Plaza Premium operates a network of airport lounges. In this post I wanted to take a closer look at Plaza Premium Lounges. What makes them special, where are they located, and how do you access them?
In this post:
What are Plaza Premium Lounges?
Plaza Premium operates a network of airport lounges across the globe. For the most part Plaza Premium Lounges are independent and contract lounges, meaning that they don’t belong to any airline (though there are some exceptions). There are ways to access Plaza Premium Lounges with credit cards and by outright purchasing lounge access.
Generally contract lounges aren’t known for necessarily being the highest quality. However, this is an area where I have to give Plaza Premium a lot of credit — the group operates some of the best contract lounges out there, in my opinion.
Let me also emphasize that the Plaza Premium concept is different than the Priority Pass concept — Plaza Premium actually operates lounges, while Priority Pass is a company that sells membership to other lounges, and essentially helps lounge operators monetize their lounges.
Plaza Premium Lounge locations
Plaza Premium has over 100 airport lounges around the globe, and you can find all the locations here. While there are Plaza Premium locations in dozens of countries across six continents, you’ll find that Plaza Premium is especially strong in Asia, where you’ll find the most locations.
Most Plaza Premium Lounges have Plaza Premium in the name. However, Plaza Premium also manages some lounges with different names. Aside from Plaza Premium Lounges, the group also manages the following lounges:
- Virgin Atlantic Clubhouses outside of the UK, including in Boston (BOS), Johannesburg (JNB), New York (JFK), Newark (EWR), San Francisco (SFO), and Washington (IAD)
- Avianca Lounges in Cali (CLO), Barranquilla (BAQ), Bogota (BOG), Bucaramanga (BGA), Cartagena (CTG), Medellín (MDE), and San Salvador (SAL)
- Air France Lounge in Montreal (YUL)
- MERA Business Lounges in Cancun (CUN)
- Library Lounge by Aerotel in Beijing (PKX) and Guangzhou (CAN)
For those in the United States, unfortunately Plaza Premium’s network is quite limited. The brand only has two of its own proprietary lounges, in Dallas (DFW) and Orlando (MCO), plus the four Virgin Atlantic Clubhouses.
Plaza Premium Lounge access rules
There’s confusion about who can access Plaza Premium Lounges. While Priority Pass and Plaza Premium used to have a partnership, that ended in 2021, so a Priority Pass membership no longer gets you access to Plaza Premium Lounges.
Fortunately there are some credit cards that directly get you access to Plaza Premium Lounges, and on top of that you can purchase access. Let’s go over all the details.
Access with American Express cards
The Platinum Card® from American Express (review) and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express (review) are known for their excellent lounge access perks. As part of that, those with the Amex Platinum get unlimited access to Plaza Premium Lounges:
- You can access these lounges by directly presenting your Amex Platinum Card, and there’s no enrollment required
- Both primary cardmembers and authorized users are entitled to Plaza Premium Lounge access
- Cardmembers can bring up to one guest into Plaza Premium Lounges with them at no additional cost
- A same-day boarding pass is required to access Plaza Premium Lounges
Access with Capital One cards
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card (review) also has great lounge access perks, and that includes unlimited access to Plaza Premium Lounges:
- You can access these lounges by directly presenting your Capital One Venture X Card, and there’s no enrollment required
- Both primary cardmembers and authorized users are entitled to Plaza Premium Lounge access
- Cardmembers can bring up to two guests into Plaza Premium Lounges with them at no additional cost
- A same-day boarding pass is required to access Plaza Premium Lounges
Note that the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card (review) and Capital One Spark Miles for Business (review) also each offer two complimentary lounge visits per calendar year. This can be used either to access Capital One Lounges, or to access Plaza Premium Lounges. Those two visits are each good for one person, so you could visit lounges twice without a guest, or once with a guest.
Purchase access to lounges
Access can also be purchased for all Plaza Premium Lounges. You can purchase access directly on Plaza Premium’s website, and pricing varies based on the exact lounge, how long you want to stay, when you want to visit, etc.
Plaza Premium also sells some bundles. For example, there’s a Plaza Premium Americas Pass, where you can purchase two lounge visits in the Americas for $80. That could potentially be worth it if you don’t otherwise have lounge access.
Access with a premium cabin airline ticket
Plaza Premium Lounges also act as contract lounges, so at many airports, airlines will invite their first and business class passengers as well as elite members to these lounges. Obviously the policies for this vary by airport, but don’t be surprised if a business class ticket gets you an invitation to a Plaza Premium Lounge.
Bottom line
Plaza Premium operates some of the highest quality contract lounges in the world, and also manages some other lounges, including most Virgin Atlantic Clubhouses.
There are several ways to access Plaza Premium Lounges. While a Priority Pass membership won’t get you access, premium American Express and Capital One credit cards do offer access to these lounges.
Among non-airline lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges are probably my favorite lounges out there.
If you’ve visited a Plaza Premium Lounge, what was your experience like?
For premium passengers probably depends on the airline you are flying.
