10 US Airport Lounges ACTUALLY Worth Your Money in 2026
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Date: 2026-07-10
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Comments and reviews: 20
almeshberg
I have to disagree with you on the United Lounge in Denver, my home airport. Both lounges in the B gates are usually horribly crowded, choose the one in the A gates instead. And the food, I’ve had better at McDonalds. Usually lunch is pasta with a hint of red sauce and, if you’re lucky, you might find a meatball or two. Half the time the fancy coffee machines are broken. The service staff has gotten better, but they’re still slow at clearing used dishes. But hey, it’s a lounge, at least it’s usually much quieter than being at the gates. I did have the chance recently to attend the Chase Sapphire lounge in Philly. WOW, United could learn a lot from that lounge. INCREDIBLE experience.
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I have to disagree with you on the United Lounge in Denver, my home airport. Both lounges in the B gates are usually horribly crowded, choose the one in the A gates instead. And the food, I’ve had better at McDonalds. Usually lunch is pasta with a hint of red sauce and, if you’re lucky, you might find a meatball or two. Half the time the fancy coffee machines are broken. The service staff has gotten better, but they’re still slow at clearing used dishes. But hey, it’s a lounge, at least it’s usually much quieter than being at the gates. I did have the chance recently to attend the Chase Sapphire lounge in Philly. WOW, United could learn a lot from that lounge. INCREDIBLE experience.
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MSWMW
Absolutely agree with the Delta One lounge. We were lucky enough to get last minute bids on a first class delta seat for a fraction of the original cost so we got to take advantage of the Delta One Lounge. I have NEVER seen a lounge that spacious and inviting. They have everything and it is exclusive enough that seating was plentiful. You get served your food after ordering and everyone is super helpful and friendly. If only I was rich enough to go to that lounge every time I traveled. I don't know if other lounges do this but Delta One allows you to use the lounge before and AFTER the flight. We got to use the lounge twice!
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Absolutely agree with the Delta One lounge. We were lucky enough to get last minute bids on a first class delta seat for a fraction of the original cost so we got to take advantage of the Delta One Lounge. I have NEVER seen a lounge that spacious and inviting. They have everything and it is exclusive enough that seating was plentiful. You get served your food after ordering and everyone is super helpful and friendly. If only I was rich enough to go to that lounge every time I traveled. I don't know if other lounges do this but Delta One allows you to use the lounge before and AFTER the flight. We got to use the lounge twice!
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mayavandoorn261
I do so agree with nr 1! I was lucky to get there on my way to Fort Lauderdale from Amsterdam and I had a 5 hour lay-over at JFK. Lost 2 hours on chaotic immigration and getting back in to security. But the lounge was just there! Walked over there and was greeted by staff wanna give me a tour. But I was in need of a shower and I got one! Boy, that was something else! Then there were so many places to sit and there were stations with infused water everywhere and staffmembers to get you something. The food was insane! Next visit I hope to get the chance to visit this lounge again because it was the best!
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I do so agree with nr 1! I was lucky to get there on my way to Fort Lauderdale from Amsterdam and I had a 5 hour lay-over at JFK. Lost 2 hours on chaotic immigration and getting back in to security. But the lounge was just there! Walked over there and was greeted by staff wanna give me a tour. But I was in need of a shower and I got one! Boy, that was something else! Then there were so many places to sit and there were stations with infused water everywhere and staffmembers to get you something. The food was insane! Next visit I hope to get the chance to visit this lounge again because it was the best!
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jasonrockett6969
I rarely disagree with you guys, but for a top ten list, this is entirely off the mark. Perhaps you were forced to add lounges from each airline, but to suggest the DCA Admirals Club is a top ten lounge in the country is simply laughable. I have probably been in the Admirals Club DCA lounges more than you and Suzanne combined, so I am bewildered how its pedestrian offerings could knock out at least 80-100 other lounges in the country. For example, please explain why it’s better than the Chase Sapphire Lounge at BOS. Something just doesn’t add up in this video.
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I rarely disagree with you guys, but for a top ten list, this is entirely off the mark. Perhaps you were forced to add lounges from each airline, but to suggest the DCA Admirals Club is a top ten lounge in the country is simply laughable. I have probably been in the Admirals Club DCA lounges more than you and Suzanne combined, so I am bewildered how its pedestrian offerings could knock out at least 80-100 other lounges in the country. For example, please explain why it’s better than the Chase Sapphire Lounge at BOS. Something just doesn’t add up in this video.
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AaronKeteyian
The other way to get into Delta One Lounges at a better price is to book an international business class mileage ticket on a partner airline like Air France, KLM or Virgin Atlantic. Much more affordable than using Delta miles or $ on Delta. Just check which partners have access (Boston restricts some of them.
Also, IMHO, even with the dining room in Polaris Lounges, the food at Sapphire and Capital One blows Polaris out of the water. Along with the decor and ambiance, I'd much rather spend time in one of those than Polaris.
