Capital One, Chase And Amex Airport Lounges Ranked — These Are The 8 Best In The U.S.

I receive compensation for content and many links on this blog. Be aware that websites may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened. Citibank is an advertising partner of this site, as is American Express, Chase, Capital One, and others. Any opinions expressed in this post are my own, and have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by my advertising partners. I do not write about all offers that are available -- instead focusing on miles, points, and cash back (and currencies that can be converted into the same). Terms apply to the offers and benefits listed on this page.Airport lounges in the United States have gotten a lot better over the past 15 years. Banks and credit cards have a lot to do with that. When the major airlines started merging, American Express lost some of its lounge partnerships. The American Express Platinum Card® (see rates and fees) was no longer able to get you into American Airlines, US Airways or Continental Airlines lounges. They started building their own network. These were more stylish than airline offerings, and had much better food programs than what we were used to – the old days of crackers and plastic-packaged Tillamook cheese. The airlines themselves responded to competition by (mostly) improving their own lounges, but also because premium customers wanted premium experiences, these are the people who were buying business and first class tickets and also taking the airline’s cobrand credit cards. The lounges fed what became the most lucrative part of their business. In the 13 years since American Express opened their first Centurion lounge in Las Vegas, there’s been a lot more competition. Chase and Capital One didn’t want to leave this entire business segment to Amex! And many of the lounges have gotten better. These are, I think, the 8 best bank lounges in the United States ranked: Capital One Landing New York LaGuardia This is more of a true restaurant than a lounge, and a place you’d enjoy even if you weren’t in the airport. Capital One “Landings” are José Andrés tapas places. There’s a tapas bar you can walk up to and have a plate made (also for desserts) but otherwise you place an order via QR code at your table for food and drinks. You can order as much as you wish, as many times as you wish. The food is actually good. Service is friendly. The ceiling height and natural light are incredible. There are no showers here, and no places to nap, but you can get work done – there are outlets at each seat. And, like any good restaurant, they even take reservations in the mobile app so you can just arrive at your booking time if you don’t want to risk a wait to get in. They’ll show you to your table right away. You’ll get free what you might legitimately pay a couple hundred bucks for in a restaurant in a single visit for two or three people. If you’re New York-based, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card (see rates and fees) would be my number one choice for premium rewards credit card lounge access, easily. Capital One Landing Washington National This was the original spot, and the food is very similar to what’s offered at LaGuardia. It’s a smaller space, less than half the size, of LaGuardia and that’s the major reason it ranks lower. I have an office in the D.C. area still, it’s my most frequent destination, so I’m a regular here. The staff frequently recognize me as a result. While there’s often no wait to get in, I try to make a reservation whenever I book my tickets to leave the airport. It’s hard to believe that my Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card gets me unlimited visits here. The crema catalana pastries in the morning are to die for. The coffee is good, the drinks are excellent – if you don’t want alcohol, try the Flamingo Shuttle. Order the steak and the shrimp, a couple plates of each. Capital One Lounge New York JFK There’s a legitimate argument that this 24-hour lounge is better than the DC Capital One Landing. It’s Capital One’s largest lounge. It has a great bar, but all their lounges do. What sets this one apart is that in addition to the buffet of plated items, they have QR code dishes to order, and they have: The ‘Bodega’ with barista coffee drinks and Ess-a-bagels as well as other to go items. You can get a bagel with pastrami, with lox, with smoked whitefish… The cheesemonger, where you can do a sit down tasting and they’ll make you a customized charcuterie board with paired wines. Chase Sapphire Lounge Dallas – Fort Worth this is the newest Chase Sapphire lounge. It’s one of the largest (about 10% smaller than LaGuardia and Philadelphia) and it’s beautifully designed. There’s a bar, separate whiskey bar, and spa for facials. It has that ‘new lounge’ feeling and they’re even experimenting with grab ‘n go (not always available, since it’s still a test). Chase Sapphire Reserve® (See rates and fees) is also the most generous with guests, offering two per cardmember (without a spending requirement to invite them in free of charge). Chase Sapphire Lounge Philadelphia is a large lounge, there’s never been a wait to get in any time I’ve been there and that’s even been at peak times. They have a beer garden, arcade, spa and food to order. The lounge is designed as one long corridor with separate rooms, along a windowline, so you get good airport views which is the major reason I prefer it over LaGuardia. Chase Sapphire Lounge New York LaGuardia this is simply a stunning lounge. The design is incredible and that makes up for the underground space with absolutely no natural light. It’s another large lounge I’ve never waited to get into. American Express Centurion Lounge Salt Lake City. The food is still a Centurion buffet with no a la carte or table service offering. It’s a bit of a maze. The Delta B Sky Club is arguably better – certainly better views, a fireplace, more bathroom capacity. The Centurion lounge has the outdoor terrace and coffee bar though. I like the Blue Roast coffee shops at SLC, JFK and Seattle. The American Express Platinum Card® gets you into the most lounges of the three major bank offerings, but Salt Lake City is probably the best of them. Capital One Lounge Las Vegas. I feel like there’s a big dropoff after number 6. This is a modest-sized lounge, but nicely designed. It’s in better shape than Dallas, doesn’t seem to have lines to get in as long as Denver or Dallas. It’s a very nice space, but without some of the ‘plus features’ of the other lounges on this list. There’s a case that Capital One’s 24-hour JFK lounge is better than the landing at National airport, with showers, some ordering of food to the table and because of the bodega and cheesemonger. The excruciating waitlists for Capital One Denver and Dallas keep those lounges off of this list, plus the food in Dallas has declined, the condition of some of the furnishins has gotten pretty bad, and there’s always a wait for the restrooms. I first wanted to make this a top 10 list, but couldn’t bring myself to add Chase’s Boston lounge, or the Centurion lounges at JFK or Atlanta (or Seattle). Capital One’s lounge at Washington Dulles is only partially open at the moment, I like the design but the crowds and decline in food there compared to when it opened offset. Overall, I think Capital One does the best job with food, and Chase’s lounges are nicer than American Express’s but of course Amex has more lounges than either. If you’re only going to get one premium card that comes with lounge access, you want the one that gets you into a lounge where you travel. There are lounges from all 3 banks at New York JFK, New York LaGuardia, and Dallas – Fort Worth (in all three cases, in the same terminal even). But if you fly out of Seattle, Salt Lake City or Houston a Chase Sapphire Reserve® or Capital One card are likely less useful to you than a Platinum Amex. But I especially like that Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has a $395 annual fee, and offers a $300 travel credit (for bookings through their portal) and 10,000 points at card renewal each year. In my mind, that covers the fee, and then you get unlimited visits to their lounges. That’s a great deal on a card that also offers strong return on spending. For rates and fees of the American Express Platinum Card®, click here. 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