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Best Lounges at MIA Airport (Top Picks for 2025)
December 12, 2024

Introduction
Miami International Airport (MIA) is one of the busiest U.S. hubs and a gateway to Latin America. With over a dozen lounges available, navigating which one to use can be overwhelming. Whether you’re seeking a quiet work spot, a hearty meal, or a shower during a layover, MIA’s lounges have something for everyone.
In this guide, we’ve rounded up the best lounges at MIA and what makes each special. More importantly, we’ll explain how you can access these lounges – even if you’re not flying first class – often by leveraging the right credit card perks or memberships. Relax and recharge at Miami Airport with this 2025 lounge guide!
Lounge Access Overview
MIA boasts a wide variety of lounges spread across its terminals. These include premium airline lounges (like American Airlines’ clubs), independent lounges, and even a Priority Pass restaurant. Traditionally, lounge entry was reserved for business/first class flyers or elite frequent fliers.
Fortunately, nowadays many credit cards offer complimentary lounge access as a perk, and day passes or paid memberships can open doors as well. Below, we’ll detail each top lounge and how you can get in:
- Credit Card Access: Several lounges at MIA allow access with certain credit cards. For example, cardholders of The Platinum Card® from American Express can enter the Centurion Lounge for free, and cards with Priority Pass grant access to partner lounges (and even a restaurant).
- Airline Status or Tickets: Some lounges are exclusive – e.g., the American Airlines Flagship Lounge requires a business/first class ticket or top-tier status on Oneworld airlines (no credit card alone will work). We’ll note these cases.
- Day Passes: A few lounges sell day passes. For instance, American Admirals Club sometimes offers a $79 day pass for walk-in guests if capacity allows.
- Military Lounge: MIA has a Military Hospitality Lounge (USO) for active-duty U.S. military and family – always free, but restricted to that community.
Now, let’s jump into the best lounges in Miami Airport, why they’re worth visiting, and exactly how you can get through the door.
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American Express Centurion Lounge – Access with Amex Platinum/Centurion Cards
- Location: Concourse D (near Gate D12), 4th floor (elevator accessible).
- Hours: ~5:00am – 10:00pm daily.
- Why it’s great: The Centurion Lounge is often considered the best lounge at MIA for overall experience. Expect a sleek modern design and high-end amenities: a complimentary gourmet buffet and premium bar, spa services and showers, a family room, and semi-private workspaces. It’s an oasis from the terminal crowds with excellent Wi-Fi and plenty of outlets.
How to get in: This lounge is exclusive to American Express cardholders:
- The Platinum Card® from American Express – grants complimentary access for the cardholder.
- Centurion® Card from American Express (Amex “Black Card”) – unlimited access for cardholder + 2 guests at no fee.
No other credit cards or memberships (Priority Pass, etc.) are accepted here – it’s an Amex-exclusive lounge. If you have an Amex Platinum, simply show your card, same-day boarding pass, and ID at the lounge check-in.
Note that starting in Feb 2025, Amex Platinum holders are limited to 3 Centurion lounge visits – a new policy aimed at crowd control. Still, if MIA is one of your rare trips, you should be fine. Once inside, enjoy the craft cocktails and perhaps a tension-melting massage in the spa!
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American Airlines Admirals Clubs – Access with Citi AAdvantage Executive or Membership
Location: Concourse D has two Admirals Club lounges:
- Near Gate D30 (by the Admirals/Flagship check-in area)
- Near Gate D15 (third floor above gate area)
Hours: ~5:30am – 10:30pm (D15 location) and 6:00am – 8:30pm (D30 location).
Why they’re great: Admirals Clubs provide a comfortable, business-like environment. They may not be as fancy as the Flagship or Centurion, but you’ll get complimentary snacks, a full-service bar (drinks like beer, wine, and well cocktails are free; premium drinks for purchase), free Wi-Fi, ample seating, and often a kids’ play area. Notably, the D30 club has a conference room and showers.
How to get in: Admirals Clubs have several access routes:
- Credit Card: The best shortcut is carrying the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®, which grants full Admirals Club membership to the primary cardholder. This means you can access any Admirals Club, including the two at MIA, whenever you’re flying American or a Oneworld partner.
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- Day Pass: If you don’t have membership, you might purchase a One-Day Admirals Club pass for $79 at the front desk. Availability is not guaranteed. Also, a same-day boarding pass on American or a partner airline is required even for day-pass buyers.
