The Club SJC A8

Coming in with a priority pass on an early Sunday morning (around 8:30) - plenty of tables and seats with many outlet options, which is great because my Apple Watch hadn't charged overnight.

There's a self-service section that is overall a little limited (one type of bread, plain bagels, two types of muffins), a toaster, an assortment of toppings, porridge, a coffee machine and a soda machine. You're able to also order from a QR code to your table - I got some potatoes and a fruit cup, which arrived quickly to my table (within 2-3 min) but were very small servings. Potatoes and fruits were fine.

Overall I think this is an ok lounge with some basic offerings and alcoholic options. SJC doesn't have many lounge options so I'll take what I can get, but it could definitely be better.

They have a decent salad bar and a nice coffee machine! I had a bloody Mary and it was not too salty or spicy. The day we came the lunch selection was tuna sliders and chicken teriyaki bowls.

The service is so incredibly nice and quick! The bartender to the servers were on it! It's a clean comfortable space with plenty of chairs and not packed around 11am. They have outlets scattered about and the bathrooms were clean!

My reason for four stars and not five is that the salad bar can use a bit of a revamp. The two dressing options were ranch and blue cheese, maybe they have more options if you ask but wish they had a sign. This is more of an opinion but the broccoli cheddar soup was not great, it had an after taste but with enough Tabasco it masked it. The brownie was great, no complaints!

Is this what living in luxury is like?!

Okay, okay, I'm exposing myself but this was the first airport club I got to check out. I made the mistake of not activating my chase sapphire reserve perk to access this but luckily, my friend was able to bring me as a guest when we arrived super early for our flight to San Diego.

When we were there on a Thursday late afternoon, there was plenty of room to move around and relax (as opposed to the rest of the airport that was very crowded with weekend travelers). Everything in the lounge was so clean and their staff was quick to bus our tables. Very clean bathrooms too.

The ordering system was really easy with a QR code at each table. Each plate was a small bite portion but I loved that I was able to try a handful of different items. They also had a bit of a snack bar where you could self serve other small snacks, coffees, and drinks.

If you have a credit card that gives you access to airport lounges or if you have the priority pass membership, don't pass up the opportunity to check out this airport club or others while you wait for flights.

Lounging, Part I

I'm dedicated to lounging, and first stop in my quest to try out all the lounges from Tijuana to Timbuktu and relay the rigors of rest and relaxation is the San Jose international Airport lounge in NorCal - The Club SJC A8. No line, quick VIP entry, fresh fruits and veggies, free food and drink for members through ordering via QR code, what a hit! There are even showers and private bathrooms to freshen up. Comfy lounge chairs a-plenty are just the plane ticket! You can enter 3 hours before or two hours after your flight. Enjoy!!

Oy. So I visited 3 "The Club" locations this past week - SJC, DFW and MSY. This was the worst of the three (and sadly, this is my home airport). The food offerings here are just terrible at lunch/dinner - the tuna slider is inedibly mushy, the chicken teriyaki is slimy and meh. The menu online is NOTHING like what is actually offered at the club. Breakfast doesn't fare much better (the eggs are so dried and gross), but at least they've got bagels and bread to make a toasted bagel with cream cheese or a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. "The Club" in other airports have much better food offerings and I don't know why the SJC locations are so neglected.

Got into the SJC club courtesy of priority pass. Place is clean and was not crowded when I came in.

Came in while they were still serving breakfast but wasn't much left. Saw some people had fruits, bagels and muffins. They sodas, coffee and water as well.

For lunch, they had tomato basil soup, celery and carrot sticks and cheeses. You can also order from the QR code on the table. Ordered chickpea masala with rice (so so... kinda bland), meatballs with rice (decent), ham & cheese slider and chocolate brownie (kinda tough... just had a bite).

Staff come by often to clear the plates. Place is clean and quiet. They have big TVs to watch the Masters.

Post Covid review

This lounge got a furniture refresh and a QR code system implemented for ordering food and drinks.

Best of all you can order hot food at anytime. Previously hot food would be available around 9AM. Just scan the QR code, order, and they'll bring the food to you! It is an awesome system and great service!

I'm really not sure how this place is rated so high if you have been to other lounges, they usually have a great selection of food and an open bar. This place makes you order food options that quickly get sold out and taken off the menu, and bar limits you to 2 drinks.

Who knew they had this other spot tucked away at the far end of the international departures! We stumbled upon it after finding out The Club SJC A15 was temporarily closed (they're remodeling, per staff).

It's located about a 5 min walk from A15, also terminal A. Our visit was in June 2021, so the COVID-19 precautions were still in effect. Infused water, small cans of soda, coffee, tea, and light refreshments were offered (see photos). They have two menus - breakfast & "all day" which is served after 11am. A staff member served the soups and all of the items were in plastic wrap, likely for sanitary reasons.

Decor looks newer and more modern than the other lounge - decent spot. Didn't get to peek at the bathroom / shower amenities.

Airport lounges make flying so much more enjoyable!
At the time, this is the only lounge open at the SJ airport. The lounge is clean, modern, and has plenty of seating (individual, lounger chair, and group/meeting seating). Currently, coffee, water, and tea is self-serve. They have yummy snacks and hot soups available in the afternoon. Menu items change based on time of day (Ex: breakfast vs. lunch). They also have a bar and drinks are included!

Dan, the manager, helped us and he was so friendly and welcoming. The service was excellent and he truly made us feel like VIPs. His service was the best that we have experienced at any of our visits to the Club. He personally checked us in, showed us around the food and drinks.

We look forward to coming back to the Club!