Your next Amtrak adventure might allow you to use one of the Amtrak lounges! If you are traveling across the country through Chicago, that lounge can be a lovely oasis. This article covers who can use these lounges, which stations offer them, and more.
Since most of my trips start in Chicago, I have extensive experience with both the new and the old Chicago Union Station lounges. I prefer the new one, but I have enjoyed the other Amtrak lounges within the national system.
What stations have lounges?
Within the system, there are staffed and unstaffed lounges.s
Stations with Metropolitan Lounges:
| Boston South | Chicago Union |
| Los Angeles Union | Portland Union |
| New York Moynihan Train Hall | Washington Union |
| Philadelphia William H Gray III 30th Street |
More about staffed stations further down.
Stations with unstaffed lounges.
| Wilmington, DE (WIL) | New Orleans, LA (NOL) Magnolia Room |
| St Louis, MO (STL) | St Paul, MN (MSP) |
More about unstaffed stations further down.
Who is qualified to use Amtrak lounges?
To obtain Lounge access, you need a same-day ticket and one of these:
- Amtrak Guest Rewards members with Select Plus or Select Executive status.
- Amtrak Guest Rewards Station Lounge Pass.
- First-class or private-room ticket, also known as sleeper accommodation.
- Business class
- Passengers may use the lounges in Portland and St. Louis.
- May purchase a day pass to use the lounges at Los Angeles and Chicago Union Stations.
- Private car owners/lessees and parties arriving between the reservation’s arrival and departure times should provide their reservation number to the Amtrak representative upon entry.
- Amtrak does not permit private car owners and their groups to use the Los Angeles-Union Station Metropolitan Lounge.
- Station lounges or first-class waiting areas do not allow pets.
Amtrak rules for the lounges
Here are a few highlights of the lounge rules: check Amtrak.com for the complete list. Most of this section is verbatim.
- Amtrak reserves the right to restrict access to family and business associates during peak periods.
- Individuals must be at least 18 years old. An adult lounge customer must accompany passengers under 18 to access the lounge.
- The attire and conduct of lounge customers and their guests must be in keeping with good taste and a dignified atmosphere.
- You are not permitted to bring food and beverages into the lounge for consumption. Please chat with the staff if you have any questions.
- All lounge locations are non-smoking.
How to Get Amtrak Guest Rewards Lounge Passes
There are several ways to obtain an Amtrak Guest Rewards lounge pass, which grants access to the lounge regardless of your travel class. However, space could be limited.
Redeem Amtrak Guest Reward Points for passes.
You can redeem 1,500 Amtrak Guest Rewards points for a single-visit lounge pass. To do this, click here to use your Amtrak points.
Lounge passes from the Amtrak credit card.
If you open or have the Amtrak Guest Rewards® Preferred Mastercard®, you get free lounge passes upon opening and on your card’s anniversary.
Check your Amtrak Guest Rewards account to see if you have a lounge pass available.
Who can purchase lounge day passes?
Coach and Business Class passengers can purchase a day pass for $35, valid for all lounges except the New York Moynihan Train Hall, which costs $50.
These prices are subject to change at any time, and Amtrak reserves the right to limit availability due to space constraints. If you notice a price change, please notify me.
How to buy a lounge day pass
See the lounge agent if you are in business class and want to purchase a same-day train pass. They will help you get started and answer any questions you may have.
If you have Amtrak Guest Rewards, logging in to your account lets you redeem 1,500 points for access.
You can reserve conference rooms in an Amtrak Lounge.
Amtrak offers our travelers access to complimentary conference rooms at select locations.
- You can book conference rooms on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Usage is limited to two hours.
- Attendees may accompany customers who are reserving conference rooms.
- Meeting organizers must arrive before other participants are allowed to enter.
Reserve conference rooms in advance by calling the locations directly.
- Boston, MA – South Station: (617) 757-1520,
- Philadelphia – William H Gray III 30th Street Station: (215) 349-3090,
- Washington, DC – Union Station: (202) 906-3012.
Who can use Amtrak’s unstaffed lounge?
A few lounges do not have an agent, so see a ticket or station agent for assistance. However, they still provide a place to wait for your train and sometimes offer priority boarding.
These lounges often provide coffee and snacks, subject to availability.
| Station | Sleeper Passengers | Business Class |
|---|---|---|
| Wilmington, DE (WIL) | Yes | No |
| New Orleans, LA (NOL) Magnolia Room | Yes | No |
| St Louis, MO (STL) | Yes | Yes |
| St Paul, MN (MSP) | Yes | No |
My experience with the Magnolia Lounge in NOL
My only experience with an unstaffed Amtrak Lounge was the Magnolia Lounge in New Orleans.
