Alaska Airlines airport lounges: How to get access to this VIP space

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If you frequently fly on Alaska Airlines (or Hawaiian Airlines), access to one of Alaska’s airport lounges can significantly improve your preflight experience. It’s no secret that airports can certainly be a bit chaotic, especially if you’re flying during peak travel dates, like those around the holidays.

So, with complimentary food and drinks and a chance to relax while you wait for your flight, Alaska Airlines’ lounge experience can provide a quieter and more comfortable preflight experience.

Here’s how to gain access.

Alaska lounge overview

Alaska Airlines operates the following airport lounges across the U.S.:

Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) in Anchorage, Alaska — Concourse C, near Gate C1
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York — Terminal 7 on the mezzanine level, just above security (Alaska is moving to Terminal 8 with American Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines later in 2025)
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) — Terminal 6 on the mezzanine level, near Gate 64
Portland International Airport (PDX) in Oregon — Concourse B, near the entrance, and Concourse C, across from Gate C5
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) — Terminal 1, across from Gate B6
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) — Concourse C, on the mezzanine level next to Gate C16; Concourse D, just beyond the central security checkpoint; and North Satellite terminal on the mezzanine level, above gates N13 to N18

Alaska Lounge amenities include fast Wi-Fi, easy access to power outlets, barista-made espresso beverages and a full bar featuring complimentary local craft brews, West Coast wines and spirits. Lounge guests can also enjoy complimentary prepackaged snacks, such as steel-cut oatmeal, fresh pancakes, various soups and cheese.

Alaska's SEA-NRT inaugural flight — SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY

How to access Alaska Airlines lounges at airports

Alaska Lounge vs. Alaska Lounge+

Alaska Airlines offers two lounge membership options: Alaska Lounge and Alaska Lounge+. The standard membership only provides access to Alaska Lounges. Meanwhile, the extended plus option offers access to a network of partner lounges. This includes American Airlines Admirals Clubs, provided your flight is marketed by Alaska or American Airlines and operated by Alaska, Hawaiian, American or their regional affiliates (Flagship lounges are excluded).

Access also extends to specific United Clubs in concourses E and F of Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD), Concourse E of Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP), terminals C and D of Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) and Terminal B of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) near Washington, D.C.

Additionally, Lounge+ members may use the Escape Lounge in Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), the Aspire Lounge in San Diego International Airport (SAN) and The Club at LAS in Las Vegas’ Harry Reid International Airport (LAS). Guest policies mirror Alaska’s own rules: Members may bring either their immediate family (spouse/domestic partner and children under 21) or up to two guests and must have a same-day boarding pass for an Alaska Airlines or Hawaiian Airlines flight.

Note that if you’re visiting one of Alaska’s partner lounges included in the Alaska Lounge+ membership, you may need a boarding pass for that specific airline. Therefore, it’s always best to double-check the policies of the lounge you want to visit.

Pay for Alaska Airlines lounge access

If you don’t hold elite status or a credit card that gets you access to Alaska’s lounge network, you can simply pay for a membership.

Single-entry passes to Alaska Airlines lounges

Single-entry Alaska Airlines lounge passes are $65 per person, and you must have a boarding pass on an Alaska flight, a Oneworld flight or a flight with any other Alaska partner airline. Single-entry passes for the JFK lounge are limited to Alaska- and Oneworld-operated flights only.

When you purchase a day pass at a specific lounge, note that the pass will only allow you entry to that one lounge. Therefore, if you purchase a single-entry pass at LAX and have a connecting flight at PDX, your lounge pass will only grant you access to the LAX lounge.

Additionally, Alaska Airlines offers “complimentary lounge passes for U.S. military personnel traveling on official government-sponsored travel booked through SATO and ticketed to fly on an Alaska flight departing within 3 hours,” per the airline’s website. If you are an active-duty member of the military, you can purchase a day pass with a valid military ID at the discounted rate of $35.

Annual membership

Here are the current annual membership prices:

Alaska Lounge membership: $595 annually
Alaska Lounge+ membership: $795 annually

Membership to the Alaska Airlines lounges also includes access for you and up to two guests or immediate family members. Additional guest passes are available at a reduced rate of $35 per person, versus $65 for day passes for nonmembers.

