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Best Credit Cards for Lounge Access When Flying Through Orlando
December 12, 2024
Flying through Orlando International Airport and want to enjoy the VIP lounge life? The right credit card in your wallet can be your golden ticket to free airport lounge access. Many travel rewards cards offer complimentary lounge memberships or guest passes – a perk that can save you money and drastically improve your pre-flight experience.
Here, we’ll highlight the best credit cards for lounge access at MCO, and how each card can get you into the lounges we discussed. Whether you frequent Orlando or just pass through occasionally, these cards ensure you’ll wait for your flight in style (and maybe with a free cocktail in hand).
Why Use a Credit Card for Lounge Access?
Simply put: huge value and convenience. Lounge memberships like Priority Pass can cost up to $469/year on their own, and day passes are $50+ a pop. Many credit cards with annual fees in the $95–$695 range include lounge access as a built-in benefit, along with other travel rewards.
you travel through MCO even a couple times a year, a good lounge card pays for itself in saved fees and improved travel comfort. Plus, cards often come with additional perks – from bonus points to travel credits – that amplify their value beyond just lounge visits.
1. The Platinum Card® from American Express – Best for Premium Lounge Access
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Why it’s great
The Platinum Card® from American Express is often considered the gold standard of lounge cards. It gives you access to Amex’s Global Lounge Collection which includes Priority Pass (enrollment required), Delta Sky Clubs, and Amex Centurion Lounges. While MCO doesn’t have a Centurion Lounge, your Platinum card still gets you into The Club MCO and Plaza Premium (via Priority Pass) and Delta Sky Club when flying Delta. That’s potentially three lounges at MCO accessible with this one card.
Lounge Benefits
Complimentary Priority Pass Select membership (1,400+ lounges globally), Delta Sky Club access (when flying Delta same-day), Airspace and Escape Lounges, and of course Centurion Lounges worldwide.
MCO Usage
Flying Delta? Show your Platinum at the Sky Club near Gate 71 – you’re in (no Delta status needed). Not flying Delta? Use your Priority Pass at The Club (A or B) or just flash the Platinum at Plaza Premium Lounge in Terminal C (Amex has a partnership so Platinum/Centurion cardholders get in free). In essence, almost any lounge at MCO is at your disposal with Amex Platinum.
Ideal for
Frequent travelers who want maximum lounge coverage and luxury perks. If you often find yourself in airports, Amex Platinum ensures you’re never far from a VIP lounge. Just remember, after Feb 2023, Platinum cardholders must pay a guest fee for Sky Club or Centurion Lounge guests (usually $50) – so the free access is mainly for the cardholder (you).
2. Chase Sapphire Reserve® – Best for Priority Pass (and Overall Travel)
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Why it’s great
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is a traveler’s favorite. With a $550 annual fee, it offers a strong rewards program and a bevy of perks – including Priority Pass Select membership. At MCO, that Priority Pass lets you and two guests enter The Club lounges and Plaza Premium Lounge for free.
Lounge Benefits
Unlimited Priority Pass lounge visits for cardholder + 2 guests.
MCO Usage
Regardless of airline, flash your Priority Pass (from Chase) to access The Club MCO (A or B) and Plaza Premium (C). The inclusion of 2 free guests is great for family travel – a family of 4 could use two Priority Pass cards (from two cardholders) to all get in without paying.
Extras
3x points on travel and dining, the $300 travel statement credit (covers airfare, hotels, even lounge day passes if you ever needed to buy one), comprehensive travel insurances, and no foreign transaction fees.
Ideal for
Those who want a more flexible travel rewards card that still provides lounge access. If you’re not tied to one airline, CSR gives you lounge comfort plus top-notch points earning and redemption options (Chase Ultimate Rewards points are super valuable). It’s especially good if you travel with companions, thanks to the free guest policy.
3. Capital One Venture X Rewards Card – Best Newcomer with Lounge Perks
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Why it’s great
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is Capital One’s premium card and it’s been a game-changer by offering high-end benefits at a lower fee than Amex/Chase. It also includes Priority Pass Select and Plaza Premium Lounge access – in fact, Venture X cardholders get an expanded Plaza Premium network access without needing Priority Pass in some cases.
