Lounge access rules change often — confirm in the lounge's app or the card's benefits page before you fly.
Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky is a former Delta hub that's now a mix of Delta, American, United, Southwest and low-cost carriers, and CVG lounge access is better than its size suggests: a new, larger Escape Lounge in Concourse B, The Club CVG in Concourse A and a Delta Sky Club. There's no Centurion Lounge at CVG, but the Amex Platinum gets you into the Escape Lounge and the Sky Club, which makes it the strongest card for Cincinnati flyers who fly Delta.
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Quick answer
- Best overall for CVG lounge access: Amex Platinum — includes the Escape Lounge, the Delta Sky Club on Delta flights and Priority Pass CVG lounges
- Best value for Priority Pass: Capital One Venture X — $395 for both Priority Pass CVG lounges (Escape in B, The Club in A)
- Best for frequent Delta flyers: Delta SkyMiles Reserve with Sky Club access (15 visits a year) plus the Escape Lounge on Delta days
- Chase Sapphire Reserve at CVG: no Sapphire Lounge here; its Priority Pass covers the same two lounges as Venture X for twice the fee
Airport snapshot
CVG has one main terminal feeding two airside concourses. Delta's operation is in Concourse B, alongside the Escape Lounge and Sky Club, and American has been using B gates during a multi-year ramp project. Concourse A holds Allegiant, Frontier, United, Southwest and Air Canada, plus The Club CVG. Cincinnati has no secondary commercial airport with lounges.
Where to go by terminal
| Concourse | Airlines | Lounges there |
|---|---|---|
| A | Allegiant, Frontier, United, Southwest, Air Canada | The Club CVG |
| B | Delta, American (during ramp work), international | Escape Lounge (near B12), Delta Sky Club (near B14) |
Concourses A and B are connected airside by an underground walkway and train, so you can visit a lounge in the other concourse after a single security check — the Escape Lounge is worth the trip from A if you have time.
Lounges at CVG
Escape Lounge CVG
- Location: Concourse B, near gate B12, upper level (turn left off the escalator from the train). It moved from a smaller space near B20; one review dates the new lounge to April 2026.
- Access: Amex Platinum cardholders free; Delta SkyMiles Reserve cardholders free on a same-day Delta-marketed flight; Priority Pass members (Sapphire Reserve, Venture X, Strata Elite and Platinum memberships), with prebooking available; paid entry for anyone ($45 prebooked, $60 walk-up).
- Guest policy: Delta Reserve: no free guests. Platinum: confirm in the Amex app. Priority Pass guests follow your card's terms (Venture X: $35). Children under 3 free.
- Best for: Most travelers — reviewers rate it well above The Club CVG.
Priority Pass at CVG: The Club CVG
- Location: Concourse A, between gates A8 and A10.
- Access: Priority Pass or a paid day pass, up to 3 hours before departure.
- Guest policy: Per your card's Priority Pass terms.
- Best for: United, Southwest and low-cost flyers on Concourse A who don't want to ride to B. Amenities are basic: snacks, drinks and workstations.
Delta Sky Club CVG
- Location: Concourse B, level 3, near gate B14.
- Access: Same-day Delta flight. Delta SkyMiles Reserve (15 visits a year), Amex Platinum and Business Platinum (10 visits a year; unlimited after $75,000 in annual spend), Sky Club members, Delta One passengers and eligible Medallion and SkyTeam Elite Plus members. No day passes.
- Guest policy: $50 per guest, up to two; Reserve cardholders also get four free guest passes a year.
- Best for: Delta flyers who want a full airline club near their gate.
There's no Admirals Club or United Club at CVG.
Priority Pass options
- Escape Lounge — Concourse B near B12. Real lounge.
- The Club CVG — Concourse A. Real lounge.
- Access: Priority Pass Select from Amex Platinum, Sapphire Reserve, Venture X or Citi Strata Elite covers both.
Best credit cards for CVG
| Card | Annual fee | Lounges you get at CVG | Guests | Best if you… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amex Platinum | $895 | Escape, Sky Club (Delta, 10 visits), The Club (PP) | $50 each (Sky Club) | fly Delta sometimes and want every lounge |
| Delta SkyMiles Reserve | $650 | Sky Club (15 visits), Escape on Delta days | $50 each, 4 free passes | fly Delta most of the time |
| Capital One Venture X | $395 | Escape, The Club (PP) | $35 each (PP) | fly any airline and want low cost |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve | $795 | Escape, The Club (PP) | per PP terms | connect via Sapphire Lounge airports |
Recommended strategy
- If you fly Delta often from CVG: Delta Reserve for the Sky Club, or Platinum if you also fly other airlines — Platinum adds Priority Pass and Centurion Lounges at hubs, with 10 Sky Club visits a year.
- If you want one card that covers the best lounges: Amex Platinum — it's the only card that opens all three CVG lounges.
- If you want strong lounges at a lower cost: Venture X. Both Priority Pass lounges, including the good Escape Lounge, for $395.
- If you fly United or Southwest from Concourse A: The Club CVG is next to your gate; ride the train to B for the Escape Lounge if you have 45 minutes or more.
No card? Day passes & other options
Both Priority Pass lounges sell paid entry: the Escape Lounge from $45 prebooked ($60 walk-up) and The Club CVG at the door or online. Delta doesn't sell Sky Club day passes.
FAQ
Is there a Centurion Lounge at CVG? No. There's no Centurion Lounge, Chase Sapphire Lounge or Capital One Lounge at Cincinnati. Amex Platinum holders get into the Escape Lounge free, plus the Sky Club on Delta flights.
Does Priority Pass work at CVG? Yes, at two real lounges: the Escape Lounge in Concourse B and The Club CVG in Concourse A. Both are reachable airside from either concourse.
Where is the new Escape Lounge at CVG? In Concourse B near gate B12, on the upper level. It replaced a smaller Escape Lounge near B20.
Amex Platinum vs Sapphire Reserve vs Venture X: which is best at CVG? Platinum opens the most CVG lounges — Escape, The Club and the Sky Club on Delta flights. Venture X gets the two Priority Pass lounges for $395 and is the best value. Sapphire Reserve gets the same as Venture X here, so it only makes sense for Sapphire Lounges elsewhere.
Related guides
- Best credit cards for airport lounge access
- Delta Sky Club access
- Priority Pass lounges in the USA
- Columbus (CMH) airport lounges
- Indianapolis (IND) airport lounges
- Detroit (DTW) 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.
