Alaska Airlines is one of my favorite airlines and is a great brand focused largely on the West Coast.
They offer a small network of lounges but allow you to tap into a much broader network of partner lounges as well.
In this comprehensive article, I will tell you everything you need to know about Alaska Lounges including things like how to get access, discounts, and special rules for pets.
What are Alaska Lounges?
Alaska Lounges are the official airport lounges of Alaska Airlines. They are primarily located on the West Coast of the US but there is one lounge found at JFK.
Alaska Lounges are pretty solid airport lounges where you can find complimentary food (mostly light snacks) as well as local draft beer, West Coast wines, and house spirits.
They also provide espresso and looseleaf tea handcrafted by an Alaska Lounge barista. If you are visiting for breakfast, be sure to check out the iconic pancake machine.
How to get access to Alaska Lounges
- Alaska Lounge Membership
- Via elite status benefits
- First class tickets
- Purchasing day passes
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Alaska Lounge membership
An Alaska Lounge membership is the standard way to get access to all Alaska Lounge locations and over 95 partner lounges (all partner lounges are listed below).
You will receive a membership card (which can also be pulled up on your mobile device) and you will need to show that along with a same-day ticket boarding pass on any carrier along with a government-issued photo ID to get access.
Members will be able to bring in immediate family members which include partners and children under the age of 21 or up to two guests.
Members are required to accompany their family and guests at all times within the lounge.
The standard price for an Alaska Lounge membership is $500 per year.
However, if you have elite status with Alaska Airlines, you can receive a discount on the price of your lounge membership.
| Elites (MVP, Gold 50k, Gold 75k, Gold 100k) | Non-elites | |
| Alaska Lounge (9 Locations) | $400 | $500 |
| Alaska Lounge+ (9 Alaska Lounge locations and 90+ Partner lounges) | $550 | $650 |
By the way, if you are a frequent flyer on Alaska you might want to check out our article on the top 20 ways to use your Alaska miles!
Elite status
If you are an MVP Gold 75K member, you will receive four complimentary Alaska lounge day passes in addition to other perks like avoiding baggage fees.
First class passengers
If you are traveling on a paid first class or first class award ticket on a flight operated by Alaska Airlines, you can have access to Alaska Lounges on the day of your flight.
The eligible fares include: A, D, F, P, or I class of service.
Keep in mind that you won’t get access to partner airline lounges this way.
Many airlines like United and American don’t allow you to have lounge access when flying first class domestically. Instead, you must be flying internationally so it is nice to see Alaska open its doors to first class passengers.
One last thing to note is that if you were upgraded to first class — whether complimentary, paid, or using miles — you will not get access to the Alaska Lounge.
Remember, as a first class passenger you will also get other perks like priority boarding.
Day pass
You can purchase a day pass for $60 per person at any Alaska lounge located at San Francisco (SFO), Los Angeles (LAX), and New York (JFK).
Day passes are subject to the following restrictions:
- Day passes are valid for 24 hours and only in the location where purchased. The following exceptions apply:
- Day passes sold or distributed before June 13, 2022
- Future use or additional guest day passes for Lounge Members
- Day passes for Active Duty military
- Gold 75K passes
- The passes must be used in conjunction with the same day boarding pass on any airline.
- One day pass is required per person but children younger than two can accompany an adult without a day pass.
- Guests under 18 must be accompanied by an adult which could include unaccompanied minors.
- Sometimes due to capacity day passes may not be available and access can be restricted.
The passes are nonrefundable but if you purchase a membership within 30 days of purchasing your day pass they will reimburse you for the cost of your day pass.
There are a few ways to get discounts on day passes.
Alaska Airlines Visa Card
If you have the Alaska Airlines Visa Card, you can get 50% off a day pass but the purchase must be made on the Visa card by the cardholder at the lounge.
Also, these passes must be instantly redeemed and you do not have one year to use them.
Other features of the Alaska Airlines Visa Card include:
- 3X on Alaska Airlines purchases
- 1X on all other purchases
- No foreign transaction fees
- Companion fare
- Free checked bag
- In-flight discount
- $75 annual fee
Travel credit cards
A lot of the best travel credit cards offer credits that could be used to cover the cost of a day pass.
For example, you could use the American Express Gold Card and take advantage of a $100 airline credit to cover the cost of two day passes.
Alaska Lounge members
Alaska Lounge members can purchase a day pass for their traveling companions or for guests and family not traveling with them at a reduced rate of $30 per person.
Children under two years of age can accompany an adult for no additional cost.
Active duty US military
If you are an active duty US military member traveling on orders, you can get a free day pass.
You will need to be able to verify your active status, show orders, and also be ticketed to fly on an Alaska flight departing within three hours.
Related: Comprehensive Military Airline Benefits and Discount Guide
Alaska Lounge rules
Just like other airlines, Alaska Airlines has a published number of rules that they expect guests to abide by. Here are a few of the rules you may want to be aware of before visiting:
Proper attire
Management reserves the right to deny entrance to a guest that is not dressed in proper attire.
