A traveler’s guide to Plaza Premium lounges: What they are and where to find them
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BLUEPRINT
Updated 10:45 a.m. UTC Nov. 14, 2023
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If you’ve ever longed for a little peace, privacy and refreshment while traveling, airport lounges may change your world. Many lounges are operated by airlines, but there are also several independent lounge companies, including the Plaza Premium network of airport lounges.
Here’s what you should know about Plaza Premium lounges, and how you can visit them around the world.
What is Plaza Premium?
Plaza Premium has a network of over 250 lounges in 70 airports worldwide. These spaces provide a quiet, dedicated space for travelers to escape the noise and bustle of the airport before or between flights. Many offer rest areas and some include massage chairs, private showers and even nap rooms. In most cases, lounges offer food and beverages, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic.
You’ll find the highest concentration of Plaza Premium lounges in the greater Asia region, but there are locations in airports across six continents.
While Plaza Premium lounges offer a consistent experience worldwide, each location has a distinct theme unique to the area. For example, the Orlando lounge has a children’s entertainment area designed to accommodate families visiting the region’s many theme parks, while lounges in Taipei may offer local delicacies like made-to-order Taiwanese beef noodle soup and private nap pods for international travelers.
“We take great pride in emphasizing a ‘sense of place’ and infusing our spaces with elements that reflect the distinctive local culture,” says Pascal Bélanger, Plaza Premium Group’s SVP Americas, in an email to USA TODAY Blueprint.
How Plaza Premium works
All travelers are welcome in Plaza Premium lounges regardless of airline or fare class. To enter a lounge, travelers either pay an entrance fee in cash or with a prepaid pass or have the right lounge membership.
“We’re all about inclusivity,” says Bélanger. “We’re focused on ensuring that every guest can relax and recharge in style at our lounges around the world.”
The easiest way to find a Plaza Premium lounge is by going through its website. You can look up locations by clicking on the “find lounges” tab at the top left of the page.
How to get Plaza Premium
Travelers can access Plaza Premium lounges via the following methods:
Pay for entry at the check-in desk
You can pay upon arrival at the check-in desk, or book ahead of time through the Plaza Premium website. If you book ahead and receive a confirmation email, your spot is guaranteed for the time slot you choose; however, if you’re a walk-in potential visitor, your entry is dependent on lounge capacity.
Purchase access passes through the Plaza Premium website
If you travel often enough to take advantage of a package discount, you can buy multi-visit passes on the Plaza Premium website, which are grouped according to country and region.
Pay close attention to the destinations you plan to travel through, since different regions charge varying amounts for passes ranging from two-visit access to 10-visit access. If you will be traveling through multiple countries or regions, you may want to opt for the global lounge pass, which can help you save up to 50% off the walk-in rate.
Complimentary access or membership through credit cards
U.S. travelers have access to select Plaza Premium lounges depending on the credit card they hold. These are the cards you may want to consider based on your needs:
American Express
American Express has a partnership with Plaza Premium. The premium Amex cards below include complimentary access to these Plaza Premium lounges for you and up to two companions (enrollment required, terms apply):
- The Platinum Card® from American Express
- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express * The information for the The Business Platinum Card® from American Express has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
- American Express Centurion Black Card * The information for the American Express Centurion Black Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
All information about The Business Platinum Card® from American Express and American Express Centurion Black Card has been collected independently by Blueprint.
Capital One
Capital One has a partnership with Plaza Premium. Select Capital One cards grant complimentary access to a number of Plaza Premium lounges:
- Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card * The information for the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. : Complimentary lounge access for the cardholder and two guests.
- Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Two complimentary visits per year to certain Plaza Premium locations or to Capital One lounges.
- Capital One Spark 2X Miles * The information for the Capital One Spark 2X Miles has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. : Two complimentary visits per year to certain Plaza Premium locations or to Capital One lounges.
Access through Priority Pass Select
As of June 2023, Priority Pass added 63 Plaza Premium lounges available for Priority Pass Select members. Plaza Premium lounges used to be accessible to Priority Pass members, but the previous partnership ended in 2021.
Priority Pass is the largest group of independent airport lounges in the world, so travelers who already have Priority Pass Select membership through their credit cards will be able to visit participating Plaza Premium locations while on the go.
Credit cards that offer Priority Pass Select membership (upon enrollment) with access to Plaza Premium lounges include:
- Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Up to two complimentary guests; additional guests are $27 apiece.
- Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card * The information for the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. : Up to two complimentary guests.
Where is Plaza Premium accepted?
Plaza Premium is a distinct brand of its own, so your airline loyalty or elite status will not benefit you here. The only way to access Plaza Premium lounges is through the avenues mentioned above.
Restaurants, suites and other perks
Plaza Premium benefits are available to every traveler who enters a lounge. Food is typically served buffet-style, although some locations have made-to-order dining stations and many offer grab-and-go sections with ready-made snacks or fruit. Most locations will also feature a bar for alcoholic drinks with self-serve coffee, tea and soft drink stations.
Some locations offer nap pods and private showers on a first-come, first-served basis. Put your name down to reserve a spot as soon as you check in to maximize your chances of getting a time slot, especially during busy times.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Travelers can access Plaza Premium lounges by paying for access at the check-in desk, buying passes that can be purchased online, or through membership. Some credit cards offer access to some or all Plaza Premium lounges as part of the card benefits package. Global passes can range anywhere from $59 to $379, depending on where you’ll be traveling. One-time day passes prices vary by location. If your travels are within the Americas, you can purchase the PPL Pass Americas for $80, which allows for two visits over a 12-month period.
Plaza Premium lounges offer a luxurious way to pass time in airports around the world, especially if you can enter for free with a complimentary membership.
You can access the lounge as many times as you choose within the time slot that you book. If needed, you may be able to purchase additional time or request an extension depending on the staff’s discretion and lounge capacity.
The number of visits you can make to Plaza Premium lounges depends on the type of reservation or membership you have. If you purchase a single-visit pass, you will only be able to access the lounge that day.
*The information for the American Express Centurion Black Card, Capital One Spark 2X Miles, Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
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