First look at the newly renovated Avianca-TAP Air Portugal lounge at Miami International Airport
For the first time since 2020, the Avianca lounge at Miami International Airport (MIA) has reopened its doors. Except now, it’s a joint venture with TAP Air Portugal — the first of its kind.
After being closed for four years, the space underwent a renovation from October 2024 to March 2025. It officially opens Friday, although passengers have had access since March 4 via a soft opening.
The lounge, re-created with premium customers in mind, has a modern, sleek design featuring neutral tones, wood paneling, and floor-to-ceiling windows that offer great views of the jet bridge and downtown Miami. Food and drink are plentiful, including a self-serve bar and Colombian arepas.
We scored a first look at the 24/7 departures lounge.
Avianca-TAP Air Portugal lounge location
The Avianca-TAP Air Portugal lounge is located past security in Concourse J, across from Gate J6.
Once you pass through the sliding glass doors, you’ll take an escalator up to the second floor, where you’ll be greeted with a second set of sliding glass doors. Note the second floor is shared with the LATAM Miami lounge, so you’ll need to make a left past the first check-in desk to reach the Avianca-TAP Air Portugal check-in desk.
The lounge is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Who has access to the Avianca-TAP Air Portugal lounge?
Technically, anyone flying out of MIA has access to the Avianca-TAP Air Portugal lounge if they're willing to pay for it. However, there are several ways to get access to the lounge for free.
First-class and business-class passengers with a same-day departure ticket on a Star Alliance-operated flight have free access to the lounge. They are also entitled to one guest as long as they are traveling on a Star Alliance-operated flight.
Those with Star Alliance Gold status (again, flying on a same-day Star Alliance-operated flight) can also enter the lounge free of charge, regardless of their fare class. They are allowed one guest, but they must be flying on the same flight as the Gold member.
This lounge is part of the Priority Pass network; Priority Pass access comes as a perk with several premium credit cards or can be bought as a stand-alone membership. The only caveat is that Priority Pass members have a three-hour time limit, whereas those who buy a membership have no time limits. Priority Pass members do not have to be flying on a Star Alliance-operated flight to access the lounge.
If you don’t meet any of the criteria above, you can opt to purchase a guest pass for $48.
What you can expect at the new and improved Avianca-TAP Air Portugal lounge
The 6,559-square-foot facility is equipped with a quiet room, family room, rest area and business center. There are bathrooms with a changing table, but unfortunately no showers. The capacity is 337 guests, but there are only seats for 158. Free Wi-Fi is available.
Once you enter the lounge, the hallway will lead you almost straight to the buffet area. You’ll pass the quiet room, coffee bar and the alcohol bar on the left-hand side. If you walk past the food, you’ll run into the family room and the restrooms.
As you round out the corner, business areas complete the space. This is what I’d consider a no-frills lounge, so you won’t find a fancy centerpiece or any artwork. They’ve instead opted to adorn the space with wood planks and very neutral colors—think modern gray, white, and black.
There is a basic assortment of tables and chairs, a few long tables with bar-height seating, and lounge chairs arranged near the floor-to-ceiling windows for views of the jet bridge. Thanks to the large windows throughout the lounge, the lighting is quite fantastic during the day.
The quiet room honestly looks like a waiting area, with chairs along the wall and an empty middle space aside from the back-to-back televisions. They were muted during our preview.
The family room is the most colorful room in the lounge, with a checkered neon blue, green and pink rug. Small ottomans and tables are sized right for children, although there were no toys, books or activities in sight. The room did have a TV playing cartoons.
The rest area is a dimly lit space with lounge chairs that didn’t recline, which was a bummer.
The business center had a conference table and individual desks with chairs, making it easy to get some work done, as long as you’re not distracted by the view of the jet bridge and downtown Miami.
There seemed to be a lack of outlets, as they were pretty spaced out. There was, however, a free charging station equipped with close to a dozen cables that could come in handy if you happen to pack your charger in a checked bag.
The good news is that you don’t have to reserve any of the spaces, as they are all first-come, first-served. The lounge has seen an average of 500 passengers a day, and we were told its peak hours are from 3 to 5 p.m. Once the lounge officially opens Friday, they expect an uptick in daily passengers.
Avianca-TAP Air Portugal lounge food and drink
There was no shortage of food and drinks. There is a self-serve alcohol bar showcasing Portuguese wines, American liquors and a customary Colombian spirit, Aguardiente. Immediately next to the bar are three filled-to-the-brim coolers with an assortment of canned beers, sodas, water and a small selection of chilled desserts.
For those who prefer coffee and tea, there are two fancy coffee machines where you can customize everything from the type of coffee to the flavor and size. I went for a chocolate espresso, and it was divine. There are caffeinated and decaffeinated options and several tea flavors available.
Food is served in two ways: via a QR code or through the self-serve buffet. Breakfast is served from midnight to noon, and a combination of lunch and dinner is served from noon to midnight.
Prior to the remodel, the only food service was the buffet. You can find the QR codes on the tables. Note that you’ll want to be sitting at the table where you scan the code, as that’s what informs the servers where to bring your food.
For breakfast, the available menu included scrambled eggs with ham, seasoned potatoes, pancakes and a Colombian arepa. I ordered one of each just to try everything, but if I were to do it again, I’d probably just order multiple arepas. They were nice and hot when they came out, with the cheese melted to perfection and the taste as authentic as I can recall a Colombian arepa tasting.
It took about 15 minutes for the food to arrive once I hit "submit" on the menu. The staff was very attentive to clearing the table when I was done.
Right at 12 p.m., the menu flipped to the combined lunch-and-dinner option. The selections available were gluten-free penne pasta in Alfredo sauce, spaghetti and pomodoro sauce, pork carnitas, mixed vegetables, and white rice with peas (the menu said chickpeas, but they were in fact green peas).
The spaghetti was by far the only large portion, with the others being more bite-size. The pork carnitas were the superior option here, as they were cooked to just the right temperature, which resulted in a juicy bite versus a dried-out piece of pork.
The lounge staff mentioned there was also a pastel de nata, which is a customary Portuguese custard tart, but it was not available during my visit.
For breakfast, the buffet was stocked with an assortment of cold cuts, cheeses, fruits, muffins, sliced bread, croissants, two cereal options, soup and sandwich sliders.
For lunch and dinner, the buffet had a wider selection and included a salad bar, quinoa salad, egg salad, an assortment of sandwiches, a cheese board, chicken noodle soup and tomato bisque, dips, crackers, muffins, cookies, fruits, doughnuts, and salty snacks.
All food and beverages are included during your visit.
Bottom line
The new Avianca-TAP Air Portugal lounge has reopened at Miami International Airport. For business travelers or families looking for a space to unwind before a flight, it gets the job done.
There is a decent assortment of food available, including Colombian arepas and Portuguese pasteis de nata. The staff is ready and willing to help, and there are great views from several spots in the lounge.
Business- and first-class passengers flying on Star Alliance airlines and Star Alliance Gold members get in for free. Priority Pass members are also welcome, though they are limited to a three-hour visit.
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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
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- 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.
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- 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.