A Guide to The Club Lounges

An airport lounge provides a welcome sight for many. Its benefits can include free food and drink, space to work or relax, and often a private bathroom away from crowds.

Third-party lounges can be a helpful solution when you aren't flying to an airport with a specific credit card- or airline-affiliated lounge. The Club lounges are just that — and they're available in several airports around the U.S.

They're especially worth learning about since many credit cardholders have access to them without even realizing it.

In addition to airline-run and credit card-branded lounges — like the Centurion Lounge — The Club lounges are another type of lounge option for flyers.

Some airlines require you to be flying with them to gain access to their own lounges. If you're not, a third-party lounge like The Club lounge, accessible via credit card benefits like Priority Pass, can be invaluable during a long airport wait.

These lounges typically have open bars with complimentary snacks and drinks, including alcohol. You’ll also find designated work spaces, free wireless internet, free food and, sometimes, showers.

» Learn more: 5 tips for long airport layovers

Any traveler in an airport with a Club lounge can access them. These locations don't require travel on any particular airline the way some airline-affiliated lounges do, and they also sell day passes in case you don’t have a credit card that grants you access.

All Club lounges in the U.S. participate in Priority Pass, which means if you buy a Priority Pass subscription or have a credit card that comes with it, you’re in. In fact, The Club lounge network is actually run by the same company that owns Priority Pass, the Collinson Group.

» Learn more: Priority Pass lounges that are worth a visit

The cost for a Club lounge day pass is usually $40 or $45, although you can score a discount if you purchase a bundle of at least 10 passes using its group rate offer.

Travelers can purchase a day pass in advance or at the door. If you're buying a day pass in advance, remember to bring a printout or screenshot.

Travelers are permitted to enter the lounge up to three hours before their originally scheduled flight time. Be sure to get to the airport early to maximize your stay and get your money's worth (particularly if you are paying out-of-pocket for a day pass).

If you don’t want to pay for a day pass, check your wallet to see if any of your credit cards come with Priority Pass membership. If not, you can pay for a Priority Pass membership starting at $99 per year; however, the best option is to get Priority Pass lounge access for free as a credit card perk.

These are the premium travel credit cards that come with a complimentary Priority Pass membership:

• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.

• Chase Sapphire Reserve®.

• Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card*.

• The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card (10 visits per cardmember year*).

• Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card (10 visits per cardmember year**).

• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card.

• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express.

• The Platinum Card® from American Express.

• U.S. Bank Altitude™ Reserve Visa Infinite® Card.

Terms apply.

*For card members who enrolled in Priority Pass Select on or before June 30, 2023, the benefit ended on July 1, 2024. For card members who enrolled in Priority Pass Select between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024, the benefit lasts until April 1, 2025. New members are not eligible for the benefit.

**Existing cardholders who enrolled in Priority Pass on or before Jan. 31, 2023 will no longer have a membership as of Feb. 1, 2024. Cardholders who enroll between Feb. 1, 2023 and Jan. 31, 2024, will continue to have membership through Oct. 31, 2024. Terms apply.

These cards typically offer Priority Pass Select membership for unlimited visits to any of the 1,500+ lounges within the network, including some of the most popular Club Lounges around the world.

Depending on the membership, guest access and prices vary. Up to two guests can enter free of charge, but terms vary — pay attention to entry conditions. Additional guests typically cost $35 per person, and that’s cheaper than the day pass option to one of The Club lounge locations.

» Learn more: Priority Pass vs. LoungeBuddy

There are 20 domestic Club lounge locations, with more on the way. New lounges are planned in Cleveland (opening in September), Charlotte (opening in November) and San Francisco (opening in 2023). Here's where you can find Club lounges in the U.S. as of summer 2021.

Atlanta (ATL)

On the mezzanine level of Concourse F, this lounge has large windows and complimentary drinks at the bar. Its hot and cold food menu and shower facilities are a nice perk for everyone, especially international travelers. Concourse F is where many international flights depart from at Atlanta.

