Austin Airport Lounges (AUS) 2026: Every Option, Who Gets In, and What Changed

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) has three airline lounges in 2026: the Delta Sky Club near Gate 4, the American Airlines Admirals Club across from Gate 22, and the United Club also near Gate 22 on the mezzanine level. For travelers with Priority Pass, the only option is Jabbrrbox private workspaces near Gates 1 and 23. The Chase Sapphire Terrace closed in March 2025. Austin is one of the fastest-growing airports in the country, and the lounge situation is actively changing to keep pace with that growth.

AUS handled over 22 million passengers in 2025 and has been expanding rapidly to meet demand driven by the tech industry, music tourism, and corporate relocation to central Texas. All flights depart from a single terminal, the Barbara Jordan Terminal, which makes lounge navigation simpler than at multi-terminal airports. You do not need to re-clear security to move between gate areas, and all three airline lounges are accessible airside from anywhere in the terminal.

*Images are illustrative and may differ from actual lounges. Lounge hours, policies, and amenities change frequently. Always verify access rules and day pass pricing directly with the lounge or your card issuer before travel.

The AUS Terminal Layout: What You Need to Know

Everything at AUS operates under one roof in the Barbara Jordan Terminal. Gates generally run from Gate 1 through the mid-twenties on the main terminal, with a newer east expansion adding additional gates. The three airline lounges sit on the mezzanine level, which runs above the main gate level. You access the mezzanine via escalators or elevators near the relevant gate clusters.

Because the lounges are on the mezzanine and the terminal is a single connected space, you are never far from a lounge relative to your gate. The longest walk from any AUS gate to any lounge is probably 10 to 12 minutes. That said, AUS gets genuinely congested during peak Austin City Limits season, South by Southwest week, and the summer travel surge, so leave extra buffer time if you are planning to visit a lounge before boarding.

The airport is in the middle of a significant expansion. A new west infill project is adding gate capacity and lounge space over the next several years, which is why the lounge landscape at AUS looks meaningfully different in 2026 than it did even 18 months ago.

Delta Sky Club (Near Gate 4, Mezzanine)

The Delta Sky Club at AUS is located on the mezzanine level near Gate 4. Hours are Sunday through Friday 4:15 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Saturday 4:15 a.m. to 6:15 p.m. The earlier Saturday close is a genuine nuisance if you have a weekend evening departure, so check the schedule before assuming you can drop in.

The AUS Sky Club is a mid-size club by Delta standards. It offers the standard Sky Club package: complimentary food and beverages, beer and wine, a full-service bar for purchased cocktails (or complimentary if you have the right card), Wi-Fi, workstations, and comfortable seating. It does not have shower facilities. Reviewers consistently describe the food as a step above the average airline lounge, which tracks with Delta's broader investment in Sky Club catering.

The big news for Delta at AUS: the airline committed to two new lounge spaces in the terminal. A temporary Sky Club location is slated to open in 2026 to handle increased demand during the expansion period. A permanent flagship Sky Club of approximately 35,000 square feet is projected for the 2031 to 2032 timeframe. The permanent lounge would be among the largest Sky Clubs in the Delta network by square footage. For now, the existing club near Gate 4 remains the active location.

Delta Sky Club Access Rules at AUS

Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card: Complimentary access for the cardholder when flying Delta same-day. Guest access is $50 per person, unless the cardholder spent $75,000 or more on the card in the prior calendar year, which unlocks unlimited complimentary guest visits
Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express Card: Same access terms as the personal Reserve card
Delta Medallion Members (Platinum and Diamond): Complimentary access on same-day Delta itineraries with a qualifying ticket class
Delta One or First Class passengers: Same-day Delta-marketed and operated business or first class boarding pass grants entry for the cardholder
SkyTeam Elite Plus members: May access Sky Clubs when traveling internationally on a SkyTeam carrier in a qualifying cabin
Day pass: Available for purchase when capacity allows, currently $50 per person for Medallion members and $75 for non-members. Purchase in the Fly Delta app or at the door

One critical thing to understand: Amex Platinum cardholders who previously accessed Sky Clubs through Priority Pass lost that benefit in 2023. If your only lounge access comes via an Amex Platinum Priority Pass, the Sky Club at AUS is not accessible to you.