- Elite Status / Premium Ticket: Admirals Clubs are accessible for American’s elites or Oneworld Sapphire/Emerald if flying internationally, and for passengers flying in first/business on a Oneworld airline. For example, a Oneworld Emerald on British Airways could use the Admirals Club before an AA flight.
- Other Credit Cards: No other card gives free Admirals access.
Don’t confuse with Flagship Lounge: At MIA, near Gate D30, there’s also the Flagship Lounge – a step above Admirals Club with larger buffet and exclusivity. No credit card gets you into Flagship Lounge; it’s only for first/business class flyers on qualifying international routes or top-tier AA elites.
So, while Flagship is arguably the “best” AA lounge at MIA (with Champagne and hot meals), this guide focuses on lounges you can tap into with cards. If you do qualify, definitely check it out for an upgraded dining experience.
Delta Sky Club – Access with Amex Platinum or Delta Reserve (when flying Delta)
Location: Concourse H, near Gate H3 (in the connector between H and J gates).
Hours: ~4:30am – 10:30pm (aligned with Delta’s flight schedule).
Why it’s great: Even though Miami isn’t a Delta hub, the Delta Sky Club at MIA is a sizable, modern lounge. It features stylish décor, a buffet of light bites (think salads, soups, pastas, and snacks), a premium bar with complimentary and paid options, plenty of seating (often with runway views), and very good Wi-Fi.
How to get in: Delta Sky Club access recently became more restricted, but still attainable:
Credit Cards: Two cards can unlock the Sky Club:
- The Platinum Card® from American Express – gets you into Delta Sky Clubs only when you are flying Delta that day. As of Feb 2025, Amex Platinum cardholders are limited to 10 Sky Club visits per year. If you use one of your visits, you can bring in guests at $50 each.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card – this is Delta’s top-tier card. It grants Sky Club access whenever you fly Delta, with the first 15 visits per year free starting 2025.
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- Delta One or Elite Status: Travelers flying in Delta One (business class) or those with SkyTeam Elite Plus status (e.g., Delta Diamond/Platinum Medallion on an international itinerary) also get Sky Club access. If you’re a SkyTeam Elite Plus flying internationally from MIA (even in economy), you can use the Sky Club.
- Membership: Delta used to sell Sky Club memberships, but in 2023 they stopped offering new memberships to the general public. Existing members can renew, but most people now use credit cards instead.
In summary, the easiest way for most to enjoy the Miami Sky Club is by holding an Amex Platinum or Delta Reserve card and flying out on Delta. Once inside, sip a cappuccino or cocktail and enjoy the views of the tarmac as you relax before departure.
Turkish Airlines Lounge (Concourse H) – Access with Priority Pass
- Location: Concourse H, 3rd floor, near Gate H15 (South Terminal).
- Hours: 4:00am – 10:00pm daily (subject to change based on flight schedules).
- Why it’s great: Don’t let the name fool you – you don’t need to be flying Turkish Airlines to enjoy this lounge. The Turkish Airlines Lounge at MIA is a hidden gem available to various travelers. Inside, you’ll find a blend of Turkish and international hospitality.
How to get in: This lounge is part of lounge networks that make it relatively accessible:
- Priority Pass: The Turkish Lounge is a Priority Pass affiliated lounge. If you have a Priority Pass membership, you can enter for free (subject to capacity).
- Star Alliance Gold or Premium Tickets: As it’s a Turkish Airlines lounge, any passenger flying a Star Alliance airline from MIA in business class or holding Star Alliance Gold status can enter as well.
- Other memberships: Lounge Key and Diners Club programs also include this lounge. Additionally, Turkish Airlines’ own Elite and Elite Plus frequent fliers obviously have access when flying Star Alliance.
For most readers, Priority Pass via a credit card will be the easiest way in. Drop by for a lighter crowd if your flight’s in the morning or early afternoon. Grab some tasty Mediterranean snacks and enjoy a quieter environment in the otherwise hectic South Terminal.
Avianca VIP Lounge (Concourse J) – Access with Priority Pass
- Location: Concourse J, near Gate J6 (South Terminal).
- Hours: 24 hours a day – yes, this lounge never closes, making it extremely useful for late-night or early-morning travelers.
- Why it’s great: Also known in some listings as the “Avianca-TAP Air Portugal VIP Lounge,” this club serves multiple airlines and independent guests. It’s one of the few 24/7 lounges at MIA, meaning if you’re on a red-eye or an odd-hour flight, it could be your only lounge option.
