If you’re an Alaska Airlines customer thinking about purchasing a membership to the Board Room airport lounge, you may be put off by the limited number of locations. Alaska operates its own Board Rooms in just five airports, and there is a report that the San Francisco location will be closing in mid-2014:
- Anchorage (ANC)
- Seattle (SEA)
- Portland (PDX)
- San Francisco (SFO)
UPDATE: Customers with an Alaska Airlines boarding pass and a Board Room membership will be able to use the Cathay Pacific lounge. The original Board Room closed because Terminal 1 is under renovation, and Alaska’s flights are currently departing from the International Terminal. - Los Angeles (LAX)
However, purchasing a Board Room membership still remains an attractive proposition. Like its extensive partner agreements that let you earn and redeem miles on a dozen domestic and international partners (one reason I call Alaska’s Mileage Plan one of the best loyalty programs for infrequent travelers), they have partnered with other lounges at airports where they have a major presence. Customers must still have a boarding pass for same-day travel on Alaska Airlines, or in some cases for the carrier operating the lounge.
American Airlines Admirals Club (Alaska passengers only)
- Austin (AUS)
- Chicago-O’Hare (ORD)
- Denver (DEN)
Delta Sky Club (Alaska or Delta passengers)
- Boston (BOS)
- Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW)
- Fort Lauderdale (FLL; Delta passengers only)
- Honolulu (HNL)
- Minneapolis (MSP)
- Philadelphia (PHL)
- Salt Lake City (SLC)
- Washington-Reagan National (DCA)
United Club (Alaska passengers only)
- Phoenix (PHX)
Independent Lounges (Alaska passengers only)
- Las Vegas (LAS) — The Club at LAS
- Vancouver (YVR) — Plaza Premium Club
Using a Board Room Membership to Access Other Lounges
As you can probably guess from the list above, Alaska Board Room members have access to Delta Sky Clubs not only when flying on Alaska Airlines but also when flying on Delta. Any Delta flight, in fact. The Board Room membership description clearly promises access to all Delta Sky Club locations when flying on a purchased or award ticket from Alaska Airlines or Delta Air Lines. A complete list is located at the bottom of that page.
Board Room membership includes access for the individual and either (1) two companions or (2) a spouse or domestic partner and children under age 21. Delta recently decided to create two tiers of Sky Club membership and restricts access to the member only at the basic level, requiring a higher $695 annual fee to bring a guest. Purchasing an Alaska Airlines Board Room membership remains an inexpensive alternative at only $450 the first year and $350 thereafter. It’s only $295 each year for someone with MVP Gold or Gold 75K status.
Update: As of May 1, 2014, guests will be charged $29 per person to enter Delta Sky Clubs. Board Room members will still receive complimentary access, and this remains a less expensive alternative for some travelers.
Using Other Memberships to Access the Board Room
Personally, I continue to access the Board Room in Seattle thanks to my Priority Pass Select membership, which was included with my Platinum Card from American Express.
An Admirals Club membership will also get you access to the Alaska Airlines Board Room at ANC, SEA, LAX, and PDX when you’re flying with American or Alaska Airlines.
