Update: You can now bring in two guests per cardholder & immediate family (view the difference in terms below to what we previously published). Via CongestionCharge
On May 1st Alaska Lounges changed their guest policy for Priority Pass members and stopped allowing guest access. Effective August 7th (e.g this new rule is already in place) you’re allowed to bring in two guests.
The following lounges are affected:
- Seattle
- Portland
- Los Angeles
Lounge in Anchorage doesn’t seem to be affected (this never had the guest access restricted and still isn’t restricted to two guests). I suspect Alaska will still reserve the right to limit entry in the case capacity constraints but we will see.
Hat tip to reader CongestionCharge
Went through Seattle last week and this was useless. I tried all three Alaska lounges. None would accept Priority Pass, and none of them had the sign posted either, so I had to go all the way to the check-in counter with family in tow and get rejected / publicly shamed each time.
Incidentally I also went through Seattle a couple days before the rule change, at least I was able to get in myself.
I think I almost prefer the no guest policy, at least I can go in and grab a coffee and a snack. Or maybe an option in the middle – what if you could always get in as a cardholder, but guests are allowed on a space available basis?
With more and more premium cards, I don’t see this problem getting any better… and this is one of the biggest benefits to me of having a premium card… what to do, what to do with that annual fee that just posted.
Sounds like the lounge in Portland may be taking as a day to day decision, friend of mine is there now and just texted a pic of the “Lounge Notice” that states “Due to space constraints in the Alaska Lounge we are currently unable to allow access to Priority Pass and Lounge Club”
“you’re allowed to two bring in two guests.” One too many two’s 🙂
He’s just covering all the bases.
Do you have to be flying Alaska?
Second you on that, do you need to have Alaska’s boarding pass or can it be any airline?
Sounds good, though no doubt will be capacity controlled at peak times. Which is to be expected.
If the anticipated CSR defections come to pass that will help.
Quite happy to see this. 2 guests per cardholder makes sense to me and this must mean AS is getting the kinks worked out of the system with PP and want to continue making revenue from the relationship. Which is great news for access to my pancakes and glass of sparkling wine in the mornings when traveling, was getting worried PP and AS would split ways!
Great timing on this for my family. We’ve got a 7 hour layover at LAX on Thursday.
That’s assuming they (AS) aren’y blocking all PP members because of overcrowding.
Priority Pass Member doesn’t have guaranteed access in Seattle Terminal N and C for quite a bit, when it is slightly crowded Priority Pass members have to line up outside waiting, people with other program can have immediate access.