The Club unveils gorgeous new San Francisco lounge
San Francisco's newest airport terminal is getting its first Priority Pass-accessible lounge.
On Tuesday, Airport Dimensions unveiled a new The Club location that will open in San Francisco International Airport (SFO)'s Harvey Milk Terminal 1.
The space, which measures over 12,000 square feet and has room for 249 travelers, is The Club's largest and most opulent location to date.
In advance of the opening, Nancy Knipp, the president of Airport Dimensions, the company responsible for The Club network, spilled the beans exclusively with TPG about what travelers can expect from this LEED Gold-certified facility.
"I think we have really raised the bar on this one with what I would call authenticity and localization, really embracing the Northern California spirit of the lounge," she said.
Read on for all the details of what The Club is calling its "signature location."
The Club at SFO location and access
The Club at SFO opens on June 26 in the airport's Harvey Milk Terminal 1. It will be open daily from 4 a.m. to 11 p.m.
In terms of access, travelers with a Priority Pass will be able to enter the lounge for free. The same is true for flyers who hold a LoungeKey membership. (Both Priority Pass and LoungeKey are owned by The Club's parent company, The Collinson Group.)
For most TPG readers, Priority Pass will likely be the preferred access method. After all, many of our top recommended credit cards include a Priority Pass membership.
The late June opening couldn't be timed better, given that many of the existing Priority Pass options at SFO are restaurants, which will no longer be covered by some of the most popular Chase credit cards as of July 1.
Knipp said The Club is also in conversations with potential airline partners "coming from the Asia market" to provide complimentary access to select premium passengers, but nothing has been confirmed yet.
The outpost will also sell day passes online and in person. The cost of a day pass is $75.
The Club at SFO layout and design
Though existing The Club locations might not be known for their design, this location could change that reputation.
Based on the pictures alone, The Club at SFO is hands down the best location in the entire portfolio of 20 U.S. lounges.
"Travelers are really going to feel like they've stepped out of the airport and they've gone into somewhere in Northern California," explained Knipp.
The Club partnered with Corgan on the lounge design, which is rooted in the outdoors and draws inspiration from a redwood forest.
For instance, a tree canopy ceiling is designed to give the illusion of sunlight filtering through leaves. We'll have to visit ourselves to conclusively say how it looks, but based on the pictures, this is a night-and-day difference from other The Club outposts.
Locally curated artwork lines the halls of the lounge. There's even a wall mural in the dining area depicting a panoramic view of a redwood forest.
The Club at SFO dining
The Club is partnering with Santa Rosa-based Foley Family Wines to help curate the dining experience — in terms of both what you eat and drink.
In a nod to the region, the lounge will exclusively serve wines from Northern California, and the food options will feature locally sourced ingredients.
Menus weren't available before the opening, unfortunately.
Notably (and perhaps regrettably), The Club won't feature a grab-and-go station such as you'd find in other popular airport lounges like the Capital One Lounge.
As for why, Knipp explained that "the balance you've got to find there for a company like Airport Dimensions is not being in a situation where you're competing with the concessionaires in the terminal."
The Club at SFO amenities
This lounge also excels in terms of the amenities on offer.
For one, the lounge features a first-of-its-kind microclimate fireplace that we haven't seen in any other airport. The temperature-controlled space is designed to invoke a campfire by using water vapor and special lighting.
The lounge also features dedicated relaxation and productivity zones, with special seating styles designed for these spaces.
Also on offer: a shower suite, available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Finally, with wellness being a big part of the Northern California lifestyle, The Club boasts two fitness mirrors (with workout equipment) to help you get in a quick sweat when you're on the go.
There are also three luminescence rooms equipped with adjustable color temperature lighting to promote wellness.
And there's even a relaxation room for those who prefer to unwind in solitude.
Of course, the lounge also provides all the basics, with power outlets, USB ports and Wi-Fi available throughout the space.
The Club at SFO bottom line
The Club at SFO is undoubtedly the most ambitious location this network has introduced. With a gorgeous design, extensive food and beverage options and a long list of amenities, this space will likely become popular with travelers passing through SFO.
That could lead to overcrowding during peak hours, especially considering how many travelers passing through San Francisco have Priority Pass-eligible credit cards.
To manage overcrowding, Knipp said the lounge will debut a new QR code-based waitlist system that will hold your place in line. You'll need to physically visit the lounge to scan the QR code, though.
"It's something that we've implemented in our U.K. lounges, and it's been really well received, and it manages that process so much better and gives the guests a lot more flexibility for getting into the lounge," explained Knipp.
Hopefully, overcrowding won't be a concern all the time, because this is likely going to be a space worth visiting.
After all, Knipp said it best: "It's a lounge like no other, certainly in San Francisco. And I think it's one of the top in America as well."
Related reading:
- The best credit cards for airport lounge access
- Everything you need to know about the Priority Pass program
- The 8 do's and don'ts in an airport lounge
- Skip the lounge and get free food at 37 U.S. restaurants that are part of Priority Pass
- 9 domestic lounges that are worth going out of your way for
- 10 credit cards that offer Priority Pass airport lounge access
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- 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.
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| 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. |
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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
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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
- 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.