Airport Lounge Boom Continues With New Opening in Portland

Airport lounges are in demand and Alaska Airlines is opening a new one at Portland International Airport.

The move comes as airport lounge access continues to be among the most sought-after travel perks offered by credit cards and airline loyalty programs.

The 14,000-square-foot lounge opened on June 4 after two years of construction and includes a fireplace, a mural of Mount Hood, more than 200 seats, and high open ceilings that bring in natural light.

Lounge guests may relax, drink, and dine on food inspired by the Portland region. There are also ample power plugs for guests who prefer to plug in and privacy booths for calls and meetings.

“Portland guests have chosen Alaska for years and played an important role in our growth in the Pacific Northwest. This new Lounge is our way of thanking them and a reflection of our growing portfolio of premium guest experiences,” said Shane Jones, Senior Vice President of Fleet, Products and Guest Experience at Alaska Airlines, in a press release.

Alaska Airlines invested almost $18 million in the Portland lounge. A 41,000-square-foot lounge is set to open in Seattle, the airline’s main hub, in 2027. A lounge in San Diego and an expanded lounge in Honolulu are slated to open in 2028.

$0 million$18 million Cost of new airport
lounge in Portland

Alaska Airlines Lounge Members have access to eight premium lounges including Anchorage, Los Angeles, and San Francisco airport locations. An Alaska Lounge+ membership provides access to all Alaska Airline lounges and to 90 partner lounges worldwide.

Like airlines, credit card issuers are building airport lounges with access to cardholders with premium cards. The lounges are popular, can be crowded, and there may be a waiting list to get in. And new ones continue to be built.

Leading the way is American Express. This spring, American Express announced it would open airport lounge locations in Boston and Charlotte and expand a third location in Dallas-Fort Worth.

American Express Platinum Card members have complimentary access to its The Centurion Lounges and Sidecar by The Centurion Lounges, which is for shorter stays and small groups. 

American Express has 32 flagship The Centurion Lounge locations and a Global Lounge Collection of more than 1,550 airport lounges across 140 countries.

032 Centurion Lounges
from American Express

But American Express is not alone in offering airport lounge access to premium cardholders. Capital One and Chase also offer airport lounges to select card customers.

At Capital One, Venture X and Venture X Business cardholders have complimentary access to more than 1,300 airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations. Plus, Capital One has a new travel app that shows travelers airport lounge locations and wait times. 

Chase has its Chase Sapphire Lounge Network. Lounges are available at airports in Boston, Las Vegas, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Diego with lounges coming soon in Dallas and Los Angeles. 

Cardmembers with Chase Sapphire Reserve cards and Chase Sapphire Reserve Business cards have access to these airport lounges. Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders also have access to more than 1,300 airport lounges around the world.