What happened
JD Power’s 2026 U.S. Airport Lounge Satisfaction Study scored American Express Centurion Lounges and Capital One Lounges at 771 apiece, based on 2,991 travelers surveyed from April through June 2026. Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club placed third at 764. United Club finished last among airline lounges. The results were released August 19.
45% of guests use lounges to escape crowded terminals. 39% came because airport food and beverage prices are high. Guests value complimentary food and drink most. 46% report that their usual lounge is moderately or severely crowded. Scores reach 833 in lounges that are not at all crowded and fall to 589 when they are severely crowded, a drop of 244 points.
Lounge access is a main reason to hold these premium cards, and the ranking shows which U.S. networks currently score highest. Even the top-ranked card lounges can involve waits or required reservations. Treat Centurion and Capital One as the current U.S. leaders, with Chase close behind, but plan for crowding and waitlists even there.
- Announced
- Aug 19, 2026
- Numbers
- 771 points: tied overall satisfaction score for Amex Centurion and Capital One lounges
- 764 points: Chase Sapphire Lounge overall satisfaction score
- 2,991 travelers: lounge visitors surveyed
- 45%: guests using lounges to escape terminal crowds
- 39%: guests visiting because of high terminal food and beverage prices
- 46%: guests who say their usual lounge is moderately or severely crowded
- 833 points: satisfaction when a lounge is not at all crowded
- 589 points: satisfaction when a lounge is severely crowded
- 244 points: satisfaction drop from an uncrowded to a severely crowded lounge
- Takeaway
- Treat Amex, Capital One, and Chase lounges as the current U.S. leaders, but plan for crowding and possible waitlists even at the top-ranked spaces.