A long layover can be exhausting, especially when you’re sleep-deprived and stuck in a crowded terminal. The last thing you want to do is leave the airport, get on a shuttle bus to a hotel for a nap, then return and go through security checkpoints again. Some airports have hotels inside the terminal, but these can be expensive and sell out quickly during delays. That’s where Minute Suites come in.
Minute suites offer a private, comfortable, affordable alternative to traditional airport hotels for short stays. Instead of booking a hotel room outside the terminal, you can rent a Minute Suite by the hour—perfect for a quick nap, a productive work session, or a quiet escape from the terminal.
I stayed at Minute Suites Dallas Airport (DFW) for the first time seven years ago and enjoyed the experience. The room was tiny but offered the perfect place to catch up on sleep after an exhausting redeye.
In this guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about Minute Suites—what they are, why they’re worth considering, and how to save money on your next stay.
- What is Minute Suites?
- Minute Suites airport locations
- What’s inside a Minute Suite?
- Minute Suites with showers
- Minute Suites vs. airport hotels
- How to book Minute Suites
- Minute Suites cost per hour
- How to book free or discounted Minute Suites
- How to access Minute Suites with Priority Pass
- Credit Cards that offer Priority Pass Select membership
- Are Minute Suites worth it?
- Frequently Asked Questions
What is Minute Suites?
Minute Suites are micro-hotels inside major U.S. airport terminals, designed for travelers who need a comfortable and quiet place to relax without leaving the airport. These suites offer mostly window-less rooms with a daybed, workstation, and amenities catering to all types of travelers.
Unlike traditional hotels, which require a full-night reservation and travel outside the airport, Minute Suites offer hourly rentals, making them a flexible and cost-effective alternative for shorter layovers.
Minute Suites airport locations
Minute Suites is expanding rapidly, with locations in some of the busiest U.S. airports. Here’s a current list of open locations:
Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL)
- Concourse B (Gate B16)
- Concourse B (Gate B24)
- Concourse E (Atrium)
- Concourse F (Gate F6)
Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI)
- Concourse C (Gate C3)
Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)
- Atrium (Food Court)
- D/E Connector (Gate D1)
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
- Terminal A (Gate A39)
- Terminal D (Gate D23)
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)
- Concourse A (Gate A66)
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
- Terminal C North (Gate C14)
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
- Terminal 4, Concourse B (Gate B39)
- Terminal 8, Concourse C (Gate C36) – Coming soon!
Nashville International Airport (BNA)
- Concourse D (Gate D3)
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
- Terminal link between A/B Connector
Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)
- Concourse A (Gate A33)
What’s inside a Minute Suite?
Minute suites are equipped with practical amenities to accommodate relaxation and sleep. Each suite includes the following amenities:
- Day bed that sleeps up to two guests
- Pillows and blankets
- A desk
- High-speed Wi-Fi
- Smart TV
- Amazon Alexa
- Sound masking system that reduces noise
Up to two people can comfortably sleep in a Minute Suite, though some rooms have trundle beds, accommodating up to four people.
Minute Suites with showers
Many Minute Suites locations offer showers for an additional fee or as part of a specific room type. Priority Pass members get a discounted rate on shower fees, usually $20 instead of $30 for 30 minutes. Here’s a current list of Minute Suites locations that offer showers:
- Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL), Gate B24
- Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL), Concourse E Atrium
- Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT), Atrium
- Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT), Gate D1
- Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), Gate D23
- Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW), Gate A66
- George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), Gate C14
- John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Gate B39
- Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), Terminal link between A/B Connector
Minute Suites vs. airport hotels
Minute Suites is ideal for travelers seeking a quiet space to work or sleep in between flights. Parents with small children might appreciate the calm environment, while business travelers can benefit from having a quiet place to recharge. If you’re on a redeye flight with a short layover, it’s the perfect place to nap.
Interestingly, Minute Suites doesn’t have a minimum age requirement for check-in like traditional hotels. Unaccompanied minors can check in as long as they provide identification and reservation details.
A few years ago, my sister (who was 17 at the time) got stuck at the airport in the middle of the night and had to sleep in the terminal because she couldn’t check into a hotel. Her flight was also about five hours away, so she wouldn’t have wanted to leave the airport for such a brief amount of time. In scenarios like this one, Minute Suites can be a great solution.
