The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Advertiser disclosure
The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Benét, known as the Aviation Queen, is a former senior editor at TPG who is best known for being an aviation journalist for 25-plus years. Her love affair with travel and aviation began at age 6, when her Air Force family moved from California to a military base outside of London. The family flew from JFK to London on a pretty new Pan Am 747. She was amazed when, in 1992, she got her first aviation journalism job.
April 27, 2022 • 14 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
Related stories
Quick summary
Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas is a major hub with two terminals serving both domestic and international flights, connected by an automated people mover.
Travelers can reach the airport via public buses, shuttles, ride-hailing, taxis, black car services or rental cars, with varying costs and transit times.
Amenities include over 1,400 slot machines, unique shops, a fitness center, nursing suites, pet relief areas and an aviation museum.
Multiple lounges are available, with some accessible through certain memberships or by purchasing a day pass, and a range of dining options is offered across both terminals.
What to consider
Some lounge and hotel access requires specific memberships, military status or a purchased pass.
Lounges and fitness center hours vary, and certain amenities may have limited availability or require advance arrangements.
Several offers or access methods mentioned in the article may no longer be available.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed breakdown of terminal layouts, lounge access rules, dining highlights and practical transit tips for navigating Las Vegas' airport efficiently.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
Las Vegas' Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) is the eighth-busiest airport in the United States, serving more than 39 million passengers in 2021, according to Airports Council International-North America.
It serves as a focus city for Allegiant Air, Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines and Spirit Airlines. International carriers that serve the airport include Aeromexico, Air Canada, British Airways, KLM, Virgin Atlantic and Volaris.
LAS is divided into two terminals: Terminal 1 and Terminal 3. Terminal 1 solely hosts domestic flights and serves Concourses A, B, C and satellite councourse D, while Terminal 3 hosts both domestic and international flights and serves Concourses D and E. Although the terminals are separate buildings, you can easily connect between the terminals and the satellite D Concourse using an automated people mover.
Whether you’re arriving, departing or transferring you can always find something to do at Harry Reid Airport. The most iconic novelty of the airport is the slot machines throughout the terminals — but there's a lot more to see and do. Below, we cover everything from getting to the airport to what to eat once you're there.
Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport is located mere minutes from the Las Vegas Strip and is approximately 10 miles south of downtown, making it pretty easy to get to the most popular spots in the city.
Public transportation
The most cost-effective way to get to the Strip and downtown is by public bus. Both the terminals are served by the Westcliff Airport Express (WAX). It's a 10-minute ride to the intersection of S. Las Vegas Blvd. and E. Tropicana Ave., near the MGM Grand Hotel on the Strip.
Cost: $.
Transit time: Medium (depending on traffic).
If you have more money to spend, three shuttle operators serve the airport — AWG Ambassador, BellTrans and Kaptyn.
Drivers drop off customers for either Terminal 1 or 3 right at the curb for departures. Pickup for Terminal 1 passengers is located on Level 2 of the parking garage, and pickup for Terminal 3 is in the parking garage at the valet level.
The airport is served by eight taxi companies. Taxis at Terminal 1 can be found on the east side of the baggage claim area by exits 1-4. In Terminal 3, taxis are on Level 0. There are 15 taxi loading positions on the west side of the terminal for domestic passengers and seven on the east side for international travelers. Taxis offer flat rates from the airport to various parts of the city. They range from a low of $19 for a taxi to Mandalay Bay to $27 for the Wynn Las Vegas.
Transit time: Medium.
Cost: $$.
Car service
Black car service is available with Uber Black and Lyft Premium, along with AWG Ambassador, Bell Limousine and Kaptyn, which also offer limousines. Terminal 1 limo pickups are available on the airport's west side of baggage claim, outside door exits 7-13. For Terminal 3, limousines are located outside on Level 0 on the west end of the building to serve domestic travelers and on the east side of the building for international travelers.
Transit time: Short.
Cost: $$$$.
Other options
If you’re renting a car, you'll need to take a six-minute shuttle trip to the airport's rental car center. From Terminal 1 baggage claim, follow signs to ground transportation on Level 1 and go to the Rental Car Shuttle stop located outside doors 10 and 11. From Terminal 3, follow signs to ground transportation from baggage claim on Level 0. The Rental Car Shuttle stops are located outside doors 51-54 on the west end of the building and doors 55-58 on the east end.
It's no surprise that Harry Reid International Airport has more than 1,400 gambling machines, including electronic keno, slot machines and video poker (though some might not be operating due to pandemic-related measures). If you're over 21, you can enjoy time at slot machines located throughout the airport.
The airport has the usual retail outlets, along with a few unique ones. Poker Face sells souvenirs and really cool custom poker chips in Terminal 1 near Gate 16. Nearby is the Neon Museum, an homage to old Las Vegas and home to gifts and souvenirs that are distinctly Las Vegas. Ethel M. small-batch gourmet chocolates are hand packed and locally made. There are four locations in Terminals 1 and 3. You can also pick up a bottle or two of your favorite adult beverages at the Liquor Library, located on Level 1 near baggage claim.
Get a quick airport workout at Zero Level Fitness & Wellness in Terminal 1 near baggage claim 10. The gym is 13,000 square feet and has all the equipment you'd expect. Through May 30, it's open 24 hours a day on Mondays and Wednesdays; from 12 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursdays; from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Fridays; Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. The facility also has sleeping rooms available for $35 for two hours.