How to get in:
- Priority Pass: This lounge welcomes Priority Pass members (and other similar programs) and is in fact a popular go-to for PP holders at MIA. Simply present your membership. Because it’s open 24 hours, late night Priority Pass visits are common.
- Star Alliance flyers: The lounge is used by airlines like Avianca and TAP, so Star Alliance Gold members or business-class passengers on those airlines can enter for free as well.
- Paid entry: If space allows, the lounge sometimes offers pay-at-door entry for around $60. But given Priority Pass access is widespread, paying out of pocket is less common.
Because this lounge is shared by many airlines, it can get crowded in the evenings, it’s quite peaceful. Also, being in Concourse J, it’s convenient if your flight is in J or H. If you’re in Concourse D but have a long layover, you could technically transit to J, but it’s a trek.
Priority Pass Restaurant: Corona Beach House (Concourse D)
- Location: Concourse D, near Gate D23/D24 in the North Terminal (inside security).
- Hours: ~6:00am – 10:00pm (varies by season).
- What it is: The Corona Beach House is a sit-down restaurant and bar in MIA – not a traditional lounge – but it’s part of the Priority Pass network. This means if you have Priority Pass with restaurant benefits, you can dine here essentially for free.
How to use it:
- You must have a Priority Pass membership that includes restaurants.
- When you arrive, inform the host you’ll use Priority Pass. They’ll swipe your PP card for you and any guest before seating or at billing.
- The menu features American fare and, of course, Corona beer. You could get a sandwich, salad, or burger and perhaps a beer or cocktail.
This is a great option if the lounges are full or if you prefer a hearty meal instead of lounge snacks. It’s also available to Priority Pass holders flying any airline since it’s in the main D concourse. Time permitting, you could even hit the Centurion Lounge and grab a to-go bite at Corona with PP credit before your flight – maximizing those perks!
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FAQs: Miami Airport Lounges
How many lounges does Miami International Airport have?
MIA has over a dozen lounges spread across its terminals Major ones include the American Airlines Flagship Lounge and Admirals Clubs (Terminal D), the Amex Centurion Lounge (D), Delta Sky Club (H), the Turkish Airlines Lounge (H), the Avianca VIP Lounge (J), as well as other VIP clubs
Which is the best lounge at MIA?
“Best” can depend on your needs, but American’s Flagship Lounge is often considered the top for international premium flyers – it has elevated dining and drinks but is only accessible with a business/first class ticket or Emerald/Sapphire status (no credit card entry). For those with the right card, the Centurion Lounge is a close contender for best overall, given its craft cocktails, spa, and ambience available to Amex Platinum/Centurion members. If you’re flying Delta, the Sky Club is your go-to compared to the more utilitarian Avianca Lounge.
Can economy class passengers use the lounges at Miami Airport?
Yes – even if you’re flying economy, you can still enjoy many MIA lounges by qualifying through other means:
- Credit card perks: This is the most common route.
- Day passes: Some lounges like Admirals Club (American Airlines) sell day passes to any passenger, economy included.
- Memberships: You could buy an annual membership (e.g., Admirals Club membership) irrespective of your ticket class, though this is pricy if you’re not a frequent traveler.
- Airport hotel/lounge combos: MIA doesn’t have pay-per-use independent lounges (like Plaza Premium) accessible to economy travelers, but the strategies above cover most options.
Does Miami Airport have Priority Pass lounges?
Yes, MIA has two lounges and one restaurant that Priority Pass members can access:
- The Turkish Airlines Lounge (Concourse H) – open to Priority Pass with amenities like food, drinks, and seating.
- The Avianca VIP Lounge (Concourse J) – also Priority Pass-accessible, and notably open 24/7.
- The Corona Beach House restaurant (Concourse D) – offers a $30 credit per person for Priority Pass members with restaurant benefits.
Can I buy a lounge pass at MIA on the day of travel?
In some cases, yes. The Admirals Clubs are the most likely option – you can walk up and purchase a day pass if there’s room. The cost is around $79 and you must have a same-day flight (any airline, but AA or partners from that terminal are preferable). The Delta Sky Club and Centurion Lounge do not sell day passes to general passengers. The Turkish and Avianca lounges don’t officially sell day passes, but they may allow entry for a fee (reports range $50-60) if you ask, subject to capacity. Priority Pass is another form of “prepaid” access – if you really want lounge access for a day, investing in a Priority Pass membership (or trial, or using a friend’s guest pass) could be worthwhile.
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