If you fly Alaska Airlines (or Hawaiian Airlines) frequently, access to one of Alaska’s airport lounges can significantly improve your preflight experience.
It’s no secret that airports are chaotic, especially if you’re flying during peak travel dates. 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 access these lounges.
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
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX): Terminal 6 on the mezzanine level, near Gate 64
- Portland International Airport (PDX) in Oregon: 2 locations — Concourse B, near the entrance and Concourse C, across from Gate C5
- Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA): 3 locations — Concourse C, on the mezzanine level next to Gate C16; Concourse D, just beyond Security Checkpoint 4; and North Satellite terminal on the mezzanine level, above gates N13 to N18
- San Francisco International Airport (SFO): Terminal 1, across from Gate B6
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.
Related: Is this space the best Alaska Airlines lounge in the country?
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+.
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The standard membership only provides access to Alaska Lounges and The Plumeria Lounge.
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 other lounges, including specific United Clubs, select Qantas Club locations and others.
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, Hawaiian Airlines, or partner 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. In general, it’s best to double-check the lounge’s policies before you visit.
Related: Inside Alaska Airlines’ terminal — and lounge — at SFO’s Terminal 1
Pay for Alaska Airlines lounge access
If you don’t have elite status or a credit card that gets you access to Alaska’s lounge network, you can 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.
When you purchase a day pass at a specific lounge, note that it will only allow you entry to that 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 military member, 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.
Related: Alaska Airlines debuts exciting new international business-class service and amenities
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.
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 need elite status or 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 Airlines, American Airlines 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.
Atmos Rewards members with Atmos Gold status or higher can also access this lounge when flying internationally on Hawaiian. One guest will be permitted.
Related: Hawaiian, Alaska Airlines unveil details of Honolulu lounge
Lounge access with a first-class Alaska or Hawaiian 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 or Hawaiian 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 with a domestic first-class ticket on Alaska or Hawaiian Airlines do not have access to other Oneworld member lounges.
Related: Alaska Airlines unveils big cabin retrofits, adding premium seats to Boeing 737s
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 pre-departure experience more relaxing.
Related: Alaska Trifecta: Why I signed up for the premium Atmos Rewards Summit credit card
Stacie Harris is a local resident and reporter of the Maple Grove area. Stacie reports on medicine and science for the Maple Grove Report.