There was complimentary coffee, comfortable seating, and a few charging outlets.
The ticket agent provided me with the lounge access code, and the conductors informed us when it was time to board the train.
There was a small area designated for kids. Although the lounge wasn’t inspiring, I appreciated the reduced foot traffic and the more secure place to leave my bag temporarily. I heard Amtrak updated the lounge since my last visit.
Offerings at Metropolitan Lounges.
Lounges offer comfortable seating, but that is not all they offer.
While waiting for your train, you can enjoy:
- Free Wi-Fi.
- Attendants are available to help with reservations, ticketing, and local information.
- Most lounges give you a place to store your bags.
- These areas are often unsupervised. So use it at your own risk.
- Lounges contain bathrooms, making them convenient for quick needs.
- There are outlets, and most lounges these days have USB charging stations.
- Most staffed lounges offer red cap service to help you get to and from your train and, in some cases, connecting services.
Lounge food and drink
Typically, you will find snacks in lounges that include things like:
- Food offerings vary from lounge to lounge, but standard offerings include:
- Pretzels and chips
- Muffins, sweet rolls, and other sweet treats
- Fresh fruit
- Coffee, tea, soft drinks, water, and juices
- Chicago and New York lounges offer more, including cash bars.
The food offerings are as convincing, and in most cases, are not intended as a meal, so keep that in mind.
Amtrak Metropolitan Lounges hours and locations
For unstaffed lounges, check with station agents.
| Station | Hours of Operation | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Boston, MA (BOS) Boston South | 5:30 am – 9:30 pm, daily | Between the ticket office and the information booth |
| Chicago, IL (CHI) Chicago Union | 6:00 am – 9:00 pm, daily | In the hallway leading to the Great Hall |
| Los Angeles, CA (LAX) Los Angeles Union | 5:00 am – 10:00 pm, daily | On the second floor, above the ticket office, walk toward the car rental booths, then take a left. From there, head up the stairs or take the elevator. |
| Philadelphia, PA (PHL) William H Gray III, 30th Street Station | 6:30 am – 9:00 pm daily | It’s at the end of the hall behind stairway 1, then up the stairs |
| Portland, OR (PDX) Portland Union | 9:30 am – 5:40 pm, daily | Inside the boarding area at gate 5 |
| New York, NY (NYP) New York Penn Moynihan Train Hall | 5:00 am – 9:30 pm Monday to Friday 7:00 am – 9:00 pm Saturday and Sunday full-service bar open 11:00 am – 7:00 pm daily | Mezzanine level |
| Washington, DC (WAS) Washington Union | 4:30 am – 8:00 pm Monday – Friday 6:00 am – 9:30 pm Saturday – Sunday | Behind the information booth, between gates D and E |
My Experiences In Amtrak Lounges
Here are my experiences with a few lounges; things have changed since I last visited. In case you missed it, the New Orleans lounge is in the unstaffed lounge section of this article.
Washington, DC Union Station
The Washington, DC, lounge can be bustling or a ghost town. Either way, it is a great way to escape the station’s hustle and bustle. I like that there are areas for those who want to work while they wait.
There is, however, unsupervised luggage storage just past the front desk. It is convenient if you want to leave the lounge.
If you want a more secure place to store your luggage, you can pay a fee to hold it at the ticket counter. However, you cannot store luggage overnight.
If you are not leaving the lounge and would like to store your bags, there are designated areas on the main level, near the stairs, where you can place them.
Los Angeles Union Station
The Los Angeles lounge is a bit tricky to find, but it’s well worth the effort.
The lounge is on the second floor; use the elevator or stairs to reach it.
The attendant stores your luggage behind the desk or in the conference room, so you can walk around without lugging your bags.
Previously, the lounge sold souvenirs.
Often, they offer cookies and fruit as snacks, along with coffee, soda (also known as pop), tea, and water.
Depending on where you are going, “Redcaps” can often assist you in getting from the lounge to your station or bus.
Philadelphia 30th Street Station
The Philadelphia Lounge is a nice place to rest and wait. It has seating for a couch and a chair, a table, and a desk.
As you walk to the seating area, you will pass a snack-and-beverage station. Feel free to find a place, drop off your gear, and return for a treat and a beverage.
One advantage of this lounge is that the elevators lead directly to the platform, making it easy to access your train.