Typically, you won’t have to worry about anything unless you are exhibiting bad hygiene, are showing a lot of skin, etc. Business casual is always a great way to go but not necessary.
No outside food or alcohol
Most lounges do not permit outside food or alcohol so this is no surprise. If you are just bringing in small snacks that probably will not be an issue.
No food or drinks to go
The lounge does not want guests to leave with food, beverages, or magazines found within the lounge. The exception is if you purchase a made to order meal, tea, or coffee.
Pets
Service animals and quiet pets in carry-on kennels are allowed in the lounge.
However, animals are not allowed on any furniture or allowed to eat or drink from the lounge service ware.
If your pet becomes disruptive an agent may ask you to leave.
Smoking
You are not allowed to smoke, chew tobacco, or use electronics cigarettes in the lounge.
Children
Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times and must “behave in a manner conducive to the quiet atmosphere of the Alaska lounge.”
Intoxication
Guests who appear to be intoxicated may be denied access to the lounge.
There is also a three drink limit per guest when it comes to alcoholic beverages.
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Alaska Lounges locations list
Anchorage Airport (ANC)
Location
- Concourse C, near Gate C-1
Hours
- Daily: 5:00 am – 1:00 am
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
Location
- Terminal 7 on the Mezzanine level, just above security
Hours
- Daily: 5:00 am – 8:00 pm
Los Angeles Airport (LAX)
Location
- Terminal 6 on the mezzanine level, near gate 64
Hours
- Daily: 5:00 am – 9:30 pm
Portland Airport (PDX)
Location
- Concourse B, near the entrance to Concourse B
Hours
- Daily: 4:30 am – 9:00 pm
Location
- Concourse C, across from Gate C5
Hours
- Daily: 4:30 am – 10:30 pm
San Francisco Airport (SFO)
- Terminal 2, just beyond the D Security Checkpoint
Hours
- Daily: 5:00 am – 10:30 pm
Seattle/Tacoma Airport (SEA)
Location
- Concourse C, on the Mezzanine level next to Gate C-16
Hours
- Daily: 6:00 am – 12:00 am
Location
- Concourse D, just beyond the Security Checkpoint 4
Hours
- Daily: 5:00 am – 10:00 pm
Location
- North Satellite on the Mezzanine level, above gates N13-18
Hours
- Daily: 5:00 am – 11:00 pm
Alaska Lounges partner locations
American Airlines Admirals Club locations
When traveling on Alaska Airlines or American Airlines, you can get complimentary access to Admirals Club Lounges for immediate family members (such as your spouse and children under the age of 21) or up to two guests.
Guests must arrive or depart that day on Alaska Airlines or an American flight. Alaska Lounge members and their guests do not have access to American Premium or Flagship Lounges.
Also, due to TSA regulations sometimes you may not be able to access a partner lounge when the lounge is located in a different terminal than your flight.
Below is the list of Admirals Club locations:
- Atlanta, GA (ATL)
- Austin, TX (AUS)
- Boston, MA (BOS)
- Buenos Aires, Argentina (EZE)
- Charlotte, NC (CLT) x 2
- Chicago, IL (ORD) x 3
- Dallas / Fort Worth, TX (DFW) x 5
- Denver, CO (DEN)
- Honolulu, Hawaii (HNL)
- Houston, Texas (IAH)
- London, England (LHR)
- Los Angeles, CA (LAX) x 3
- Mexico City, Mexico (MEX)
- Miami, FL (MIA) x 2
- Nashville, TN (BNA)
- New York J.F. Kennedy, NY (JFK)
- New York LaGuardia, NY (LGA)
- Newark, NJ (EWR)
- Orange County, CA (SNA)
- Orlando, FL (MCO)
- Paris, France (CDG)
- Philadelphia, PA (PHL) x 4
- Phoenix, AZ (PHX) x 3
- Pittsburgh, PA (PIT)
- Raleigh Durham, NC (RDU)
- Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (GIG)
- San Francisco, CA (SFO)
- Sao Paulo, Brazil (GRU)
- St. Louis, MO (STL)
- Tampa, FL (TPA)
- Toronto, Canada (YYZ)
- Washington, D.C. (DCA) x 2
Qantas Club locations
In order to get access to Qantas Club locations, you will need to be departing that day on a purchased or mileage award for a Qantas operated international flight.
When traveling Qantas you will get complimentary access for your immediate family such as your spouse and children under the age of 21 or two guests.
Just keep in mind that guests must also depart that day on the same Qantas flight and that you will not get access to Qantas First Lounges.
