Lounge lottery: How US lounge food offerings stack up right now
A recent trip to the Delta lounge at New York's JFK airport had a pleasant surprise in store for TPG's executive editor Scott Mayerowitz: a full buffet, including paella. That's right, food is coming back to your favorite lounges. It's not quite to pre-pandemic levels everywhere, but the offerings are improving.
Mayerowitz's experience inspired us to quiz other TPG members about current lounge offerings. Overall, it's hit and miss, but the trend is very positive.
Delta Air Lines lounges
Good news for Delta flyers, all Sky Club locations are now open again. On that recent trip to JFK I mentioned, a sign declaring "fresh food buffets are back" greeted Mayerowitz.
Indeed, he found full buffets are available again, even including a paella station. As you can see below, there were hot soups and cheese cubes, which are pretty standard fare. But there were also fresh make-your-own salads, pasta salad, clams, pasta primavera, orecchiette pasta and much more. For desert? Biscotti or brownies.
As we reported in May 2020, food options had been really cut back in the age of COVID-19. That's all changed now. I can confirm because I was pleasantly surprised on a recent trip through Salt Lake City: The glorious new Sky Club in the new Salt Lake City terminal (it includes a Sky Deck) was also again serving hot serve-yourself food. In fact, I kind of missed being able to get some grab-and-go items to take with me.
I would say Sky Club offerings are now on par with what they were pre-pandemic.
American Airlines lounges
Good news on American Airlines. The airline says it has now reopened all of its domestic Admirals Clubs. TPG senior writer Zach Griff was in one of the Miami AA Admiral's clubs recently. He said it definitely was similar to pre-pandemic offerings. Griff says he actually liked a few of the changes saying there were a ".. bit more unique elements, like a create your own mezze plate."
Most AA lounges will have cheese cubes, hummus, hard-boiled eggs and fruit. Many also now have self-serve soups again.
And Griff pointed out that one of the AA lounge favorites was back: the guacamole station. You can have avocado toast in the morning and guacamole, salsa and chips in the afternoon. (Don't forget to leave a tip.)
Related: 9 ways the pandemic has transformed the American Airlines lounge experience
TPG cruise reporter Ashely Kosciolek was just at the Admiral's Club at LAX. She said they had, "Breakfast buffet: eggs (scrambled end boiled), oatmeal, cereal, fruit, yogurt, breads (bagels, English muffins, cinnamon muffins), spreads (butter, jelly, cream cheese), toppings for oatmeal (brown sugar, raisins, coconut), toppings for eggs (salsa, chives, cheese, sour cream), juices."
The Admirals Club was also back to selling other meals. Below is a look at the current menu and prices.
She also got to see the snack buffet that day and it included, "pretzels, M&Ms, Cajun trail mix, white chicken chili, falafel, kale and sweet potato soup, naan and dips (hummus, veggies, tzatziki), veggies, cheese cubes, chocolate chip cookies, Rice Krispie treats, pumpkin spice blondies, iced tea and soda."
Red Ventures director of social media Sophia Fen told me her boyfriend was just at ORD (Chicago) on Monday in the Admirals Club.
The food choices included:
- Chips/salsa/guac station (staff made the guac from scratch)
- Pita/hummus/tzatziki station
- Fresh fruit
- 3 different types of soup
- Salad bar
- Hot meals for purchase, including chicken tenders and hot sandwiches
The AA lounge offerings are favorably comparable to food offerings pre-pandemic.
Note also, as we've reported, the Flagship lounges are also back. American has brought in new chefs and a ton of options kicking off with the reopened Flagship lounge at New York-JFK last month.
Zach tried the roasted squash with a side of zaalouk as an appetizer and the signature roasted cauliflower dish.
The Flagship Miami (MIA) lounge reopened on Sept. 28th. The Flagship lounges in Chicago (ORD), Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) and Los Angeles (LAX) are set to open later this fall.
United Airlines lounges
Many United lounges are open again, but some are still only serving prepackaged "grab and go"-type offerings.
Summer Hull, TPG editorial director, has been in several United clubs recently, including Houston (HOU) and Dulles. She said, "... each club was really different." Offerings varied from lounge to lounge. That wasn't just her experience; she'd heard similar comments from many of her social media followers, too.
However, Hull also said that "United needs to elevate the club experience, but based on her low expectations, it outperformed, "... in some cases, it works better than before as you can grab and go. So, it's not as great an offering as Amex or Delta -- but it never was. In some clubs, it's as good as before, just different."
If you were hoping to experience one of United's business-class-only Polaris Lounges, you'll need to wait a little longer. There are reports a few of them could reopen in 2021, but no official word yet on when.
Alaska Airlines lounges
All of Alaska Airlines' lounges have reopened. I've been a few times recently to the spectacular flagship lounge at Seattle's N gates. I found food offerings to be as good as pre-pandemic with hot beverages prepared by baristas, and a self-serve buffet available again. The full bar is open and there are long, not-socially-distanced lines for cocktails.
Even the pancake machines are back.
That's a huge difference to offerings during the pandemic that were all self-serve and mostly sad prepackaged snacks.
Alaska Airlines is even bringing new experiences to some lounges. The brand-new lounge in San Francisco has a toast station where you can get a little bubbly and some bread with your choice of toppings. For the record, that's sourdough toast from San Francisco's Acme Bread Co.
Related: First look at Alaska's new SFO lounge
American Express Centurion lounges
The biggest disappointment, in my opinion, is the American Express Centurion lounges. I've had some unpleasant experiences at the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport lounge, in particular.
Most Centurion lounges have offered food served by lounge employees only. Lounges at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) provided prepackaged meal selections.
Related: Complete guide to Amex Centurion lounges
That's beginning to change, and Amex says self-serve is coming back. It can't come soon enough, judging by the lounge in Dallas. Check out the lines. The lounge had one lonely employee serving from a closed-off buffet and wait times were very long; it took a half-hour to get food.
I will say, the lines at the Centurion lounge in Miami have been much more manageable when I've been, and other TPG staffers haven't seen the problems I've seen at Dallas.
Bottom line
Lounges across America are reopening at a rapid clip, and the food offerings are getting better day to day. While it will be a while before everything gets back to pre-pandemic normal. We are happy to report there's been dramatic progress.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 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
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.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.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.