The staff will inform you when it’s time to prepare, assist you down to the platform to wait for your train, and direct you to your designated spot.
Portland Union Station
The Portland Union Station is neat and quaint, but still does the job.
The lounge provides an unsupervised place to store your gear. The last time I was there, no food was available, but beverages were offered.
It is a relaxing place to sit back and wait for the Empire Builder or the Coast Starlight.
This lounge is toward the back of the station and near Gate 5, where you board the train. If you are leaving this station, it is a short walk to the train.
Chicago Union Station
Chicago offers slightly more than average because it is the biggest hub for Amtrak’s long-distance trains and the Midwest corridor. This station provides a wide selection of snacks for passengers.
The lounge features TVs and schedule boards, so you can easily monitor departure times and track information.
Soft drinks, coffee machines, and snacks are available on the lower level, and bathrooms are on both floors.
Chicago’s Lounge also offers showers; you can ask the attendant for towels and access to them. Unstaffed baggage storage is also available. The upper lounge is the “quiet area.”
The bar is located on the lower level, near the stairs to the upper level. It serves wine, beer, and basic cocktails while you wait.
Since sleeper passengers can consume adult beverages in their rooms, these prices are sometimes lower than those on the train. You can toss some non-open ones in your bag before heading out. I am not suggesting anything; I am just saying. Check out the cafe page to view the current menu.
This lounge does not have direct access to the tracks. When it is time to board your train, the staff will announce, have you and others line up by the doors, and someone will lead you and your fellow passengers to the tracks. If you require red cap service, the staff will inform you of the meeting location, typically by the front doors.
This lounge features a shower for your use, along with towels and washcloths.
New York
The New York lounge is the flagship of all Amtrak lounges.
This lounge offers amenities unparalleled elsewhere. While you wait, you can enjoy a variety of hot and cold food options, including sandwiches and snacks. Additionally, a selection of brewed coffee, espresso drinks, and both hot and cold teas is available. Alternatively, a cash bar is also available.
There is casual seating, tables with outlets, and USB ports for those who need to work while traveling. There is also a balcony where you can sit and people-watch.
Additionally, there are lockers for storing some of your valuables, though I did not see any locks on them.
The boarding process for this lounge is similar to that in Chicago, but the leader will guide you to the boarding line and help you cut in line to access the sleepers.
How to Use Amtrak Lounges
Using an Amtrak lounge is not tricky, but knowing the rules can help you prepare.
Getting into an Amtrak-staffed lounge
Using an Amtrak lounge is easy. Here are a few tips I use when visiting Amtrak Lounges that may help you as well.
You can enter the lounges, but some require a doorbell to access them.
Before I walk in, I have my boarding pass (ticket) ready. I often print out my tickets.
You can print your ticket at the ticket desk or at Quik-Trac machines at any station with a lounge. Alternatively, you can use your app ticket or the ticket sent to your email.
Upon entering the lounge, I checked in with the agent at the desk and showed them my ticket; they verified my access. They may mark your ticket or issue a pass to help them identify you as a checked-in passenger.
Once in the Amtrak lounges
After check-in, I often walk around to familiarize myself with the amenities and find a spot.
You are welcome to partake in the food and drinks.
There is free WI-FI, and speeds may vary.
Monitor the time and arrival/departure monitors while you wait to see how your train is doing. You can also use your phone to check the status.
Pay attention to boarding calls!
If you are at the train’s originating stop, keep an ear out for any early boarding announcements, or at least one person in your travel party should do so.
Amtrak can start boarding 30-45 minutes early, which can catch you off guard.
It is not uncommon for me to work while I wait, so my computer and charger are out,
An hour before the scheduled departure, I pack my chargers and large headphones, so when the time comes, I can slide my computer or iPad into my bag and head to the train or meeting area. I often switch to my smaller headphones.
Trains can load early at Portland (PDX), Los Angeles (LAX), Chicago (CHI), New York Penn (NYP), and Boston South (BOS).
What happened to Club Acela?
Amtrak has renamed all Club Acela lounges to Metropolitan Lounges. Club Acela lounges were located at stations that offered lounges and Acela services.
What not to do in an Amtrak Metropolitan Lounge
Most of this is common sense, and some is my opinion, but I will still present it for your consideration. I hope this section does not come across as judgmental, but the story’s moral is to be considerate of your fellow passengers and the staff.
Remember, Amtrak lounges are shared spaces.
Be respectful of others when using this shared space.