American Airlines Admirals Club (Across from Gate 22, Mezzanine)

The Admirals Club at AUS sits on the mezzanine level across from Gate 22. Hours are daily from 4:15 a.m. to 8:15 p.m. The location puts it closer to the American gate cluster, which makes sense given where AA operates at the airport. If your American departure is on the far side of the terminal, budget a few extra minutes.

The existing AUS Admirals Club is a standard-format club: comfortable seating, complimentary snacks and non-alcoholic beverages, a full bar, reliable Wi-Fi, and power outlets throughout. No showers. It is clean and functional without being remarkable, which is consistent with most mid-market Admirals Club locations.

The more interesting news is what is coming. American Airlines announced a new Admirals Club for AUS that will span more than 12,000 square feet on the west side of the terminal, roughly double the current club's footprint. The new club will include an outdoor terrace, which would be a first for the Admirals Club network. The planned opening is tied to the west expansion project, with the new location expected to come online in 2027. Until then, the existing mezzanine club remains in operation.

American Airlines Admirals Club Access at AUS

Admirals Club members: Annual membership covers the cardholder and up to two guests. This is the primary access path for frequent American flyers
Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard: The primary cardholder benefit includes a complimentary Admirals Club membership. Authorized users on this card also receive individual Admirals Club access, which is one of the more valuable multi-user credit card lounge structures in the market
American Airlines First or Business class passengers: Same-day first or business class on an American-marketed and operated flight grants entry. Some Oneworld Emerald and Sapphire status holders may also qualify depending on ticket class
Day pass: Available at the door when capacity allows, currently priced at $79 per person. AAdvantage members may find discounted day pass rates through the American Airlines website

As with Delta, Priority Pass does not grant Admirals Club access anywhere in the network. American ended that relationship years ago.

United Club (Across from Gate 22, Mezzanine)

The United Club at AUS shares the mezzanine level with the Admirals Club, also across from Gate 22. Hours are daily from 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. That 7:00 p.m. close is the earliest of the three airline clubs and is worth flagging if you have an evening United departure.

The United Club at AUS is a compact location that delivers the essentials: light food, beverages, Wi-Fi, and a quieter environment than the main terminal. The food and beverage program at United Clubs is generally more modest than what Delta and American offer at comparable locations, though United has made investments in catering over the past couple of years. Reviews of the AUS location are generally positive with notes that it handles high-traffic periods reasonably well given its size.

United Club Access at AUS

United Club members: Annual membership or individual visit purchases grant access. The United Club Infinite Card from Chase includes a United Club membership as a primary cardholder benefit
United Business card: Includes two one-time United Club passes per year, not ongoing membership
United Premier 1K members: Complimentary United Club access when flying United or a Star Alliance partner on a same-day itinerary
United Polaris Business Class passengers: Same-day Polaris business class boarding pass on United grants entry
Star Alliance Gold members: May access United Clubs when traveling in a qualifying cabin on a Star Alliance member carrier
Day pass: Available for purchase. Pricing varies but typically runs around $59 to $79 depending on membership status and booking channel

Jabbrrbox: The Priority Pass Option at AUS

If your lounge access comes from a Priority Pass or LoungeKey membership, Jabbrrbox is the only participating option at AUS. There are two Jabbrrbox locations in the Barbara Jordan Terminal: one near Gate 1 and one near Gate 23. Both operate 24 hours.

Jabbrrbox operates differently from a traditional lounge. Rather than an open shared space, it offers individual private work pods. Each pod has a camera, speaker, and microphone for video calls, power and USB charging outlets, ventilation, lighting controls, and a private Wi-Fi session. The door closes for full privacy. If you need a quiet space to take a call or get work done without being in the terminal noise, it serves that purpose well.

Priority Pass members get one hour and 15 minutes of complimentary access per visit, which counts as one lounge visit against your membership allocation. Additional time beyond the included period is charged directly to you by Jabbrrbox at their hourly rate. Guest access is not permitted.