If you’re on a long layover, you might consider booking a traditional airport hotel for a few hours of rest. If you don’t need amenities like a hotel gym or restaurant, Minute Suites can provide all the essentials at a fraction of the cost. Here are some reasons you might want to consider choosing Minute Suites over a full-service hotel:
- Stay inside the airport: No need to go through security again or waste time traveling to a hotel.
- Book by the hour: Only pay for the time you need rather than a whole night.
- More convenient for short layovers: Perfect for 2-6 hour breaks when leaving the airport isn’t prudent.
- Free or discounted access: Minute Suite is part of the Priority Pass lounge network. Members get one free hour and discounted additional time.
That being said, there are several drawbacks to booking a Minute Suite vs. a hotel:
- Hourly pricing can add up: While affordable for short stays, longer visits can become just as expensive as a budget airport hotel.
- Limited availability: Not all major airports have Minute Suites, and locations can book up quickly, especially during peak travel times.
- No bathrooms or showers: Unlike traditional hotel rooms, Minute Suites do not have private bathrooms or showers. Some suites have showers available for an added fee.
- Small Space: The suites are compact and designed for resting, not full hotel-style accommodation. Because of this, they’re also not ideal for families or big groups.
- No Room Service or Dining Options: Unlike a hotel, Minute Suites do not offer food or beverage service, so you’ll need to grab meals from the terminal.
How to book Minute Suites
You can book Minute Suite through the Minute Suites website or at the kiosk upon arrival. While Minute Suites allow walk-ins, availability is limited. Priority Pass members simply present their card at check-in and request a room, which will be provided based on availability.
Suites can be rented hourly, with options for extended stays if you have an overnight layover. Pricing typically starts around $48 for the first hour, with discounts for longer stays and Priority Pass members. Some locations also offer shower facilities for an additional fee.
Minute Suites cost per hour
Pricing for Minute Suites is hourly and varies by location and room type. Minute Suites offers discounted rates for employees, airline crew, military and veterans, and Priority Pass members. Here’s a general breakdown of what you can expect to pay for a Minute Suite (though you should confirm this on the website before arrival):
- Standard = $65 per hour, $215 overnight
- Employees/crew = $40 per hour, $135 overnight
- Military/veterans = $40 per hour, $135 overnight
- Priority Pass = $40 per hour (the first hour is free), $215 overnight
- Shower only = $30 ($20 for Priority Pass members)
While these prices may seem high, some travelers find it worthwhile for the convenience of being close to their departure gates. If you’re booking a Minute Suite for several hours, it’s worth comparing the rate against an airport hotel to ensure you’re not overpaying. After all, some airports have hotels in the terminal, so you won’t have to go far to get some sleep.
How to book free or discounted Minute Suites
Minute Suites offers discounted rates to select visitors. If you’re an airline employee, veteran, military personnel, or Priority Pass member, you can receive substantial discounts on
- Airline crew and employees: $25 off the hourly rate, plus $80 off overnights.
- Veterans/military: $25 off the hourly rate, plus $80 off overnights.
- Priority Pass members: Free 1-hour stays, plus $25 off hourly rates and $80 off overnights.
- Nursing mothers: Complimentary access for 30 minutes.
Occasionally, you can find discount codes on the Minute Suites Facebook page. For example, through the end of February, the company was offering a 25% off promo code. It’s worth checking that page before your next booking for extra savings.
How to access Minute Suites with Priority Pass
To use your free hour via Priority Pass Select, simply present your Priority Pass card at check-in. If your layover is longer and you need additional time, you can pay for extra hours at a discounted rate. Depending on how many hours you’re booking, you can save upwards of 87.70% on your Minute Suites stay with Priority Pass:
| Length of Time Booked | Priority Pass Rate | Regular Rate | Savings |
| 1 hour | 0 | $65 | 100% |
| 1.25 hours | $10 | $81.25 | 87.70% |
| 1.5 hours | $20 | $97.50 | 79.49% |
| 1.75 hours | $30 | $113.75 | 73.63% |
| 2 hours | $40 | $130 | 69.23% |
| 2.25 hours | $50 | $143.75 | 65.22% |
| 2.5 hours | $60 | $157.50 | 61.90% |
| 2.75 hours | $70 | $171.25 | 59.12% |
| 3 hours | $80 | $185 | 56.75% |
| 4 hours | $120 | $240 | 50% |
| 5 hours | $160 | $295 | 45.76% |
| 6 hours | $200 | $350 | 42.85% |
| 7 hours | $240 | $405 | 40.74% |
| 8 hours | $280 | $460 | 39.13% |
Credit Cards that offer Priority Pass Select membership
Many premium travel credit cards offer complimentary Priority Pass membership, which includes access to airport lounges and Minute Suites at no (or discounted) cost. Priority Pass Select membership includes access for both the cardholder and 2-3 additional guests. Here are a few cards that offer Priority Pass Select membership, including Minute Suites access:
- Chase Sapphire Reserve ($550 annual fee): Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite Credit Card ($550 annual fee): Earn 75,000 bonus points — worth $750 — after you make $5,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
- Citi Prestige Card ($550 annual fee): Discontinued for new applicants but still available for existing cardholders).
