Best Credit Cards for Lounge Access at Seattle-Tacoma Airport

The 5 Best Credit Cards for SEA Lounge Access

‍

Not all credit cards offer the same lounge access at Seattle-Tacoma. Here's the strategic breakdown of which cards unlock which lounges, and who should get each card.

‍

‍

1. American Express Platinum Card® (See Rates & Fees): Best for Centurion Lounge Access

‍

Who this is for: Travelers who fly through SEA 8+ times yearly and value premium experiences

‍

Lounge access at SEA:

‍

✅ Centurion Lounge (Central Terminal, above food court)

✅ Delta Sky Club (when flying Delta same day)

✅ Priority Pass membership (access to The Club at SEA)

✅ Escape Lounges (via Priority Pass)

‍

[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "106", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint": "Serious Points on Flights"} ]]

‍

Should you apply? Yes if: You fly through SEA monthly, value the Centurion Lounge's premium food and service, and will use the airline credit and Uber/dining credits.

‍

No if: You fly through SEA fewer than 6 times yearly, or you primarily fly Alaska (no Alaska Lounge access with this card).

‍

^{Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.}

‍

‍

2. Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Best Value for Priority Pass + Guests

‍

Who this is for: Travelers who frequently bring companions and fly various airlines through SEA

‍

Lounge access at SEA:

‍

✅ The Club at SEA (2 locations: Concourse A and South Satellite)

✅ Priority Pass Select membership (1,300+ lounges worldwide)

✅ Chase Sapphire Lounges (when network expands to SEA)

‍

[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "510", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint": "$300 Annual Travel Credit"} ]]

‍

Should you apply? Yes if: You travel with a partner or friend regularly, fly through SEA 6+ times yearly on various airlines, and want the most flexible lounge access without guest fees.

‍

No if: You're a solo traveler who primarily flies Delta and would prefer Sky Club access.

‍

What makes CSR different: Unlike Amex Platinum, your guests enter lounges completely free—a $100+ savings per trip for couples. If you travel with your spouse 12 times yearly, that's $1,200 in guest fee savings alone.

‍

‍

3. Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Best Overall Value

‍

Who this is for: Value-seekers who want premium lounge access at the lowest effective annual fee

‍

Lounge access at SEA:

‍

✅ The Club at SEA (via Priority Pass)

✅ Priority Pass membership (1,300+ lounges worldwide)

✅ Capital One Lounges (if/when they expand to SEA)

‍

[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "2888", "isExpanded": "true", "bestForCategoryId": "52", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint" : "Luxurious Travel Benefits" } ]]

‍

Should you apply? Yes if: You want Priority Pass access with guests at the lowest effective cost, fly through SEA 4+ times yearly, and value straightforward benefits.

‍

No if: You specifically want Centurion Lounge or Delta Sky Club access.

‍

Why Venture X wins on value: At an effective annual fee (after the travel credit), you break even after visiting SEA lounges just twice. No other premium card offers this value proposition.

‍

‍

4. Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card (See Rates & Fees): Best for Delta Loyalists

‍

Who this is for: Seattle travelers who primarily fly Delta and want unlimited Sky Club access

‍

Lounge access at SEA:

‍

✅ Delta Sky Club (Concourse A, 2 locations)

✅ Unlimited visits when flying Delta same day

‍

[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "781", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint": "Most Premium Delta Offer"} ]]

‍

Should you apply? Yes if: You fly Delta through SEA 10+ times yearly, want guaranteed Sky Club access (Priority Pass gets denied during peak times), and value Delta-specific perks like companion certificate.

‍

No if: You fly multiple airlines and need more flexible lounge access across carriers.

‍

Delta restriction: You must be flying Delta (or Delta Connection partner) that same day. No access if flying Alaska, United, or other carriers.

‍

^{Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.}

‍

‍

5. The Business Platinum Card® from American Express (See Rates & Fees): Best for Business Travelers

‍

Who this is for: Business owners and self-employed professionals who travel through SEA regularly

‍

Lounge access at SEA:

‍

✅ Centurion Lounge

✅ Delta Sky Club (when flying Delta)

✅ Priority Pass membership

✅ Escape Lounges

‍

[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "2290", "isExpanded": "true", "bestForCategoryId": "52", "bestForText": "Business Owners", "headerHint" : "Premium Offer" } ]]

‍

Should you apply? Yes if: You're a business owner who can expense the card, travel for work 6+ times yearly through SEA, and will use Dell/Adobe/Indeed business credits.

‍

No if: You're not self-employed and can't leverage business-specific benefits.

‍

^{Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.}