In a Nutshell
If you’re planning a flight abroad from San Francisco International Airport, you may be able to visit the airport’s Priority Pass™ lounge in the international terminal. Here’s what to know before you go.If you have an upcoming international flight, the Priority Pass™ lounge at San Francisco International Airport can help you start your long flight on the right foot.
Priority Pass™ lounges offer an elite members-only experience that includes perks such as complimentary food and drinks as well as a comfortable sitting space away from the hubbub of the airport.
Priority Pass™ members flying in or out of International Terminal’s Concourse A have access to the Air France–KLM (Royal Dutch Airlines) Lounge at San Francisco International Airport. The lounge is restricted to travelers departing from that concourse. However, being a Priority Pass™ member gives you access to more than 1,200 other lounges worldwide.
What you should know about the Priority Pass™ SFO lounge
If you have an upcoming overseas trip that departs from Concourse A at SFO’s International Terminal, you should familiarize yourself with the Air France–KLM Lounge and its features before you go.
Keep in mind, though, that your Priority Pass™ membership doesn’t guarantee entrance. If the lounge is too busy, the desk clerk may turn you away.
To get to the Air France–KLM Lounge, take the first left after you get through security in Concourse A. The lounge is open daily from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m, 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., and 8:30 p.m. to 11:15 p.m., and you can stay for up to three hours.
Although your membership level may require you to pay for guests, children under 2 years old get in free. Features include …
- Refreshments
- Alcoholic beverages
- Wi-Fi
- TV
- Newspapers and magazines
How to get Priority Pass™ lounge access
The Priority Pass™ lounge network offers three membership plans, each with a different cost structure.
- Standard: $99 annual fee; $32 per visit for you and each guest
- Standard plus: $299 annual fee; 10 free visits for you (then $32 per visit), plus $32 per visit for each guest
- Prestige: $429 annual fee; all visits free for you, $32 per visit for each guest
If you’re not sure you want to spend that much just for airport lounge access, consider a premium travel credit card. These cards often charge steep annual fees, but they can offer lounge access as well as a slew of other exclusive travel benefits.
Bottom line
Next time you’re flying through Concourse A at SFO’s International Terminal, consider taking advantage of the Air France–KLM Lounge.
“Airport lounges hearken back to the olden days when flying was glamorous and stylish,” says Lee. “In a way, travelers are drawn into the mystique and want to peek behind the curtain.”
Fortunately, you can get more than just a peek with a Priority Pass™ membership. One of the best ways to get access to Priority Pass™ lounges is through a travel credit card offering Priority Pass™ Select membership. With a slew of other credit card perks, you may be able to get more bang for your buck than if you purchase a membership directly through the lounge network.
And while these cards may charge big annual fees, savvy travelers may be able to get enough value out of them to make it worthwhile.