The 5 best Priority Pass Lounges in the United States
By: CompareCards Staff
Updated on: Jan 11, 2016
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Priority Pass membership gets you access to over 800 lounges worldwide, but when it comes to access in the United States, the pickings are a little slim, as it’s definitely a more Europe and Asia centric network.
There are locations at 22 airports in the U.S., so you’ll find a lounge at most destinations, but many are in terminals designed for international travelers, so they can be hard or sometimes impossible to reach if you’re flying domestic. And many are third party independent lounges that aren’t all that spectacular, especially when compared to some of the major hub airline lounges or the American Express Centurion Lounges.
But since Priority Pass membership lets you access a lounge in the network no matter what airline you’re flying, here are 5 that are worth going out of the way for if you’re traveling out of a U.S. airport:
1. Air France Lounge – New York – Kennedy Terminal 1
This recently renovated lounge offers two levels of seating, with real champagne, a full hot food spread, and lots of room to recharge, rest, or work. Even better, you can book a free Clarins facial treatment on arrival, or refresh in one of the showers.
The drawback is Terminal 1 is only accessible to international travelers, and only for international airlines like Air France, Lufthansa, Alitalia, Swiss, and China Eastern. You won’t be able to get in if you’re flying a U.S. carrier.
An honorable mention though goes to the Air France lounge at Washington-Dulles, which is in Terminal B near gate 41, and is accessible from any of the terminals if you’re willing to hike. There are no facials, but the food and drink are among the best you’ll find in a lounge accessible for domestic travel. You’ll also find Air France lounges available at the Boston, Chicago, Houston, and San Francisco airports.
2. Korean Airlines Lounge – Los Angeles Bradley Terminal
LAX’s renovated Bradley Terminal for international flights is a masterpiece, and the Korean Airlines lounge doesn’t disappoint with an (indoor) balcony, lots of seating, and premium food and beverages. Although the lounge is in the international terminal, the TSA at LAX lets any passenger departing LAX enter the Bradley Terminal, so if you have a long layover it’s a good option.
3. KLM Crown Lounge – Houston Intercontinental Terminal D
This is one of the smaller lounges on this list, but with a nice cold food spread, good sparkling wine and house liquor, it’s a step up from the United Clubs that dominate Houston Airport. While it’s located in Terminal D, home of non-U.S. carriers, it’s an easy walk from the TerminaLink tram and United’s Terminal E.
4. The Club at MCO – Orlando Terminal B
This isn’t the most luxurious lounge on the list, but it makes the cut because, well, it’s Orlando, and any quiet respite there is welcome. The Club at MCO is a brand new addition to the Priority Pass network and the only club at Orlando that’s accessible with Priority Pass membership. You’ll find a full bar, light snacks, and even a play room for kids.
It’s located in the same building as Gates 70-99, where Delta and Sun Country flights depart, and it’s also accessible from Gates 100-129 which serve Southwest Airlines and Virgin America flights. But if you’re flying United or American you’re out of luck as their gates don’t use the same security checkpoint.
An honorable mention also goes to its sister lounge, The Club at ATL, in Atlanta’s international terminal (which is accessible from all other terminals if you’re willing to take a long tram ride). It offers hot food and free premium liquor at the bar.
5. Alaska Airlines Board Room
#5 is not one lounge, but five lounges. A Priority Pass membership gives you access to all of the Alaska Airlines Board Rooms, which you’ll find at the Seattle, Portland, Los Angeles, and Anchorage airports. They’re all in locations accessible even if you’re not flying Alaska Airlines that day, which makes them really useful for domestic flights.
You’ll find a full bar with complimentary and paid selections, hot soup, salad, and even a pancake machine at breakfast.
How to get a Priority Pass
Priority Pass membership costs $399 a year for unlimited access, but you can also get the same access if you hold The Platinum Card® from American Express (with a $200 annual airline fee credit and 2 free guests, along with Delta SkyClub and American Express Centurion Lounge access).
In addition to the clubs above, you can access clubs at these U.S. airports along with over 800 other clubs outside the U.S.:
- Atlanta
- Baltimore
- Boston
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Colorado Springs
- Dallas
- Honolulu
- Houston
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Miami
- Newark
- New York – Kennedy
- New York – La Guardia
- Orlando
- Phoenix
- Portland
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Washington – Dulles