Lounge Benefits
Priority Pass membership (unlimited visits for cardholder + 2 guests), plus access to Capital One Lounges (none at MCO yet, but one in DFW and more coming) and Plaza Premium Lounges even beyond the Priority Pass allotment.
MCO Usage
Use it just like the Sapphire Reserve – Priority Pass at The Club and Plaza Premium. Venture X allows unlimited free guests for its lounges (except Priority Pass is usually 2 guests free) – which is fantastic for larger families. So a family of 4 or 5 could potentially all enter if the lounge honors the Venture X’s policy (for Capital One’s own lounges it’s unlimited guests, for Priority Pass lounges it’s still typically 2 guests, though).
Extras
2x miles on everything, 10x on hotels and car rentals via Capital One Travel, and cell phone insurance. The points (Capital One Miles) transfer to airlines or can erase travel charges, making this card’s rewards very flexible.
Ideal for
The frequent family traveler or points enthusiast who wants premium perks at a lower fee. Venture X is relatively new, but it’s gotten rave reviews for offering near-Chase/Amex levels of lounge access and credits at a more affordable price. If you’re flying through Orlando and have this card, you’re set for lounge access, and you’ve saved money doing it.
4. Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® – Best for Admirals Club (American Airlines flyers)
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Why it’s great
If you fly American out of Orlando often, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® is a no-brainer for lounge access. It comes with Admirals Club membership – meaning you can access American Airlines lounges worldwide, including the one at MCO, regardless of your ticket class or elite status.
Lounge Benefits
Unlimited access to Admirals Clubs for you and two guests (or immediate family) whenever you fly American or any Oneworld partner. At MCO, that’s the Admirals Club in Terminal B. No Priority Pass on this card – it’s laser-focused on Admirals Club.
MCO Usage
Stroll into the Admirals Club by Gate 55 just by showing your Citi Executive card and boarding pass (must be flying AA or Oneworld that day). Enjoy the free snacks, drinks, and quiet. If you bring a spouse and kids, they’re covered as your guests.
Extras
The card also offers priority boarding, a free checked bag on AA flights, 10k Elite Qualifying Miles after spending $40k yearly (for status chasers), and Global Entry/TSA Pre✓ credit. But the main draw is the lounge access.
Drawback
If you fly other airlines often, this card won’t help with Delta or United lounges or The Club. It’s very American Airlines-centric. But that’s why many will pair it with a general card like Amex Platinum or CSR for broader lounge coverage.
Ideal for
American Airlines loyalists and Orlando-based AA flyers. For example, if you live in Orlando and often fly AA to Dallas, Miami, etc., this one card lets you use the Admirals Club every single time. Also great for families since authorized users (like your spouse) can have their own access.
5. Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card – Best for Delta Sky Club (Delta flyers)
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Why it’s great
Mirror to the AA card above, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is the lounge key for Delta Air Lines travelers. It grants complimentary access to Delta Sky Clubs whenever you fly Delta, plus a few guest passes.
Lounge Benefits
Access to Delta Sky Club for the cardholder when flying Delta that day, plus two Sky Club guest passes per year (after that, guests are $50 each) – and also complimentary access to Amex Centurion Lounges when flying Delta (handy outside MCO).
MCO Usage
Show your Delta Reserve card and Delta boarding pass at the Sky Club (Terminal B, near Gate 71) and you’re in. Enjoy the substantial food spread and bar. If you’re traveling with a companion, you can use one of your free guest passes or pay the fee if you’ve used them already. Remember, this works only when you are on a Delta-operated flight.
Extras
The card also offers an annual companion certificate (for domestic first class or coach – which itself can be worth hundreds), free checked bag on Delta, upgrade priority, and the ability to earn elite status faster via spending (MQM boosts).
Drawback
No Priority Pass on this card either. It’s purely for Delta lounges (and Centurion Lounges when on Delta).
Ideal for
Delta enthusiasts. If Orlando is your home base and you often fly Delta to, say, Atlanta or New York, the Delta Reserve ensures you can relax in the Sky Club each time. Business travelers who primarily fly Delta will get a lot of value here (and their client or colleague can join twice a year with those free passes).