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The other way to get into Delta One Lounges at a better price is to book an international business class mileage ticket on a partner airline like Air France, KLM or Virgin Atlantic. Much more affordable than using Delta miles or $ on Delta. Just check which partners have access (Boston restricts some of them.
Also, IMHO, even with the dining room in Polaris Lounges, the food at Sapphire and Capital One blows Polaris out of the water. Along with the decor and ambiance, I'd much rather spend time in one of those than Polaris.
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wizardmix
Been to a few of those: Polaris, UA in Denver, Alaska in Seattle, Admirals, CSR. The CSR lounges are definitely my favorites that I've been to in the US. I frequent the on in San Diego but have been to Boston and my wife is at the Phoenix one frequently. I also think the SFO Maple Leaf Lounge is fantastic (though Canadian in origin. The lounge that stole my heart had to be Cathay's The Bridge about 13 or 14 years ago when I discovered what a lounge could be. I think Cathay still has some of the top lounges in the business.
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Been to a few of those: Polaris, UA in Denver, Alaska in Seattle, Admirals, CSR. The CSR lounges are definitely my favorites that I've been to in the US. I frequent the on in San Diego but have been to Boston and my wife is at the Phoenix one frequently. I also think the SFO Maple Leaf Lounge is fantastic (though Canadian in origin. The lounge that stole my heart had to be Cathay's The Bridge about 13 or 14 years ago when I discovered what a lounge could be. I think Cathay still has some of the top lounges in the business.
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DCYote1
The day pass for the Admiral's Club was money well spent coming in on an overnight with a 7 hour layover. I got there just as they opened so capacity wasn't an issue, and after a shower I discovered a quiet area in the back with lounge chairs where I had a very nice and comfortable nap. The food won't win any awards, but it was free and filling, and the employees were more than helpful.
Certainly beat spending a day stuck in the old Istanbul airport, where I kind of felt like Tom Hanks in The Terminal.
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The day pass for the Admiral's Club was money well spent coming in on an overnight with a 7 hour layover. I got there just as they opened so capacity wasn't an issue, and after a shower I discovered a quiet area in the back with lounge chairs where I had a very nice and comfortable nap. The food won't win any awards, but it was free and filling, and the employees were more than helpful.
Certainly beat spending a day stuck in the old Istanbul airport, where I kind of felt like Tom Hanks in The Terminal.
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RonRichards-v5f
Love the videos! The Polaris lounge in Newark at #2 is just rage bait lol. It's crowded so much of the time and if you need a shower, the water pressure sucks. I actually find the new United Club in Newark near C123 to be a nicer place to stay than the Polaris lounge a lot of the time. I would put the Soho club and the Chelsea club at JFK ahead of it. Also not on your list that I would rate very highly would be the Star Alliance lounge at TBIT at LAX. My favorite lounge in the US. Carry on!
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Love the videos! The Polaris lounge in Newark at #2 is just rage bait lol. It's crowded so much of the time and if you need a shower, the water pressure sucks. I actually find the new United Club in Newark near C123 to be a nicer place to stay than the Polaris lounge a lot of the time. I would put the Soho club and the Chelsea club at JFK ahead of it. Also not on your list that I would rate very highly would be the Star Alliance lounge at TBIT at LAX. My favorite lounge in the US. Carry on!
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gmbevins1199
I flew from JFK to Rome in March in Delta One for the very first time. I absolutely loved that lounge. The staff were so happy that I was excited to enjoy everything flying delta one had to offer that they let me into the lounge SEVEN hours before my flight. I got to take my time there and enjoy almost all of the amenities, try a lot of the different food offerings, use the showers and so on. I didn’t want to leave.
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I flew from JFK to Rome in March in Delta One for the very first time. I absolutely loved that lounge. The staff were so happy that I was excited to enjoy everything flying delta one had to offer that they let me into the lounge SEVEN hours before my flight. I got to take my time there and enjoy almost all of the amenities, try a lot of the different food offerings, use the showers and so on. I didn’t want to leave.
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dimme2011
Nice overview of lounges at a few airports, but I think your video is about 10 years too late: overcrowding is a problem at many of these lounges as you show with the 58 people waiting to get in to one lounge in your video. While SFO Polaris is fantastic, I will take a nice sit down restaurant over a lounge with a line out the door any day. They just aren't worth the wait and price.
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Nice overview of lounges at a few airports, but I think your video is about 10 years too late: overcrowding is a problem at many of these lounges as you show with the 58 people waiting to get in to one lounge in your video. While SFO Polaris is fantastic, I will take a nice sit down restaurant over a lounge with a line out the door any day. They just aren't worth the wait and price.
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joephillips5594
I live in Seattle and fly out of there a lot. I would choose the centurion lounge over the Alaska flagship lounge any day of the week. I always check in early on the app and never need to wait long. Other amazing lounges are virgin clubhouse at SFO, the club at SFO, Sapphire lounge at dulles and turkish airlines at dulles. Capital one lounge at DFW is also exceptional.
