Guide to Escape Lounges: What To Know Before Visiting These Airport Lounges

Escape Lounges offer a premium, all-access airport lounge experience that isn’t restricted by airline status.

To get in, you might buy a day pass. That said, certain American Express cardholders get complimentary access. Terms apply.

Escape Lounges primarily exist in secondary U.S. cities and select U.K. airports that aren't served by other, larger lounges, like Centurion Lounges. And while not as well known as the major airline lounge brands such as Delta Sky Club, Escape Lounges are at least worth considering, particularly amidst a long layover or early airport arrival. But are they worth the day pass price?

Here’s a look at Escape Lounges, covering the perks, drawbacks and locations, so you can decide if they’re worth buying a day pass for (or perhaps even applying for a credit card that offers complimentary entry).

Unlike traditional airline lounges that often require loyalty or elite status, Escape Lounges are open to any traveler willing to pay for a day pass. Here are the options:

Buy a day pass: The cost for a day pass in the U.S. is usually $45, although you can score a discount if you pre-book your entry at least 24 hours in advance online at EscapeLounges.com. Escape Lounges also offer AAA and military discounts. Though, annual memberships are not for sale.

Hold an eligible American Express card: Escape Lounges are part of the American Express Global Lounge Collection. That means complimentary access is available for holders of The Platinum Card® from American Express or Centurion Card from American Express. Those cardholders can even bring two free guests. Terms apply.

Additionally, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card and the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card offer complimentary to Escape Lounges when traveling on a same-day Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight. Though, they'll owe $30 to bring a guest along with them.

Hold other memberships: Certain lounge membership programs such as Dragonpass also offer access to U.S. Escape Lounges. There are limitations, so check with your membership program and that specific lounge before arriving.

All travelers must present a same-day boarding pass to enter. Additionally, you're not allowed to enter until within three hours of your scheduled flight departure time. Though, hours vary by location.

Lounges are open to babies and children, though everyone ages 24 months and up need their own pass (or need to be a guest of an eligible cardholder).

» Learn more: Best credit cards for Priority Pass lounge access

There are about a dozen Escape Lounges in the U.S., primarily in smaller or secondary airports. There are about a half-dozen more in the U.K.

United States

1. Bradley International Airport, Hartford, Connecticut (BDL)

Near Gate 1, this lounge has large windows and complimentary drinks. James Beard Award nominee and Top Chef contestant Tyler Anderson, who is from Connecticut, designed the menu using local ingredients here and in his own restaurant, which focuses on New England fare.

2. Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, Hebron, Kentucky (CVG)

Close to Gate B21, the lounge offers free drinks and a menu curated by Alfio Gulisano, who is the executive chef and co-owner of three restaurants in Cincinnati.

3. Columbus International Airport, Columbus, Ohio (CMH)

Located after security in Concourse B, near gate 32, the lounge offers food and drinks curated by head chef Colin Smith and local chef Avishar Barua. Other amenities include free Wi-Fi, a digital library with over 7,000 publications, charging posts and children’s activities.

4. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, Fort Lauderdale, Florida (FLL)

The lounge sits in Terminal 3 between Gates E and F. Lounge amenities include fast Wi-Fi, copy services, charging ports, a conference room (available by reservation), children’s activities, showers and a digital library. Food and drinks are curated by head chef Colin Smith and local chef Laurent Tourondel.

5. Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport, Greer, South Carolina (GSP)

Located in Concourse B near Gate 1, the menu comes from Chef Jason McCarthy, who was awarded Chef of the Year by the South Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association.

6. Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, Minneapolis (MSP)

Minnesota chef J.D. Fratzke prepares the food menu for the Escape Lounge at MSP Airport. Located above the entrance to Concourse E in Terminal 1, this lounge offers complimentary food and drinks.

7. San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport, Oakland, California (OAK)

Across from Gate 9 in Terminal 1, this lounge has an open bar and a menu designed by chef Chris Pastena.

8. Palm Beach International Airport, West Palm Beach, Florida (PBI)

Offering great plane spotting from its large windows, this lounge is ideal for travelers departing from concourses A and B since it's close to the entrance.

9 & 10. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Phoenix (PHX)

This airport has two lounge locations. One lounge in Terminal 4, across from Gate B22 in Terminal 4 and the other in Terminal 3 on the Mezzanine level. Both lounges offer good food and drinks, including red wine-braised short ribs to a veggie stir fry.

11. T.F. Green (Providence) Airport, Warwick, Rhode Island (PVD)

Near Gate 18, visitors to this lounge will find complimentary food and drinks, plus charging ports and access to printing and scanning services.

12. Reno-Tahoe International Airport, Reno, Nevada (RNO)

Chef Colin Smith of Roundabout Grill in downtown Reno handles the food menu at this lounge in the central corridor between concourses B and C. Thai shrimp salad and roasted chicken and succotash are among the dining choices here.

13 & 14. Sacramento International Airport, Sacramento, California (SMF)

California’s capital city has two Escape Lounges, one in Terminal A near Gate A10 and in Terminal B just after the security checkpoint. Both lounges feature a menu from chef Michael Fagnoni, who is executive chef and co-owner of a couple of local restaurants.

United Kingdom

There are five Escape Lounges in the U.K.

1. East Midlands Airport, Derby (EMA)

Opposite Gate 17, this lounge offers food, drinks and a place to work or socialize. This is the only lounge at the airport.

2. London Stansted Airport, Stansted (STN)

In the main departure lounge of the airport, this spot offers salad, pastas, pastries and its own freshly made focaccia bread.

3, 4 & 5. Manchester Airport, Manchester (MAN)

The trio of Escape Lounges at Manchester’s airport are spread between terminals 1, 2 and 3. The Terminal 1 lounge is on the Executive Lounges level after security and duty-free. In Terminal 2, access to the lounge is opposite Gate 209. The Terminal 3 lounge is on the third floor next to the British Airways lounge.

» Learn more: How to choose a travel credit card

Maybe. While Escape Lounges do provide a pleasant setting to relax, eat, or work, their value ultimately depends on a few factors, including how long you'll stay there, what you'll actually consume inside and the exact location.

Despite falling under the same ownership, lounges vary in quality.

The outpost at San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport, which serves travelers to Oakland and other parts of the Bay Area, is small and doesn't even have a bathroom inside. Given that, you'll have to exit and re-enter the lounge just to use the restrooms (though lounge staff members are good about remembering you so you can get back into the lounge). The Oakland lounge's design is pretty forgettable, and it can sometimes be tough to find a seat.

In contrast, the Escape Lounge at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is lovely, with high ceilings and colorful designs. The bar is typically well-staffed, and it's typically easy to find a seat.

With that in mind, Escape Lounges are best for you if:

• You have a long time before your flight: You'll get more value out of the food, drink, Wi-Fi and atmosphere the more time you spend there. The maximum access period is up to three hours before your flight, so the closer you are to that three hour mark, the more time you have to maximize your purchase.

• You'd otherwise buy drinks at the airport: $45 for a day pass (and potentially less if you pre-book) might not be a bad deal if you'd otherwise buy a couple cocktails at the airport anyway.

• You have a credit card that offers complimentary access anyway: It's tough to argue with free. If you have a card like the The Platinum Card® from American Express, it's easier to justify popping in versus the people who have to spend $45 on a day pass.

The Escape Lounge network is worth exploring as it covers several secondary cities that may otherwise not have an airline or Priority Pass lounge. If you don’t have credit card access, day passes are available. Escape Loungers offer a quiet place to relax or work with a snack or drink, which can be something to look forward to in your travels.

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