- The Platinum Card® from American Express ($695 annual fee): Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $8,000 within the first six months.
- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express ($695 annual fee): Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $20,000 on eligible purchases with your card in the first 3 months.
Capital One removed dining and experience benefits from their Venture X cards two years ago. Unfortunately, you can no longer use the Priority Pass Select membership from your Venture X card to access Minute Suites.
Are Minute Suites worth it?
If you’re looking for a comfortable place to nap in between flights without leaving the airport, Minute Suites is an excellent option. With locations in major airports and discounts through Priority Pass, it offers convenience and affordability.
However, if you need an overnight stay or more comprehensive amenities, you might be better off booking an airport hotel. You’ll get a bigger room, a private bathroom and shower, along with perks like free hotel breakfast and access to a gym.
If you’re staying for more than a few hours, the cost of a Minute Suites stay is close to that of an airport hotel. So you may want to consider if the potentially higher cost is worth the convenience of staying near your departure gate.
Minute Suites also aren’t great for folks who get claustrophobic since the rooms don’t have windows. While the lack of windows might be unnerving to some, I found it akin to sleeping in a room with blackout curtains. Depending on your personal travel habits, it may be worth it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do minute suites have bathrooms?
Most Minute Suites have communal bathrooms, but no private ones. Some locations also offer showers for an extra fee.
Do minutes suites have cameras?
Minute Suites do not have cameras in the rooms; they only have them in public spaces to ensure guest safety.
How many people can stay in a Minute Suite?
A minute suite can accommodate up to four people. Most have one daybed, which can accommodate up to two adults for sleep.
How much do Minute Suites cost per hour?
Minute Suites cost $40-$65 per hour, depending on the rate you book. In addition to Priority Pass, airline, and military discounts, Minute Suites gives away discounts on its public Facebook page.
Does DFW have Minute Suites?
Yes, Dallas Fort Worth Airport (DFW) has two Minute Suites locations: One at Terminal A near Gate 39 and another in Terminal D near Gate 23.
Are Minute Suites free with Amex?
Yes, the Amex Platinum cards still offer free Minute Suites access via Priority Pass. Make sure to register for a Priority Pass Select membership and present the app’s QR code (or a physical membership card, if you have one) at a participating Minute Suites location.
I am looking for a new credit card or 2 and I will be sure to look at your links first.
Yesterday you wrote about meeting spend requirements, can you please elaborate on how to buy money orders at Walmart. What is the procedure nowadays, only old outdated information is out there.
So glad you are blogging frequently….God Bless
Thanks Dan. I’m working on updating the MS guide and collecting data points right now. Basically, liquidating gift cards via mo’s depends on where you live. At some WM locations people are still able to buy money orders and split the transaction across four cards. At others, the limit per card is $100 which doesn’t make it very cost-effective.
I would recommend looking into retail arbitrage and buying groups (keeping in mind there are risks in that too). But also, test out the MS scene in your town: Go to your local WM or grocery store and try out a small transaction ($200) and see if it works. If the cashiers are at any point suspicious, just be honest about what you’re doing. They will appreciate it because they’ll know you’re not buying mo’s with nefarious intent.
You say that Priority Pass members get a discount, but then you list the same price for Standard and Priority Pass. Is this an oversight? Or is the overnight rate the same?
* Standard = $65 per hour, $215 overnight
* Priority Pass = $40 per hour (the first hour is free), $215 overnight
No it’s correct. Minute Suites doesn’t discount overnight stays for Priority Pass members – only the hourly rate. It’s weird because at seven hours ($240) you’re paying more than you would for an overnight stay ($215). It’s still cheaper than the $405 standard rate.