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You probably won't get a meal on your next domestic flight unless you're lucky enough to be in first class. And even then, the food probably won't be that great, especially compared to what you could have gotten on the ground—but airport restaurants aren't exactly known for being budget friendly. Thankfully, I've found a way to enjoy a free meal at the airport before most of my flights, and it's all about having the right credit card.
Several travel rewards credit cards offer airport business lounge access, but these typically just have free drinks and light snacks. However, these four exceptions can land you a free meal every time you fly.
Recommended Travel Credit Cards
Credit Card | Intro Bonus | Annual Fee | Rewards Rate | Learn More |
---|---|---|---|---|
|
60,000Chase Ultimate Rewards Points
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Dollar Equivalent: $1,380 (60,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards Points * 0.023 base) |
$95 |
1x- 5xPoints
The card offers 5x points per dollar on Chase Travel℠, 3x points on dining (including eligible takeout and delivery services), as well as 3x points on select streaming services and online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs). This card earns 2x points on all other travel spending and 1x point per dollar everywhere else. Chase broadly defines travel to include not just airfare, hotels and rental cars, but expenses like parking, tolls and public transit too. |
Apply Now |
|
50,000Southwest Rapid Rewards Points
Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Dollar Equivalent: $700 (50,000 Southwest Rapid Rewards Points * 0.014 base) |
$69 |
1x - 2xPoints
Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases. Earn 2X points on Rapid Rewards® hotel and car rental partners. Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services; select streaming. Earn 1X points on all other purchases. |
Apply Now |
|
$200Cash Bonus
Earn $200 in cash back after you spend $1500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back. |
$0 |
1% - 5%Cashback
Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter. Also, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. Special Travel Offer: Earn an additional 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on Citi Travel℠ portal through 6/30/2025. |
Apply Now Rates & Fees |
|
60,000Citi ThankYou Points
Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou Points after making $4,000 worth of purchases during the first three months of account opening. Dollar Equivalent: $1,080 (60,000 Citi ThankYou Points * 0.018 base) |
$95 |
1X-10XPoints
10X total ThankYou® Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rentals and attractions (excluding air travel) booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through June 30, 2024. 3X -- Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Gas Stations, Air Travel and Other Hotels 3X -- Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Restaurants and Supermarkets 1X -- Earn 1 Point on All Other Purchases |
Apply Now Rates & Fees |
1. Priority Pass Select Lounges
Priority Pass™ Select earns
For instance, whenever I'm passing through Washington Dulles International Airport, I make a point of using my Priority Pass Select card to enter the T
Other top Priority Pass Select lounges with meal service include:
SkyTeam Lounge in Vancouver International Airport The Grand Lounge Elite in Mexico City International Airport
Priority Pass Select Restaurant Credits
The Priority Pass Select program offers access to more
For example, on a business trip to Washington, D.C., I stopped at the
The 5 Best Hotel Loyalty Rewards Programs
Which Credit Cards Offer Priority Pass Benefits?
The Priority Pass Select program is offered by more tha
Chase Sapphire Reserve - U.S. B
ank Altitude® Reserve Vis a Infinite® Card (12 months free with four individual passes and four individ ual guest passes)
Several American Express cards also offer Priority Pass Select but don't include access to the restaurants, just the lounges (terms apply):
- The Platinum C
ard® from Ameri can Express - The Busin
ess Platinum Card® from Americ an Express - Marr
iott Bonvoy Brilliant™ Ame rican Express® Card - Hilton H
onors American Express Business Ca rd (10 complimentary visits per year)
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- Our Rating 4.5/5 How our ratings work Read the review
- APR22.49% - 29.49% (Variable)
- Annual Fee$550
-
Sign-Up Bonus
60,000Chase Ultimate Rewards Points
Earn 60,000 bonus points after using your card to spend $4,000 within three months of account opening. Dollar Equivalent: $1,380 (60,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards Points * 0.023 base)
This card features an annual credit for travel purchases, which can offset the annual fee, plus bonus points when you sign up. You'll also get free access to tons of Priority Pass lounges and restaurant options around the world, along with access to the upcoming Chase Sapphire Lounge network.
Overview
If you’re looking to elevate your travel experience, look no further than the Chase Sapphire Reserve. When you first get approved, you’ll earn a sign-up bonus of 60,000 points after you spend $4,000 in the first three months—that’s worth at least $900 in travel-related spending booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards® and potentially more if you transfer your rewards to one of Chase’s airline or hotel partners.
