7 Ways to Access Alaska Airlines Lounges

Alaska Airlines has nine airport lounges. Like most airline-specific lounges, access is generally restricted to people flying in first class (depending on the destination), flyers with elite status or people with a lounge membership. Alaska lounges also sell day passes.

1. Fly on a first class ticket on Alaska Airlines

You may be able to access Alaska lounges if you’re flying premium cabins, though rules differ by flight type:

• Alaska or Hawaiian Airlines first class (paid or award): Complimentary access is granted if at least one same-day segment is 2,000 miles or longer. If all flights are under 2,000 miles, you may purchase a discounted pass for $35, subject to space.

• Club 49 members: Alaska residents in Club 49 with a paid or award first class ticket can access lounges regardless of flight distance when traveling to, through, or from Alaska.

• First class upgrades (U class): Complimentary access is not included. However, upgraded passengers can purchase a $35 single-entry pass, subject to availability.

• Oneworld first or business class tickets: Travelers with a paid or award first or business class ticket that includes at least one international flight of five or more hours may access Alaska lounges and bring one guest.

• Select American Airlines transcontinental flights: Paid or award first class tickets on JFK–LAX, LAX–JFK, JFK–SFO, or SFO–JFK also qualify.

» Learn more: The guide to Alaska Airlines first class

2. Become a Oneworld Emerald and Sapphire member

Lounge access depends on how status was earned:

• Through Alaska: Eligible when flying a Oneworld airline to destinations outside the U.S., Canada, or Mexico.

• Through American Airlines: Eligible when flying a Oneworld airline to destinations outside the U.S., Canada, Mexico (except Mexico City), or the Caribbean.

• Through another Oneworld carrier: No international requirement; however, the frequent flyer number must be included in the reservation before check-in.

Emerald and Sapphire members may bring one guest traveling on a Oneworld flight.

3. Purchase Alaska lounge membership

Alaska offers two types of annual lounge memberships:

• Alaska Lounge: Provides access to all Alaska lounges. Members can bring immediate family (partner and children under 21) or up to two guests at no additional charge. The cost is $550 per year if you have Alaska elite status or $595 per year if you do not.

• Alaska Lounge+: Includes Alaska Lounge access plus entry to nearly 90 partner lounges, including Admirals Club and Qantas Club locations when flying on eligible itineraries. The cost is $650 per year if you have Alaska elite status or $795 per year if you do not, although you’ll get a $100 discount if you purchase the Alaska Lounge+ membership with your eligible Atmos™ Rewards Ascent Visa Signature® credit card or Atmos™ Rewards Visa Signature® Business card.

To access an Alaska lounge with an Alaska Airlines lounge membership, you’ll need to provide a valid boarding pass for a flight that day on Alaska, a fellow Oneworld member airline or one of Alaska’s additional global airline partners.

» Learn more: Things to know about Alaska Airlines lounges

4. Hold the Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® credit card

For frequent Alaska or Hawaiian travelers who don’t want the full cost of an annual lounge membership, the Atmos™ Rewards Summit Visa Infinite® credit card (which has a $395 annual fee) offers a unique middle ground: It comes with lounge passes and a suite of high-value travel perks.

Lounge benefits:

• Receive 8 Alaska Lounge passes each year (delivered as two per calendar quarter).

• Passes may be used for same-day entry to Alaska Lounges when flying Alaska, Hawaiian, Oneworld or other eligible partner airlines.

• Digital passes are accessed via your Atmos Rewards account and must be presented alongside a same-day boarding pass.

That's on top of other travel perks including:

• Welcome offer: Earn 100,000 bonus points and a 25,000-point Global Companion Award with this offer. To qualify, spend $6,000 or more on purchases within the first 90 days of opening your account.

• Rewards: Unlimited 3x points on dining, foreign transactions and Alaska or Hawaiian Airlines purchases, plus 1x points everywhere else. Earn an extra 10% rewards bonus if you have an eligible Bank of America® account.

• Global Companion Award: Get 25,000 points annually for a companion itinerary; earn 100,000 companion points each anniversary year you spend $60,000.

• Elite status boost: Earn 10,000 status points each account anniversary, plus 1 status point per $2 spent.

• Checked bag + boarding perks: Free checked bag and preferred boarding for you and up to six companions on the same Alaska or Hawaiian Airlines reservation (when tickets are purchased with the card).

• Security + protection: Up to $120 TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry credit every 4 years, lost luggage reimbursement, extended warranty protection, roadside dispatch and Visa Infinite® Concierge service.

• No foreign transaction fees.

5. Buy a single-day pass

Space-available single-day passes to Alaska Airlines lounges can be purchased for $60 for travelers flying on a same-day Alaska, Oneworld or other Alaska-partner airline flight. This can especially make sense if you have a long layover or flight delay and would take advantage of the space (and included food and drinks).

Children younger than two can accompany an adult at no extra charge.

» Learn more: The best airline credit cards right now

6. Be active duty military

Active duty military personnel with a valid military ID will receive complimentary access if they are traveling on official government-sponsored travel through SATO and ticketed to fly on an Alaska flight departing within three hours. All other active duty military personnel with a valid military ID traveling on a paid or award ticket can purchase a space-available Alaska lounge day pass for $35, space permitting.

7. Be an American Admirals Club or ConciergeKey member

American Airlines Admirals Club members can access Alaska lounges if they’re departing or arriving on an Alaska, Hawaiian or American airlines flight. Admirals Club members can bring immediate family or up to two guests with them into the lounge at no charge. Note that if you have Admirals Club membership through the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®, you’ll need to present your physical card to gain access.

Additionally, American Airlines ConciergeKey members can access Alaska lounges if they’re departing or arriving on an Alaska, Hawaiian or American Airlines flight provided that they present their physical or digital card on arrival at the lounge.

Some house rules and restrictions

Once you're in, there are some rules, including:

• Guests must remain with the member at all times.

• Food and drinks must be consumed in the lounge (exceptions for purchased meals, tea or coffee).

• Quiet pets in carriers and service animals are allowed; emotional support animals are not.

• Lounges maintain a quiet, professional environment: no sleeping, disruptive behavior, smoking or intoxication.

• Children must be accompanied by an adult and behave appropriately.

• Access is limited to travelers 18+ unless accompanied by an eligible adult.

• Airline employees may not enter while in uniform.

How to access Alaska Airlines lounges recapped

Alaska Lounge access varies depending on your ticket, membership, or elite status. For many travelers, buying a membership or a $60 day pass is the simplest option, while premium cabin passengers and Oneworld elites enjoy more generous access on long-haul flights.

If you’re considering access through a credit card or elite program, review your itinerary closely, as rules differ by distance, route, and ticket class.

(Top photo courtesy of Alaska Airlines)