There is one important caveat about Jabbrrbox and Priority Pass: this access is limited to members who hold a purchased Priority Pass membership (Standard, Standard Plus, or Prestige tiers). Card-issued Priority Pass memberships, meaning the ones you receive as a benefit through a credit card like the Chase Sapphire Reserve or Amex Platinum, may not be eligible. Check the Priority Pass website and your specific card's terms carefully before relying on Jabbrrbox access at AUS.

What Closed: The Chase Sapphire Terrace

Until March 2025, AUS had a fourth lounge option: the Chase Sapphire Terrace, which was accessible to Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders through their Priority Pass membership. It was one of the more distinctive lounge experiences at any mid-size US airport, with outdoor terrace space and a design aesthetic that set it apart from standard airline clubs.

Chase closed the Sapphire Terrace in March 2025. The space has not been replaced. However, the airport's west infill expansion includes a roughly 20,000 square foot area described as leased to a "financial institution," which has led to speculation that Chase may be planning a new Sapphire Lounge location at AUS in the 2026 to 2027 timeframe. Nothing has been officially confirmed by Chase. If you held lounge access through the Sapphire Terrace, the closure means your access options at AUS are now limited to the airline clubs if you fly the right carriers, or Jabbrrbox if you have a standalone Priority Pass membership.

Practical Tips for AUS Lounges

A few things that will save you time and frustration at Austin's airport:

All three airline clubs close in the evening: United closes at 7:00 p.m., American at 8:15 p.m., and Delta between 6:15 and 10:00 p.m. depending on the day. If you have a late-night departure, plan accordingly
Mezzanine access can get crowded: The mezzanine entry points near Gate 22 serve two lounges. During the morning bank when both American and United have heavy departures, the escalator areas get congested
SXSW and ACL Festival weeks are brutal: Lounge capacity at AUS during South by Southwest (March) and Austin City Limits (October) is under serious pressure. Both weeks see unusually high passenger volumes and day pass access may be limited or unavailable
Check your card benefits before arrival: The right travel credit card determines which clubs you can access. If you fly multiple airlines from Austin, a card like the Amex Platinum gives you Priority Pass access (useful for Jabbrrbox with a standalone membership) but no airline club access at AUS unless you hold the relevant airline card or status
Day passes are not guaranteed: All three clubs operate on a capacity basis for day pass visitors. During peak periods, the Delta Sky Club in particular may turn away day pass purchasers. Book online in advance when possible or arrive early in the morning when clubs are less crowded

Looking Ahead: AUS Lounges in 2027 and Beyond

The lounge situation at AUS is going to look significantly different by 2028. The confirmed developments include Delta's temporary Sky Club opening in 2026 to handle overflow capacity, American's new 12,000-plus square foot Admirals Club with an outdoor terrace targeting 2027, and the mystery financial institution lounge in the west infill project also expected in the 2026 to 2027 window.

Delta's permanent flagship Sky Club of approximately 35,000 square feet is a longer-term project, with the projection sitting at 2031 to 2032. When it opens, it will be one of the largest Sky Clubs in the country by footprint, which reflects Austin's continued trajectory as a major air travel market.

If you are a frequent AUS traveler, the strategic play right now is to match your lounge access to your primary carrier out of Austin. Delta flyers should look at the Reserve card if lounge access is a priority. American flyers get the strongest value from the Citi AAdvantage Executive card or an Admirals Club membership. United flyers who need unlimited access should consider the United Club Infinite card. For travelers who split across carriers, checking current offerings on the best travel cards page gives you the full picture on which multi-carrier options pair with Priority Pass or other networks.

AUS is in a growth phase. The airport and the airlines operating there are investing in the lounge infrastructure to match the passenger volume. For now, the three airline clubs are solid, functional options if you have the right access, and the Jabbrrbox pods fill a specific niche for travelers who need private workspaces more than shared lounge amenities.

Information is reviewed periodically. Lounge hours, access rules, and day pass pricing change frequently. Always verify access policies directly with the lounge, your airline, or your card issuer before travel. External links to official sources are provided for reference and are subject to change without notice.