Lounge access rules change often — confirm in the lounge's app or the card's benefits page before you fly.
Philadelphia is American Airlines' Northeast hub and its main transatlantic gateway, and the big PHL lounge access news this fall is a closure: the Centurion Lounge PHL in Terminal A-West shuts on October 16, 2026, for an expansion and isn't expected back until the end of 2027. That makes the Chase Sapphire Reserve the best credit card for Philadelphia flyers who aren't loyal to American, because the Sapphire Lounge in the D/E connector is the best lounge most cardholders can still use.
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Quick answer
- Best overall for PHL lounge access: Chase Sapphire Reserve — includes the Chase Sapphire Lounge PHL (two guests free); Priority Pass PHL adds little
- Best for the Chase Sapphire Lounge: Chase Sapphire Reserve — the D/E connector lounge, Chase cardholders only since August 15, 2026
- Best for Amex loyalists: Amex Platinum — the Centurion Lounge PHL is closed from Oct 16, 2026 to an expected end-2027 reopening; Platinum still covers the Delta Sky Club on Delta flights
- Best value for Priority Pass: Capital One Venture X is weak here — there's no Capital One Lounge and no Priority Pass lounge at PHL
- Best for frequent American flyers: Citi AAdvantage Executive with Admirals Club access in A-West, B/C and F — see our Citi AAdvantage guide
Airport snapshot
American runs most of PHL's flights, with its domestic hub in Terminals B and C, international flights in A-West and regional flights in F. Delta and United use Terminal D, and Southwest, Frontier and JetBlue use E. The bank lounges are split: the Centurion (closing) is in A-West, while the Sapphire Lounge sits in the D/E connector next to the Delta Sky Club. Philadelphia has no secondary airport with lounges worth driving to.
Where to go by terminal
| Terminal | Airlines | Lounges there |
|---|---|---|
| A-West | American international, British Airways, other foreign carriers | Centurion (closed from Oct 16, 2026), Admirals Club, Flagship Lounge, BA Galleries Club |
| A-East | American | None |
| B / C | American domestic hub | Admirals Club (B/C connector), Minute Suites (B) |
| C/D connector | — | United Club |
| D | Delta, United | Delta Sky Club and Chase Sapphire Lounge (D/E connector) |
| E | Southwest, Frontier, JetBlue | Shares the D/E connector lounges |
| F | American regional | Admirals Club |
Terminals are connected airside by walkways, so you can reach a lounge in another terminal without rescreening, but A-West to F is a long walk — leave 15–20 minutes.
Lounges at PHL
Centurion Lounge PHL (American Express)
- Location: Terminal A-West, near gate A14. Temporarily closed from October 16, 2026; Amex expects it to reopen by the end of 2027, roughly doubled to more than 12,000 square feet over two floors with a Blue Roast coffee and wellness bar.
- Access: Until it closes, Platinum, Business Platinum and Centurion cardholders on any airline, and Delta SkyMiles Reserve cardholders on Delta flights. Amex says eligible members can use other PHL lounges in its Global Lounge Collection during the closure.
- Guest policy: $50 per adult guest (free after $75,000 in annual spend); since July 8, 2026, guests must be on your flight.
- Best for: Nothing until late 2027 — plan around it.
Chase Sapphire Lounge PHL (by The Club)
- Location: D/E connector, after security. About 20,000 square feet with a beer garden, game room, rest pods and showers; opened February 2025.
- Access: Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders (including authorized users), J.P. Morgan Reserve and other eligible Chase cards, with a same-day boarding pass. Since August 15, 2026, Priority Pass members from other issuers no longer get in. Entry is 3 hours before an originating flight, up to 5 hours on a connection.
- Guest policy: Two guests free; more cost $27 each.
- Best for: Anyone in D or E, and American flyers willing to walk from B or C.
Admirals Club PHL (American Airlines)
- Location: Three clubs: A-West (mezzanine, shared entrance with the Flagship Lounge), the B/C connector (third floor) and Terminal F (above the food court). The old A-East club is permanently closed.
- Access: Admirals Club members (including Citi AAdvantage Executive cardholders), eligible oneworld premium and status passengers, and One Day Pass buyers ($79 or 7,900 miles), with a same-day American or oneworld boarding pass.
- Guest policy: Members can bring immediate family or up to two guests.
- Best for: American domestic flyers who want a club near their gate.
Flagship Lounge PHL (American Airlines)
- Location: Terminal A-West mezzanine, between gates A15 and A16. Opened May 2025.
- Access: Flagship business or first on qualifying international flights, or oneworld Sapphire/Emerald on qualifying itineraries. No credit card gets you in.
- Guest policy: Follows American's premium-cabin and status rules.
- Best for: Long-haul premium passengers.