You may need to rearrange your bag, which is fine as long as you do not leave your belongings scattered or occupy more than one seat when the lounge is busy or for an extended period.
Lying on the couch while wearing shoes is uncouth, especially when the lounge is busy.
Also, please refrain from placing your feet on the furniture. We might do this at home—I do—and there is no judgment, but it’s not cool in a public space, especially when others would like to use the sofa.
Besides, people don’t want to put their food and drink on a table where someone else has placed their feet or dirty shoes.
Please clean up after yourself; it doesn’t take much effort. It is incredible how many people leave messes.
Remember that the food in the lounge is for more than just you; it is not there for you to stockpile for your trip.
Using Electronics in Amtrak Lounges
When it comes to electronics, use headphones!
Keep phone calls brief or find a quiet area where you won’t disturb others.
Using the speakerphone on your phone is disruptive to others; using headphones helps.
Video calling (e.g., FaceTime) is acceptable if it follows the same rules as other phone calls.
People sometimes do not realize how loud they are on the phone or what information they accidentally share with others.
Sadly, I base this section on my experience with other passengers.
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Amtrak Lounge Access Just Got an Update (Effective July 1, 2025)
Amtrak recently changed the rules for using its Metropolitan Lounges at major stations like Chicago Union Station, New York’s Moynihan Train Hall, Washington Union Station, and others.
Here’s what’s new:
- No more lounge access after your trip ends—unless:
- You’re connecting to another same-day sleeper or Acela First Class train.
- Access is limited to 3 hours before departure, even if you’re riding First Class or in a sleeper.
- Coach passengers can now buy day passes if space is available
- If you arrive early, a bag check will cost $10 per bag if it’s more than 3 hours before your train departs.
- Amtrak Guest Rewards Select Plus and Select Executive members still get in, no matter what class they’re riding.
Kev’s Take:
I’ve used the Chicago Metropolitan Lounge when connecting to the Hiawatha or catching a Metra train home from long-distance trips. It’s been a nice way to unwind after traveling.
I understand that concern. I was in the lounge as a sleeper passenger and found it challenging to secure a seat due to the crowded conditions. While it’s disappointing to lose the flexible access, especially since my next ride isn’t technically classified as “premium,” I understand why Amtrak is making these changes. They want to ensure the lounges provide a more comfortable experience for those holding higher-end tickets, which makes sense.
In September 2025, I addressed the new rule changes. While I recognize that changes can be necessary, I believe this particular rule should be reevaluated. If early entry is not permitted, then I think they should provide free luggage storage as an alternative.
Amtrak Lounges wrap up.
Amtrak lounges are great places to wait for the next part of your Amtrak adventure, and if you are prepared, things should go smoother and faster.
Remember to consider others when thinking about the space you occupy and the snacks you take.
Listen to announcements and ask questions as needed. Also, prepare so that if your train boards early, you are ready to go.
Please remember that delays and disruptions can occur, and many are beyond the lounge staff’s control. The team will do their best to assist you and provide updates based on the information available to them. If your train is delayed, it’s not the lounge staff’s fault—placing blame won’t improve the situation. They may be unable to resolve issues in the way or timeframe you’d prefer. Your patience and understanding go a long way, as the staff genuinely wants to help you catch your train just as much as you want to board it.
Remember, if I can travel, you can too!
Safe travels!
Kev
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Excellent, updated info! I’m riding on the City of New Orleans next week, southbound, and I appreciate all of the help. Keep up the good work!
Great Info. I got the passenger train bug when 8 after my sister moved to Spokane, Wa, Yes I rode both the Northern Pacific and Great Northern. First rode superliner in 1988, yes that is when some were built still in use today! I’ve lost count but have ridden the Zephry somewhere near 30 times. Actually did it 3 round trips Chi to Sac last year. I have found that different lounge agents run things as they interpret the rules. Once was told that I had to check my 2 pieces of luggage saying the conductors were tired of all the luggage! And the agent got very mad when I read the big luggage rules sign right behind her. But for 99% of the time they are always good.
Hi Ronnie,
I am glad you like the info. I love the Zephyr too! Things are a little more chill in the Chicago Metropolitan Lounge than in the past; at least yesterday, they did. Thanks for sharing!
Safe Travels,
Kev
Very helpful info. Wonder if you can answer a query I have – if I am checking a bag at LA Union Station (going to San Diego), can you check it in from the lounge or do you have to do that first before entering the lounge? Thx.
I am glad I can help! You should check your bags before you head to the lounge. Besides, you walk past the ticket luggage check-in area on your way there.
Kev