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Best Credit Cards for Lounge Access When Flying Through Miami
December 12, 2024
Introduction
If you travel through Miami International Airport (MIA) often, the right credit card can turn a hectic journey into a pampered experience. With a good travel card in your wallet, you could be sipping a mojito in a lounge instead of fighting for a seat at the gate.
But which card is best for Miami’s lounges? This article will break down the top credit cards that grant lounge access at MIA, so you can choose based on the lounges you want to use.
We’ll cover cards that unlock:
- The Amex Centurion Lounge at MIA (a traveler favorite for its luxury amenities)
- American Airlines Admirals Clubs (handy at MIA since it’s an AA hub)
- The Delta Sky Club (for Delta flyers)
- Priority Pass lounges like the Turkish & Avianca lounges and even a restaurant at MIA
Each of these cards comes with different annual fees and benefits, so we’ll also consider value for money and other rewards. By the end, you’ll know which credit card can give you the VIP treatment at Miami Airport – no elite status or first-class ticket needed!
Top Credit Cards for MIA Lounge Access
1. The Platinum Card® from American Express – The VIP Lounge All-Rounder
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Why it’s great for MIA: If we had to pick one card for a Miami traveler, the Amex Platinum would be it. This card unlocks more lounges at MIA than any other single card.
It gives you:
- Centurion Lounge Access
- Priority Pass Select Membership
- Delta Sky Club Access
2. Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® – Admirals Club Access for AA Flyers
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Why it’s great for MIA: Miami is a fortress hub for American Airlines. If you’re one of the many travelers flying AA frequently, the Citi AAdvantage Executive card is a golden ticket to American Airlines Admirals Clubs worldwide – including at MIA.
Key benefits:
- Admirals Club Membership
- Guest access
- Additional card perks such as priority boarding on American flights and a free checked bag.
- Authorized Users
3. Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card – Sky Club Access for Delta Diehards
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "781", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Delta Air Lines Flyers", "headerHint": "Most Premium Delta Card"} ]]
Why it’s great for MIA: Miami might not be a Delta hub, but if you’re one of the Delta flyers in South Florida, the Delta Reserve card is your key to the Delta Sky Club at MIA.
Highlights:
- Sky Club Access
- Centurion Lounge guest passes
- Upgrade Priority
4. Chase Sapphire Reserve® – Priority Pass (and Restaurant) Power
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Why it’s great for MIA: The Sapphire Reserve is a favorite among travelers for its robust rewards and perks.
Pertinent to Miami, it provides:
- Priority Pass Select membership (unlimited visits for you + 2 guests)
- Guest policy
5. Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card – Lounge Access + Guests Made Easy
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "2888", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Travelers", "headerHint": "Luxurious Travel Benefits"} ]]
Why it’s great for MIA: The Venture X is a newer premium card that competes with Sapphire Reserve on perks but at a lower fee.
For lounge access:
- Priority Pass membership is included.
- Capital One Lounges access.
- Guest friendliness.
Priority Pass at MIA: What You Need to Know
Since several of the cards above rely on Priority Pass for Miami lounge access, let’s briefly explain how Priority Pass works at MIA:
Locations
Priority Pass members have access to four locations at MIA – three lounges and one restaurant. These are the Turkish Airlines Lounge (Concourse E/H connector), Turkish Airlines Lounge (Concourse H) (there are actually two Turkish-branded lounges at MIA, one in E open limited hours, one in H), the Avianca VIP Lounge (Concourse J), and Corona Beach House restaurant (D). The lounges have the typical amenities (seats, snacks, drinks, Wi-Fi, etc.), while the restaurant offers table-service dining.
Card Restrictions
Not all Priority Pass memberships are equal. If you have multiple cards, use the one that allows the restaurant for that purpose. Also, Priority Pass doesn’t get you into airline-branded lounges like Admirals or Delta – only the independent ones in the network.
