Lounge access rules change often — confirm in the lounge's app or the card's benefits page before you fly.
Charleston is a fast-growing leisure and business airport with no hub airline, and its lounge scene is one room: The Club CHS, a shared-use lounge in the main concourse. There's no Centurion Lounge CHS, no Chase Sapphire Lounge and no Delta, American or United club. The best credit card for Charleston flyers is simply the cheapest one that carries Priority Pass, because Priority Pass CHS access to The Club is the only lounge benefit that works here.
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Quick answer
- Best value for Priority Pass: Capital One Venture X: $395 gets you into The Club CHS. Guests now pay $35 each.
- Best for families: Chase Sapphire Reserve: Priority Pass with two free guests. There's no Sapphire Lounge at CHS.
- Best overall for CHS lounge access: Amex Platinum: includes Priority Pass (you have to enroll), but at CHS it gets you nothing extra over the cheaper cards. There's no Centurion Lounge at CHS.
- Best for frequent Delta or American flyers: No co-brand card helps at CHS, which has no Sky Club or Admirals Club. Use a Priority Pass card here and your airline card at the connection.
Airport snapshot
CHS has one terminal with two concourses, A and B, behind a main security checkpoint. Airlines include Delta, American, United, Southwest, JetBlue and other low-cost carriers, but none of them runs a club here. The Club CHS sits on the second level of the main terminal after security, toward Concourse B, overlooking the central hall. It's the airport's only lounge.
Where to go by terminal
- Concourse B: The Club CHS is on the upper level of the main terminal on the way to Concourse B.
- Concourse A: No lounge. The Club is in the shared main terminal area past security, so you can reach it from A gates too. Allow a few extra minutes.
- No airline clubs: If you have Sky Club, Admirals Club or United Club access, you'll use it at your connecting hub (Atlanta, Charlotte or a United hub), not in Charleston.
Lounges at CHS
The Club CHS (Priority Pass at CHS)
- Location: Main terminal, second level, past security toward Concourse B. About 4,400 square feet with seats for about 100, split into separate zones for work, relaxing, eating and phone-free quiet. Check hours in the app. It opens early for the first departures.
- Access: Departing passengers with a same-day boarding pass and Priority Pass (from Amex Platinum, Sapphire Reserve, Venture X, Citi Strata Elite and others), or a day pass of $60 per person ($51 for AAA members). Amex lists it for Platinum as "enrollment required," meaning you have to activate your Priority Pass membership first. Priority Pass shows pre-booking as available.
- Guest policy: Priority Pass guests follow your card's rules. Children under 2 come in free with a member.
- Best for: Anyone at CHS with Priority Pass. Expect a menu with local dishes (the original menu was created by chef Bob Waggoner), coffee, drinks and somewhere quiet to work. When it's busy, The Club runs a waitlist you can join online.
Priority Pass at CHS
- The Club CHS, main terminal: a real lounge. It's the only Priority Pass location at CHS, and there are no Priority Pass restaurants here.
- Access: Priority Pass Select from Amex Platinum, Sapphire Reserve, Venture X or Citi Strata Elite. Amex Platinum cardholders need to enroll in Priority Pass first. You can't just show the Amex card.
Best credit cards for CHS
| Card | Annual fee | Lounges you get at CHS | Guests | Best if you… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capital One Venture X | $395 | The Club (PP) | $35 each | Travel solo |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve | $795 | The Club (PP) | 2 free | Fly as a family |
| Citi Strata Elite | $595 | The Club (PP) | 2 free in PP | Fly American elsewhere |
| Amex Platinum | $895 | The Club (PP, enroll) | 2 free in PP | Use Centurions elsewhere |
Recommended strategy
- If you fly any airline from CHS and want lounge access: Venture X. The Club CHS is the only lounge, and Venture X is the cheapest way in.
- If you usually travel with family or a partner: Sapphire Reserve. Two free Priority Pass guests at The Club saves $60 per guest per visit compared with day passes.
- If you want one card that covers the best lounges beyond Charleston: Amex Platinum makes sense only if you connect through hubs with Centurion Lounges, such as Charlotte or Atlanta. At CHS itself it's the same Priority Pass lounge.
- If you fly Delta or American often: Keep the Delta Reserve or Citi AAdvantage Executive for Sky Clubs or Admirals Clubs at your hub, and pair it with a Priority Pass card for the CHS end.
No card? Day passes & other options
The Club CHS sells day passes for $60 per person, or $51 with a AAA membership, subject to space. Children under 2 are free. If the lounge is full, you can join the waitlist online and wait in the terminal.
FAQ
Is there a Centurion Lounge at CHS? No. There's no Centurion Lounge at CHS. The closest are at Charlotte (CLT) and Atlanta (ATL). At Charleston, Amex Platinum cardholders use The Club CHS through Priority Pass.
Does Priority Pass work at CHS? Yes. Priority Pass CHS access is to The Club CHS in the main terminal, past security toward Concourse B. It's the only Priority Pass location here, and there are no restaurant credits.
Is there a Delta Sky Club or Admirals Club at Charleston? No. CHS has no airline lounges. Delta, American and United flyers use The Club through Priority Pass or a day pass.
Amex Platinum vs Sapphire Reserve vs Venture X: which is best at CHS? All three get you into The Club CHS through Priority Pass, and nothing else, because CHS has no Centurion, Sapphire or Capital One lounge. Venture X is the best value at $395 if you fly alone. Sapphire Reserve is better for groups, with two free guests. Platinum only makes sense if you'll use its Centurion and Sky Club access at other airports.
Related guides
- Best credit cards for airport lounge access
- Priority Pass lounges in the USA
- Charlotte (CLT) airport lounges
- Atlanta (ATL) airport lounges
- Raleigh-Durham (RDU) airport lounges
- Capital One Venture X guide
Lounge access rules, guest policies and locations change. Always confirm current details with the airline, lounge operator or card issuer before you travel.
