Best Lounge at SJO?
Mar 31, 2019, 7:28 am
#47
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 42
I accessed the brand new BAC Credomatic VIP lounge with my US-issued personal AmEx Platinum card (actually I didn't have the physical card with me, but they let me in with the last 4 digits of the card and my name). That's one of my favorite lounges anywhere. It's gigantic, with lots of comfortable seating and sweeping views of the tarmac. Several different hot food options that were really good (I was there in the early afternoon and there were tamales, several types of pizza, and a curry rice dish), and plenty of drink options (draft beer and wine were free).
Apr 20, 2019, 2:40 pm
#48
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Ether
Programs: Some, not all.
Posts: 1,595
Oh dear
Was just refused entry to the premium lounge with my Amex Platinum (UK issued), as only BAC cardholders are allowed entry to the premium lounge.
Main lounge is pretty dire, and was overcrowded with BA pax when we first arrived. Travelling IB biz and was given two drinks vouchers each, if we had used priority pass or amex, then no drinks vouchers would have been provided. Beers are $7, spirits are $6 to $12, and wines are $9. Snacks are $10 to $25.
Definitely not worth getting to the airport early.
Main lounge is pretty dire, and was overcrowded with BA pax when we first arrived. Travelling IB biz and was given two drinks vouchers each, if we had used priority pass or amex, then no drinks vouchers would have been provided. Beers are $7, spirits are $6 to $12, and wines are $9. Snacks are $10 to $25.
Definitely not worth getting to the airport early.
Last edited by 21H21J; Apr 20, 2019 at 2:50 pm
May 9, 2019, 6:07 pm
#49
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: SJO
Programs: Avianca LifeMiles. Hilton (G), Meliá (G), Radisson (G). National Car (EE), Hertz (PC), Avis (PC)
Posts: 188
Was just refused entry to the premium lounge with my Amex Platinum (UK issued), as only BAC cardholders are allowed entry to the premium lounge.
Main lounge is pretty dire, and was overcrowded with BA pax when we first arrived. Travelling IB biz and was given two drinks vouchers each, if we had used priority pass or amex, then no drinks vouchers would have been provided. Beers are $7, spirits are $6 to $12, and wines are $9. Snacks are $10 to $25.
Definitely not worth getting to the airport early.
Main lounge is pretty dire, and was overcrowded with BA pax when we first arrived. Travelling IB biz and was given two drinks vouchers each, if we had used priority pass or amex, then no drinks vouchers would have been provided. Beers are $7, spirits are $6 to $12, and wines are $9. Snacks are $10 to $25.
Definitely not worth getting to the airport early.
Jul 22, 2019, 1:27 pm
#51
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 637
7/2019
I’m in the “VIP Santamaria” lounge.
Its upstairs with nice sunlight.
They said a U.S. Amex plat is fine, but must be personal and not business. I showed business and they said no. So then I gave them electronic priority pass.
Modern and airy but virtually no plugs
I’m in the “VIP Santamaria” lounge.
Its upstairs with nice sunlight.
They said a U.S. Amex plat is fine, but must be personal and not business. I showed business and they said no. So then I gave them electronic priority pass.
Modern and airy but virtually no plugs
Dec 25, 2020, 8:27 pm
#54
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: NC
Programs: AAConciergeKey/1MM, DL DM/2 MM, UA Gold,Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 11,967
Wow, the lounges have changed since early 2019 when I last visited. The Copa lounge used to have free wine; is it only Santamaria lounge with free wine now? I have a Priority Pass that I will use to enter since I am flying American. Hoping that PP members get free wine in the Santamaria lounge since the others seem so dire and meager in their offerings. Any notable changes in the food/drinks due to Covid?
Jan 19, 2021, 3:01 pm
#55
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: SJO
Programs: Avianca LifeMiles. Hilton (G), Meliá (G), Radisson (G). National Car (EE), Hertz (PC), Avis (PC)
Posts: 188
Latest lounge review overseeds this one. Content deleted.
Last edited by ariel_sjo; Oct 23, 2022 at 8:09 pm Reason: Oudated info
Oct 23, 2022, 8:08 pm
#56
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: SJO
Programs: Avianca LifeMiles. Hilton (G), Meliá (G), Radisson (G). National Car (EE), Hertz (PC), Avis (PC)
Posts: 188
Costa Rica VIP Lounge (MasterCard Lounge & Black Lounge / Copa Club)Location
Between gates 16 and 19, take elevator or stairs to second level
Official lounge information
- MasterCard (spanish): https://cam.mastercard.com/es-region...ck-lounge.html
- Copa Club (english) https://www.copaair.com/en/web/us/copa-club
Amenities
* Food: free self service with simple snacks, bakery, cookies, two breakfast options, and four lunch options (see menu pictures below). Sushi and other dishes à la carte (see menu pictures below).
