he Transborder Plaza Premium Lounge Vancouver in the section is a nice lounge for those departing Vanvouer international YVR to the USA on a pre-cleared flight. The lounge is just one of two lounges in the entire section of the airport. This little lounge can get very busy and space comes at a premium at times. Yet despite the small size it can host approximately 132 guests. If you are departing from Vancouver to the USA, this is your only option except for the Air Canada lounge.
Access to the The Plaza Premium Lounge is available several different ways. All American Express platinum cardholders, Priority pass members, and select airlines airport clubs allow access. In addition, day passes are for sale to the lounge too.
On several visits to this lounge on flights during midday and even I have found the lounge very full. Recently I was traveling at 6am though and was at the lounge when it first opened. This allowed me to take some better photos of the lounge. This was before my recent HX expedition from Nome, Alaska to Vancouver. That trip started out with a Charter flight which allowed me to visit this lounge.
Transborder Lounge
The small lounge has everything you need in a lounge. The Plaza Premium lounge is actually 1 of 4 at Vancouver international airport. This lounge is open from 0445 – 2230 daily.
Guests of the lounge can enjoy a buffet with several hot dishes, cold dishes, a bar, showers and more. As I was visiting the lounge during breakfast hours the lounge was offering several breakfast items. Including both Western and international options. Items such as eggs, oatmeal, pastries, yogurt, fresh fruit and more are available during breakfast hours. Even desserts are available in the cooler and salad and other items which are less traditional breakfast food, but one never knows where you are connecting from or ot and what your body clock says the time is.
For being a small lounge, I find their food selection to be plentiful. This is not a lounge you will ever go hungry in. From vegetarian options to meat options, you should be able to find something that you like no matter your age or where you’re from. In the afternoon on a visit they had several Asian options for lunch/dinner. A region of the world where I personally think the food is superb. Who doesn’t love some good Thai food or even a good bao bun?
The lounge also features a nice bar in the middle of the lounge. Service begins after 10am and includes complimentary beer, wine, and other spirits. During all open hours there is self service soda, water, juices, and coffee.
I always appreciate when a lounge offers local craft beers versus the standard bud light or Heineken. At this lounge you can enjoy Steamworks beer, a local Vancouver staple. I personally like their Hazy IPA, but find most Steamworks beers to be very palpable. Do you have a favorite Steamworks beer?
For those looking for something stronger, there is a wide assortment of hard alcohol spirits for you to enjoy. Many complimentary with upgrades available for top shelf brands. And of course free Canadian whiskey.
Plaza Premium Lounge Location
The Plaza Premium lounge is Located across from Gate E88. This is after security and customs. After clearing US Customs continue to walk past the first of two duty free shop and the lounge is on the left hand side. Opposite of the tarmac and gates.
The lounge is an interior lounge with no tarmac views. Instead the lounge overlooks the arrival hall of guests arriving from international flights to Canada. This allows for some good people watching as long haul flights arrive in Vancouver and the queues below can be quite long at times. Which watching those long queues is always a good reminder to take part in different trusted traveler programs such as pre-check, global entry and Nexus.
Relax
The lounge offers different tables and seating options for everyone. Some can sit at the bar, others may choose a more cozy chair overlooking airport arrivals and immigrations. There are larger shared tables better for eating and high tops for those who like to sit on their high thrones.
The lounge is perfect for the Goldilocks in the bunch as there are plenty of different seats and arrangements that are bound to make nearly everyone happy. There is no family center or kid’s room therefore kids are free roaming in the lounge and/or with their parents co-mingling with all other guests. This typically isn’t an issue, but if you’re looing for a place for the kids to play, this lounge is not for you.
From single chairs made for one to booths for family there are lots of seat options. You can easily choose what makes most sense for you depending on who you are traveling with or what you are doing. Kick back with a cocktail in a chair that are clearly well utilized with forever imprinted romp prints or choose a table better for working on a computer. You should be able to make yourself comfortable during your short stay.
Bottom Line
When you are traveling to the United States and not flying with Air Canada or another Star Alliance member. The YVR Plaza Premium lounge is the only real option for Priority Pass card holders and others looking for a lounge in the transborder area.
The Plaza Premium YVR lounge is a great place to grab a hot snack or drink before your flight to the United States. The lounge is small, but it provides access to a slew of different airlines and credit card airport club programs. My favorite Plaza Premier is likely the Sao Paulo one, but this one does well enough. In my 3 visits over the last couple months at all different hours of the day, I’ve yet to see a time when they were turning people away. Most people I find are in and out within an hour and do not linger.
Have you visited this lounge? What do you think?
