If you’re standing in the middle of Terminal 3 at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) clutching your phone and wondering where the hell the Priority Pass lounge is, I have some bad news. You aren't crazy. You're just a victim of the "phantom lounge" phenomenon that plagues one of Florida's busiest transit hubs.
FLL is a weird airport. It’s a massive low-cost carrier stronghold where Spirit and JetBlue rule the roost, yet the lounge situation feels stuck in 2012. While airports like Miami (MIA) just down the road have a sprawling network of clubs, Fort Lauderdale Priority Pass lounge options are notoriously fickle. One day a restaurant is on the list; the next, it’s gone because the contract lapsed or the "capacity reached" sign is permanently taped to the podium.
Honestly, it’s frustrating. You pay for these premium credit cards—the Chase Sapphire Reserve, the Amex Platinum, the Capital One Venture X—partly because you want a quiet corner and a free double espresso before a flight to Newark. But at FLL, that dream often crashes into the reality of a crowded terminal floor.
The Reality of the Kafe Kalik Situation
For years, the go-to "lounge" experience for Priority Pass members at FLL wasn't a lounge at all. It was Kafe Kalik. Located in Terminal 4 (Gate G54), this was a sit-down Caribbean restaurant where your membership card basically acted as a $28 voucher. It was legendary. You could get conch fritters and a beer, and as long as you stayed under the credit limit, it was "free."
But here is the catch that trips everyone up: Terminal 4 is primarily the home of Spirit Airlines and international departures.
FLL has four terminals, and they aren't all connected airside. This is the biggest logistical nightmare for travelers. If you are flying Delta out of Terminal 2, you cannot just stroll over to Terminal 4 to use a Priority Pass credit. You’d have to clear security in Terminal 4, eat your Caribbean jerk chicken, exit the secure area, take a shuttle or walk to Terminal 2, and clear TSA all over again. Nobody has time for that. Plus, Priority Pass has been aggressively cutting restaurant partnerships over the last 24 months. If you have a Priority Pass through American Express or Capital One, you’ve likely noticed that restaurant credits are now excluded from your benefits. Only specific cards, like certain Chase or Ritz-Carlton versions, still honor the dining credit.
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Check your app before you walk. Seriously. The status of Kafe Kalik and other "non-lounge" experiences fluctuates based on staffing and corporate contracts.
Wait, What About an Actual Lounge?
People ask me all the time, "Isn't there a real club I can sit in?"
As of right now, the only traditional lounge at FLL that has historically played ball with Priority Pass is the Club at FLL. You'll find it in Terminal 4, near Gate G8.
It’s fine. It isn't the Centurion Lounge in Dallas. It isn't a Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse. It’s a functional, somewhat sterile room with some chairs, some snacks, and a bar. It’s small. Because it’s the only real game in town for Priority Pass, it gets crowded fast. During peak spring break season or mid-morning rushes, don't be surprised if there is a waitlist.
The food is usually "airport continental." Think pasta salad, soup, maybe some hummus and pita. It’s better than sitting at a gate where someone is blasting TikToks at full volume, but it isn't a culinary destination.
Why Terminal 3 is the Dead Zone
Terminal 3 is where the most heartbreaks happen. It’s the home of JetBlue and American Airlines. It’s busy. It’s loud. And it has zero Priority Pass lounges.
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If you’re a JetBlue flyer, you’re basically out of luck unless you want to do the "security shuffle" mentioned earlier. The airport has been working on "Master Plan" renovations to connect the terminals airside, but these projects move at the speed of government bureaucracy. For now, if you are in Terminal 3, your Priority Pass is basically a shiny piece of plastic in your wallet that does nothing for you.
Hidden Gems and Alternatives
If the Fort Lauderdale Priority Pass lounge options are failing you, you have to get creative. Travelers who know FLL well usually stop looking for lounges and start looking for quiet gates.
- The Terminal 3-4 Bridge: There is a connector walkway between T3 and T4. Sometimes, if you can get across, you can find quieter seating areas near the corridors that aren't technically lounges but offer a reprieve from the madness.
- Escape Lounges: There has been talk for years about more independent lounges opening. Keep an eye on the "Escape" brand (which partners with Amex). They have been expanding, and FLL is a prime candidate for their mid-tier luxury model.
- The Delta SkyClub: If you have an Amex Platinum and you happen to be flying Delta, ignore Priority Pass entirely. The SkyClub in Terminal 2 is significantly nicer than any Priority Pass option at this airport. It’s bright, the food is better, and the service is more consistent.
Managing the Crowds
Let's talk about the "Capacity" issue. This is the biggest complaint on travel forums like FlyerTalk or Reddit’s r/PriorityPass.
You walk up to The Club at FLL, and there’s a sign: "No Priority Pass accepted at this time due to capacity."
This happens because the lounge prioritizes people who pay for access directly or hold premium airline status. Priority Pass members are essentially the "overflow" guests. If you’re traveling on a Tuesday at 2:00 PM, you’re probably fine. If you’re there on a Friday morning when every flight to the Caribbean and Latin America is departing, you’re likely getting turned away.
My advice? Have a backup plan. Identify a decent bar near your gate before you hike all the way to Terminal 4. It’ll save you the heartbreak of a 15-minute walk only to be told "no."
The Digital Shift: Be Ready
Don't carry the physical card. The Priority Pass app is the only way to know for certain what is open. FLL is undergoing constant construction. Gates move. Security checkpoints change. The app uses your location to show you what is actually available in your specific terminal.
Also, verify your "Member Support" section in the app. If you’re using a version of Priority Pass from a bank that recently gutted its benefits, the lounge might show up in a search but won't let you check in. It’s embarrassing to get rejected at the front desk. Double-check your specific card’s terms regarding "non-lounge experiences" before you try to buy a meal at a terminal restaurant.
What's Next for FLL Lounges?
The airport is growing. It just surpassed its pre-pandemic passenger numbers, and the infrastructure is screaming for more premium space.
There are whispers of a new lounge space being carved out in the Terminal 1 (United/Southwest/Silver) area, but these things take time. Terminal 1 currently has the United Club, which is great if you’re a United flyer or have a one-time pass, but it’s not part of the Priority Pass network.
For the foreseeable future, FLL remains an airport where Priority Pass is a "nice to have if the stars align" rather than a reliable perk. It’s a stark contrast to Miami, where you can practically trip over a lounge every fifty feet.
Actionable Strategy for Your Next Trip
Stop expecting a seamless lounge experience at Fort Lauderdale. Instead, follow this workflow to maximize your chances of actually getting a free drink or a quiet chair:
- Check the terminal map first. If you aren't in Terminal 4, ask yourself if a 40-minute round trip through security is worth a mediocre buffet.
- Download the app 24 hours before. Check the current status of Kafe Kalik or The Club at FLL. These partnerships can end overnight.
- Check your credit card's specific rules. If you have an Amex, don't even try to go to a restaurant; they won't pay for it. Stick to The Club at FLL.
- Have a "Gate B" plan. If the lounge is full, head to the newer areas of Terminal 3 or Terminal 4 where there are power outlets and slightly more spread-out seating.
- Time your arrival. Lounges at FLL are most crowded between 8:00 AM and 11:00 AM. If your flight is at 7:00 AM, you might actually find a seat.
Ultimately, the Fort Lauderdale Priority Pass lounge situation is a reminder that travel perks aren't always guaranteed. It’s a tool in your belt, but at FLL, that tool is sometimes a bit rusty. Plan for the terminal, not the lounge, and you'll have a much better day.