It’s finally here: The day San Francisco International Airport (SFO) gets a new lounge in the Harvey Milk Terminal 1. If you’re an SFO-based flyer with Priority Pass access, you’re in for a treat. The Club at SFO is a sustainably built, LEED Gold-certified premium lounge with 12,000 sqft of space, seating for 249 guests, and impressive amenities.
I was invited to check it out yesterday, but the travel gods had other plans. Luckily, the PR team sent me plenty of photos and information about The Club and what you can expect. As an SFO-based flyer, I couldn’t be more thrilled at this new lounge opening, especially since SFO currently has no Priority Pass lounges outside the international terminal.
Why this new lounge opening is a big deal
Instead, Priority Pass Select members received a $35 per-person credit at one of three restaurants in Terminal 2 and 3. The Chase Sapphire Reserve and Capital One Venture X both discontinued the dining credit, leaving cardholders who relied on this benefit with no alternatives. The opening of a premium lounge at SFO’s Terminal 1 is welcome news for travelers who previously had no other options.
The terminal is a departure point for domestic flights serviced by Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, JetBlue, and Southwest Airlines. It’s bound to be a popular choice for travelers who can’t access the Admirals Club lounge – the only other lounge in the terminal.
- Opening date: June 26, 2024
- Location: Harvey Milk Terminal 1, Level 3
- Hours: 4 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily
Who can access The Club at SFO?
The Club at SFO is open to all travelers flying out of the Harvey Milk Terminal 1. Access to The Club is complimentary for Priority Pass Select members, who can enter up to three hours before departure.
All other travelers will need to pay $75 per visit. You can save 10% by signing up for email notifications on The Club’s website.
Amenities at The Club at SFO
The Cub At SFO features an impressive array of amenities that travelers will appreciate. From ample seating to wellness and productivity space, the lounge has been thoughtfully designed to accommodate the needs of various types of travelers.
Food and drinks
Food can make or break an airport lounge. Regardless of whether you’re paying for entrance or getting in courtesy of your credit card, the food served in the lounge matters. The Club offers an array of complimentary food, drinks, and snacks inspired by the region. These include gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options.
Guests can access premium beverages, including a selection of wines sourced from Northern California wineries. All of this sounds great, but again – I’d love to see what this looks like once the lounge opens.
Wellness spaces
One of the most lauded amenities offered at SFO is the yoga room—you’ve likely heard many travelers rave about this space, which is available to all travelers. The Club elevates this concept with both fitness and relaxation amenities.
Guests who want to get in a workout will have access to equipment and two fitness mirrors.
There’s also a general Relaxation Room and three luminescence rooms with adjustable color temperature lighting. These spaces sound ideal for relaxing before a flight or recovering from a stressful travel day.
One of the public spaces features a microclimate fireplace that mimics a campfire, which kids and adults will both love.
The Club also offers shower facilities, though the website states a $25 fee is due on these visits. This information wasn’t in the press release, so I’ve reached out to representatives and will update this post when I get confirmation either way.
Seating
Seating is perhaps the most important aspect of an airport lounge, and The Club offers plenty. The lounge has seating for 249 guests, including both open and private spaces. It also features a combination of wellness and work spaces, catering to every type of traveler.
I’m very curious how this place will fare, considering it’s only one of two lounges at SFO’s Harvey Milk terminal and the only one open to Priority Pass members.
Will it succumb to overcrowding and long lines like others have? Time will tell.
Bottom line
SFO has been sorely lacking a Priority Pass lounge option for a while now, and it’s become worse with nearly every credit card issuer dropping the Priority Pass dining benefit. Aside from being a welcome addition to an otherwise bare landscape, The Club seems like a great place to hang out before a flight. Between its premium amenities and status as the only Priority Pass lounge at SFO (outside the International terminal), it’s bound to be a popular choice.
Do you have plans to visit the new lounge at SFO? I’d love your feedback.
Featured image courtesy of Airport Dimensions
