Lounge access rules change often — confirm in the lounge's app or the card's benefits page before you fly.
Charlotte is American Airlines' second-biggest hub, and most CLT passengers are connecting. Today, CLT lounge access comes down to the Centurion Lounge CLT, two Admirals Clubs and one Priority Pass CLT lounge, with a Capital One Lounge, an Amex Sidecar and American's biggest-ever Admirals Club all on the way. The best credit card for Charlotte flyers depends on one question: do you fly American?
Advertiser disclosure: we may be compensated when you're approved through our links. It doesn't affect our editorial take.
Quick answer
- Best overall for CLT lounge access: Amex Platinum — includes the Centurion Lounge CLT (on any airline) and Priority Pass CLT at The Club CLT
- Best value for Priority Pass + Capital One Lounge: Capital One Venture X — The Club CLT today; the Capital One Lounge in Concourse A is announced but not open yet
- Best for frequent American flyers: Citi AAdvantage Executive with Admirals Club access (Concourse B, the C/D connector and Provisions in A)
- Best for occasional American connectors: Citi Strata Elite — four Admirals Club passes a year plus Priority Pass
Airport snapshot
American runs most flights at CLT from Concourses B through E. Concourse A houses Delta, United, Southwest and most other airlines, and it's where the new lounges are going. All concourses connect airside around the central atrium, so you can walk between lounges without re-clearing security, though E is a long walk from A. The Centurion sits between D and E, close to American's regional and mainline gates. There's no Chase Sapphire Lounge at CLT.
Where to go by terminal
| Concourse | Airlines | Lounges there |
|---|---|---|
| A | Delta, United, Southwest, most others | Sky Club (A32), The Club CLT (PP), Provisions (A1); Capital One + Sidecar coming |
| B | American | Admirals Club (B3–B5) |
| C | American | Admirals Club (C/D connector) |
| D | American | Admirals Club (C/D connector), Centurion (D/E connector), Minute Suites (D1) |
| E | American (mostly regional) | Centurion (D/E connector), Gameway (E36) |
All concourses connect airside around the central atrium, so you can walk to any lounge without clearing security again — but budget extra time between A and E.
Lounges at CLT
Centurion Lounge CLT (Amex)
- Location: Mezzanine on the Concourse D/E connector.
- Access: Amex Platinum and Business Platinum on any airline with a same-day boarding pass, within 3 hours of departure. On a layover, entry opens 5 hours before your connecting flight (since July 8, 2026), which matters at a connecting hub like CLT. Delta SkyMiles Reserve holders get in when flying Delta on a ticket bought with the card.
- Guest policy: $50 per adult and $30 per child; two free guests after $75,000 in Platinum spend in a calendar year. Guests must be on your flight.
- Best for: Platinum holders on any airline, and American connectors between D and E gates.
Admirals Club CLT (2 locations) and Provisions
- Location: Concourse B between B3 and B5; the C/D connector. Provisions by Admirals Club, a smaller grab-and-go space, is next to gate A1.
- Access: Same-day American or oneworld flight plus membership, Citi AAdvantage Executive, status or premium ticket; Citi Strata Elite passes work too. Day pass about $79 or 7,900 miles.
- Guest policy: Citi AAdvantage Executive primary cardholders can bring immediate family or up to two guests.
- Best for: American flyers, which at CLT means most people.
- Coming: American announced in October 2026 a roughly 40,000-square-foot Admirals Club on the atrium mezzanine, its largest anywhere. Construction starts by the end of 2026; no opening date yet. The existing clubs stay open.
Delta Sky Club CLT
- Location: Concourse A mezzanine near gate A32.
- Access: Same-day Delta flight (no Basic Economy) with membership, status, premium ticket or an eligible Amex. Platinum: 10 visits a year; Delta Reserve: 15; unlimited after $75,000 in calendar-year purchases.
- Guest policy: Two guests at $50 each for Amex cardholders.
- Best for: Delta flyers out of Concourse A.
Coming to Concourse A: Capital One Lounge and Sidecar by The Centurion Lounge
- Capital One Lounge: Announced January 2026 for the Concourse A mezzanine near gates 21–29, about 14,000 square feet, which would make it Capital One's largest. No opening date; most observers expect 2027.
