Review: Alaska Lounge Portland Airport

Review: Alaska Lounge Portland Airport

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Now that I’ve reviewed the three non-conventional Priority Pass “locations” at Portland Airport — House Spirits Distillery, Capers Cafe, and Capers Market — it’s time to review the one “traditional” Priority Pass lounge at the airport, that has been around for a long time. I’m talking about the Alaska Lounge.

The Alaska Lounge PDX is located near gate C5, which is a short walk from the security checkpoint, and accessible airside from all gates, and especially close to House Spirits Distillery and Capers Cafe.


Portland Airport Concourse C

The Alaska Lounge is open daily from 5AM until 11PM.


Alaska Lounge Portland exterior

We visited on a Wednesday afternoon, when the lounge was fairly empty, which seems rare, given how small the lounge. Do note that this lounge often has capacity restraints for Priority Pass members due to crowding. Expect that to be most common in the mornings and on peak travel days, like Mondays, Thursday, and Fridays.

On the plus side, I could have otherwise gotten into the lounge using my American Admirals Club membership, which I have through the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®.


Alaska Lounge Portland reception

This was my first time in the lounge, and it was smaller than I was expecting for Alaska’s lounge at their hub airport. Inside the lounge and to the right was a small TV area, with a bunch of chairs pushed close together.


Alaska Lounge Portland seating


Alaska Lounge Portland TV area

Then the picture below shows the entire rest of the lounge. Just past the TV area is the cafe area, which has some small dining tables, as well as some leather chairs along the windows.


Alaska Lounge Portland seating


Alaska Lounge Portland seating

Past that is another small seating area with maybe a dozen leather chairs.


Alaska Lounge Portland seating


Alaska Lounge Portland seating

Past that is the business center, with about a dozen cubicles.


Alaska Lounge PDX business center


Alaska Lounge PDX business center

In the back corner are some more rolling chairs, including a small separate room, which is presumably intended to be a quiet area, or something.


Alaska Lounge PDX business center

There’s also an industrial printer in this area.


Alaska Lounge PDX printer

The lounge has decent views of the tarmac.


Alaska Lounge PDX view

The food and drink selection was pretty typical for an Alaska Lounge. Along the interior wall was a Coca-Cola soda fountain a Starbucks coffee machine (which is one of my favorite lounge coffee machines), and a couple of canisters with filtered coffee.


Alaska Lounge PDX drink selection


Alaska Lounge PDX Starbucks drink selection


Alaska Lounge PDX soda fountain

There was also a window where alcoholic drinks are available, which are served by the lounge attendants. Choices include house beer and wine, though the lounge has no liquor.


Alaska Lounge PDX bar & fridge

Next to that was a fridge with some cubed cheese, veggies, salad, hummus, and chicken.


Alaska Lounge PDX snacks


Alaska Lounge PDX snacks

Then separating two of the areas of the lounge was a counter with the pancake machine (which wasn’t available at the time — they only turn it on in the mornings), as well as pretzels, cookies, snack mix, etc.


Alaska Lounge PDX buffet


Alaska Lounge PDX pancake machine


Alaska Lounge PDX snacks

Lastly there was soup, along with chips and salsa.


Alaska Lounge PDX soup & chips

The bathroom was in the far back corner of the lounge. The mens room had just one stall, which doesn’t really seem sufficient given the size of the lounge.


Alaska Lounge PDX bathrooms


Alaska Lounge PDX bathrooms

For what it’s worth, the posted maximum occupancy of the lounge is 95 people.


Alaska Lounge PDX maximum occupancy

The number of Priority Pass members has increased greatly the past couple of years, since now there are quite a few credit cards with lounge access.  If you want access to Priority Pass lounges, the following premium credit cards come with memberships:

2 guests, plus authorized users $0 per authorized user
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
2 guests, plus authorized users $75 per authorized user
Chase Sapphire Reserve® Chase Sapphire Reserve®
2 guests, plus authorized users $195 per authorized user (Rates & Fees) (Enrollment required)
The Platinum Card® from American Express The Platinum Card® from American Express
2 guests, plus authorized users $300 per authorized user (Rates & Fees) (Enrollment required)
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
2 guests No authorized user access
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card

Alaska Lounge Portland Airport bottom line

Portland Airport is one of the best airports in the US, and it has a ton of restaurants and other cool concepts, like a distillery, movie theater, and nice-looking spa. Given that this is Alaska’s hub, I found the lounge underwhelming, in terms of the size, decor, etc. I’ll take it a step further — for most people I don’t think this lounge is worth visiting.

It was pretty empty when I visited, but I’ve heard otherwise it gets really crowded. Frankly I found the gate area to be more modern and spacious, and it also had outlets everywhere, with free Wi-Fi. So I’d rather have a snack or meal (or even just grab a cup of coffee) at Capers, and then sit somewhere else, because this lounge isn’t great.

The following links will direct you to the rates and fees for mentioned American Express Cards. These include: The Business Platinum® Card from American Express (Rates & Fees), and The Platinum Card® from American Express (Rates & Fees).

Conversations (17)
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  1. Wylie Guest

    I believe this lounge is no longer part of the PP stable of lounges as of Nov 1, 2019.