Boston (BOS)

Boston’s airport has two participating lounges. In Terminal C, The Club lounge is on the concourse level across from Gate C19. In Terminal E, The Club lounge is after security and down one level. This terminal is where most international flights depart, and the lounge has shower facilities.

Buffalo, New York (BUF)

This lounge is located in the main terminal between Gates 6 and 7. It is located in the former space of the American Airlines Admirals Club, which closed in 2015.

Baltimore (BWI)

In Concourse D, this lounge is near Gate D10. In addition to free food and drinks, it has a “productivity zone” where guests can work and charge laptops.

Charleston, South Carolina (CHS)

As the only lounge at Charleston, this is a welcome addition for the airport. It's located on the second level, towards Concourse B. The lounge features nice views of the terminal and plentiful natural light in addition to food and drink options.

Cincinnati (CVG)

In Concourse A of Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, this Club lounge is situated between Gates A8 and A10. It offers comfortable leather chairs and a complimentary food and drink menu.

Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW)

In Concourse D on the second level, near Gate D27, the Lounge offers a shower, cocktail bar, free food and drink, and panoramic views of the terminal and airplanes. It is divided into several seating areas.

Jacksonville, Florida (JAX)

In the main terminal, this Concourse A lounge has views of the tarmac and business center. This was the first lounge in the country to operate a new mobile ordering system for food and drinks; it allows guests to scan a QR code and have orders delivered to their seat. This is a permanent upgrade and will be expanded to other lounges in the future.

Las Vegas (LAS)

There are two The Club lounges in Las Vegas. One sits in Terminal 1 near Gate D33 and the other in Terminal 3. Both offer dining and bar options, plus showers.

Orlando, Florida (MCO)

Orlando travelers have two lounge options depending on which terminal they’re flying from. They're located in Terminal A, Concourse 1 (Gates 1-29) and Terminal B, Concourse 4 (Gates 70-99). Both provide food and drink, work stations and showers. The Terminal A location received the North America Priority Pass Highly Commended designation in 2018.

New Orleans (MSY)

In Terminal A, this third-floor lounge has an attractive design, featuring hand-blown glass chandeliers, images of New Orleans from a local photographer and colorful murals. There is plentiful natural light, shower facilities and ample work areas, including workstations with privacy doors. A local chef helped design the food and beverage menu for the lounge.

Pittsburgh (PIT)

Just off the Center Core in Concourse C (near Gate C51), this lounge has individual work stations, natural light and locally inspired food and drink options. This lounge received the North America Priority Pass Highly Commended designation in 2019.

Seattle/Tacoma (SEA)

There are two lounges to choose from in Seattle. One is in Concourse A, across from Gate A11, and the other is in the South Satellite terminal, next to Gate S9. The latter location has excellent views of the runway from its high-top tables facing the windows. Both have natural light streaming into their large seating areas, a selection of snacks and a complimentary beverage menu.

San Jose, California (SJC)

You will find two lounge locations at San Jose. One is in Terminal A, across from Gate 15 (with great views of the mountains), while the other is across from Gate 8 in the same terminal. Both offer a selection of complimentary refreshments including alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and snacks. Showers are a perk of each facility as well.

Club lounges are available in various cities around the U.S., although there is no dedicated Club lounge membership program. Since they are part of the Priority Pass network, they are easily accessible for anyone with certain credit cards or by purchasing a day pass. Finding a quieter place to relax with a snack or drink is always something to look forward to in your travels, especially if it is free thanks to your credit card benefits.

To view rates and fees of the Hilton Honors American Express Card, see this page.

To view rates and fees of the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card, see this page.

To view rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, see this page.

To view rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, see this page.

To view rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, see this page.

All information about the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card has been collected independently by NerdWallet. The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card is no longer available through NerdWallet.