My wife’s grandmother celebrated her 100th birthday(!) a few weeks ago in Walnut Creek, California. Oakland International Airport (OAK) is the closest field with major airline service to the alleged creek flowing with walnuts.
So, we hopped on a Southwest Airlines flight home to Burbank (BUR). But we had a couple of hours before our trip — and our flight was delayed (which is becoming more frequent with my Southwest trips, for some reason).
That gave us plenty of time to visit the Escape Lounge Oakland – a Centurion Studio Partner.
Where is the Escape Lounge Oakland – a Centurion Studio Partner?
Once you clear security, go up the escalators and hang a right. Follow the signs for “Airport Lounge.”
You’ll find the Escape Lounge Oakland near gates 8 and 9 and across from the Oak Grove Eatery.
The walk takes about 7-10 minutes from security.
How to Access the Escape Lounge Oakland
The lounge is available to people who hold one of five credit cards:
- The Centurion® Card from American Express
- The Platinum Card® from American Express
- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
card_name and Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card members may visit the lounge only on days during which they fly a Delta-marketed and operated itinerary. Plus, that trip must be purchased with a U.S.-issued American Express card.
The club is open from 5:00 AM to 8:00 PM daily.
Also, don’t confuse “Escape Lounge” with “Escape Club.”
Inside the Escape Lounge Oakland
Size-wise, let’s say this lounge is fairly cozy.
That’s pretty much the entire place.
Like most lounges, its occupancy fluctuated during our 90-minute stay. It was packed just before we left. Other times, the place was practically empty.
I didn’t notice an abundance of USB and electrical outlets. So, make sure your electric devices are charged or you have decent battery backup.
Food and Beverage at the Escape Lounge Oakland
We didn’t leave hungry.
Salmon filets and rice were offered on the buffet. They feature a bit of a kick but nothing this bland enthusiast couldn’t handle.
Some tasty soups and charcuterie were also available.
My daughter enjoyed some of the snacky items like chips.
Beverage-wise, there’s soda, coffee, water, booze — the usual stuff.
This is annoying: there’s no self-serve ice. You have to ask for it at the bar.
Speaking of the bar: card_name and card_name members receive complimentary upgrades from well liquor to mid-tier offerings. (This was my first Escape Lounge visit in a while — is the Platinum liquor upgrade a chain feature?)
For example, the bartender offered me Maker’s Mark or Bulleit bourbon instead of Jim Beam. My wife enjoyed Tito’s vodka in her Bloody Mary instead of the house hooch. (I forgot to ask — bad blogger!)
The service was decent. The staff was a bunch of characters — and I mean that in a fun, pleasant way. My only complaint is that tables sat with trash for a while — as the staff chatted away near the bar. (But they were amusing and funny.)
Final Approach
I won’t hesitate to visit the Escape Lounge Oakland again. Is this on par with the Centurion Lounges? No.
That said, the food is good, the liquor upgrade feature is appreciated, and I like having a place to go instead of the crowded gates where my Southwest flights are always delayed.
Have you been to the Escape Lounge Oakland?
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“The walk takes about 7-10 minutes from security. (If you’re flying Delta, you’ll probably want to double that time to get your gate once you leave the lounge.)”
Question – shouldn’t that be if you’re flying Southwest? Delta’s gates are literally right next door to this lounge (everybody but WN is within about 5 gates).
Correcting, thanks.
Thanks for the review. I fly OAK sometimes to get good deals, and have always wondered about the lounge offerings. OAK also has interesting descriptions of the history of the people and the bay, which I enjoy reading even if I am not flying out of that terminal.
Have visited the Escape Lounge in Providence RI a few times…Over the past 2 years the expresso machine has been out of order(also at other EL places). Last visit no hot food just some(3) cold sandwiches as the cook did not show up that day… Other times it has been very food sparse. In the only lounge at Sacramento (escape lounge) You have had to order via QR code and they bring it to you but last visit some food out…But expresso machine out of order still.They used to have reserve tables for Platinum and Cenutrion members but that has gone away the last few months…
That girl was giving you the stink eye for getting her in your 1st lounge pic
We were there Monday night this week. Seats were available but there was nearly no food and when some appeared it disappeared nearly immediately. The place was filthy dirty, the bar not consistently staffed. With limited power it made more sense to walk over near gate 30 and be all alone with abundant power. This lounge isn’t worth a visit, I’m glad you found it in a slightly better state.
Imagine thinking you have the punchiest lede of the year, while failing to grasp that walnuts and almonds are not the same thing.
Fair enough. True story: I ate almonds while writing about Walnut Creek. Found a good deal on them at the grocery store.
Also, I’ve had nuttier ledes.
I was first reading this as an “escape room” (to while away a long connection), sigh it’s just a lounge.
Let’s hope it doesn’t turn into an escape room! Have a great trip!
I was there a week ago. Food was below average and the non-alcoholic drinks. May be escape lounges are not that great. This is my first exhale lounge though
I’m not sure their complete history but the first Escape lounge I have known of has been probably close to 5 years ago at MSP and it has consistently had good plentiful food. I’ve used the one at BDL sparingly over this same period and it’s definitely above average.
Probably like the offerings from The Club… there is a lot of variability (which they need to fix, or I’m sure Amex will force Escape to do so). Some Club lounges are great like CLT with a good amount of food and table service (admittedly I’ve seldom visited after 630am) and others leave a lot be desired (like ATL).