Hotel lounges offer one of the most underrated perks in travel. Lounges such as Marriott Club Lounge provide a quiet place to work, relax, or have a meal without the crowds of the lobby or nearby cafés. For frequent travelers, access to these lounges can significantly enhance the hotel experience.
Some premium hotel credit cards offer automatic elite status that includes lounge access. In this guide, you will find which cards offer this benefit, whether authorized users can access the lounge, how the rules vary by brand, and answer common questions to help you choose the best card.
What Is a Hotel Lounge?
A hotel lounge is a private area in a hotel reserved for eligible guests, such as elite loyalty members or those who book premium rooms. Lounges typically include:
- Complimentary breakfast
- Snacks and drinks throughout the day
- Evening hors d’oeuvres (sometimes with alcohol)
- Comfortable seating, workspaces, Wi-Fi, and newspapers
These spaces are commonly found in full-service hotels like JW Marriott, Hilton, or Grand Hyatt. Lounges are less common in resorts and not available in limited-service brands.
How Each Hotel Program Handles Lounge Access
Each hotel chain has slightly different rules around who gets lounge access and when. Access is variable based on your status and the particular property. For example Marriott Club Lounge Access requires Marriott Platinum Elite or higher status. We recommend you call and confirm directly with the hotel.
| Guest Type | Gets Lounge Access? | Conditions / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Marriott Platinum Elite or higher | ✅ Yes | Only at select brands; resorts and limited-service brands excluded |
| Hilton Diamond (via Aspire or earned) | ✅ Yes | Lounge must be present at the property |
| Hyatt Globalist | ✅ Yes | Access at Hyatt Regency and Grand Hyatt lounges |
| Hyatt Club Access Award holder | ✅ Yes (when used) | Must apply the award to a specific booking |
| IHG Milestone Reward (40 or 70 nights) | ✅ Yes (if selected) | Lounge membership must be chosen as a Milestone Reward |
| Guest in Club/Concierge level room | ✅ Yes | Lounge access included with booking or paid upgrade |
| Authorized user on hotel credit card | ❌ No | No elite status or lounge access given |
| General guest without status or upgrade | ❌ No | Must qualify through loyalty status or book club-level room |
Hilton and Marriott offer the most straightforward lounge access through elite status. Hyatt and IHG require more stays and award redemptions for access.
Credit Cards That Include Hotel Lounge Access
A few travel credit cards offer hotel lounge access by granting elite status in their affiliated hotel loyalty programs. Here are the main options:
| Credit Card | Issuer | Program | Lounge Access Benefit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex | American Express | Marriott Bonvoy | Platinum Elite → Lounge access at select Marriott brands | Not valid at resorts or limited-service properties |
| Hilton Honors Aspire Amex | American Express | Hilton Honors | Diamond status → Lounge access where available | Depends on property having a lounge |
| World of Hyatt Credit Card | Chase | World of Hyatt | Earns Club Access Awards at 20/30 night milestones | Must apply awards manually to bookings |
| IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card | Chase | IHG | Eligible for lounge access at 40/70 nights via Milestone Rewards | Not automatic with card |
| Ritz-Carlton Card (Legacy) | Chase | Marriott Bonvoy | Previously offered Ritz Club upgrades | Card closed to new applicants |
Only the Hilton Honors Aspire and Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant cards provide direct lounge access by offering top-tier elite status. Hyatt and IHG cards support earning lounge access through stay-based rewards, but the access is not included just by holding the card.
Authorized Users and Lounge Access
Adding family members as authorized users might seem like a good way to extend benefits, but lounge access does not typically transfer. Unfortunately, none of these cards provide elite status or lounge access to authorized users. All lounge privileges are reserved for the primary cardholder.
| Credit Card | AU Fee | Status for AU? | Lounge Access for AU? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex | $0 (up to 4 AUs) | No | No | Marriott Club Lounge access only for primary cardholder |
| Hilton Honors Aspire Amex | $0 (up to 4 AUs) | No | No | AUs get no Diamond benefits |
| World of Hyatt Credit Card | $0 | No | No | AUs cannot earn or use Club Access Awards |
| IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card | $0 | No | No | Milestone rewards only count for the primary user |
| Ritz-Carlton Card (Legacy) | $75 per AU | No | No | Status and lounge access not shared |
None of these cards provide elite status or lounge access to authorized users. All lounge privileges are reserved for the primary cardholder.
Final Thoughts
If you’re a frequent traveler who enjoys a quiet breakfast or evening snacks, hotel lounge access can be a valuable perk. The Hilton Honors Aspire and Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant cards are the top options because they grant instant elite status with guaranteed lounge access (where available).
If you stay regularly with Hyatt or IHG, the World of Hyatt and IHG Premier cards can help you earn the milestones needed for lounge access, but they don’t provide it outright.
Choose the card that aligns with your travel patterns and hotel brand loyalty. For the most consistent lounge access, Hilton and Marriott remain the strongest choices.
Do authorized users get hotel lounge access with these cards?
No. Authorized users receive none of the elite status perks, including lounge access.
Can I book a room for someone else and let them use my benefits?
Not reliably. Some Marriott hotels may honor benefits if you add a guest to your reservation, but it varies by property. Hilton and Hyatt generally require the elite member to be present.
Do these benefits work at resorts?
Hilton and Hyatt offer lounge access at resorts, provided the property has a lounge. Marriott explicitly excludes resort properties from lounge benefits, even if the lounge exists.
Which card gives the most consistent lounge access?
The Hilton Honors Aspire Amex and Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex are the most reliable choices. Both grant top-tier status with widespread lounge access at participating hotels.
Are hotel lounges similar to airport lounges?
No. Hotel lounges are designed for overnight guests and typically include breakfast, snacks, and evening service. They do not allow walk-in day passes or general access for visitors.