- Sidecar by The Centurion Lounge: Charlotte approved the lease in March 2026 for a roughly 4,600-square-foot Sidecar in Concourse A, which Amex says will open in 2027. Sidecars are built for short visits, with entry within 90 minutes of departure.
Priority Pass at CLT
- The Club CLT — real lounge, Concourse A before gates A21/A22. Day pass about $60 for any airline.
- Minute Suites — main terminal atrium and the D/E connector near D1; one hour with Priority Pass (experience).
- Gameway — Concourse E opposite E36; one hour of gaming with a drink and snack (experience).
- Be Relax Spa — Concourse A location only (experience).
- Access: Priority Pass from Amex Platinum, Chase Sapphire Reserve, Venture X or Citi Strata Elite. None of these includes Priority Pass restaurants, but CLT has no restaurant offers anyway.
Best credit cards for CLT
| Card | Annual fee | Lounges you get at CLT | Guests | Best if you… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amex Platinum | $895 | Centurion, 10 Sky Club visits, The Club CLT | $50 each (Centurion, Sky Club); 2 free at PP | Fly any airline |
| Citi AAdvantage Executive | $695 | Admirals Clubs + Provisions | Family or 2 | Fly American often |
| Citi Strata Elite | $595 | 4 Admirals Club passes/yr, The Club CLT | 2 free at PP | Connect on American now and then |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve | $795 | The Club CLT (PP) | 2 free at PP | Mostly use lounges elsewhere |
| Capital One Venture X | $395 | The Club CLT now; Capital One Lounge later | $35 each at PP | Want low cost with future upside |
| Delta SkyMiles Reserve | $650 | 15 Sky Club visits, Centurion (on Delta) | $50 each; 4 free passes/yr | Fly Delta |
Recommended strategy
- If you fly American often from CLT: The Citi AAdvantage Executive. Its fee went to $695 on August 23, 2026 (existing cardholders pay it at renewal), but Admirals Club memberships went up even more, to $1,400 for a full membership. If you only pass through a few times a year, the Strata Elite's four passes may do.
- If you want one card that covers the best lounges: The Amex Platinum. The Centurion is the best lounge at CLT, and the new 5-hour layover window works for most connections. The Sidecar coming to Concourse A will add a second Amex option.
- If you want strong lounges at a lower cost: Venture X gets you The Club CLT today and the Capital One Lounge once it opens, likely 2027. Until then it's a Priority Pass card here.
- If you're mostly connecting on American: Note where you land. The Centurion sits between D and E; the Admirals Clubs are in B and C/D.
No card? Day passes & other options
The Club CLT sells day passes to anyone (about $60). The Admirals Clubs sell $79 day passes with a same-day American or oneworld boarding pass. The Centurion and Sky Club don't sell day passes. Minute Suites rents rooms by the hour, and the USO lounge in the main atrium serves military travelers.
FAQ
Where is the Centurion Lounge at CLT? On the mezzanine of the Concourse D/E connector. It's airside, so you can reach it from any concourse, though it's closest to D and E.
Is there a Capital One Lounge at Charlotte airport? Not yet. Capital One announced a 14,000-square-foot lounge in Concourse A in January 2026 but hasn't given an opening date; 2027 is the common estimate.
Which Priority Pass lounges are at CLT? The Club CLT in Concourse A is the only real lounge. Minute Suites, Gameway and Be Relax Spa (Concourse A) also accept Priority Pass as experiences.
Amex Platinum vs Sapphire Reserve vs Venture X: which is best at CLT? The Platinum, because it's the only one with its own lounge here (the Centurion) plus Sky Club visits on Delta. The Sapphire Reserve and Venture X both get only The Club CLT through Priority Pass. Venture X has more upside: the Capital One Lounge is coming to Concourse A, while Chase hasn't announced anything for CLT.
Related guides
- Admirals Club access guide
- Centurion Lounge locations
- Capital One lounge locations
- Citi AAdvantage cards guide
- Atlanta (ATL) lounges
- Best credit cards for airport lounge access
Lounge access rules, guest policies and locations change. Always confirm current details with the airline, lounge operator or card issuer before you travel.
