How 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.

Below, we dive into the details of Alaska lounge access to help you secure entry on your next trip.

1. Flying on a first class ticket on Alaska Airlines

If you’re flying on a paid or award first class ticket on Alaska Airlines, you can access Alaska Airlines’ lounges, although you may need to pay a fee depending on the length of your flight. Here is a quick overview of who can access Alaska Airlines lounges (and how) if they're flying in first class:

• On an Alaska Airlines flight of at least 2,100 miles on the day of travel. If you’re on a paid or award first class ticket with one Alaska flight of at least 2,100 miles, you can access an Alaska Airlines lounge for free.

• On an Alaska Airlines flight of less than 2,100 miles on the day of travel. If you’re flying Alaska Airlines first class on a paid or award ticket but do not have a flight that is at least 2,100 miles on the day of travel, you can purchase space-available lounge access for $30.

• First class upgrades. If you were upgraded to Alaska Airlines first class, you can purchase space-available lounge access for $30.

• Club 49 members. If you’re an Alaska resident and join Alaska’s complimentary Club 49, you’ll get complimentary same-day access to an Alaska lounge provided that you’re flying through, to or from Alaska.

• Oneworld Emerald and Sapphire members. Access to Alaska lounges for Oneworld Emerald and Sapphire members depends on how you obtained your Emerald or Sapphire status. Note that access below includes access for you and a guest.

  • Oneworld Emerald and Sapphire through Alaska Airlines: If you have Oneworld Emerald or Sapphire status through your elite status with Alaska Airlines, you can access Alaska lounges when flying on a Oneworld member airline to a destination outside of the U.S., Canada or Mexico.

  • Oneworld Emerald and Sapphire through American Airlines: If you have Oneworld Emerald or Sapphire status through your elite status with American Airlines, you can access Alaska lounges when flying on a Oneworld member airline to a destination outside of the U.S., Canada, Mexico (excluding Mexico City) or the Caribbean.

  • Oneworld Emerald and Sapphire earned outside of American or Alaska. If you have Oneworld Emerald or Sapphire status that was earned with an airline other than American or Alaska, you can access Alaska lounges for any itinerary.

• Paid or award first or business class tickets on a Oneworld airline. If you’re traveling on a paid or award first or business class ticket on a Oneworld airline, you and a guest can access an Alaska lounge if you’re flying internationally and at least one of your international flights is greater than five hours in length in first or business class.

• Paid or award first class ticket on select American Airlines transcontinental routes. You can access the Alaska lounge if you’re flying on a paid or award first class ticket on any of the following American Airlines routes:

  • New York-JFK to San Francisco.

  • San Francisco to New York-JFK.

  • New York-JFK to Los Angeles-LAX. 

  • Los Angeles-LAX to New-York-JFK.

If you’re planning to fly Alaska, American or Oneworld first or business class, you should review the rules above prior to your flight to ensure that you’ll be able to access the lounge before you get to the airport.

» Learn more: The guide to Alaska Airlines first class

2. Alaska lounge membership

Another way to access Alaska lounges is by purchasing an Alaska lounge membership. There are two different options for Alaska lounge memberships:

• Alaska Lounge. Membership includes access to all nine Alaska lounges for yourself and up to two guests (or your immediate family members). The cost is $450 per year if you have Alaska elite status or $550 per year if you do not.

• Alaska Lounge+. Membership includes the same access as the Alaska Lounge membership above, except you’ll also get access to nearly 90 Alaska partner lounges. The cost is $650 per year if you have Alaska elite status or $750 per year if you do not, although you’ll get a $100 discount if you purchase the Alaska Lounge+ membership with your eligible Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card or Alaska Airlines Visa® Business card.

Note that in order 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

3. MVP Gold 75K day passes

Alaska MVP Gold 75K members are issued four Alaska lounge day passes each year. To access the Alaska lounge with your MVP Gold 75K day pass, you’ll need a valid boarding pass for a same-day flight on Alaska, a Oneworld alliance airline or one of Alaska’s other global partner airlines.

» Learn more: The complete guide to Alaska MVP benefits and elite status

4. Single-day passes

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 (although single-day pass access in Alaska’s JFK lounge is limited to those on Alaska or Oneworld flights). Children younger than two can accompany an adult at no extra charge.

» Learn more: The best airline credit cards right now

5. 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 at a discounted $30 rate.

6. American Admirals Club and ConciergeKey members

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

How to access Alaska Airlines lounges recapped

Entry to Alaska Airlines lounges depends on a number of factors, as outlined here. It's a good idea to know the entry requirements if you’re planning a flight and hope to visit an Alaska lounge.

For those planning on purchasing a single-entry pass, note that access is on a space-available basis, so you should always have a backup plan in case the lounge you want to visit is full.

(Top photo courtesy of Alaska Airlines)