Airport Lounges that are open at the Daniel Inouye International Airport HNL in Hawaii in 2021
Airport Lounges that are open at the Daniel Inouye International Airport HNL in Hawaii in 2021
It’s been almost a year since Covid-19 impacted travel to Hawaii, and many of the airport lounges are still closed.
Finding updated lounge info online has been inconsistent, so here is an updated status on lounges at HNL as of January 20, 2021
The New Ko Olina Lounge at the DAniel Inouye International Airport
Open:
✅ The Plumeria Lounge (Priority Pass)
✅ Hawaiian Airlines Premier Club
✅ United Airlines United Club
✅ Four Seasons Lanai Lounge
✅ Ko Olina Club Lounge
✅ USO Honolulu International Airport
✅ China Airlines Dynasty Lounge
✅ JAL Sakura Lounge / American Airlines Admirals Club
Closed:
🅾️ ANA Lounge & Suite Lounge
🅾️ Delta Sky Club
🅾️ Korean Air Lounge
🅾️ IASS Lounge
🅾️ Quanta Airways Lounge
The great thing is that the only lounge you have access to with Priority Pass is still open, which is the Plumeria Lounge. I hope you all have safe travels!
Visiting the ANA Lounge at the Honolulu International Airport
ANA has two lounges at HNL international airport. The first is the ANA lounge & the second is the more prestigious ANA Suite lounge for their premiere International flyers. Located in Terminal 2 (on the 3rd floor above Gate c4) at the Honolulu International Airport, ANA lounges offer a luxurious and inviting atmosphere and provides various functions and facilities that fit the needs of each and every on of their valued customers. We recently got a chance to tour the new ANA Lounge at the Daniel Inouye International Airport. Here are our thoughts.
THE CREDIT HACKER LOUNGE REVIEW:
Lots of seating here at the ANA lounge at HNL
AMBIANCE: (5/5) By far the best lounge and atmosphere at the HNL Airport! Clean, big with privacy, this lounge surpasses all other lounges at HNL. We love that the large windows in the lounge allow you to see the tarmac and watch planes depart for takeoff. The lounge layout & design reminds us of the DELTA lounge in NARITA!
FOOD: (5/5)
Since its an ANA Lounge, Japanese food was the staple here with curry, ginger pork, musubis & Japanese tofu soup. We loved the options and open bar as well. We recommend the sparking Rosé for drinks.
Greeted by the wonderful ANA staff and the front desk.
SERVICE: (3/5)
Upon arrival, I was greeted by the wonderful ANA staff. They made us feel welcomed and very special, but it was a different story inside. Although this was an ANA Lounge, the service inside wasn’t up to par with ANA standards. It seemed like most (not all) of the workers were grumpy and eager for everyone to leave by 1:00 pm since this lounge does close after the last departing ANA flight which is around 2:00 pm. The staff inside were not ANA workers but outsourced locally by a company.
Uniquely designed children’s play area.
EXTRA AMENITIES: (4/5)
What stands out as an extra amenity here is the uniquely designed children’s area. It’s enclosed and creative design allows children to have fun while not interrupting other guests in the lounge. The self-serve ice cream station was definitely a PLUS for us. Of course, I had to get a vanilla swirl with oreo crumbs on top.
OVERALL SCORE: (4.25/5 0
This is by far the best and largest lounge at the Honolulu International airport. It’s a unique design, great selection of food and drinks make this lounge an outstanding lounge.
HOW TO ACCESS:
1. First Class customers on ANA and/or Star Alliance member carrier operated flights, and one accompanying guest on ANA and/or Star Alliance member carrier operated flights per customer.
2. Business Class customers on ANA and/or Star Alliance member carrier international flights.
3. ANA Diamond Service members, ANA Platinum Service members and ANA Super Flyers Card members on ANA and/or Star Alliance member carrier operated flights, and one accompanying guest on ANA and/or Star Alliance member carrier operated flights per customer.
4. Star Alliance Gold members on ANA and/or Star Alliance member carrier operated flights, and one accompanying guest on ANA and/or Star Alliance member carrier operated flights per customer.
5. Customers using Premium Economy Service. * Out of pocket: USD 40 / Narita/Haneda: JPY 4,000 on ANA website (application in advance)
* Sadly, Priority pass doesn’t grant access to this lounge. .
Stopping by the American Express Centurion Lounge in SFO
Stopping by the American Express Centurion Lounge in SFO
On our most recent trip to Gilroy, California, my wife and I stopped by the American Express Centurion Lounge in SFO before our departing flight to Honolulu, HI.