  2. Bryan Guest

    PDX just kicked off a big new construction project to extend the E concourse and when that's done Alaska will move their operations there so we can assume that it's going to include a new Alaska lounge. But it's still going to be a few more years before that opens.

  3. Morris Belemans Guest

    Not surprising--poor us airlines. They cannot do anything right but hustle. That lounge was depressing; look at the sad people diddling with phones and looking shallow and empty. It IS indeed the us!

  4. AD Diamond

    @Dennis -- exceptional staff is right. I was a PDX based MVP Gold for many years and while the physical lounge lacks a great deal, the staff are over the top friendly and helpful. It's been nine years since I left Portland and all the staff who were there when I was still recognize me. A couple still address me by name when I walk in. Try that in ANY Admiral's Club or even most of the other Board Rooms. Love the PDX Boardroom team!

  5. Jason Guest

    C'mon didn't even mention the carpets at PDX? I think that's one of the most famous feature of PDX. Just look up #PdxCarpet on instagram

  6. Robert D Member

    "Alaska's hub"? I think Seattle would beg to differ.

  7. Dennis Palmieri Guest

    I've been an Alaska MVP gold and lounge member for 10+ years and I have complained about pdx lounge since day one. It's embarrassing. I think you were too kind. Alaska is a great airline with exceptional service, that just doesn't get "premium," on the ground or in the air. Their exceptoinal staff struggles with a bad product up front, which is ironic b/c their coach product is p rhaps the best I US. The...

    I've been an Alaska MVP gold and lounge member for 10+ years and I have complained about pdx lounge since day one. It's embarrassing. I think you were too kind. Alaska is a great airline with exceptional service, that just doesn't get "premium," on the ground or in the air. Their exceptoinal staff struggles with a bad product up front, which is ironic b/c their coach product is p rhaps the best I US. The PDX lounge is admittedly the most extreme example of this phenom, but it's a great example that a VIP lounge in the middle of a great airport isn't even worth visiting... next time stop in the free mini movie theater just across the way...it's great!

  8. strickles New Member

    You nailed the review. While the pancake machine is indeed a morning high-point, Capers is a much better place to while away an hour before the flight than the dumpy Alaska lounge.

    Bryan T: Yes, the beer is a local handcrafted variety, differing with the seasons. At least they give you that much....

  9. Ralf Guest

    Lukcy, you forget the merits of the pancake machine!! That alone is worth a PDX Alaska Lounge visit!

  10. Bryan T Member

    Any craft beer available?

    Only been to the AS lounge in LAX but I sure do love those pancakes.

  11. thomas Guest

    PDX is one of their secondary hubs. Main hub is SEA but PDX is also a hub for flights to/from Alaska, Hawaii, CA and east coast.

  12. thomas Guest

    IIRC this lounge does not serve spirits, they only serve beer and wine. I tried to get a bloody mary, they couldn't do it and instead offered me a mimosa.

    1. lucky OMAAT

      @ thomas -- You're absolutely right, I stand corrected. Updating the post now.

  13. Mirza Ahmed Guest

    PDX isn't a primary hub for Alaska. Their lounges at SEA and ANC are much nicer.

  14. Kelly Member

    I have an AL Membership, but not for this lounge. As a PDX-based flyer, this one is indeed dismal. And I can attest to the crowding, mostly from 5am-11am and there have been more than a few times where literally every seat or chair was taken - SRO. Have written to Alaska, and they are working with the PoP to find larger space, though it's becoming a premium in PDX. I use my membership mostly...

    I have an AL Membership, but not for this lounge. As a PDX-based flyer, this one is indeed dismal. And I can attest to the crowding, mostly from 5am-11am and there have been more than a few times where literally every seat or chair was taken - SRO. Have written to Alaska, and they are working with the PoP to find larger space, though it's becoming a premium in PDX. I use my membership mostly for the LA T6 location and the SEA locations. If it weren't for those, I would dump my membership and rely solely on PP.

    The new restaurant options and distillery are really nice adds, and am hoping PP adds even more of the better places to eat at the airport.

  15. JakePB Guest

    Agreed. In a 4 horse lounge race at PDX, this one sadly finishes out of the money.
    PDX is Alaska's hub?? I always assumed (wrongly) that SeaTac was their hub.

  16. Daniel Guest

    Let's just face it. This is one crappy lounge.

Featured Comments Most helpful comments ( as chosen by the OMAAT community ).

The comments on this page have not been provided, reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any advertiser, and it is not an advertiser's responsibility to ensure posts and/or questions are answered.

Wylie Guest

I believe this lounge is no longer part of the PP stable of lounges as of Nov 1, 2019.

0
Bryan Guest

PDX just kicked off a big new construction project to extend the E concourse and when that's done Alaska will move their operations there so we can assume that it's going to include a new Alaska lounge. But it's still going to be a few more years before that opens.

0
Morris Belemans Guest

Not surprising--poor us airlines. They cannot do anything right but hustle. That lounge was depressing; look at the sad people diddling with phones and looking shallow and empty. It IS indeed the us!

0
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