus from other SkyTeam airlines flying internationally in any cabin | One guest. |
Delta One or SkyTeam premium cabin passenger | No guests allowed. |
Immediate family (partner and children under 21) or up to two guests at a per-visit rate of $50 per guest at Sky Clubs or $25 at Grab and Go. | |
Single-visit pass (no longer available for sale) | No guests allowed. |
*Eligible Platinum Card Members will receive 10 visits per eligible Platinum card per year to Delta Sky Club or Grab and Go when traveling on a same-day Delta-operated flight.
Plaza Premium lounges
Plaza Premium is a network of over 250 lounges across all six inhabited continents. You can pay for a punch pass or a day pass, but you'll only be able to bring guests if you gain access through select credit cards.
| Access type | Guest policy |
|---|---|
Two guests. Additional guests require a day pass; costs vary by location. | |
Priority Pass members (select lounges) | Guest policy varies by how you get your Priority Pass membership. |
Day pass | No guests allowed. |
Priority Pass lounges
Some premium travel cards offer complimentary Priority Pass Select membership, which includes access to over 1,600 lounges around the world (enrollment may be required). Some lounges do not admit guests, but here are the guest policies for those that do, with regard to our top card picks.
| Access type | Guest policy |
|---|---|
Two complimentary guests; additional guests cost $35 each. | |
Guests cost $35 each as of Feb. 1, 2026. | |
Two guests; additional guests cost $35. | |
Chase Sapphire Reserve and Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business cardholders and authorized users | Two guests; additional guests cost $27 each. |
Two guests; additional guests cost $35 each | |
Citi Prestige® Card (no longer open to new applicants) primary cardholders and authorized users | Immediate family (partner and children under 18) or up to two guests; additional guests cost $27 each. |
Citi Strata Elite Card primary cardholders and authorized users | Two complimentary guests; $35 per additional guest. |
Ritz-Carlton Credit Card primary cardholders and authorized users | Two guests as of Jan. 15, 2026. |
Priority Pass paid membership | Guests incur a per-visit fee, which varies by location. |
Although most cards that include Priority Pass Select membership allow lounge access for you and up to two guests, employees can limit the number of guests to control capacity, so guest access isn't guaranteed when the lounge is crowded.
The information for the Citi Prestige Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Related: 11 credit cards that offer Priority Pass airport lounge access
United Club
United uses a tiered approach to guest access for its United Clubs, with a standard membership and an All-Access membership. If you want access through a credit card, the United Club℠ Card (see rates and fees) offers a complimentary United Club membership.
Related: Best for loyal flyers: United Club Card review
| Access type | Guest policy |
|---|---|
United Club individual membership | You can purchase one-time guest passes for $59. |
United Club membership via credit cards | One guest and dependents under 18. |
United Club All Access membership | Two adult guests or one adult and dependents under 18. |
United Premier Gold status or higher (or Star Alliance Gold member) when flying on an international United or Star Alliance flight | One guest on the same flight. |
Active U.S. military personnel | Family members traveling on the same flight, subject to seating availability. |
United or Star Alliance business-class passenger | No guests allowed (except children under 2 years old). |
Star Alliance first-class passenger | One guest. |
Air Canada Maple Leaf Club Worldwide and North America Plus members with a same-day Star Alliance boarding pass | One guest. |
Virgin Australia Velocity Gold, Platinum or VIP members flying on an international United or Virgin Australia flight | One guest. |
United Club one-time pass | No guests allowed (except children under 2 years old). |
It's worth noting that these access policies do not apply to United's premium Polaris lounges. These are accessible only to passengers flying in United Polaris long-haul business class or in long-haul business or first class with a Star Alliance partner airline.
Bottom line
As you can see, guest policies vary widely depending on the type of lounge and how you gain access. As a general rule, children aged 2 or younger can usually tag along for free, but purchasing lounge passes for other guests can add up fast. Be sure to understand the guest policy that applies to you before you head to the airport to avoid unpleasant surprises.
If you're trying to choose a credit card for lounge access, these guest policies should factor into your decision if you frequently travel with companions.