Minute Suites: Complete guide to the airport lounge
Have you ever been so tired while traversing the airport that you would pay thousands of dollars just for somewhere to lie down and close your eyes for an hour or two?
A Minute Suites airport lounge is what you’re looking for. Luckily, they don’t charge five figures for a cat nap — but they’re not cheap, either. Fortunately, you can hack your way in for free with one simple trick.
Here’s what you need to know about Minute Suites.
What are Minute Suites?
Minute Suites are not traditional airport lounges. You won’t find self-serve alcohol, hot meals, airside planespotting, or other features that may excite you when you think about your favorite lounges.
Instead, the key amenity is privacy. It’s basically your very own room.
Most suites aren’t large (about 7 feet by 8 feet), so a family of four would have little room to spread out. However, it’s totally private and very quiet. You can dim the lights and take a power nap — or a proper nap if you’re willing to pay for the extra time. You can stay for up to eight hours.
Each room has its own thermostat, TV, trundle beds with pillows, desk and chair. Bathrooms are communal. It’s like having your very own $5,000 Manhattan apartment in the airport concourse.
Minute Suites stresses that it thoroughly cleans between guests, so you’re not plopping down on a couch that’s been dirtied by previous tenants.
Related: Access Minute Suites with Priority Pass — how to get a private room at the airport for free
Which airports have Minute Suites?
In the grand scheme of airport lounges, of which there are thousands worldwide, Minute Suites are admittedly far from ubiquitous. Still, they appear in several major U.S. hubs — enough that you will run into one during your travels sooner or later.
Below are the current locations of Minute Suites:
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
- Concourse B (one near gate B16 and another near gate B24)
- Concourse E
- Concourse F
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
- Concourse C
Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)
- Atrium (food court)
- Concourse D/E Connector
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
- Terminal A
- Terminal D
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)
- Concourse A
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
- Terminal C North
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
- Terminal 4 Concourse B
Nashville International Airport (BNA)
- Concourse D
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
- Concourse A/B connector
Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)
- Concourse A
Some lounges have amenities that others don’t. For example, the Minute Suites at DFW offer suites of varying sizes and even feature rooms with connecting doors for larger groups. Also, a handful of locations offer shower privileges.
You can find the phone numbers and email addresses of all Minute Suites locations here.
Related: 10 credit cards that offer Priority Pass airport lounge access
How to access Minute Suites
There are two ways to access Minute Suites:
- Pay for the room per hour
- Get it for free (or heavily discounted) using Priority Pass
You can make a reservation online here, or you can try your luck as a walk-up. Just note that space is quite limited; this isn’t a hotel in the concourse with hundreds of rooms. Your chances of scoring a suite may plummet the closer you get to your day of travel.
Pay to access Minute Suites
Minute Suites are available to anyone — for a hefty price. Here’s what you’ll expect to pay depending on the length of your stay.
| Time | Standard rate |
|---|---|
One hour | $55 |
One hour and 15 minutes | $68.75 |
One hour and 30 minutes | $82.50 |
One hour and 45 minutes | $96.25 |
Two hours | $110 |
Two hours and 15 minutes | $121.25 |
Two hours and 30 minutes | $132.50 |
Two hours and 45 minutes | $143.75 |
Three hours | $155 |
Four hours | $200 |
Five hours | $245 |
Six hours | $290 |
Seven hours | $335 |
Eight hours | $380 |
Overnight (eight hours) | $195 |
All in all, it's not cheap. By far, the best value is an overnight stay for $195, which comes to $24.38 per hour. But at that price, you may as well get a hotel.
Use credit cards to access Minute Suites
In most cases, Minute Suites are dramatically cheaper for those with Priority Pass. That’s because you’ll get the first hour free — a $55 value. If you want to stay longer, your Priority Pass membership will provide a discounted rate. Here’s what that looks like.
| Time | Priority Pass rate |
|---|---|
One hour | $0 |
One hour and 15 minutes | $8.50 |
One hour and 30 minutes | $17 |
One hour and 45 minutes | $25.50 |
Two hours | $34 |
Two hours and 15 minutes | $42.50 |
Two hours and 30 minutes | $51 |
Two hours and 45 minutes | $59.50 |
Three hours | $68 |
Four hours | $102 |
Five hours | $136 |
Six hours | $170 |
Seven hours | $204 |
Eight hours | $238 |
Overnight (Eight hours) | $195 |
As you can see, it's quite a savings compared to the standard rate, but there are two noteworthy details to mention.
First, the overnight stay costs the same, whether or not you flash your shiny Priority Pass card. Second, Priority Pass members (frustratingly) cannot reserve just a free hour online; only walk-ups can do that. To book ahead of time, you must reserve at least two hours (which will cost you a minimum of $34).
Several credit cards offer Priority Pass as a benefit after you enroll. This includes credit cards such as:
- Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- The Platinum Card® from American Express
- Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
- Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
- Capital One Venture X Business
- Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
The specific level of Priority Pass that these credit cards offer is called “Select.” It’s the highest level of membership — in fact, you can’t even buy it. The highest tier available for purchase (which lacks the key benefits of a “Select” membership) is called “Prestige,” and it costs $469 per year.
This is all to say that the Priority Pass you receive from credit cards is extremely valuable.
Are Minute Suites worth it?
If you have a Priority Pass membership, Minute Suites are absolutely worth it. The first hour is free, so you have nothing to lose.
On the other hand, there's likely not a tremendous number of folks who would spend $55 for an hour of sleep during a connection (although I’ve been there a time or two). Still, it can be worth it for some. Nursing mothers, those with small children who need a quiet nap away from the bustling terminal or anyone else desperate for a bit of privacy and tranquility may find it easy to pony up. The shower facilities in select locations may be a godsend for on-the-go business travelers who need a quick nap and a refresh before sprinting into the meeting.
Additionally, Minute Suites could be worth it for an overnight stay if you don’t want to leave the airport to buy a hotel. Renting the room overnight for eight hours costs $195 — whether you have a Priority Pass or not. Waking up just a few minutes from your gate may be worth the money.
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| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.