* Drinks: free self service with natural juices, iced tea, cold water, coffee. Complimentary and unlimited non-alcoholic (including sodas) beverages at the bar. Alcoholic drinks with charge. Business Class passengers receive one complimentary alcoholic drink coupon (includes wine):
* Regular WiFi
* Runways/tarmac/gates view
* Plenty of seating
* Local and international magazines
* Flight information and news screens
Access
Lounge Programs:
- PriorityPass / Lounge Club members, +1 companion. https://www.prioritypass.com/es/lounges/costa-rica/san-jose-international/sjo-vip-lounge-costa-rica
- LoungeKey
- United Club: a single pass includes all close family members
Airlines:
- Star Alliance [Air Canada, Avianca, Copa, Lufthansa, United] business class passengers (departing from SJO)
- Star Alliance Gold members, +1 companion
Credit/Debit Cards:
- MasterCard Platinum (central american banks-issued credit/debit cards only), +1 companion
- MasterCard Black (central american banks-issued credit/debit cards only), +2 companions
Banks and other credit/debit cards:
- Scotiabank Central America (fr.Citibank Central America/Scotiabank Transformándose/Aval/Banco Uno/Cuscatlán/Interfin):
--- Visa/MasterCard Classic debit or credit: 1 companion
--- Visa/MasterCard Gold credit: 2 companions
--- Visa/MasterCard Platinum credit: 4 companions
--- Visa Infinite/Signature credit: 5 companions
--- MasterCard Black credit: 5 companions
- Banco Promerica: Visa Platinum, MANGO MasterCard Gold (central american banks-issued credit cards only)
- Banco Davivienda (fr. HSBC Central America): MasterCard Black, + 3 companions; MasterCard/Visa Platinum, + 2 companions; MasterCard/Visa Gold, + 1 companion (central american banks-issued credit cards only).
- Banco Lafise: MastercardCard/Visa Classic, Gold, Platinum, Visa Signature credit cards, + 1 companion
- Banco Improsa: Visa Platinum credit cards, + 2 companions
- Banco BCT: MasterCard/Visa Classic, Gold, Platinum, + 2 companions.
- MasterCard Platinum/Black/World Elite cardholders with cards issued by banks outside Central America are welcome, but their cards will be registered on MasterCard's charging system, then the bank will have the discretion to actually charge the visitors or not. If charged, it will appear later on the credit card statement as a purchase.
- CAFSA: Visa Infinite/Platinum credit cards.
Others:
- Passengers with INS Medical (Instituto Nacional de Seguros Costa Rica) or INS Plus travel insurance get a complimentary pass to the lounge.
- Additional companions or walk-ins: USD 30
- Nailbar: Banco Davivienda Visa/MasterCard Gold, Platinum MasterCard Black, Visa Infinite credit or debit. Complimentary manicure.
There is an adjacent, more exclusive, adults-only lounge, called "The Black Lounge". That one is exclusively for MasterCard Black cardholders (central american banks-issued credit/debit cards), cardholder can bring 2 companions free of charge.
It offers the same food as the main lounge, the premium consists of self-serviced unlimited red/white wine and local beers, bottled sodas, plus two tickets valid for an alcoholic drink/cocktail or specialty coffee each:
Lounge Access Reference
Main Lounge
Free Menu (Costa Rica VIP Lounge and Santamaria VIP Lounge share the same free menu)
À la carte (post-pandemic)
Davivienda Nailbar
Black Lounge
RENOVATED! Santamaría VIP Lounge (American Express Elite)[This used to be a shared American Express+Avianca (Star Alliance) lounge, but the contract finished on April 2019. It went through a major renovation, and it re-opened as the American Express Elite lounge on July 13th, 2019].
Location
Gate 5, take elevator or stairs to second level
Amenities
* Food: free self service with simple snacks, yogurt, bakery, cookies, two breakfast options, and four lunch options (see menu pictures below). Sushi and other dishes à la carte (see menu pics below)
* Drinks: free self service with natural juices, iced tea, cold water, coffee. Complimentary and unlimited non-alcoholic beverages (including sodas), Heineken beer, red (Merlot)/white (Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc) wines at the bar. Other alcoholic drinks or cocktails with charge.
