Virgin Clubhouse JFK Now Accessible via Amex Platinum Cards

Updated Dec 24th with new hours for the JFK Clubhouse. I also previously added a link to a review of the SFO Clubhouse.

Perhaps you’ve heard of the Virgin Atlantic “Clubhouse”? It’s one of the very best lounges in the country and it’s traditionally been available only to those flying Virgin’s Upper Class as well as Delta Gold Elites (and higher) flying Delta or Virgin across the pond.

While it’s been briefly available via Priority Pass in the past (no longer) and there is also a TravelZoo deal to access for $49, we like free here at MilesTalk.

As of several weeks ago, the Virgin Clubhouse is available for Platinum Card® from American Express and Business Platinum Card® from American Express cardholders (and Centurion cardholders, of course) from 5am to 8am. This is a result of the recent deal wherein Plaza Premium took over this lounge.

Now, the Amex app says those are the only hours you can access the lounge, but after a conversation with the manager this week, I can let you know that you can also now use your Platinum Card® or Business Platinum Card® to enter in the afternoon! (Yes, you can order one of their great Chicken Tikka Masalas 🙂 )

The hours will keep expanding (though they could contract if flights are scaled back again) and as of Dec 20, 2021, you can access from around 1:30pm (we could say 2pm to be safe, but I’m told you *may* be able to enter from 1:30pm) and they aren’t closing now until around 11pm.

Sadly, you cannot access the lounge on arrival. This lounge arrangement is departure only. You’ll need to present out outbound boarding pass and your Platinum Card to enter.

I was going to use the Centurion Lounge as usual, but decided I’d check the Amex app on my walk over. That’s when I discovered the Clubhouse option.

I’ve been here couple of times before and always loved it. For me, it’s much better than the Centurion Lounge. Partly because it’s so spacious but more because of the top class food and drink that you order from a waiter and they deliver it to you hot and fresh. Great beverages as well.

You can see the menu here.

Here are some pictures of the lounge (plus one of me in the lounge ;))

Flying from SFO?

There is a Virgin lounge available to you there as well and our friends at DEM Flyers have a review for you.

You can get their fabulous lunch/dinner there – as long as you don’t mind an early bird special since it closes to Plat cardholders at 5:30pm. (If you discover their hours expanded like JFK, please let me know!)

Bottom Line

If you have The Platinum Card® from American Express or The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, you can now access the Virgin Clubhouse at JFK from 5am to 8am and from approx. 1:30pm to 11pm with a departing boarding pass and a Platinum Card® or Business Platinum Card®. It’s in Terminal 4 by gate A5. You can also bring up to two guests (until 2023, when Amex changes that policy).

Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards(R) Points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms apply. | How to apply for this offer. | Read our Review of the American Express Rose Gold Card

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