Finally, a lounge at PDX that’s actually worth visiting.
The Escape Lounge in Portland International Airport is the cherry on top for the newly renovated airport, finally adding an amenity Priority Pass members have been longing for- especially after the Chase Sapphire Reserve discontinued its restaurant credit that could be used at participating restaurants back in July of 2024. Since then, myself and plenty of other Portlanders, have not only swapped out the Chase Sapphire Reserve for something more affordable, but have been pining for any kind of replacement for a similar airport perk.
Access to the Escape Lounge at PDX
Access to the lounge can be granted in a variety of ways:
- Pay for entry ($45 walk up and $40 pre-book, credit cards only, children under 2 are free)
- Priority Pass Membership
- American Express Credit cards
- Centurion
- Platinum
- Corporate Platinum Card
- Delta SkyMiles (only if flying on a Delta marketed flight)
The Escape Lounge is a welcome destination for lounge-lovers and general travelers, especially since its access rules are far less restrictive than the three branded lounges currently at PDX. By comparison, the Alaska Airlines lounge, Delta Skyclub and United Club are far more exclusive and include requirements such as same-day premium fare tickets on their respective airlines (some with distance restrictions), top tier elite status, and pricey paid memberships (starting at $595 for Alaska, $695 for Delta and $750 for United). Some allow day passes only if flying that airline from the airport the same day- the fee is $60 for the Alaska lounge, while Delta no longer offers day passes at all for their Skyclub.
Lounge Hours and Time Limits
The PDX Escape lounge is open every day from 3:30 am to 11:30 pm- impressively long business hours for a relatively small airport. Access is permitted 3 hours prior to departure time and there are no listed restrictions on length of stay.
Lounge Location in PDX
The Escape Lounge in PDX is located in Concoursel D, between gates 8 and 10. After passing through airport security, you are able to move freely between concourses, making access to the lounge possible even if your departing gate is in another concourse. PDX continues to be under construction, which requires some lengthy detours at times so make sure to factor in the appropriate time to travel to and from your gate.
Lounge Interior and Amenities
The Escape Lounge gives an immediately elevated impression with its entrance, which echoes the sleek, wood-forward aesthetic present in the redesigned airport lobby. Check-in was fast and seamless- the attendant scanned my digital Priority Pass and gave us a friendly overview of what we would find upstairs. As we began our journey upstairs, he pointed out that the moss on the walls in the stairway was real (something he must have to answer constantly). The moss is impressive, for the record.
The design inside is modern and inviting. There are couches, bistro-style tables, and oversized chairs- plenty of seating for options for groups of all sizes. Sweeping views of the runway at the far side of the lounge make for an engaging landscape, planes taking off every few minutes.
The lounge also included several glass-walled work spaces, complete with printing and copy services, as well as private showers and bathrooms.
I was struck by how open and spacious the lounge felt. Some lounges are crammed with chairs and tables, making maneuvering through the space difficult to navigate, especially when tired from travel with unruly luggage. The high ceilings, the perimeter of windows and the sprawling layout made for a relaxed and comfortable visit.
Food and Drinks
The food and non-alcoholic beverage station was just at the top of the stairs. It was morning, so the offerings included breakfast potatoes, sausages, scrambled eggs, and a selection of fruit, granolas, cereals, pastries and yogurts. While the spread wasn’t extensive, I was pleased with the flavorful sausages and the pastries made in-house were surprisingly delicious.
The self-serve coffee machine proudly advertised Coava coffee, a Portland favorite. A full bar featured about 8 to 10 seats that sat empty, except for my husband who was grabbing us some Bloody Mary’s. He returned with two beautiful house-made cocktails, and I was delighted to see that my glass was rimmed with two different kinds of salt. Call me easily impressed, but in my decades on this earth, this was a first for me.
Staff and Service
I was genuinely impressed by how attentive the staff was. Even though it was early and not crowded at the time of my visit, the staff came through multiple times to clear plates and glasses, and even asked if we would like another cocktail. All the staff we encountered were very kind and the elevated service absolutely heightened the experience of the visit.
Final Thoughts
Despite the airport being incredibly busy on that Saturday morning in July, the lounge never felt crowded. Perhaps this will change as more people are made aware of its existence, but for now I can confidently recommend the PDX Escape Lounge and am elated to have a proper lounge option that doesn’t require elite status or a premium fare, that I am able to access as a perk with my Venture X.
While the Escape Lounge network is still relatively small in comparison to some of the larger conglomerates, at just under 30 locations- 20 of which are located in the US- I am impressed with PDX’s Escape Lounge and look forward to visiting another location to see if it measures up.