Below is the list of Qantas Club locations:
- Adelaide, Australia (ADL)
- Alice Springs, Australia (ASP)
- Auckland, New Zealand (AKL)
- Brisbane, Australia (BNE)
- Broome, Australia (BME)
- Cairns, Australia (CNS)
- Canberra, Australia (CBR)
- Coffs Harbour, Australia (CFS)
- Darwin, Australia (DRW)
- Devonport, Australia (DPO)
- Emerald, Australia (EMD)
- Gladstone, Australia (GLT)
- Gold Coast, Australia (OOL)
- Hobart, Australia (HBA)
- Hong Kong (HKG)
- Honolulu, HI (HNL)
- Kalgoorlie, Australia (KGI)
- Karratha, Australia (KTA)
- Launceston, Australia (LST)
- London – Heathrow (LHR)
- Los Angeles, CA – Business Lounge (LAX)
- Mackay, Australia (MKY)
- Melbourne, Australia (MEL)
- Perth, Australia (PER)
- Port Hedland, Australia (PHE)
- Rockhampton, Australia (ROK)
- Singapore (SIN)
- Sydney, Australia (SYD)
- Tamworth, Australia (TMW)
- Tokyo, Japan (NRT)
- Wellington, NZ (WLG)
Other partner locations
As an Alaska Lounge member, you can also get access into some other lounges including some United Club locations.
In order to access United Clubs or the CX lounge at SFO, you will need to have a ticket for same day travel departing that city on Alaska Airlines.
But for other partner lounges including the Airspace Lounge at SAN you need a same-day ticket departing that city on Alaska or American Airlines.
Here are the additional partner locations:
- United Club – Minneapolis, MN (MSP)
- United Club – Phoenix, AZ (PHX)
- Airspace Lounge – San Diego, CA (SAN)
- Cathay Pacific Lounge – San Francisco, CA (SFO)
- United Club – Washington, D.C. (DCA)
Other lounge memberships
If you are interested in a lounge membership that is more broad and that can get you into a wider network of airport lounges you might want to look into cards that offer Priority Pass Select.
Or, if you are like me and you want to go after the best airport lounge access, then you should look into picking up the Amex Platinum Card.
The Platinum Card is a premium card that is loaded with benefits and some of the top benefits include access to airport lounges like Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass Lounges, Delta SkyClubs, and more.
Alaska Lounges FAQ
You can get access to Alaska Lounges the following ways:
Alaska Lounge Membership
Via elite status benefits
First class tickets
Purchasing day passes
A normal day pass will cost $60, but if you are a member you can purchase a discounted day pass at $30.
An annual Alaska Lounge membership will cost you $500 but you can get discounts if you are an elite member.
Your membership will expire one year from the date of processing on the last day of the month. So if you purchased a pass on June 15, 2022, your membership will expire on June 30, 2023.
You can renew your membership online, via email, or at an Alaska Lounge location. You can also renew over the phone by calling the customer service phone number at: 1-800-654-5669.
Yes, service animals and quiet pets in carry-on kennels are allowed as long as they are not disruptive to the lounge environment.
While there is not an official dress code, Alaska states that, “Our management reserves the right to deny entrance to any guest whose attire is not appropriate for the Alaska Lounge setting.”
With an Alaska Lounge membership, you will get access to American Airlines Admirals Club locations (when arriving or departing that day on Alaska Airlines or American Airlines), Qantas Club locations (when departing that day on Qantas internationally), and other partners including select United Club locations at MSP, PHX, and DCA.
Final word
Overall, Alaska Lounges offer a variety of ways to get access and even methods to get a hefty 50% discount on day passes.
While the lounge network is mostly limited to the West Coast, it’s nice being able to access a wider network of partner lounges.
Personally, I would prefer to rely on a different type of lounge membership via my Platinum Card but for an Alaska frequent flyer, this membership could make a lot of sense.
Daniel Gillaspia is the Founder of UponArriving.com and the credit card app, WalletFlo. He is a former attorney turned travel expert covering destinations along with TSA, airline, and hotel policies. Since 2014, his content has been featured in publications such as National Geographic, Smithsonian Magazine, and CNBC. Read my bio.
I have an Alaska Visa card. I tried to purchase a day pass today at PDX(10-18-3022). I was told I could not get in the lounge, it is only by membership or a first class ticket. I have a premium seat.
This change is very disappointing.
I also had a $50.00 voucher that I could not use that I received for very late luggage .arrival a few months back.
Changes in 2023 include a $100 discount on the lounge + membership with the visa signature card. This allows you the same price as Alaska Elites. Day passes were paused at PDX, SEA and ANC due to the popularity of the lounges. They had to allow enough space for lounge members and first class passengers. First class access is also limited to an itinerary with 2100 miles or higher. If you travel 2-3 times a year, the Alaska membership is a fantastic deal as you can bring in 2 adult guests or your spouse and all kids under 21. The cost of food and drink for a family in the airport would make buying this membership a no brainer. The Alaska lounges are always clean, with great food and a fantastic staff always willing to go above and beyond for their guests.