We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with
confidence. While we don't cover every company or financial product on
the market, we work hard to share a wide range of offers and objective
editorial perspectives.
So how do we make money? Our partners compensate us for advertisements that
appear on our site. This compensation helps us provide tools and services -
like free credit score access and monitoring. With the exception of
mortgage, home equity and other home-lending products or services, partner
compensation is one of several factors that may affect which products we
highlight and where they appear on our site. Other factors include your
credit profile, product availability and proprietary website methodologies.
However, these factors do not influence our editors' opinions or ratings, which are based on independent research and analysis. Our partners cannot
pay us to guarantee favorable reviews. Here is a list of our partners.
5 Things to Know About JFK’s Terminal 5 Lounges
Weary flyers could do worse than Terminal 5, which offers a spa and rooftop dog park, among other lounge options.
After spending seven years in the U.S. Air Force as an Arabic linguist, Carissa is now a freelance writer using points and miles to fund a four-year (and counting!) adventure. She previously worked as a reporter for The Points Guy. Her writing has since been featured in numerous publications, including Forbes, Business Insider, and The Balance. When she's not flying, you'll usually find her in a Priority Pass lounge somewhere, sipping tea and cursing slow Wi-Fi.
Megan Lee is a former editor on the travel rewards team at NerdWallet. She had more than 12 years of SEO, writing and content development experience, primarily in international education and nonprofit work. She has been published in U.S. News & World Report, USA Today and elsewhere, and has spoken at conferences like that of NAFSA: Association of International Educators. Megan has built and directed remote content teams and editorial strategies for websites like GoAbroad and Go Overseas. When not traveling, Megan adventures around her Midwest home base where she likes to attend theme parties, ride her bike and cook Asian food.
Published
How is this page expert verified?
NerdWallet's content is fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness and
relevance. It undergoes a thorough review process involving
writers and editors to ensure the information is as clear and
complete as possible.
This page includes information about these cards, currently unavailable on
NerdWallet. The information has been collected by NerdWallet and has not
been provided or reviewed by the card issuer.
» This article is out of date.
The USO Lounge and BeRelax Spa in Terminal 5 are temporarily closed. This article is no longer current.
If you're flying through New York-John F. Kennedy Airport anytime soon, you may be looking for a good way to spend your time while you wait for your flight. Airport lounges can help elevate your travel experience with less crowded seating, complimentary food and sometimes even showers.
Happily, for those traveling from or transiting through New York-JFK, there are many lounge options available to you, Does JFK Terminal 5 have a lounge? Yes, but only for active-duty service members and their families. The remaining options are not traditional lounges.
Let's look at JFK's terminal 5 lounges, how you can access them and what amenities they provide.
1. There are three lounges in JFK Terminal 5
JFK is a massive airport with multiple terminals and lounges inside each. Terminal 5 is no exception, and passengers have three different lounge prospects. These include:
Subscribe to our free TravelNerd newsletter for inspiration, tips and money-saving strategies, delivered straight to your inbox.
By signing up, you will receive newsletters and promotional
content and agree to our Terms of Use
and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
2. Lounge access policies vary
Lounges are, by their nature, restrictive. They're often limited in size and only provide access if you have the proper credentials. In addition, each of these lounges has different requirements for entry.
USO Lounge: Only active duty, reserve and guard military members, along with their families, can use this lounge.
JetBlue Rooftop and Wooftop Terrace: Available to all passengers in Terminal 5.
BeRelax Spa: All passengers can purchase spa services. Those with a Priority Pass Select membership from Chase can receive a complimentary massage.
USO lounges are available exclusively to active-duty service members and their families. Staffed by volunteers, USO lounges allow those traveling to relax in a private space. There are more than 250 locations worldwide, and each one provides a different experience. You don't always need to clear airport security to access them, which is the case at JFK. You'll find it across from baggage carousel 3 at Terminal 5.
Inside, you can expect to find food and drinks, including coffee and tea. Charging stations and computers with common access card access are also available. Finally, entertainment is provided in the form of movies and video games, with a dedicated children's area also available.
🤓Nerdy Tip
Active duty military traveling in uniform can enter most airport lounges for free — ask about the lounge's policy at its entrance.
Although you'll need to go back through security if you're departing from Terminal 5, the USO lounge can offer a calming pre-flight experience to service members during travel. You can visit daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
If you're traveling with a pet or are simply looking for a little fresh air, the Rooftop and Wooftop at JFK's Terminal 5 presents a unique opportunity to get outside after clearing security.
It's located across from Gate 28 within Terminal 5 and is available daily from 6 a.m.-11 p.m. Although this may be a chilly experience during the winter, it still presents an excellent opportunity for pet owners, especially if you're boarding a long flight.
The Rooftop and Wooftop also offer places to plug in and some good views to keep you and your pet entertained.
This last lounge option is more of an honorable mention since it's not a lounge at all. Instead, the BeRelax Spa is, well, a spa. In addition, it participates in Priority Pass, which means eligible members can receive complimentary massages.
Not all services are free with Priority Pass. As it stands, here are the options from which you can choose:
Be Back 30-minute Lounger Massage.
Be Back 15-minute Lounger Massage plus Aromatherapy and Oxygen.
Head Up on Lounger 10-minute plus Aromatherapy and Oxygen.
Be Feet on Lounger 10-minute plus Aromatherapy and Oxygen.
If you want to visit an airport lounge in JFK's Terminal 5
JFK's Terminal 5 lounges provide excellent opportunities for travelers to relax and escape the crowds. Although access policies are different depending on which one you're visiting, there is no lack of options. And don't worry — if you're not eligible for any of the more exclusive lounges, you can always visit the Rooftop and Wooftop for a change of scenery.
NerdWallet writers are subject matter authorities who use primary,
trustworthy sources to inform their work, including peer-reviewed
studies, government websites, academic research and interviews with
industry experts. All content is fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness
and relevance. You can learn more about NerdWallet's high
standards for journalism by reading our
editorial guidelines.