Making the Most of Your Lounge Credit Card
Having one of these lounge-friendly credit cards is like holding a first-class lounge pass every time you travel.
To maximize:
- Enroll in benefits: Cards like Amex Platinum, Chase Sapphire Reserve, Venture X require you to activate Priority Pass. Do this as soon as you get the card so you’re ready to lounge when travel comes.
- Know the guest policies: Plan ahead if traveling with family – maybe have your partner also carry a card (e.g. add as authorized user or get their own, especially with Amex Platinum’s guest restrictions now).
- Arrive a bit early: Since you have “free” lounge access, take advantage of it! Arrive at MCO an hour earlier than usual to decompress in the lounge. Your card has essentially prepaid your airport relaxation.
- Leverage other perks: Many of these cards offer statement credits (travel credits, Global Entry fee credits, etc.). Use them!
A Quick Lounge-by-Lounge Card Match for MCO
To wrap up, here’s which lounges each card can get you into at Orlando (for quick reference):
- Amex Platinum: Delta Sky Club (with Delta ticket), The Club (A/B) via Priority Pass, Plaza Premium (C) (show Platinum card).
- Chase Sapphire Reserve / CapOne Venture X: The Club (A/B) and Plaza Premium (C) via Priority Pass.
- Citi AA Executive: Admirals Club (B) (must fly AA).
- Delta Reserve Amex: Delta Sky Club (B) (must fly Delta).
- Priority Pass-only card (e.g. Hilton Aspire): The Club (A/B), Plaza Premium (C).
As you can see, having at least one card from the first two categories (general travel cards with Priority Pass) covers the independent lounges, and an airline-specific card covers that airline’s lounge. Some avid travelers carry both for maximum coverage.
Kudos Tip
If you’re unsure which credit card is right for you, consider using Kudos’s smart tools. The Kudos browser extension can analyze your spending and highlight which card would benefit you most for your travel habits. It also helps you at checkout – for example, if you’re buying an airline ticket or lounge membership, Kudos will suggest the card in your wallet that earns the most points or has relevant perks.
It’s like having a personal credit card coach. And once you have these great cards, Kudos ensures you never miss out on rewards (so you can earn more points to redeem for future travel – maybe even a first-class ticket next time!).
FAQs about Credit Cards & Lounge Access at MCO
Do I have to be flying a specific airline to use the lounge access from my credit card?
It depends on the lounge and card. For Priority Pass lounges (The Club MCO, Plaza Premium), it does not matter which airline you’re flying – your card’s Priority Pass gets you in regardless. However, for airline-specific lounges, you generally must be flying that airline or partner that day.
What about the Priority Pass restaurant benefit – does it apply at Orlando Airport?
Some airports have restaurants that partner with Priority Pass (where you get $28 credit off your meal). As of 2025, Orlando MCO does not have any participating Priority Pass restaurants – only the actual lounges. So at MCO your Priority Pass will be used strictly for lounge entry.
Is the Amex Platinum better than Chase Sapphire Reserve for lounges, or should I have both?
If we’re talking strictly lounge access: Amex Platinum offers more lounge networks (Delta Sky Club, Centurions, etc.) while Chase Sapphire Reserve (CSR) gives the core Priority Pass. For MCO specifically, Platinum covers Delta’s lounge which CSR doesn’t, but CSR’s Priority Pass is the same as Platinum’s Priority Pass (both get you into The Club/Plaza Premium). If you fly Delta often, Platinum clearly wins. If you don’t, CSR might be sufficient and has a lower net fee due to its travel credit.
I only travel 1-2 times a year through Orlando – is it worth getting a credit card with a big annual fee just for lounge access?
Maybe not just for that, but consider the overall value. If those 1-2 trips are long international journeys with layovers, having lounge access could significantly improve them. However, if you won’t use the card’s other benefits or earn enough rewards, a $500 annual fee might not be justified.
Can I get multiple Priority Pass cards from different credit cards?
Yes, you can – many folks have two or more (for example, one from CSR and one from Venture X). While you won’t need both for yourself (one card gets you in), having multiple can be useful if traveling with a larger group. You could, for instance, use one Priority Pass to admit yourself + 2 guests, and whip out the second Priority Pass to cover a 3rd or 4th guest as well.
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