Aviation geeks will really enjoy the Howard W. Cannon Aviation Museum, whose exhibits are spread throughout the airport. The main exhibit, located on Level 2 above baggage claim in Terminal 1, is approximately 3,000 square feet and covers southern Nevada's aviation history.
Three Mamava nursing suites are available for breastfeeding or pumping. They are equipped with Bluetooth-enabled SmartLocks, with access gained through the Mamava locater app. The suites have bench seating, a side table for placing pumps and interior outlets with USB ports for plugging in pumps and charging devices. Suites are located in Terminal 1 near Gate C25, near food and shops after security near D gates, and in Terminal 3 near Gate E9 after security.
The airport has indoor post-security and outdoor designated enclosed areas where travelers flying with pets and service animals can take their animals to relieve themselves. In Terminal 1, this is located near Door 30 outside of security on Level 1 near check-in and baggage claim. Another one is located near Door 13 outside security. In Terminal 3, it is located near the curbside outside of security on Level 0.
Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 have the same number of lounges, but those found in Terminal 1 are superior. Although it might get crowded at times, the Amex Centurion Lounge provides the most elegant pre-flight experience and is easily accessible. Terminal 1’s The Club is also bigger and offers a greater food selection than the one in Terminal 3.
Fortunately, since the entire airport is connected airside you can easily visit a lounge in a different concourse than you’re flying out of without clearing security a second time. Aside from the USO Clubs, all lounges at LAS are easily accessible with the right credit cards, so if you’re a Vegas-based flyer it might be time to reconsider what’s in your wallet.
Terminal 1
The Centurion Lounge
Location: Concourse D level 2, across from Gate D1.
Hours: 5 a.m.-9 p.m.
(Photo by John Gribben for The Points Guy)
Access: The Centurion Lounge is complimentary for American Express cardholders with a Centurion Card from American Express or Centurion Business Card from American Express, or Platinum-branded card such as The Platinum Card® from American Express or The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, among other products, and the facility was just expanded. To access The Centurion Lounge, the cardmember must present the lounge agent with the following upon each visit: a valid Amex card, a boarding pass showing a confirmed reservation for same-day travel on any carrier and a government-issued ID.
The information for the Centurion and Centurion Business cards has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Amenities: Complimentary hot and cold foods, full bar, business center, conference space, family room, speedy Wi-Fi, shower suites and semi-private workspaces.
Location: Level 2, in the esplanade before security, next to the lost and found.
Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Access: Current active-duty, Guard or Reserve ID card. Military retiree ID cards are also accepted if space is available. VA-issued ID cards or driver’s licenses with “Veteran” shown on the card do not fall into the above categories.
Amenities: Wi-Fi, snacks, drinks, business center, gaming consoles, children's play area, screening room and quiet room.
Location: Concourse E, landside, in the baggage claim area between carousels 20 and 21.
Hours: 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Access:Current active-duty, Guard, Reserve ID card. Military retiree ID cards are also accepted if space is available. VA-issued ID cards or driver’s licenses with “Veteran” shown on the card do not fall into the above categories.
Amenities: Complimentary snacks and drinks, gaming console, business center and Wi-Fi.
Location: Concourse D Level 2, between gates 33 and 35.
Hours: 4:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m.
Access: United Premier Gold elites and up traveling internationally, Star Alliance Gold members, premium-cabin passengers who are connecting to or from qualifying international or premium transcontinental United- or Star Alliance-operated flights, United Club members and day pass holders. You can get a complimentary United Club membership through the United Club Infinite Card from Chase. You can also get two annual, one-time United Club passes through the United Explorer Card or the United Business Card.
Amenities: Complimentarysnacks and drinks, business center and Wi-Fi.
Location: Concourse E level 2, across from gate E2.
Hours: 1:30 p.m.-9 p.m.
Access: A three-hour pass can be purchased for $45 per traveler. Priority Pass, Lounge Pass and Diners Club memberships will also get you in. You also get access to this lounge with an eligible business or first-class ticket on these airlines: British Airways, El Al, Virgin Atlantic, Condor, Korean Air, Aeromexico and KLM.
Amenities: Complimentary snacks, full bar, showers, Wi-Fi and power outlets near many seats.
Dining
Like most airports, LAS has more than its fair share of national brands, including Jersey Mike's Subs, Auntie Anne's, Starbucks and Wendy's. Although other airports have more local brands, LAS has a few places where you may want to dine.
Because Harry Reid International Airport is only about three miles away from the Strip and the Las Vegas Convention Center, there's really no need to book an airport hotel unless you don't need all the bells and whistles offered by the city's larger properties. Below are three hotels that could be options if you just need a place to lay your head overnight in Las Vegas. Rates are based on a Sept. 13-14, 2022, stay.
This hotel is a mere 1.4 miles, or a three-minute ride, to the airport. It comes with a free breakfast, free Wi-Fi, free parking, an on-site restaurant, a fitness center and pool, and it's pet friendly. A room with a king bed starts at $133 or 9,000 World of Hyatt points a night.
This all-suite hotel is across the street from the Harry Reid rental car center. Rooms come with fully equipped kitchens with stoves, refrigerators and dishwashers, free Wi-Fi, a hot breakfast and a 24-hour fitness center A king room starts at $215 or 21,000 Marriott Bonvoy points a night.
If you need a very basic room at a reasonable rate, this is your place. It has non-smoking rooms, an airport shuttle, free breakfast, free Wi-Fi, free parking, a fitness center and pool, and it's pet friendly. A king room starts at $120 or 30,000 Hilton Honors points per night.
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
