See inside Miami's brand-new Turkish Airlines lounge that accepts Priority Pass
Miami Airport just added another lounge to its impressive roster of exclusive pre-departure spaces.
The new Turkish Airlines flagship lounge opened around the holidays, and it's a welcome gift for Star Alliance flyers and Priority Pass holders.
With a nearly 10,000-square-foot floorplan and capacity for 420 passengers, the space — designed in a similar theme to the carrier's mega-lounge in Istanbul — has plenty of room for flyers.
There's lots to love, so let's dive right into the details.
Access and location
To start, the lounge is open to a whole host of flyers.
In addition to welcoming Star Alliance business-class passengers flying internationally from Miami, anyone with Star Alliance Gold status can access the lounge, even if you're flying domestically.
That means that a United Premier Gold, Platinum or 1K member can use the Turkish Lounge before a three-hour flight to Newark.
Even if you're not a Star Alliance elite member, simply holding the right credit card will unlock the doors to the Turkish Lounge. Many of our top recommended credit cards include a Priority Pass membership for free.
As long as you have a Priority Pass, you can enter the lounge, regardless of what airline you're flying or elite status you hold.
The lounge is centrally located on the upper level between Concourses H and J, making it especially convenient for Delta, Southwest and United passengers.
For now, the new lounge is open from 4 a.m. until 11 p.m., though the post-pandemic plan is to welcome flyers 24/7.
The Istanbul-based carrier now offers two lounges in Miami. In addition to this new one, the carrier opened a smaller space in Concourse E in late 2019, but it's currently closed due to the pandemic.
More: The best credit cards for Priority Pass lounge access
Layout
After entering the space, flyers are greeted by a front desk agent stationed behind plexiglass.
Once inside, there are two main rooms — one smaller, circular one near the entrance, and a larger, rectangular one further inside.
The smaller space includes a central rotunda with bench seating, a small business center with a printer, a television room and a kids' area.
The lounge is capped at 50% capacity due to COVID, and there are decals on the floor and seats demarcating social distancing guidelines.
The main room features various seating options, including freestanding circular dining room tables, couches, recliners and benches built into the walls.
The dark wood, cream leather motifs and gold accents are reminiscent of the carrier's networkwide Arabic and Mediterranean theme, and almost make you feel like you've entered an upscale bazaar.
But don't be fooled. The two surfboards and teal-colored miniature boardwalk remind you that you're still in Miami.
One of the lounge's highlights is the plethora of natural light seeping in from all angles. Of course, my personal favorite is the unobstructed views of the west side of Concourse J, making for great plane spotting during the afternoon and evening rush hour.
Though the lounge features an open-seating concept, the floor-to-ceiling dividers help create a sense of personal space.
Food and beverage
Due to the pandemic, all food and drinks are served by lounge attendants.
Additionally, the rectangular freestanding buffet features individually wrapped food options.
Breakfast is served from opening until 11 a.m. and includes an assortment of traditional American options like scrambled eggs, yogurts, muffins and more.
At noon, the buffet is converted to the all-day dining selection featuring Arabic-themed fare.
I didn't have a chance to try any of the food, but it all looked tasty and fresh — a noticeable step up from the traditional U.S. airline lounge.
In addition to the cold food options, traditional lentil soup and kofta kebabs are available on request.
The fully stocked bar offers a range of complimentary spirits, including Turkey's national drink, raki, as well as traditional favorites, like Bacardi rum and Beefeater gin.
Cocktail menus have been cut to reduce touchpoints, but the friendly bartender is happy to whip up your favorite drink on request.
There's also a rotating selection of red and white wine, as well as Heineken, Yuengling and Mahou beers.
Coca-Cola-branded soft drinks are served in individual cans, and Turkish tea and coffee are available as well.
Amenities
Though the space doesn't offer a spa like the nearby Amex Centurion Lounge, it's still stocked with plenty of amenities.
Families traveling with young children will appreciate the dedicated kids' area.
There's also a six-seat rest area with reclining loungers.
The lounge has a dedicated VIP room for top-tier Turkish Airlines passengers, dignitaries and the like.
The marble-clad gender-specific restrooms were in immaculate condition throughout my visit.
The lounge also features two individual shower suites, but they're both closed right now due to the pandemic.
As for the basics, power outlets and USB ports were spread throughout the lounge. At 100 Mbps download and upload, the Wi-Fi speeds were quite impressive for Miami Airport, which otherwise offers one of the slowest internet connections across domestic airports.
Bottom line
With an Arabic-themed design, plenty of seating and high-quality food and drinks, the new Turkish Airlines lounge in Miami is a fantastic space.
It's easily one of the top Priority Pass-accessible lounges in the U.S., and I'd definitely recommend stopping by.
Just keep track of the time, though, so you don't forget about boarding your flight.
All photos by Zach Griff/The Points Guy
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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. |
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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
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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.