2 New Lounges Coming to Sacramento Airport — Accessible With Amex Platinum
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The greater California Bay Area has four large international airports although the one most under-the-radar is likely the state's capital airport, Sacramento International (SMF). While it serves about 12 million passengers a year, it doesn't have any lounges for passengers to relax pre-flight.
Good news for those flying out of the airport, as the Sacramento Bee reports it will be getting two new lounges and updated amenities this spring.
Most importantly, each of the airport's two terminals will each get their own Escape Lounge. Escape Lounges are independently run and not affiliated with Priority Pass. However, they do have a deal with American Express that grants those with The Platinum Card® from American Express and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express complimentary entrance.
There's an Escape Lounge at Oakland airport (OAK) that's received great reviews and sits somewhere between an Amex Centurion Lounge and a domestic airline lounge. It features high-quality food, although the space itself isn't very large and doesn't offer many complimentary drinks.
There are 11 other Escape Lounges including locations at Reno-Tahoe (RNO), Minneapolis (MSP) and Hartford (BDL).
At Oakland, passengers traveling with British Airways, Azores Airlines and Norwegian in premium cabins get complimentary access to the Escape lounge, so it's possible other airlines flying from Sacramento will strike a similar deal with Escape to offer pre-departure access when flying in first and business.
The Reno and Oakland Escape Lounges charge $40-$45 for entrance for those who don't have access through an Amex Platinum or an airline — passengers can likely expect to pay similar prices at Sacramento.
American, Delta and United all fly out of Sacramento, but Southwest has the largest presence at the airport.
The construction will start in February and is expected to last three months. In addition to the lounges, the airport will get an art gallery, a handful of new shops, restaurants and even a "flavored water bar."
H/T: Doctor of Credit