What happened
The Points Guy has released its 2026 best airlines report, with a specific focus on evaluating which US airlines offer the best lounge access policies. The analysis considered cost-effectiveness, lounge footprint (unique airports and locations), and access restrictions. American Airlines took the top spot, largely due to the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard. This card provides Admirals Club membership with access to over 80 global airports and 100+ locations, including Alaska and Qantas lounges and select Oneworld partners. Key policy advantages include a generous guest policy (two guests or immediate family) and authorized user access to Admirals Clubs. Delta Air Lines ranked second, noted for having the largest footprint of its own lounges. The analysis also factored in the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card, which expands access to partner lounges. The report calculates adjusted cost-per-airport and cost-per-lounge to determine the best value for travelers