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I live in Seattle and fly out of there a lot. I would choose the centurion lounge over the Alaska flagship lounge any day of the week. I always check in early on the app and never need to wait long. Other amazing lounges are virgin clubhouse at SFO, the club at SFO, Sapphire lounge at dulles and turkish airlines at dulles. Capital one lounge at DFW is also exceptional.
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kang7619
I was at Delta lounge on concourse D yesterday. It was extremely crowded and the food was terrible. Did I mention the food was terrible The poor staff are so overworked that its impossible for them to keep the place clean. I went to 3 of their lounges in Atlanta, all the same.
The Delta lounge in Salt Lake however was tidy and the food was good.
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I was at Delta lounge on concourse D yesterday. It was extremely crowded and the food was terrible. Did I mention the food was terrible The poor staff are so overworked that its impossible for them to keep the place clean. I went to 3 of their lounges in Atlanta, all the same.
The Delta lounge in Salt Lake however was tidy and the food was good.
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JimStJohn-tu3nr
I'm surprised that the AA Chelsea Lounge at JFK isn't on this list. Being greeted with a glass of Dom (or Krug or many other high end bubbles) is pretty special. It's small and quite exclusive, not as accessible as the ones included in this video. No buffet, everything must be ordered. I've always been impressed with the food.
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I'm surprised that the AA Chelsea Lounge at JFK isn't on this list. Being greeted with a glass of Dom (or Krug or many other high end bubbles) is pretty special. It's small and quite exclusive, not as accessible as the ones included in this video. No buffet, everything must be ordered. I've always been impressed with the food.
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GirlNextDoor1995
My daughter works with United Airlines and we travel the country and the world frequently. She pays to have access to the United Club so whenever we travel we spend time in the Club. But we have noticed a big increase in the number of very crowded clubs to the point it’s uncomfortable and loud with nowhere to sit.
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My daughter works with United Airlines and we travel the country and the world frequently. She pays to have access to the United Club so whenever we travel we spend time in the Club. But we have noticed a big increase in the number of very crowded clubs to the point it’s uncomfortable and loud with nowhere to sit.
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thesketchlife7702
I have the sapphire card by chase but I only pay the $95 bucks a year. Still a great travel card for me and my wife with some nice insurance back ups in case we need it. We would LOVE to explore their lounges but they don't offer any reasonable discounts to card carriers at our level and that is a shame. Oh well
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I have the sapphire card by chase but I only pay the $95 bucks a year. Still a great travel card for me and my wife with some nice insurance back ups in case we need it. We would LOVE to explore their lounges but they don't offer any reasonable discounts to card carriers at our level and that is a shame. Oh well
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ekuche8335
First off the Newark United Polaris lounge is the WORST United lounge by far not even close to anyone who has been to all of them. SFO or LAX lounge is 10 times better and the LAX star alliance lounge was voted #2 lounge in the world last year (which I agree. EWR is terrrriibblleeeee.
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First off the Newark United Polaris lounge is the WORST United lounge by far not even close to anyone who has been to all of them. SFO or LAX lounge is 10 times better and the LAX star alliance lounge was voted #2 lounge in the world last year (which I agree. EWR is terrrriibblleeeee.
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joermnyc
These top level airline/travel credit cards are really only worth it if you are traveling almost every week. I had the Delta Gold Card and the amount of flying needed to get a free domestic flight in the cheap seats was kind of unsurmountable with my a few times a year travel schedule.
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These top level airline/travel credit cards are really only worth it if you are traveling almost every week. I had the Delta Gold Card and the amount of flying needed to get a free domestic flight in the cheap seats was kind of unsurmountable with my a few times a year travel schedule.
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jasperlung1013
The EWR United Club next to C123 is a dark horse in my opinion. While it can be crowded at times, all you need is a one time pass and not only there’s food, there’s also a shower suites. I personally save my passes from my Explorer card just to use it after a red-eye from LA.
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The EWR United Club next to C123 is a dark horse in my opinion. While it can be crowded at times, all you need is a one time pass and not only there’s food, there’s also a shower suites. I personally save my passes from my Explorer card just to use it after a red-eye from LA.
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bertwright8707
Fascinating overview! I've visited a few lounges over the years. I have to find one where the food is above average, generally they are bland or mid level at best. I find the biggest benefit is the chance to separate from the crowds in the terminal and cleaner restrooms.
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Fascinating overview! I've visited a few lounges over the years. I have to find one where the food is above average, generally they are bland or mid level at best. I find the biggest benefit is the chance to separate from the crowds in the terminal and cleaner restrooms.
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13Jeepjumper
I have been fortunate to experience Delta One LAX and JFK. LAX is of course VERY nice. but I was blown away by Delta One at JFK. it also happened to be during a time that my flight was delayed 6 times for a good 5 hours (yes, 6 times lol. which made the stay there amazing!
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I have been fortunate to experience Delta One LAX and JFK. LAX is of course VERY nice. but I was blown away by Delta One at JFK. it also happened to be during a time that my flight was delayed 6 times for a good 5 hours (yes, 6 times lol. which made the stay there amazing!
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