Having an American Express Platinum card grants myself and 2 other guests complimentary access to the Centurion Lounge. This is a mid-tier lounge with a beautiful design, high-quality food, and great amenities. This was not my first Centurion Lounge experience, but I wanted to visit and dine at this one specifically at SFO. Here is our review.
THE CREDIT HACKER LOUNGE REVIEW:
AMBIANCE: (5/5) Centurion Lounges have to be one of my most favorite designed lounges. The modern architecture, chic furniture, and bold colors make this lounge stand out amongst the rest here at SFO. At the entrance stands a two-story glass wall with blue glass doors which then lead you with the option of a glass staircase or elevator to get to the 2nd floor, where the lounge is at.
There are different areas of the lounge created for different uses. A dining area for those just wanted a meal, a lounging area for traveling that wants to eat and rest, and a business area for travelers that are growing their hustle while drinking a glass of wine.
FOOD: (5/5) The food at the Centurion Lounge is always excellent. This one, in particular, had an open kitchen, a lunch buffet, and an open bar.
Open kitchen concept at the Centurion Lounge, SFO
Lunch and dinner are served from 11 a.m. to 10:45 p.m. and include items like tomato bisque, salads, grilled chicken, and herb-roasted potatoes. The menu is from the brilliant mind of Chef Daniel Patterson, a James Beard Award winner.
What’s so special about Daniel Patterson you might ask? He is the Oakland-based restaurateur/chef who started Alta Group, which includes the wildly popular San Francisco hotspot, Besharam, located in the Minnesota Street Project of Dogpatch. Besharam offers the global flavors of India just as nicely as his other restaurant, Kaya, does Jamaican. - Upgraded Points
At the bar, I got one of their dignature drinks called the Gin Basil Fizz which was made with St. George Botanivore gin, lime juice, Aqua Perfecta Basil Eau de Vie, sparkling wine. It was delicious and refreshing to say the least!
SERVICE: (4/5) The American Express staff is normally very professional and accommodating. The standards are high at these lounges, so you expect all staff to be friendly as well. Everyone was for the most part except the bartender who was a bit rude. Not sure if she was having a bad day.
I read that this lounge has complaints of being always busy with no open seats. That was surely the case when we arrived. I was hoping some of the servers would help us find seats, but instead, we waited around 10 minutes aside until a table was open.
Complimentary Wine Tasting at the centurion Lounge, SFO
EXTRA AMENITIES: (5/5)
A special amenity at the SFO lounge is its complimentary wine tasting. To get started, go up to the bartender and ask for a tasting card, a receipt that gives you five free pours from the automatic wine machine. Talk about a great deal! We sadly didn’t get to try this but I definitely wanted to include in this review. This lounge also comes standard with showers, so if you are a bit sweaty from traveling to the airport, you have the option of a nice warm shower!
OVERALL SCORE: 4.75/5
The Centurion lounge is one of the main reasons why I still have my American Express Platinum card. We often visit relatives and travel to San Francisco & Las Vegas, both airports have Centurion Lounges. American Express has an excellent product in their lounges, and I’m hoping they expand and have more around the World. Maybe one in HNL??? lol probably not…
How do I access The Centurion Lounge?
Access to The Centurion Lounge is complimentary for global Platinum Card®, Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Card and Centurion® Members.
Platinum® Card members who receive complimentary access may enter with up to two guests at no additional charge.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Card Members may bring up to two guests at a per-visit rate of $50 per person, per location.
Centurion members may enter with up to two guests or immediate family (spouse or domestic partner, and children under 18) at no additional charge.
To access The Centurion Lounge, the Card Member must present The Centurion Lounge agent with the following upon each visit: his or her valid Card, a boarding pass showing a confirmed reservation for same-day travel on any carrier and a government-issued I.D- name on card must match government-issued I.D. Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Card Members are only eligible to visit The Centurion Lounge when flying on a same-day Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight.
Important Centurion Lounge Access Rules
There are 2 very important rules to remember regarding access to the Centurion Lounge and these rules apply to cardholders and guests:
Rule #1 – The Three Hour Rule:
According to American Express, “depending on capacity, we may limit lounge access to within 3 hours of boarding pass departure time to ensure that all guests have an exceptional experience”.
This means that you can be denied access to the lounge until it’s within 3 hours of your departure time. While the policy seems to indicate that it’s based on capacity, it appears to be enforced more times than not especially given how busy SFO is all times of the day. For this reason, don’t plan on getting to the lounge more than 3 hours prior to your flight.
Rule #2 – Departure & Connecting Flights Only Rule:
You must have a departing flight or connecting flight out of SFO to access the lounge. Unfortunately, this means that if you are arriving into SFO without an outbound flight that day, you will not be granted access.