The Guide to Fort Lauderdale Airport Lounges

Fort Lauderdale Airport (FLL) serves more than 700 flights daily, making it the 17th busiest airport in the U.S. in 2024, based on Federal Aviation Administration passenger traffic data.

The airport is convenient for people headed to Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach and Boca Raton. With that, it serves all sorts of people, including folks catching a cruise out of Port Everglades. Both Miami and Palm Beach are within an hour’s driving distance, making it an option for travelers to Miami seeking an alternative to the even-larger Miami International Airport.

Yet despite its busy terminals, lounge options are limited. Here’s a guide to the Fort Lauderdale Airport lounges, so you can have the best possible airport experience.

Despite its size, Fort Lauderdale Airport has just three lounges plus a restaurant discount for Priority Pass members in Terminal 4. Here’s what you need to know about each option:

1. United Club Lounge in Terminal 1 – For certain United and Star Alliance travelers.

2. Delta Sky Club in Terminal 2 – For certain Delta and select SkyTeam flyers.

3. Escape Lounge in Terminal 3 – Open to all travelers for a fee, or free for eligible credit card holders.

4. Priority Pass dining option in Terminal 4 – A dining credit at Kafe Kalik for select Priority Pass members.

» Learn more: Best credit cards with Priority Pass

The United Club is a reliable choice for United loyalists. And given that United operates out of Terminal 1, it only makes sense that the United Club lounge sits here too (it's near Gate C1). Though Terminal 1 serves other carriers such as Allegiant, Frontier and Southwest, you’ll typically need to be flying on United or one of its Star Alliance partners to gain lounge access.

• Location: Near Gate C1.

• Access: United premium cabin and Star Alliance passengers with Gold status, United Club members, or day-pass holders.

• Amenities: Wi-Fi, snacks, full-service bar

• Cost: United Club membership starts at $650/year or 85,000 miles.

This lounge is open to those flying in a United or Star Alliance premium class cabin, Star Alliance Gold elite status holders flying on a United or Star Alliance flight and those holding a United Club membership or a one-day pass. United Club membership allows travelers to access more than 45 United Club locations around the world. Prices begin at $650 or 85,000 miles annually. Membership is also included as a benefit if you hold the United Club℠ Infinite Card.

» Learn more: Valuable benefits of United Airlines credit cards

Terminal 2 serves Air Canada, Delta and WestJet. Delta Sky Club is the only airport lounge in Terminal 2.

• Location: Between Gates D2 and D3.

• Access: Available to Delta One passengers, SkyTeam premium travelers, Delta Reserve and Platinum AmEx holders (15 visits/year starting Feb 1, 2025, unless spending $75,000 annually).

• Amenities: Wi-Fi, hot and cold buffet, full-service bar.

• Membership: Starts at $695/year or 69,500 SkyMiles.

A wide range of travelers are eligible to enter the Sky Club. Passengers booked in Delta One on domestic or international flights (excluding the Caribbean) or in a SkyTeam partner’s premium cabin receive lounge access.

Certain credit card holders also receive a certain number of complimentary visits to the Sky Club lounge. These cards include the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card, the Centurion card and The Platinum Card® from American Express. Terms apply.

Some premium class flyers or elite status holders with LATAM, Virgin Atlantic and WestJet also can receive access to the Sky Club lounge.

» Learn more: Reasons you should be using airport lounges

Finally, annual memberships to all Delta Sky Clubs are available for purchase by Medallion status holders. Prices start at $695.00 or 69,500 SkyMiles for an individual membership. Note that even if you hold a membership, you won’t be able to access the lounge if you’re flying in basic economy — unless you also hold an eligible American Express credit card.

» Learn more: Your guide to earning Delta Air Lines SkyMiles

Terminal 3 houses gates for U.S. airlines including American Airlines and JetBlue. It also houses a single lounge called the Escape Lounge.