Access Alaska lounges with elite status

Atmos Rewards has four tiers of status: Atmos Silver, Gold, Platinum and Titanium. At certain thresholds, Alaska Airlines airport lounge day passes are available as milestone choices.

Complimentary Alaska Lounge+ membership becomes available as a milestone perk option at Atmos Titanium status (100,000 points). Atmos Rewards members can also choose a $100 discount on their Alaska Lounge or Alaska Lounge+ membership cost as a 30,000-point milestone reward.

Oneworld lounge access rules for Alaska Airlines lounges vary depending on how your status was earned:

Alaska-earned Atmos Gold, Platinum and Titanium (Oneworld Sapphire/Emerald): Access to Alaska Lounges when traveling on a same-day international itinerary to a destination outside the U.S., Canada or Mexico or the Caribbean
American Airlines AAdvantage Platinum, Platinum Pro and Executive Platinum: Access to Alaska Lounges when traveling on an eligible international itinerary
Oneworld Sapphire and Emerald earned through any other program: Access to Alaska Lounges when traveling on a same-day Oneworld flight, with no international requirement

All eligible elite members may bring one guest.

Access Alaska Airlines lounges with a credit card

Sometimes, you don’t have to have elite status or pay for a membership to get lounge access. Instead, you just have to hold the right credit card. You can access Alaska lounges with the following cards:

Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® Credit Card: Get up to eight lounge passes per year (two per calendar quarter) to be used on same-day Alaska, Hawaiian or other Oneworld partner flights.
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® (see rates and fees): Cardholders receive complimentary Admirals Club access; therefore, with this card, you can access Alaska lounges when flying on a same-day Alaska or Hawaiian Airlines flight. Note that access is limited to primary cardholders and is not extended to authorized users. You must have your physical card to enter the Alaska lounge.

Cardholders with the Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature® Credit Card or the Atmos™ Rewards Visa Signature® Business Card get $100 off an annual Alaska Lounge+ membership after paying with their card. The credit card discount cannot be combined with the elite status discount, though.

Hawaiian Airlines lounge access

Alaska Airlines Lounge and Lounge+ members both receive access to the Hawaiian Airlines-operated Plumeria Lounge at Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL). Membership allows you to bring either your immediate family — defined as a spouse or domestic partner and children under 21 — or up to two guests, with a boarding pass for a same-day Alaska or Hawaiian Airlines flight.

Beginning Oct. 1, Atmos Rewards members with Atmos Gold status and above will be able to access this lounge when flying internationally on Hawaiian; one guest will be permitted.

Additionally, travelers flying in first or business class on Alaska Airlines or Hawaiian Airlines out of Honolulu can use the lounge if they hold a paid or award ticket that includes at least one segment of 2,000 miles or more. This applies to both domestic long-haul and international routes, and it specifically covers first-class award tickets as well as paid fares.

Hawaiian Airlines Plumeria Lounge/Premier Club — KYLE OLSEN/THE POINTS GUY

Lounge access with a first-class Alaska Airlines ticket

Passengers traveling on a paid first-class ticket or a first-class award ticket can access Alaska lounges (but not partner lounges) if the Alaska Airlines flight exceeds 2,000 miles on the day of travel, they are traveling to Hawaii or it’s an international long-haul flight. However, passengers who upgraded to first class, whether as a complimentary upgrade, a paid upgrade or an upgrade with miles, won’t have access to Alaska lounges.

If no single flight exceeds 2,000 miles, guests may purchase a discounted single-entry pass for $35, subject to space availability. Guests do not have access to other Oneworld member lounges with a first-class ticket on Alaska Airlines.

Bottom line

Alaska Airlines offers several ways to access its lounges, including reasonably priced paid memberships and single-entry passes for elite members. If you’re a frequent Alaska flyer, a Oneworld elite member or just looking for a single-entry pass before a trip, you do have several options to make your predeparture experience more relaxing.

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Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.