Usage Tips
It’s first-come, first-served. If a lounge is crowded, they might restrict Priority Pass entries temporarily. Corona Beach House can get busy around meal times – there may be a wait. Generally, the PP lounges at MIA are a nice escape, but don’t expect ultra-luxury; they can fill up before big bank of flights (e.g., evenings for Turkish and Avianca lounges).
Enrollment
Whatever card you choose, remember to activate/enroll your Priority Pass membership after you receive the card. Chase and CapOne mail you a separate PP card after you sign up on their portal. Amex you enroll online and can use digital card via app.
Maximizing Your MIA Lounge Access (Putting It All Together)
What if you have more than one of these cards? Many seasoned travelers do carry two or more to cover all bases.
Here’s how you can combine benefits for Miami lounge bliss:
Amex Platinum + Chase Sapphire Reserve
This duo is popular. Use Amex Platinum for Centurion Lounge (or Delta Sky Club when flying Delta) and use Sapphire Reserve’s Priority Pass for the restaurant credit (since Platinum’s PP can’t do it). This way you get the best of both – premium lounge + full stomach!
Citi AAdvantage Exec + Venture X
If you live in Miami and fly American a lot, you might primarily use the Admirals Clubs via Citi card. But for those occasional non-AA trips, Venture X’s Priority Pass gives you alternatives. And Venture X’s lower fee is mostly offset by credits, so you’re not paying much incremental for those extra lounges.
Amex Platinum + Citi Exec
Between these, you have Centurion + Admirals – arguably the two best lounge networks at MIA (Flagship Lounge aside). If you are okay without Priority Pass (Centurion food is good enough that you might not need the restaurant credit), this covers a lot. Though note, Platinum’s PP still covers the Turkish/Avianca lounges, just not the restaurant.
The “Full Monty”
Some enthusiasts carry Amex Platinum (Centurion, Delta), Citi Exec (AA lounges), and Sapphire Reserve or Venture X (Priority Pass with restaurants). This triple-cover ensures literally every lounge in Miami is open to you one way or another. This is probably overkill for most, but for the truly frequent flyer, each serves a purpose.
Remember, Kudos (the extension) can help you track all these benefits across cards, so if you do have multiple, you won’t forget to use one. For example, it can remind you that “hey, your Sapphire Reserve has Priority Pass – don’t forget to use it for that restaurant instead of paying cash.”
FAQ: MIA Lounge Access and Credit Cards
What credit card do I need for the Centurion Lounge at MIA?
You’ll need The Platinum Card® from American Express to access the Centurion Lounge in Miami. The Amex Business Platinum works as well, and Delta SkyMiles Reserve cardholders can enter Centurion Lounges only if flying Delta and using one of their limited annual guest passes
Does the Amex Platinum really get me into all the lounges at MIA?
Not all, but the major ones, yes. With Amex Platinum at MIA you can access: the Centurion Lounge (of course), the Delta Sky Club (if flying Delta), and Priority Pass lounges (Turkish & Avianca).
I’m based in Miami and fly American and Delta. Do I need two cards?
Potentially, yes. There is unfortunately no single card that covers both Admirals Club (American Airlines lounge) and Sky Club (Delta) – since those are tied to different issuers. For American, the go-to is Citi AAdvantage Executive (or Amex Plat won’t help with Admirals).
Can I use Priority Pass lounges in MIA if I’m flying American or Delta?
Absolutely. Your lounge access via Priority Pass has nothing to do with what airline you’re flying. As long as you have a same-day boarding pass (on any airline) and a valid Priority Pass membership, you can use the Turkish or Avianca lounges, or the restaurant. This means if you’re flying American out of MIA’s D Gates, you could still trek to Concourse H or J to use a PP lounge (though it’s a bit of a hike), or simply use the Corona Beach House in D for a meal.
What’s the cheapest credit card that gives lounge access at MIA?
Among quality lounge cards, the Capital One Venture X is arguably the cheapest effective cost for broad lounge access. If it is still too high for you, you might look at mid-tier cards.
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