Where you spend the most, which airlines fly from your home hub and whether you fly monthly or just a few times a year all impact the "stack" you choose. As Nick Ewen, Senior Editorial Director at The Points Guy, explains, “In general, the ‘best’ credit card is very dependent on what you want to do with your rewards, along with your general spending habits. In my opinion, the ‘best’ options are typically ones that earn flexible rewards—ones that can be used for cash-back, direct travel and can be transferred to partner loyalty programs.”
You may be tied to a specific credit card that allows its own lounges for access (e.g., Centurion Lounges, Capital One Lounges or Chase Sapphire Lounges), or with its 1,600 locations around the world, you may find Priority Pass offers you the greatest flexibility—though in 2026, navigating those guest policies is its own skillset. But, still, we wanted to know: what are the best of the best out there? We asked Summer Hull, Senior Director of Content at The Points Guy, for her recommendations and best strategies for getting in.
Related: How to Score Elite Hotel Status in 2026 (Without the 50-Night Grind)
Best lounge for an actually good meal: Capital One Landing in DCA
Related: The Best Travel Credit Cards of 2026, According to the Points Guy
Best lounge for plane spotting: Delta Sky Club at LAX
For those who find peace in the movement of the tarmac, the new Delta Sky Club at LAX offers a front-row seat to one of the world's busiest runways. "In terms of interesting aircraft and a great outdoor view, complete with an entire bar and retractable roof, the best lounge for plane spotting is the Delta Sky Club at LAX with its outdoor Sky Deck," says Hull. The outdoor terrace allows visitors to enjoy the Southern California sun and a cocktail while watching massive wide-body jets move just feet away.
When a layover stretches into several hours, the difference between a standard club and a true flagship lounge becomes apparent. "If you are on a premium ticket that gets you into the Delta One Lounge at JFK, you might wish your layover was even longer as there’s plenty to do in those 40,000 square feet," Hull notes. The facility is designed to be a self-contained wellness and productivity hub. Hull explains, "This includes a gorgeous brasserie-inspired restaurant, shower suites, a spa area with included treatments, shoe-shining, an outdoor deck and even external monitors you can check out if you need to get work done and much, much more."
Best lounge for when you are in a hurry: Tie: United Airlines “Club Fly” and Capital One Lounges
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Best lounge for a toast to a great trip: Chase Sapphire Lounge at LAS
Ending a trip to the Strip deserves one final bit of Vegas-style glamour, and the top floor of the newest Sapphire lounge delivers. "The new Chase Sapphire Lounge at LAS has a gold-clad Champagne parlor on its top floor (it is Vegas, after all) that is the perfect spot to order a glass of bubbly or enjoy a seasonal spritz from the bar cart service and give a toast to a great trip," says Hull. It provides a celebratory atmosphere that serves as the perfect bookend to a desert getaway.
Expert Tips for Getting (and Staying) In
As airport lounges reach record capacity, the strategy for getting past the velvet rope has evolved. To maximize your card stack this year, keep these tips from Nick Ewen in mind:
Watch the Guest Policy: "Chase Sapphire lounges are currently the only issuer lounges that ‘will include two free guests moving forward’," notes Ewen. In contrast, both Amex and Capital One (as of Feb. 1, 2026) have moved toward charging fees for guests.Prioritize Real-World Value: Don't just get a card for the "buzz." Ewen suggests looking at how a card fits your actual bills: "Identify the actual, real-world value you’d get on a card to decide which is ‘best’ for you," he says, noting that if a card covers streaming services you already pay for, it significantly offsets the annual fee.Match Your Card to Your Hub: "You may rarely fly Delta or don’t visit an airport with an Amex lounge frequently," Ewen points out. In those cases, a card like the Chase Sapphire Reserve or Capital One Venture X could be a better fit than the more famous Amex Platinum.Related: The Easiest Airline Status to Chase in 2026, According to the Points Guy (Exclusive)
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