Lounge access rules change often — confirm in the lounge's app or the card's benefits page before you fly.
Columbus has no airline hub and exactly one public lounge: the Escape Lounge in Concourse B, which American Express co-branded as a Centurion Studio Partner. That makes the answer to "best credit card for Columbus flyers" unusually simple — the Amex Platinum gets you in free, and so does any card with Priority Pass CMH access. There's no Centurion Lounge at CMH, no Sapphire Lounge and no airline club at all.
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 CMH lounge access: Amex Platinum — includes the Escape Lounge (Centurion Studio Partner) directly, plus Priority Pass
- Best value for Priority Pass: Capital One Venture X — $395 for the same Escape Lounge via Priority Pass CMH
- Best for frequent Delta flyers: Delta SkyMiles Reserve — free Escape Lounge entry on Delta flights (no guests); there's no Sky Club at CMH
- Best for frequent Southwest, American or United flyers: any Priority Pass card — no airline club exists here, so co-brand club cards add nothing at CMH
Airport snapshot
John Glenn Columbus has one terminal with three concourses, each with its own security checkpoint. Southwest fills Concourse A, American and United are in B (where the lounge is), and Delta and the low-cost carriers use C. A $2 billion replacement terminal, CMH Next, is under construction and slated for early 2029 with a single checkpoint — no lounge plans have been announced.
Where to go by terminal
| Concourse | Airlines | Lounges there |
|---|---|---|
| A | Southwest | None |
| B | American, United, Air Canada | Escape Lounge (gate 32) |
| C | Delta, Alaska, Frontier, Breeze | USO (near the exit lane) |
The concourses aren't connected airside. If you fly from A or C, using the Escape Lounge means clearing security for B, then leaving and rescreening at your own concourse — allow at least 45 extra minutes.
Lounges at CMH
Escape Lounge CMH – The Centurion Studio Partner
- Location: Concourse B, airside, level 2 next to gate 32. About 2,800 square feet.
- Access: Amex Platinum, Business Platinum and Centurion cardholders free; Delta SkyMiles Reserve cardholders free on a same-day Delta flight; Priority Pass members (including Sapphire Reserve, Venture X and Citi Strata Elite memberships), with optional prebooking; paid entry for anyone (layoverindex lists $60 walk-up, $45 prebooked). Entry within 3 hours of departure.
- Guest policy: Delta Reserve holders get no free guests. Platinum guest rules have historically been two free guests, but confirm in the Amex app since Amex changed Centurion guest rules on July 8, 2026. Priority Pass guests follow your card's terms (Venture X: $35).
- Best for: American and United flyers in B, or anyone with time to rescreen. It's small, with a buffet and full bar but no showers or restrooms inside.
USO Lounge (Jake Brewer)
- Location: Near the Concourse C security exit.
- Access: Active-duty military with DoD ID and accompanying family.
- Guest policy: Military families only.
- Best for: Service members.
There's no Admirals Club, Delta Sky Club or United Club at CMH, and airline elite status doesn't get you into the Escape Lounge.
Priority Pass at CMH
- Escape Lounge — Concourse B, gate 32. Real lounge; the only Priority Pass location at CMH.
- Access: Any Priority Pass Select membership from a premium card works; prebooking helps at busy times.
Best credit cards for CMH
| Card | Annual fee | Lounges you get at CMH | Guests | Best if you… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amex Platinum | $895 | Escape Lounge (direct + PP) | check Amex app | want Centurion access at hubs too |
| Capital One Venture X | $395 | Escape Lounge (PP) | $35 each (PP) | want the cheapest way in |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve | $795 | Escape Lounge (PP) | per PP terms | connect through Sapphire Lounge airports |
| Delta SkyMiles Reserve | $650 | Escape Lounge (Delta flights) | none | fly Delta and use Sky Clubs at hubs |
| Citi Strata Elite | $595 | Escape Lounge (PP) | per PP terms | also fly American via Charlotte or DFW |
Recommended strategy
- If you fly Delta often from CMH: the Delta Reserve gets you into the Escape Lounge on Delta days, but Delta is in Concourse C, so you'd rescreen. Its real value is Sky Clubs at Atlanta and Detroit.
- If you want one card that covers the best lounges: Amex Platinum — direct Escape access at CMH plus Centurion Lounges and Sky Clubs (on Delta) at the hubs you connect through.
- If you want strong lounges at a lower cost: Venture X. At CMH it opens the same door as the Platinum for $500 less a year.
- If you fly Southwest from Concourse A: a lounge card only helps if you arrive early enough to rescreen; most Southwest flyers should skip it.
No card? Day passes & other options
Escape sells paid entry to anyone flying that day; prebooking online is cheaper than walking up. That's the only paid lounge option at CMH.
FAQ
Is there a Centurion Lounge at CMH? No. Columbus has an Escape Lounge branded "The Centurion Studio Partner," which Platinum holders can use free, but it's a small partner lounge, not a full Centurion Lounge.
Does Priority Pass work at CMH? Yes. The Escape Lounge in Concourse B accepts Priority Pass and is the only Priority Pass location at the airport.
Are there airline lounges at Columbus airport? No. CMH has no Admirals Club, Delta Sky Club or United Club. The Escape Lounge and a military USO lounge are the only lounges.
Amex Platinum vs Sapphire Reserve vs Venture X: which is best at CMH? All three get you into the Escape Lounge — Platinum directly, the other two through Priority Pass. Venture X is the best value for CMH alone. Platinum wins if you also want Centurion Lounges where you connect.
Related guides
- Best credit cards for airport lounge access
- Priority Pass lounges in the USA
- Amex Platinum guide
- Cincinnati (CVG) airport lounges
- Cleveland (CLE) airport lounges
- Pittsburgh (PIT) airport lounges
Lounge access rules, guest policies and locations change. Always confirm current details with the airline, lounge operator or card issuer before you travel.