Read the reviewPros
- An array of premium travel perks including access to Priority Pass lounges
- Easy-to-use $300 travel credit that helps offset card's annual fee
- Generous rewards rates for spending
Cons
- High annual fee may be a deterrent for some
- Perks are starting to get stale relative to newer competition
2. American Express Centurion Lounges
Another way to enjoy a free meal at the airport is by visiting an American Express Centurion® Lounge. In addition to the drinks and light snacks you'll find at any airport lounge, they of
For example, my wife and I have enjoyed lunch at the Centurion Lounge in the Las Vegas airport, which featured cuisine designed by James Beard Award nominated
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Atlanta (ATL)
Dallas (DFW)
Houston (IAH)
Las Vegas (LAS)
New York (LGA and JFK)
Denver (DEN)
Charlotte (CLT)
Los Angeles (LAX)
Philadelphia (PHL)
Phoenix (PHX)
Miami (MIA)
Seattle (SEA)
San Francisco (SFO)
You can find international Centurion lo
How to Get Centurion Lounge Benefits
To get access to an American Express Centurion Lounge:
- Present an eligible card, such as the Platinum Card® from American Express at the lounge, along with your ID and your boarding pass for that day. Terms apply.
- You can also use your Amex app to get a QR code for contactless check-in.
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3. United Club Airport Lounges
United Club airport lounges are a haven from the busy, outdated common areas found in many airports. Many of United's clubs offer members and pass holders snacks, power banks, Wi-Fi, and pleasant seating to recharge before or between flights. Still, some lounges offer more amenities.
United Club airport lounges that offer meal service
- Reagan National Airport, Washington, D.C. (DCA)
- Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
- Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
- Denver International Airport (DEN)
- George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Houston (IAH)
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
- Narita International Airport, Tokyo, Japan (NRT)
The availability of meal
Best United Credit Card Bonuses: Up to 75,000 Bonus Miles
Which Credit Cards Offer United Club Airport Lounge Access?
Here's a look at the cards that offer access to United Club lounges, along with some their rewards and other details to help you compare.
Credit Cards Offering United Club Airport Lounge Access
Credit Card | Intro Bonus | Annual Fee | Rewards Rate | Learn More |
---|---|---|---|---|
|
50,000United MileagePlus Miles
Earn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. Dollar Equivalent: $700 (50,000 United MileagePlus Miles * 0.014 base) |
$95
$0 Intro for the First Year, then $95 |
1x - 2xPoints
2X miles per dollar on United purchases, hotel accommodations when purchased directly from the hotel and dining at restaurants, including select delivery services. 1x on everything else. |
Apply Now |
|
80,000United MileagePlus Miles
Earn 80,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Dollar Equivalent: $1,120 (80,000 United MileagePlus Miles * 0.014 base) |
$525 |
1x - 4xPoints
The card earns 4X miles per dollar spent on United purchases, 2X miles per dollar spent on all other travel and dining purchases and 1X mile per dollar spent on all other purchases. |
Apply Now |
|
75,000United MileagePlus Miles
Earn 75,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. Dollar Equivalent: $1,050 (75,000 United MileagePlus Miles * 0.014 base) |
$99
$0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $99. |
1x - 2xPoints
Earn 2x miles per dollar on United purchases, dining at restaurants, including eligible delivery services, local transit and commuting, and at gas stations and office supply stores. You’ll earn 1X mile per dollar on all other purchases. |
Apply Now |
|
50,000United MileagePlus Miles
Earn 50,000 bonus miles + 1,000 Premier qualifying points (PQP) after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. Dollar Equivalent: $700 (50,000 United MileagePlus Miles * 0.014 base) |
$450 |
1.5x - 2xMiles
Earn 2x miles on United Airlines purchases; 2 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases, including tickets, Economy Plus®, Inflight food, beverages and Wi-Fi. Earn 1.5 miles per $1 spent on other purchases. |
Learn More |
Some of these cards offer complimentary passes after opening the account and then again on each cardholder's anniversary. You can also purchase a United Club membership, which is renewable annually and offers constant airport lounge access, but at an expensive price.
4. Delta Sky Club Lounges
While not as well known for offering luxury accommodations and conveniences for fliers, Delta Sky Club® does have several locations that are worth a visit.
Delta operates ove
Delta Sky Club lounges that offer meal service include the following:
- John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York (JFK)
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
- Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY)
- Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS)
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
- Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
The availability of meal service may change at any time.
Which Credit Cards Offer Delta Sky Club Lounge Access?
Travelers can access Delta Sky Club with two of the airlines' SkyMiles®
- Delta Sk
yMiles Reserve America n Express Card - Delta SkyMile
s Reserve Business Am erican Express Card
Are Airport Lounge Benefits Worth the Cost?
As the saying goes, there's no such thing as a free lunch. The travel credit cards that offer these benefits have considerable annual fees, but I'd argue that even with the fees, you're getting a bargain.
For example, my Chase Sapphire Reserve has a $550 annual fee, which isn't cheap. But it also comes with an annu
The American Express Platinum Card also has a high annual fee of $695. But it also offers a variety of fee credits that reduce its net cost down.
Bottom Line
The credit card industry is extremely competitive, and no one is more sought after than premium travel rewards card users. When you look at all of the ways you can use a credit card for travel, opting for a card with these sorts of benefits just makes sense.
For more information on top credit card options that offer a variety of benefits and rewards, be sure to check out our list of the best credit cards.