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Free access to airport lounges with American Express

With the Platinum Card and Gold Card, you have access to more than 1,550 airport lounges worldwide.

Eine Frau mit Rollkoffer läuft durch einen Flughafen.

Swisscard Media Info

Officially issued by Swisscard AECS GmbH 15.04.2026

Publisher: Brasileira

Rights: iStock for editorial use

fheil
Written by Florian Heil 15.04.2026

Everything you need to know at a glance 

Airport lounges make waiting times before departure much more pleasant. They offer comfortable seating, quiet, food, drinks, and often work areas or showers. With the American Express Platinum Card, you receive free access to more than 1,550 airport lounges worldwide through the Global Lounge Collection.  
Thanks to the “Priority Pass” membership included with the Platinum Card, cardholders and additional cardholders have unlimited access to participating airport lounges. The Gold Card also includes a “Priority Pass” membership. It entitles you to two free lounge visits per year as well as discounted additional access. 

Your journey begins in a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere in airport lounges

When traveling by air, it’s a good idea to allow for some extra time: No one can predict exactly how busy the roads will be on the way to the airport or how long you’ll have to wait in line at security. But even if everything goes smoothly, you’ll still have an hour or more to kill before boarding begins. 

And the most relaxing and comfortable way to spend this waiting time is in an airport lounge. Most airports have at least one such lounge per departure terminal: featuring comfortable seating and reclining areas, often as well as well-equipped workstations, free meals and drinks, and sometimes showers or airport terraces. 

Stays in an airport lounge are particularly pleasant during long-haul flights with extended layovers.  
Once you arrive at your destination, you can refresh yourself there as you please. Thanks to the carry-on luggage storage, you don’t have to worry about your belongings. You can close your eyes or prepare for your upcoming business meeting in a quiet atmosphere. 

Free access to airport lounges with the Platinum Card 

How would you like to enjoy free access to more than 1, ,550 airport lounges worldwide—and do so before every flight, if you wish? The Platinum Card from American Express makes it possible. With this credit card, you have access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection network. 

At Zurich Airport alone,  your Platinum Card gives you a choice of four different airport lounges, including the completely redesigned, spacious Aspire Lounge. 

Your Priority Pass Membership 

The Global Lounge Collection includes various lounge providers. Most airport lounges are available to you thanks to your free “Priority Pass” membership. This international lounge program alone brings together more than 1,550 lounges around the world. 

There are Priority Pass lounges at over 600 airports in more than 130 countries, which you can use regardless of the airline you booked with or your ticket class. And it’s not just you—holders of the Platinum additional card can accompany you for free.  

Access is unlimited, so in theory, you can visit one of these airport lounges 365 days a year. However, most lounges have a daily time limit on your stay. You can find all participating lounges in the current overview. 

Additional Free Airport Lounges for Platinum Card Members 

Platinum Card holders can access additional airport lounges around the world

  • You and two guests with a valid boarding pass have unlimited, free access to American Express Centurion Lounges worldwide. Most of these nearly 30 lounges are among the most beautiful airport lounges in the world. Locations are available in the U.S., Europe, Asia, Australia, and South America. 
  • As a Platinum Card member, you also enjoy unlimited, complimentary access to more than 150 Plaza Premium Lounges worldwide, provided you can present a confirmed boarding pass for same-day travel. 
  • As a Platinum Card holder, you are also welcome to visit Delta Sky Clubs and enjoy complimentary cocktails, fresh and healthy meals, high-speed Wi-Fi, and more at over 50 locations, provided you have a valid Delta Air Lines boarding pass. 
Ein Mann mit Rollkoffer geht läuft vor dem Eingang eines Flughafens.

Swisscard Media Info

Officially issued by Swisscard AECS GmbH 15.04.2026

Publisher: Miljan Živković

Rights: iStock for editorial use

Benefits for Frequent Travelers

If you travel frequently, you’ll enjoy many additional benefits with American Express and the Platinum Card. For example, you can earn flight miles with your credit card. You’ll also receive CHF 100 of SWISS credit every year. Plus, you’ll gain access to the International Airline Program, which offers up to 20 percent off with renowned airlines such as Emirates. 

Free access to airport lounges with the Gold Card

You also benefit from air travel with the Gold Card: You receive “Priority Pass” membership free of charge and can visit participating lounges twice a year at no extra cost. You may also bring one companion for free, though this counts as one of the two complimentary entries.  

As a Gold Card holder, you receive all additional visits to Priority Pass lounges at the discounted price of USD 35. Companions also pay only this discounted price. 

Which American Express card is your travel companion?

Arrive Relaxed with American Express 

Free access to airport lounges around the world is one of the most popular benefits of American Express Cards. Especially with the Platinum Card, Frequent Flyers enjoy unlimited access to elegant airport lounges. The Gold Card also offers lounge benefits. 

And that’s by no means the only advantage of this metal credit card when traveling: The comprehensive insurance package for you and your loved ones is particularly worth mentioning, as it even includes the Loss Damage Waiver for Rental Cars when booking a rental car and provides comprehensive coverage for you and your luggage while traveling.  

Frequently asked questions and answers

You can gain access to airport lounges through premium credit cards, such as the Platinum Card and the included “Priority Pass” membership, through business and first-class tickets, through frequent flyer status, or by purchasing single-entry tickets at the lounge entrance.

With the American Express Gold Card and Platinum Card, you receive Priority Pass membership for free. With the Platinum Card, primary and supplementary cardholders benefit from unlimited lounge access. The Gold Card includes two complimentary lounge visits per year.

In addition to the lounges in the Priority Pass network, as a Platinum Card member you have access to select Lufthansa lounges, as well as American Express Centurion Lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges, and Delta Sky Club lounges, provided you meet the necessary requirements.

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Travel with American Express

Travel with American Express