Miami International Airport MIA offers more flights to Latin America and the Caribbean than any other American airport. We review the best airport lounge in Miami if you have a Priority Pass or relevant credit card. There are four Priority Pass lounges and three Priority Pass restaurants at MIA.
Beyond the lounges outlined below, Priority Pass partners with some restaurants at MIA. Each of these restaurants offers Priority Pass members credits toward their meals. If your Priority Pass membership was generated through an American Express card rather than purchased via their website, you don’t get the credit in these restaurants.
We have already reviewed the best executive or club lounges in Miami.
Free Airport Lounge Access
If you have not paid for Business Class or First Class, you can access airport lounges for free if you have an unlimited Priority Pass or an Amex Platinum card. To get bonus referral points and advice on the Platinum American Express and other free lounge access credit cards, have a read of our best credit cards for luxury travel.
1. Turkish Airlines Lounge, Central Terminal
The Turkish Airlines Lounge is located in the Miami FL, International Central Terminal, Concourse E. The lounge is located on Level 2, past the escalator on the left-hand side. You can also access it from Concourse D. You simply need to pass through the connector to the Central Terminal. This lounge is open 24/7 and is a Priority Pass lounge. It is also the only Priority Pass lounge location in American’s terminal. Oddly, Turkish Airlines doesn’t leave from this concourse.
This Turkish Airlines Lounge isn’t unusually large but has smart wooden flooring and is nice-looking. There are various seating options, including cafe seating by the buffet, a high table with stools with backs, situated by the window looking out at the planes, as well as armchairs by the windows.
The Turkish Lounge has a very decent food and drinks selection for a Priority Pass lounge with a self-serve soft and alcoholic drink selection. Alcohol includes four types of wine (two whites and two reds), tea, a coffee machine, spirits, beer.
Snacks include a massive jar of peanuts, and the main buffet offers sandwiches, croissants, toast, cereal, cake, fruit, salad, yogurt, cheese, brownies, and veggies. There are three hot dishes, including scrambled eggs, french toast, and sausages—, a lovely spread for a Priority Pass lounge.
While this is one of the smallest airport lounges at Miami Airport, I like its style, and the food offering is excellent. My favorite seats are the high tables and stools by the window. The lounge also has four shower suites, which are at the far back of the lounge. Best of all, it is the only convenient Priority Pass option for those leaving Miami airport on American Airlines.
2. Avianca Sala VIP, South Terminal
There are two Priority Pass lounges in J Concourse. The Avianca VIP Lounge doesn’t always accept Priority Pass. The Latam VIP Lounge does, so you may be forced to use the LATAM lounge. This lounge is, of course, also for Avianca premium passengers who have priority.
Priority Pass members can access this lounge when it isn’t too full. There is a business center within the lounge with computers and a printer, further business booths without computers, and lots of more comfy seating. The views from this lounge look out upon the planes and are excellent.
The food is notably better than the LATAM lounge. While it isn’t outstanding, the food is the main differentiator between these two, otherwise similar, lounges. The food includes salad, cookies, little snacks, and a hot main dish, which is something like rice and meatballs. Drinks range from tea, coffee, orange juice, and other soft drinks to spirits, wine, and beer, all self-service and complimentary.
3. LATAM VIP Lounge, South Terminal
As outlined above, there are two Priority Pass lounges in J Concourse. The Latam VIP Lounge is accessible to Priority Pass members and is also for LATAM and Oneworld premium passengers. Both the Avianca Sala VIP and the LATAM VIP Lounge are a short walk from each other.
This lounge is pleasant looking with great views out to the planes. There are plenty of armchairs, and there’s a business area for working. The main buffet serves soft drinks, including juices, coffee, and alcoholic beverages, including beer, wine, and other spirits. Food choices include sandwiches, soups, and salads, cookies, cereals, and yogurt. This lounge also offers showers and bathrooms.
If you have the choice, choose the Avianca Sala VIP over the LATAM VIP Lounge as the Avianca lounge has better food with a hot main dish.
4. Club America, Central Terminal
The Club America lounge in the Central Terminal is used by most airlines in the terminal and is also a Priority Pass lounge. The First Class lounge is on the left, and the Business Class lounge is on the right. The First Class lounge doesn’t feel like a First Class lounge. It is usually hectic, and it has no particular style. Instead, it has the feel of a room with a bunch of chairs rather than a stylized space.
That said, this lounge does offer complimentary finger sandwiches (that don’t look that fresh), packaged cookies, crisps, fruit, soft and alcoholic drinks, as is free Wi-Fi. A glass wall separates the First and Business Class lounge, and the Business Class lounge is virtually the same with similar snacks and furnishings.
5. American Express Centurion Lounge, North Terminal
Admittedly, the American Express Centurion Lounge, North Terminal is not a Priority Pass lounge. Still, if your Priority Pass card comes with an American Express Platinum or Centurion card, then you can access this superb lounge. To access this lounge, you just need to flash your credit card. You can also bring in up to two guests. All other American Express cardholders can pay a fee to access this lounge.
The American Express Centurion Lounge is gorgeous, with fun lighting, wooden ceilings, stylish seating, and fabulous views of the planes. It is located in Concourse D, near Gate D12, on the 4th floor, and is accessible via the SkyTrain within D Concourse. If you are coming from another terminal, you must re-enter through security with either a connecting or onward boarding pass.
We think the American Express Centurion Lounge is the best airport lounge at Miami Airport overall. If you are flying in First, you may prefer to take advantage of Flagship Dining in the American, but if you are traveling in Business Class or less, you will find it hard to beat the quality of this lounge.
The food and drinks are great too! They say, “Dine in decadence with cuisine designed by James Beard Award-winning chef Michelle Bernstein. Savor locally-inspired dishes like Braised Chicken Thighs and Corn Soup with Roast Poblanos.”
An example of the Miami-inspired menus that are available in the lounge is outlined below:
- Breakfast
- Lemon Ricotta Pancakes | Creamy Lemon Curd, Fresh Raspberries
- Shakshuka | Roast Chillies, Peppers, Tomatoes, Swiss Chard
- Chorizo and Kale Quiche
- Sweet Potato, Maple, Chicken Apple Sausage Hash
- Yogurt, Cereals, Bread, and Fresh Fruit
- Lunch & Dinner
- Minty Pea Soup | Basil Crème Fraiche, Snap Peas, Pea Greens
- Watermelon Greek Salad | Arugula, Feta, Cucumbers
- Braised Chicken Thighs | Pizza Spices, Tomatoes, Fennel, Confit Potatoes
- Vanilla Panna Cottas | Strawberry-Basil Compote
An assortment of snacks, including fruits, chips, and cookies, are also available. A limited selection of soups and salads are available at certain times too. There are also complimentary Miami-inspired cocktails and wines served by a barman.
As outlined above, this lounge is stylish, plus it features complimentary spa treatments, including manicures and chair massages. If that’s not enough, there’s a well-appointed shower suite to freshen up.
Copyright Luxury Travel Diary 2014 - 2024. Duplication outside of luxurytraveldiary.com is forbidden.
Note: Benefits & upgrades subject to availability. Benefits offered correct at the time of writing. Terms & conditions apply. Enquire for more information. Posts may be sponsored by the proprietor or brand being appraised. All opinions remain our own & are in no way influenced.
