Who wants to hang out in an airport terminal? Whether you fly once a year or every other week, the crowds, overpriced nachos and general hurriedness of the airport are easy to hate.

In response, airlines and card issuers have begun to offer airport lounge access, helping ease the path for loyal customers. But not all flights — and not all credit cards — offer airport lounge access.

Regrettably, the American Express® Gold Card falls into the latter category and doesn’t currently offer this perk.

Let’s take a look at how lounge access works with the American Express® Gold Card, the benefits that the card does offer and AmEx cards that’ll actually get you into a lounge.

What to know about AmEx Gold lounge access

1. The American Express® Gold Card doesn’t offer lounge access

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Rates & Fees

In the past, the American Express® Gold Card featured a $100 airline fee credit, which could be used to help pay for a lounge pass. As of January 2022, however, the AmEx Gold card dropped this fee credit in favor of other perks, thus leaving cardholders no easy way into the lounge.

Happily, however, the card does provide a variety of other perks.