Delta Sky Club PHL
- Location: D/E connector. Delta finished an expansion in late 2025 that roughly doubled seating to more than 140.
- 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 and eligible Medallion members.
- Guest policy: $50 per guest, up to two; Reserve cardholders also get four free guest passes a year.
- Best for: Delta flyers, and Platinum holders on Delta during the Centurion closure.
United Club PHL
- Location: C/D connector. The health department briefly closed it in late September 2025; it reopened about a week later after reinspection.
- Access: United Club members and United Club card holders with a same-day United or Star Alliance boarding pass.
- Guest policy: United Club card membership includes one adult guest plus dependents.
- Best for: United flyers heading to its hubs.
Coming soon: Escape Lounge (Terminal D)
- Location: Terminal D, about 1,500 square feet with runway views.
- Access: Amex Platinum, Business Platinum and Centurion cardholders free; Delta Reserve cardholders on Delta flights; paid passes for anyone (walk-up typically $45–$65). The Inquirer reported on October 8, 2026, that it's due by the end of the year — check before you count on it.
- Guest policy: Confirm in the Amex app once it opens.
- Best for: Platinum holders while the Centurion is closed.
Priority Pass at PHL
- Minute Suites — Terminal B (A/B link). Private suite for about an hour; not a traditional lounge.
- XpresSpa — Terminal B. Spa experience.
- Access: That's it. Priority Pass lists no real lounge at PHL now that the Sapphire Lounge is Chase-only. Amex and Capital One Priority Pass memberships are lounges-only, so they may not cover these; Chase's version still includes Minute Suites and spa visits.
Best credit cards for PHL
| Card | Annual fee | Lounges you get at PHL | Guests | Best if you… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Sapphire Reserve | $795 | Sapphire Lounge, Priority Pass | 2 free | fly any airline from PHL |
| Amex Platinum | $895 | Sky Club (Delta flights, 10 visits), Escape when open; Centurion from late 2027 | $50 each (Centurion) | also fly from other Centurion airports |
| Citi AAdvantage Executive | $695 | Admirals Club (3 clubs) | family or 2 | fly American most weeks |
| Delta SkyMiles Reserve | $650 | Sky Club (15 visits) | $50 each, 4 free passes | fly Delta from Terminal D |
| Capital One Venture X | $395 | Priority Pass only | $35 each (PP) | mostly fly from other airports |
Citi raised the AAdvantage Executive fee to $695 for new accounts from August 23, 2026.
Recommended strategy
- If you fly American often from PHL: Citi AAdvantage Executive. Three Admirals Clubs cover A-West, B/C and F, and membership includes immediate family. Strata Elite ($595) is a cheaper backup with four Admirals Club passes a year.
- If you want one card that covers the best lounge at PHL: Sapphire Reserve. Through 2027 the Sapphire Lounge is the standout, and two free guests matter for family trips.
- If you already hold Amex Platinum: keep it for its other airports, but at PHL you're down to the Sky Club on Delta flights and the Escape Lounge once it opens.
- If you want strong lounges at a lower cost: Venture X makes sense only if you connect through Capital One Lounge airports such as DFW or IAD; it does little at PHL itself.
No card? Day passes & other options
The Admirals Clubs sell One Day Passes ($79 or 7,900 miles) that work in all three PHL clubs for 24 hours with a same-day American or oneworld ticket. The Escape Lounge will sell paid entry once it opens. Delta doesn't sell Sky Club day passes, and the Sapphire Lounge has no paid entry.
FAQ
Is the Centurion Lounge at PHL open? Not from October 16, 2026. Amex is closing the Terminal A-West lounge to double its size and expects it to reopen by the end of 2027. Amex points members to other lounges in its Global Lounge Collection in the meantime.
Does Priority Pass work at PHL? Barely. Since August 15, 2026, the Chase Sapphire Lounge is only for Chase cardholders, leaving Minute Suites and an XpresSpa as the Priority Pass locations at PHL. There's no Priority Pass lounge.
Where is the Chase Sapphire Lounge at PHL? In the connector between Terminals D and E, after security. Sapphire Reserve cardholders get in with two free guests, up to 3 hours before an originating flight.
Amex Platinum vs Sapphire Reserve vs Venture X: which is best at PHL? Sapphire Reserve, clearly, while the Centurion is closed: it's the only one of the three that unlocks a real lounge for any airline, with two free guests. Platinum covers the Sky Club only on Delta flights and the Escape Lounge once it opens. Venture X has no lounge at PHL.
Can I use the Admirals Club with a Citi Strata Elite? Yes, with one of the card's four Admirals Club passes a year and a same-day American flight.
Related guides
- Best credit cards for airport lounge access
- Chase Sapphire Lounge locations
- Centurion Lounge locations
- Admirals Club access
- Baltimore (BWI) airport lounges
- Newark (EWR) 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.