* Fast WiFi
* Third level, views to the ramp and runway
* International magazines
* Flight information and news screens
* Visitors are entitled to a 10-minute massage (see massage room pic below)
Access
Lounge Programs:
- Priority Pass / LoungeClub: https://www.prioritypass.com/en/loun...vip-santamaria
Airlines:
- Aeroméxico, Air France, KLM, British Airways, Iberia, Edelweiss, business class passengers.
Credit Cards:
- American Express Gold Business by BAC Credomatic (see picture below)
- American Express Platinum by BAC Credomatic (see picture below)
- American Express The Platinum Card® (any bank)
- American Expresss Centurion (any bank)
Others;
TAM Travel Corporation VIPs
Lounge Access Reference
(Photo by Douglas N, "Disney Tico Club")Main Lounge
Free Menu (Costa Rica VIP Lounge and Santamaria VIP Lounge share the same free menu)
À la carte
Massage Room
NEW! BAC Credomatic VIP LoungeLocation
Between gates 16 and 19, take elevators or stairs to second level
Official lounge information (spanish): https://www2.baccredomatic.com/es-cr...bac-credomatic
(This lounge opened on February 15th, 2019. It is not affiliated to any airline/alliance nor lounge program at this time, but they are working on it)
Access:
- It is currently available to premium BAC Credomatic Central America issued credit cards only (see access board below).
- American Express The Platinum Card® (any bank)
NOTE: American Express Platinum by BAC Credomatic, and American Express Centurion ARE NOT ALLOWED into this lounge, please proceed to the American Express Elite Lounge (gate A5)
Amenities:
* Food: free self service with simple snacks, yogurt, bakery and cookies
* Drinks: free self service from soda machine, natural juices, iced tea, cold water, coffee. Free beer and red or white wine at the bar. Other alcoholic drinks with charge (see picture below)
* Fast WiFi
* Third level, views to the ramp and runway
* International magazines
* Flight information and news screens
* Kids zone
* Media room with electric massage chairs, and a large screen with movies
Lounge Access Reference
Lounge
SJO Fast Track (Passport Control and Security VIP Lines)Access
- Diplomatic Passports
- Any airline business class boarding pass WITH Fast Track stamp from check-in counter. The boarding pass should look like this:
- Any airline and any class boarding pass with MasterCard Black credit/debit card. Go to the 'MasterCard information kiosk' (located below Lavazza Coffee) and request a MasterCard FastTrack ticket. Valid only for cardholders, no companion allowed.
Last edited by ariel_sjo; Mar 22, 2024 at 8:29 am
Dec 19, 2022, 10:46 am
#57
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: TPA/ABZ
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold. GGL/CCR.
Posts: 13,248
A quick update. Sadly, as of earlier in December 2022, the AMEX Lounge at Gate 5 no longer accepts international Platinum cards. Entry with Platinum is now restricted to Costa Rican cards. Access is still possible using Priority Pass.
Mar 22, 2023, 4:30 pm
#58
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: SJO
Programs: Avianca LifeMiles. Hilton (G), Meliá (G), Radisson (G). National Car (EE), Hertz (PC), Avis (PC)
Posts: 188
They're really hurting the AMEX Platinum/Centurion brand with such stupid discriminations. If they don't like to assume the responsibility of carrying a world mark, then don't get into the business!
Apr 13, 2023, 11:06 am
#59
Join Date: Jun 2022
Programs: Hilton Honors Diamond, United MileagePlus Platinum
Posts: 26
What's the current situation with the Copa Club at SJO? Google says "Permanently Closed" but posts on here and info on lounge buddy seem to indicate it's still open? United Club member and *Gold trying to gauge options for upcoming trip (UA tix on UA metal). Thanks.
Aug 6, 2023, 9:13 pm
#60
Join Date: May 2017
Programs: MH Gold, AC Super Elite, UA Platinum, Accor All Gold, Marriott Titanium Elite
Posts: 497
I was there today. It's open and business as usual. The lounge is very, very basic. but otherwise comfortable. As UA *Gold I got a stamp on my boarding pass which entitles you to drinks like coffee (yes, I'm not shitting you), beer, wine. After I showed this special stamp, I could order a coffee... When I was brought my coveted coffee, the lounge attendant said something like I would be entitled to one more drink only, if I understood her correctly. The English profiency is of course not at the same level as back home. Anyway, I had just that coffee and a soda (that was freely accessible), so not sure what were the limits here.. OK lounge for an hour or so, but longer than that probably becomes annoying. Views of the airport were great.