The Seattle Flyer's Guide: Best Travel Credit Cards for SEA (2026 Edition)

If you call Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SEA) your home base, the generic "best travel card" lists don't always apply to you. SEA is a unique ecosystem shaped by the dominance of Alaska Airlines and Delta, plus a specific mix of lounges that rewards a tailored credit card strategy.

As of January 2026, the landscape has shifted. Fees are higher, loyalty programs have rebranded (hello, Atmos Rewards), and lounge access rules have tightened. This guide cuts through the noise to find the highest-value cards specifically for the Seattle frequent flyer.

The SEA Lounge Landscape: Why Your Card Matters

Before picking a card, you need to know where you can actually sit. SEA's lounge situation has improved significantly, but access is strictly gated by card networks and airline alliances.

Lounge Option	Location(s) at SEA	Access Key
The Club at SEA	A Concourse (Gate A12), S Concourse (Gate S10)	Priority Pass (CSR, Venture X, Amex Plat)
Amex Centurion	Central Terminal (Mezzanine)	Amex Platinum or Centurion Card
Alaska Lounge	C, D, and N Concourses	Atmos Summit Card passes or Membership
Delta Sky Club	A Concourse (Gate A1 & A11)	Amex Platinum (with Delta flight) or Delta Reserve

The Seattle Takeaway: At SEA, your choice usually forces a trade-off. Do you want flexible access via Priority Pass (The Club), premium comfort via Centurion, or airline-specific access via Alaska or Delta cards?

Top Cards for Frequent SEA Flyers (Ranked by Use Case)

1. The Best "One-Card" Solution

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Best For: The traveler who wants a single card that does it all—flexible points, top-tier insurance, and lounge access that actually works at SEA.

Why It Wins at SEA: The CSR includes Priority Pass Select, which grants you entry to "The Club at SEA" (both locations). Since SEA has multiple Priority Pass options, this benefit is more reliable here than at other major hubs where Priority Pass lounges are often overcrowded or restricted.

The Cost: $795 annual fee (2026 refreshed pricing).

SEA Verdict: If you are not loyal to a single airline, the CSR remains the cleanest "default" premium card for Seattle. You get usable lounge access, massive travel protections, and points that transfer to partners easily. For a deeper breakdown, see our CSR vs. Venture X comparison.

2. Best for Lounge Lovers & Delta Flyers

The Platinum Card® from American Express

Best For: Travelers who prioritize lounge quality over everything else and fly Delta occasionally.

Why It Wins at SEA: The Centurion Lounge in the Central Terminal is a significant upgrade over standard Priority Pass lounges. Additionally, this card grants Delta Sky Club access when flying Delta—a crucial perk for SEA's second-biggest carrier.

The 2026 Catch:

Fee: Now $895 per year.
Delta Limits: Sky Club access is capped at 10 visits per year (resetting February 1), unless you spend $75,000 or more on the card annually.

SEA Verdict: This is the King of Comfort at SEA, provided you utilize the Centurion Lounge often and are okay with the new visit caps on Delta lounges. If you rarely fly Delta, much of this card's SEA-specific value evaporates. Read our full Amex Gold vs. Platinum comparison for more context.

3. Best Value (Premium Perks for Less)

Capital One Venture X

Best For: Travelers who want premium benefits and Priority Pass access without the "coupon book" hassle or sky-high fees.

Why It Wins:

Lower Fee: $395 per year.
Easy Offset: Includes a $300 annual credit for bookings via Capital One Travel.
Lounge Access: Includes full Priority Pass Select (entry to The Club at SEA).

SEA Verdict: If you can spend $300 a year through their portal, this card is effectively paying you to hold it. It is the most cost-effective way to get lounge access at SEA. We break this down further in Venture X vs. Sapphire Reserve.

4. Best for Alaska Airlines Loyalists (The Essential)

Atmos Rewards™ Ascent Visa Signature®

Formerly known as the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature.

Best For: Seattle families or couples who fly Alaska (or Hawaiian) at least once a year.

Why It Wins at SEA:

Companion Fare: The legendary "$99 plus taxes and fees" fare is still the headline perk. For a flight to Hawaii or across the country, this single benefit can save hundreds of dollars.
Local Perks: Free checked bags and priority boarding on Alaska (and Hawaiian) flights.
Annual Fee: Just $95—easily offset by a single companion fare redemption.