@Ben I think the overseas VS Clubhouses have been handed over to a new contractor ( Sodexo ) as they are all closing from the 28th Feb with the exception of the SFO Clubhouse that closed last week. Not sure what impact that will have on PPG access after the switchover.
JFK is the only location that is currently remaining open at this time.
Thanks to my Amex Platinum I often use the very good and spacious Plaza Premium Lounge in Rio de Janeiro (GIG) inclusive of mouthwatering Caipirinhas...:-)
Much better place and better F&B comparing to the (mostly overcrowded) Star Alliance Lounge nearby...
I made also very good experiences in Bangkok (BKK)..
So... Does Venture X business have free access to plaza premium for employee cards/AUs? I believe they don't get access to Capital One lounges, and the primary cardholder does get access to PP restaurants, so it isn't at all a carbon copy of Venture X.
The SFO Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse website currently states “We’re sorry to advise that our San Francisco Clubhouse is temporarily closed. Whilst we appreciate this must be disappointing, an alternative lounge has been arranged for your use. Please accept our sincere apologies for any disappointment or inconvenience caused. Our Clubhouse team look forward to welcoming you back soon!”
Does anyone know what alternative lounge is provided and if Capital One cardholders can access it?
The SFO Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse website currently states “We’re sorry to advise that our San Francisco Clubhouse is temporarily closed. Whilst we appreciate this must be disappointing, an alternative lounge has been arranged for your use. Please accept our sincere apologies for any disappointment or inconvenience caused. Our Clubhouse team look forward to welcoming you back soon!”
Does anyone know what alternative lounge is provided and if Capital One cardholders can access it?
My husband and I visited Plaza Premium lounge in Hong Kong and Singapore. HongKong lounge was a shocker. I guess the airport was just opening and without staff they only had one opened. It was so full you couldn’t move or access food. I wouldn’t recommend going back till all their lounges are open.
Singapore on the other hand was great. Food was good and we had a good rest till our flight. It...
My husband and I visited Plaza Premium lounge in Hong Kong and Singapore. HongKong lounge was a shocker. I guess the airport was just opening and without staff they only had one opened. It was so full you couldn’t move or access food. I wouldn’t recommend going back till all their lounges are open.
Singapore on the other hand was great. Food was good and we had a good rest till our flight. It was busy but we could still find space away from others.
Our priority pass got us into Singapore as it didn’t take the Amex for some reason.
In Istanbul we used Amex and we were accepted. Istanbul lounge was the best. So much space and a great variety of food. The staff would even make omelettes. We were impressed.
I'm just curious why many lounges require boarding pass when they are not tied to a specific airline (for example, Plaza Premium, Centurion, or Priority Pass lounges). People have to have a boarding pass to be in the terminal anyway? Unless it's specifically a departure lounge, or unless they want to limit the use by airport/airline employees?
Many lounges will not give you access more than three hours (or a variation) prior to your flight and often have a maximum stay. I have had long layovers and simply had to wait. Undoubtedly they do this to better control capacity as well as not having to bother you to leave when your time is up. Thus your boarding pass confirms your departure time.
Some lounges have let me in and every three...
Many lounges will not give you access more than three hours (or a variation) prior to your flight and often have a maximum stay. I have had long layovers and simply had to wait. Undoubtedly they do this to better control capacity as well as not having to bother you to leave when your time is up. Thus your boarding pass confirms your departure time.
Some lounges have let me in and every three hours I had to reregister at the desk. One of the lounges in Mexico City does this
How do I use my Capital One Credit Card Benefit? I read I get 2 Visits Per Year? Do I just show them the card and they are able to research it? I haven't found any information on actually doing it online
I have repeatedly been refused access to the SFO Virgin Clubhouse using Amex Platinum or Capitol One. They say they are at capacity with airline passengers (not Virgin, but Cathay). The website makes no mention of any restrictions.
I have been able two take two guests in at LHR. Has anyone else had that experience?
Amex Centurion cardmembers can take 2 guests. Otherwise some front desk staff might let you take an extra guest (often easier if it is a child).
I used my Amex Platinum. I will have two people with me at LHR soon so I was wondering if it was just a one off or if it is their policy is to allow two guests.
I know that Plaza Premium Lounges are typically better than Priority Pass lounges (particularly in the USA). That said, whenever I read your comment that they’re special and they’re amongst the best contract lounges out there, I can’t help but be reminded of the horrible domestic Plaza Premium Lounge in BKI (Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia). When I went, the only food or drink offering they had was warm cans of soda and iced tap water. They...
I know that Plaza Premium Lounges are typically better than Priority Pass lounges (particularly in the USA). That said, whenever I read your comment that they’re special and they’re amongst the best contract lounges out there, I can’t help but be reminded of the horrible domestic Plaza Premium Lounge in BKI (Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia). When I went, the only food or drink offering they had was warm cans of soda and iced tap water. They had run out of drinks and so just got a new shipment in, but hadn’t put them in the fridge yet. Fortunately, that location is now closed as it was just a haven for disappointment.