In this post, I’d like to take a look at how to access Alaska Lounges. While Alaska isn’t one of the ”big three” US airlines, it nonetheless has a pretty robust lounge network, and also belongs to one of the major global alliances.
Continue reading: How To Access Alaska Airlines Lounges: Complete Guide
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
So, if I'm reading this correctly: if you are traveling on Alaska/Hawaiian/oneWorld partner from US to somewhere outside North America, and you do NOT have oneWorld Sapphire or Emerald status, you can only get in to a lounge with a PAID first class ticket, not an upgraded ticket. And if you do have a paid ticket, it's you and no guests.
However, if you DO have oneWorld Sapphire or Emerald through the Alaska Atmos program, and are taking the same flight as described above, then you DO get in, even if it's not a paid first class ticket, or first class at all...AND you are allowed to bring a guest?
If that's correct, then this strikes me as a huge value-add to that level of status.
Can you use the Atmos Summit lounge passes to access the Alaska lounge when flying in economy on Alaska non one world partner airlines like Air Tahiti Nui?
Okay, let me see if I’ve got this right: when flying from the U.S. to destinations outside North America on Alaska, Hawaiian, or a oneworld partner airline, you cannot access lounges with just an upgraded seat if you don’t hold oneworld Sapphire or Emerald status. Lounge access is only allowed with a paid first-class ticket, and in that case, it’s only for the ticketed passenger—guests aren’t included.
The article hasn't updated that the distance requirement for first-class flights has been changed from 2100 miles to 2000 miles.
2 questions: 1. Am I still able to guest someone into an Alaska lounge with my AA World Elite Mastercard? 2. When do the Atmos lounge passes arrive? I’ve had the Summit card since a couple weeks after inception and no lounge passes that I can find anywhere in an email or the Alaska app. Any guidance?
Embarrassing…I just saw Ben’s post on the Atmos Lounge Certificates. I’m all set with that question!
@Pauls98 --> Log into your Alaska Airlines account. From the pull-down menu at the top right -- NOT the one that says "Menu," but the one with your first initial -- click on "Rewards." Scroll down; your lounge passes will appear there.
@Pauls98 --> Log into your Alaska Airlines account. From the pull-down menu at the top right -- NOT the one that says "Menu," but the one with your first initial -- click on "Rewards." Scroll down; your lounge passes will appear there.
One caveat for JFK: There used to be an Alaska lounge at T7, but it’s now closed (they’re demolishing T7 to make way for the new T6). In 2025, Alaska Airlines relocated to T8, which makes sense with the oneworld airlines there, but there’s just an Admirals Club (and the FL, AA/BA lounges), so you’d need Alaska Lounge+ (not the standard membership, or some other entry method, like the AA Executive card, etc.)
Alaska punches way above their weight with their lounges and access. The North satellite in Seattle is wonderful with great views of the field. It’s my #1 US domestic lounge and they offer access on domestic first class tickets.
I was in several Delta lounges last week (PHX, MSP, BOS) and they just don’t compare. Not to mention the cold coffee and crappy automated coffee machines in the Delta lounges.
If Alaska could take over AA and become a truly national airline with their style of service…
@lucky, you might want to edit the SFO Priority Pass access. In addition to the fee, you have to travel on AS or a partner.
Also, is AS the only US airline that disallows upgraded long-haul business pax from accessing the lounge? IIRC, they still don't have mileage upgrades, but paid upgrades within ~48 hours and upgrade certs book into "U" fares. So presumably, someone who's upgraded can't use the lounge before/after a TPAC or TATL flight. AFAIK, that's not the case with AA, DL, or UA.
The PP with surcharge is a great addition with the Summit card for SFO based AS flyers.
Having an Atmos Summit ($395) does not allow access to the Plumeria Lounge in Honolulu.
Terminal One @ SFO (aka the Harvey Milk Terminal) has three lounges. Priority Pass has their own lounge ("The Club at SFO") just across from Gate B3. It was great when it first opened, but now tends to be the only lounge with a line of people waiting to get in. The Alaska Lounge is "just up the road" across from B6, and the Admirals Club is located across from B13, before one gets to the American gates (which are generally numbered in the 20's). All three have a good amount of natural light coming in through the large windows.
With the Citi AAdvantage Executive Card (or a Lounge+ membership with Alaska), one has access to the lounges of both airlines, presuming of course, you're flying one or the other. A PP membership (often coming as a benefit of other credit cards) grants you access to The Club. As I have the Citi card, I can access all three, but I have a definite preference for the Alaska Lounge, followed by the Admirals Club, which I tend to use only when my flight is due to take off from Gates B20-27.
But Ben's right --> best coffee from a lounge in the airport...