SEA Verdict: This is the essential "add-on" card. Even if you have a premium Chase or Amex, keeping this card for the annual companion fare is a math no-brainer for most Seattle residents. See our complete Alaska Airlines card guide for the full breakdown.

5. Best for Alaska "Power Users"

Atmos Rewards™ Summit Visa Infinite®

Best For: Travelers chasing elite status who want Alaska Lounge access without paying for a full membership.

Why It Wins at SEA:

Lounge Passes: Comes with 8 Alaska Lounge passes annually.
Status Fast-Track: Earns "status points" via spend, plus a 10,000 status point anniversary bonus.
Global Companion Award: A more flexible reward structure for award travel for two.
Annual Fee: $395.

SEA Verdict: If you practically live on Alaska Airlines flights but don't quite hit top-tier status on flying alone, the Summit card bridges the gap and gets you into the lounge. The Alaska Lounges at SEA (C, D, and N concourses) are consistently better than the Priority Pass options.

6. Best for Renters (Who Want Alaska Points)

Bilt Mastercard®

Best For: Renters who want to turn monthly housing payments into Alaska miles.

Why It Wins: Bilt lists Atmos Rewards (Alaska and Hawaiian) as a 1:1 transfer partner. Since major banks like Chase and Amex largely do not transfer to Alaska, Bilt is a unique pipeline for earning these valuable points.

SEA Verdict: A "must-have" for Seattle renters who value Alaska redemptions. Combined with the Atmos Ascent card for the companion fare, this creates a powerful earning-and-redeeming combo. Read our Bilt Card 2.0 Review for the latest on earning mechanics.

The "SEA Playbook": Winning Card Combinations

One card is good, but a two-card strategy is often better. Here are the most common setups for Seattle locals:

The "Most Travelers" Setup

Chase Sapphire Reserve — for general travel, dining, and Priority Pass
Atmos Ascent — just for the luggage perks and annual companion fare

This combination covers nearly every travel scenario. The CSR handles your broader travel needs while the Ascent ensures you never pay for bags on Alaska and score that annual companion deal.

The "Lounge & Luxury" Setup

Amex Platinum — for Centurion and Delta lounges
Venture X — as a backup for non-Amex/Delta places (effectively free after the $300 credit)

This is for travelers who want the best lounge experience at SEA regardless of cost. The Centurion Lounge is genuinely excellent, and having Venture X as backup ensures you're never stuck without options.

The "Alaska Loyalist" Setup

Atmos Summit — for status boost and lounge passes
Chase Sapphire Reserve — to cover non-Alaska travel insurance and dining

Perfect for Seattle residents who fly Alaska 80 percent of the time but occasionally need broader coverage for non-Alaska trips.

Quick FAQ for Seattle Flyers

Q: Which card guarantees me lounge access at SEA regardless of airline?

Cards with Priority Pass—the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Venture X—get you into The Club at SEA regardless of which airline you fly.

Q: Is the Amex Platinum still worth $895 for a Seattle flyer?

Only if you are a "hybrid" flyer who values the Centurion Lounge and flies Delta enough to use the 10 Sky Club visits, but not so much that you run out of them. If you never fly Delta, the value proposition drops significantly at SEA.

Q: I mostly fly Alaska. Do I really need a premium card?

The Atmos Ascent card is likely sufficient for the average flyer thanks to the companion fare. However, adding a premium card (like Venture X) is smart for the travel insurance, rental car status, and lounge access that the basic airline card lacks.

Q: Can I earn Alaska miles without an Alaska credit card?

Yes. The Bilt Mastercard transfers 1:1 to Atmos Rewards (Alaska and Hawaiian). This is especially valuable for renters who can earn points on housing payments and then move them into Alaska miles.

The Bottom Line

Seattle's airport rewards a strategic approach to credit cards. The dominance of Alaska Airlines means the Atmos Ascent or Summit cards deliver outsized value compared to other cities. But the presence of Delta and the excellent Centurion Lounge means hybrid travelers have compelling options from Amex as well.

For most Seattle residents, the winning formula is pairing an Alaska-specific card (for the companion fare and bags) with a flexible premium card (for lounge access, insurance, and non-Alaska travel).

Not sure which combination is right for your spending patterns?

Run your numbers through the CardSavvy Optimizer to see exactly how much value each card delivers for your specific lifestyle.