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The Escape Lounge network began at the Manchester Airport in the United Kingdom, but now has the majority of its locations in the U.S. You'll find Escape Lounges at smaller airports, especially those that might not have other lounge options.
For instance, you'll find an Escape Lounge at Oakland International Airport, but not at San Francisco International across the bay. Escape Lounges are part of the American Express Global Lounge Collection®, making them accessible to cardholders of The Platinum Card® from American Express. Priority Pass members can now get into many of these lounges, too.
While these might not be the most luxurious lounges you'll ever visit, Escape Lounges are making a name in the industry thanks to their accessibility. Here's everything to know about Escape Lounges, including how to access and where to find them.
Who Can Access Escape Lounges?
Luckily, if you have a premium travel rewards card, you likely already have access to Escape Lounges. Most locations are accessible with a Priority Pass Select membership, which is typically included with premium travel rewards cards, such as the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve® (Rates & Fees).
All locations are available to Amex Platinum members and cardholders of the Centurion® Card from American Express, as Escape Lounges are part of the Amex Global Lounge Collection. Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card and Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card Members can also access Escape Lounges if they are flying on a same-day Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight.
If you don't have lounge access through a credit card, you aren't out of luck. Unlike many airline lounges, you can purchase a day pass to an Escape Lounge to get a reprieve from the hustle and bustle of the terminal.
Most locations charge $45 per person when purchased online or $60 when purchased at the door. Airport food can be expensive, so you might actually save money by buying a day pass rather than eating at a restaurant near your gate.
Note that these lounges technically have a smart casual dress code, so you can't wear shorts above the knee, and men must keep their shoulders covered. The Priority Pass listing for some locations even mentions that matching bachelor/bachelorette attire isn't allowed, but it's unclear how strictly this is enforced.
Related: How to Use the AwardWallet Lounge Tool to Find All the Airport Lounges You Can Access
Escape Lounge Locations
The Escape Lounge network has locations in the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia. The network is growing, so be sure to keep an eye on your local airport to see if an Escape Lounge is opening near you.
U.S. locations
- Bradley International Airport (BDL)
- Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG)
- John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH)
- Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL)
- Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP)
- Kansas City International Airport (MCI)
- Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU)
- Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP)
- Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA)
- Oakland International Airport (OAK)
- Palm Beach International Airport (PBI)
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX): two locations
- Portland International Airport (PDX)
- Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO)
- Rhode Island T.F. Green Airport (PVD)
- Sacramento International Airport (SMF): two locations
- Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR)
- Tulsa International Airport (TUL)
UK locations
- Bristol Airport (BRS)
- East Midlands Airport (EMA)
- Edinburgh Airport (EDI)
- London Stansted Airport (STN)
- Manchester Airport (MAN): three locations
Australia locations
- Brisbane Airport (BNE)
- Cairns Airport (CNS)
Here's some information about the more popular Escape Lounges throughout the U.S.
Escape Lounge in Fort Lauderdale (FLL)
The Escape Lounge in Fort Lauderdale is situated in Terminal 3 and features a delicious buffet, a bar, and a lounge area. It's a thoughtfully designed and comfortable space with views of the runway. Located between E and F gates, it's open from 5:30 am to 9:00 pm every day of the week. The artwork inside is designed by South Florida artists, bringing the area's culture indoors.
Escape Lounge in Minneapolis (MSP)
The Escape Lounge in Minneapolis is open from 4:00 am to 9:00 pm every day of the week and is located in Terminal 1 above the entrance to Concourse E on the mezzanine level. The lounge consists of a buffet food station with hot and cold menu items, a bar, and lounge space where you can work or relax before your flight.
Escape Lounge in Oakland (OAK)
You'll find the Escape Lounge in Oakland between gates 8 and 8A in Terminal 1. Whether you opt for a freshly baked cookie or prefer a complimentary beverage from the bar, this lounge is the perfect place to relax before your flight. It's also the only lounge in the airport, so it might get a bit crowded. The lounge is open from 5:00 am to 8:00 pm seven days a week.
Escape Lounge in Phoenix (PHX)
There are two Escape Lounge locations in Phoenix — one in Terminal 3 and one in Terminal 4. The Terminal 3 location opens from 4:30 am to 10:00 pm every day of the week, while the Terminal 4 location opens slightly later at 5:00 am and also stays open until 10:00 pm.
The Terminal 4 location isn't accessible through Priority Pass, so you'll need to be a Amex Platinum or Delta Reserve cardholder for complimentary access. You can also pay a prebook rate of $45 or a walk-up rate of $60 to enter if you aren't a cardholder.
Escape Lounge in Rhode Island (PVD)
The Rhode Island Escape Lounge is located near gate 18 and is open from 6:00 am until 7:00 pm every day of the week. It's a relatively small lounge, which is fitting for a smaller airport. If you're headed to Rhode Island for a summer vacation, be sure to stop by to experience it for yourself.
Related: Escape Lounges You Can Access via Priority Pass
Are Escape Lounges Worth Visiting?
Whether an Escape Lounge is worth it will depend on your circumstances. For instance, if you receive complimentary access through a credit card and this is the only lounge in your airport, it's absolutely worth stopping by. The food is good, and there are several distinct spaces catering to different types of travelers. Whether you want to get some work done or simply relax before boarding, you have some options.
The question of whether it's worth it to purchase a day pass to visit the lounge is a bit harder to answer. It can make some sense to do so if:
- You have a long layover and can spend the full three-hour limit in the lounge.
- You were already planning on spending money on airport food or beverages.
If you have a lot of time to kill and you know you'll be hungry, it can be worth the $45 pre-booking entrance fee. Just be sure to book your spot online to avoid paying an additional $15. You can easily spend $45 on a pre-flight meal and cocktail at a much less comfortable restaurant, so it's worthwhile to visit in that case.
If you aren't hungry and only have an hour before your flight, it might not be worth it to pay for a slightly more comfortable place to sit. Plus, it's not an airline lounge, so you won't be able to receive assistance rebooking your flight if necessary. If you want that flexibility, you'd be better off buying a day pass to the lounge of your airline (if possible) or waiting at your gate.
Final Thoughts
Escape Lounges are saviors for frequent travelers transiting through smaller airports. While these lounges are small and can easily become overcrowded, they offer a nice reprieve when traveling and allow you to work, eat, and relax somewhere other than your gate. Additionally, the option to purchase a day pass is excellent for travelers who don't have access through credit cards.
For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: Chase Sapphire Reserve® (Rates & Fees)
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