Unlike other lounges that are tied to airlines and are often only accessible to travelers with elite status or premium airfares, the Fort Lauderdale Airport Escape Lounge isn’t connected to any specific airline. Any traveler willing to pay the entrance fee can gain access (assuming they have a same-day boarding pass and it's within three hours of their scheduled departure).

• Location: Between Gates E and F.

• Access: $45 at the door (though there are discounts if booked in advance); complimentary for holders of The Platinum Card® from American Express, Centurion Card, and Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card (when traveling on a same-day Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight).

• Amenities: Wi-Fi, hot and cold buffet, full-service bar.

Though some travelers might purchase a day pass (which can be worth it if you have a long layover and would otherwise spend money on airport food and drinks), the best way to get in is via a credit card. Access is complimentary to anyone holding The Platinum Card® from American Express or the Centurion card. Those cardholders can even bring two guests in.

Cardholders of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card also have access, albeit more limited. They must be traveling on a Delta flight to receive free entry. And guests aren't free — there's an additional $30 fee per guest.

» Learn more: The best airline credit cards right now

Escape Lounges vary in quality, but happily the outpost at Fort Lauderdale International Airport is one of the better ones. It's spacious, and finding a seat is rarely difficult. A variety of seating styles serve the ways you might pass time there, whether that's hanging out at the bar, sitting down for a full meal or getting computer work done.

Food is pretty good, with fresh, hot food served buffet style. When we visited, there were solid protein and veggie options, including a garlic herb chicken served with rice, as well as roasted broccoli topped with parmesan cheese and garlic.

Other food options included a flavorful hominy and corn salad, a decadent mac and cheese, plus assorted cheeses, crackers, soups, cereals, salads and sandwiches.

A bar serves up complimentary drinks, though premium alcohols do incur an extra cost.

Though there are no showers at the Fort Lauderdale Escape Lounge, other amenities include printing and scanning services.

Terminal 4 is home to airlines including Avianca and Spirit. And though it lacks an official lounge, it does have an outpost of a restaurant found on the Priority Pass network. It's called Kafe Kalik, and it's a casual, waiter-service eatery serving Caribbean and American cuisine.

Those with certain types of Priority Pass memberships can receive a $28 discount off their restaurant bill for dine-in service.

• Location: Kafe Kalik, Terminal 4.

• Access: $28 dining credit for eligible Priority Pass holders.

• Note: If your Priority Pass membership was provided through a credit card, which with your bank whether it includes this dining benefit. Certain cards (like some AmEx and Capital One cards) exclude it. Besides a valid Priority Pass membership, you must have a same-day boarding pass to receive the discount. 

Priority Pass is a membership program that offers access to its network of airport lounges (and select other airport establishments such as restaurants, nail salons and even arcades) around the world. Instead of paying for a Priority Pass membership, many people get it for free through their credit card. But take notes if you're trying to dine at Kafe Kalik via Priority Pass: many credit cards with Priority Pass Select membership actually exclude restaurants from coverage. In fact, only a few credit cards have Priority Pass restaurant access.

If you do intend to visit Kafe Kalik and save $28 via Priority Pass, confirm that your membership version is eligible for the restaurant credit.

If it is, Kafe Kalik is worth a stop, as it's one of the best Priority Pass restaurants. Service can be hit-and-miss, but the food is good. Menu items are distinct, and portion sizes are generous.

One of its best-selling dishes, the “Yardie” Spiced Curry Chicken, is loaded with not only a generous portion of meat, but also peppers, onions and potatoes. It's filling without being too heavy.

Other top items include ceviche, conch fritters and fried calamari. Eaters who aren't quite as adventurous still have options including burgers and pizza.

While Fort Lauderdale Airport isn’t overflowing with lounges, travelers have options at least.

For those who aren’t able to access the airline lounges through elite status or a top-tier airfare, the Escape Lounge is your best choice (assuming you don’t mind paying to enter).