6 Things to Know About Alaska Airlines Lounges

Alaska Airlines has nine lounges across six U.S. hub airports. While they have a more limited footprint than other airline lounges, they're relatively easy to access. You can get in by purchasing a day pass, using a membership or flying qualifying Alaska first class flights.

Here's a list of must-know items about Alaska lounges.

» Learn more: Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan: Your complete guide

Alaska operates lounges in the following U.S. airport locations:

• Seattle (SEA):

  • C Concourse, mezzanine level next to gate C-16.

  • D Concourse, just beyond security checkpoint 4.

  • North Satellite, mezzanine level, above gates N13-18.

• Portland, Oregon (PDX):

  • Concourse B, near the entrance to Concourse B.

  • Concourse C, across from gate C5.

• Anchorage, Alaska (ANC): Concourse C, near gate C-1.

• Los Angeles (LAX): Terminal 6, mezzanine level near gate 64.

• New York-John F. Kennedy (JFK): Terminal 7, mezzanine level.

• San Francisco (SFO): Terminal 1, across from gate B6.

Frequent Alaska travelers should consider an Alaska Airlines lounge membership. Alaska sells two types of lounge memberships, with just a plus sign differentiating the names. Prices vary depending on whether you want access to partner lounges, have Mileage Plan elite status and have an Alaska credit card.

Alaska lounge membership

The standard Alaska lounge membership is the tier to get if you need access only to the nine Alaska lounge locations. The rate for non-elite Alaska Mileage Plan members is $550 per year. If you have any Mileage Plan elite status tier, you'll pay $450 instead.

Alaska Lounge+ membership

Alaska also offers a more expansive Alaska Lounge+ membership, which includes access to nearly 90 partner lounges in addition to Alaska lounges. The standard price of this membership is $750. Mileage Plan elites also save $100 on this membership, paying $650 instead.

Eligible Alaska Airlines Visa Signature® credit card or Alaska Airlines Visa® Business card holders also save $100 when purchasing an Alaska Lounge+ membership with their card. However, this discount isn't combinable with the elite member discount.

Alaska day pass rebate

Another way to save on lounge access is by purchasing an Alaska lounge membership within 30 days of purchasing a day pass. This rebate program effectively lets you get a free visit before purchasing a full lounge membership.

After purchasing your lounge membership, email [email protected] with your Mileage Plan number to get a refund of the day pass.

» Learn more: The best airline credit cards right now

Most U.S. airlines require that you fly first class on international routes to get lounge access. Alaska is a bit more generous. Passengers who book Alaska first class can access Alaska lounges when at least one flight exceeds 2,000 miles in distance.

That includes coast-to-coast flights, flights to Hawaii, certain Alaska Airlines flights into Central America, as well as longer domestic flights — such as Seattle to either New Orleans; Atlanta; Charleston, South Carolina; or Raleigh, North Carolina.

Note that you won't get access to partner lounges — only to Alaska lounges. Additionally, this access is only for first class fares booked in C, D, E, J or I class. That means you won't get access when you've been upgraded to first class.

» Learn more: The guide to Alaska Airlines first class

In addition to buying a lounge membership and flying Alaska first class, you can access Alaska lounges by having a partner lounge membership or by holding Oneworld elite status.

American Airlines Admirals Club members

American Airlines Admirals Club members get access to Alaska lounges in Anchorage, Los Angeles, New York-JFK, Portland, San Francisco and Seattle. However, you must have a same-day flight ticketed through American Airlines or Alaska Airlines to access Alaska lounges this way.

Access for American Airlines special membership programs and cardholders

Alaska also offers complimentary lounge access to the following American Airlines travelers who present a current proof of membership:

• Concierge Key members (physical or digital card).

• Airpass members (physical or digital card).

• Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® primary cardholders (physical card only).

Note that Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® authorized users don't get complimentary access to Alaska lounges.

Qualifying Oneworld alliance elite status

Oneworld Emerald and Sapphire members who earned status through Alaska or American are eligible for complimentary Alaska lounge access on certain international trips. If you're traveling on an itinerary to Central America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia or Australia, your Oneworld elite status qualifies you to visit an Alaska lounge on the same day as your flight.

If you earned Oneworld Emerald or Sapphire status through a Oneworld airline other than American or Alaska, you can get Alaska lounge access anytime you fly on a Oneworld flight.

Just make sure that your frequent flyer number is on your reservation at check-in. Alaska's lounge policy doesn't let travelers access Alaska lounges by flashing their frequent flyer number at check-in. You won't get access if your elite status isn't printed on your boarding pass. And no, you can't add your number upon arrival at the lounge.

What about your guests? Alaska allows the following guest access for eligible travelers:

• Alaska lounge membership: Bring immediate family members or two guests with you for free. Purchase additional passes for $30 per person. Children under age 2 can visit for free with applicable adults.

• Admirals Club membership: Bring immediate family (partner and children under the age of 21) or up to two guests at no charge. 

• Oneworld Emerald and Sapphire elites: Bring one guest for free.

• International first class on Oneworld airline: Bring one guest for free.

No other travelers get a guest allowance when accessing the Alaska lounge.

Pets are allowed in Alaska lounges as long as there is no conflict with local or state ordinances. Pets must remain quiet, well-behaved and kenneled. Whether you’re traveling with a service animal or a family pet, no animals are allowed on furniture.

If none of the above ways to access an Alaska lounge works, you can purchase a single-entry pass for $60. Active-duty military personnel and travelers flying in Alaska first class who don't qualify for complimentary access can purchase a day pass at a discounted rate of $30.

Note that there are several restrictions on Alaska lounge day passes:

• Single-entry passes are generally valid only at the location where they were purchased.

• Travelers must be flying on a same-day ticketed flight on Alaska, a Oneworld member airline or one of Alaska's global airline partners.

• Alaska lounge access may be limited due to capacity restrictions.

• Alaska lounge passes are nonrefundable.

Airline lounges are known for free food and drinks, but Alaska lounges upped the novelty factor with an opportunity to “print” your own pancakes. The machine can produce a whopping 180 pancakes an hour, letting you quickly build as large of a stack as you want.

Many lounges also feature nods to local food, drinks and artists. For instance, the LAX lounge includes art from local artists. And travelers can enjoy West Coast craft beers and wines throughout Alaska's lounge network.