If you’re flying out of Miami International Airport (MIA) anytime soon, we’ve got some exciting news. After being closed for several years and undergoing a complete transformation, the Avianca-TAP Air Portugal VIP Lounge in Terminal J has officially reopened — and it’s looking better than ever.
Previously operated solely by Avianca, the revamped lounge is now a joint venture between Avianca and its Star Alliance partner TAP Air Portugal. The best part? If you’ve followed any of Daily Drop’s travel credit card tips, there’s a good chance you already have access.
We got a first look during the lounge’s soft opening, and we’re breaking down everything you need to know — from how to get in to what you’ll find inside.
Photo by Mike Dodge/Daily Drop
How to Access the Avianca-TAP Air Portugal VIP Lounge at MIA
The Avianca-TAP Air Portugal VIP Lounge is located in MIA’s J Concourse, near gate J6. It's also a convenient option for travelers departing from Concourse H, since the two are connected airside.
The lounge is open 24/7, making it an excellent choice for late-night flights or overnight layovers.
Before we get into what the lounge offers, let’s review how you can access it. There are a few different ways to get in — and you might already qualify without even realizing it.
Priority Pass
The best part of this lounge is that you can access it with any Priority Pass membership.
Many premium credit cards come with a Priority Pass membership as a perk, meaning you can access this lounge regardless of which airline or class you’re flying.
There’s a three-hour time limit if you enter via Priority Pass, but if you have an unlimited Priority Pass membership, you can just swipe back in if you need more time.
Photo by Mike Dodge/Daily Drop
Flying Business or First Class on a Star Alliance Airline
If you have a same-day boarding pass for any Star Alliance airline in business or first class, you get unrestricted access to the lounge. That includes airlines like Avianca, TAP Air Portugal, Turkish Airlines, United, and Air Canada.
If you are flying first class, you can even bring a guest free of charge, even if they’re only in economy (as long as they’re on the same flight).
Star Alliance Gold Status
If you have Star Alliance Gold status, you can enter the lounge no matter which class of service you’re flying.
However, let’s be honest — if you’ve earned Star Alliance Gold, you probably also have a Priority Pass membership.
Paid Access
In addition to the many ways to access this lounge for free, day passes are available for $48.
What to Expect Inside the Lounge
Clocking in over 6,500 square feet, this lounge can accommodate up to 337 guests at a time. And since there are several other lounges in the same terminal, it hopefully won’t get too overcrowded regularly.
We were told the lounge has seen around 500 guests per day since its soft opening in March 2025, with afternoons being the busiest time of the day.
Overall, we were impressed by its size and design, especially compared to other run-of-the-mill Priority Pass lounges.
Photo by Mike Dodge/Daily Drop
Food & Drinks
This lounge offers self-service food and drinks, including a selection of Portuguese wines (it is a TAP lounge, after all!).
Photo by Mike Dodge/Daily Drop
But the real standout is the à la carte menu. Using a QR code at any table, you can order food straight to your seat.
The menu rotates between breakfast and lunch/dinner. Here are sample menus that were available during our visit:
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The food was pretty good — definitely a step up from your typical Priority Pass lounge.
The cheese Arepa (a delicious Colombian favorite), in particular, was nice and tasty.
Photo by Mike Dodge/Daily Drop
Other Lounge Amenities
Beyond food and drinks, here’s what else you’ll find inside:
Relaxation room with reclining chairs
Kids' playroom to keep little ones entertained
Business center with workspaces
Private meeting room
Fast, free Wi-Fi
Charging station with built-in cables
Unfortunately, there are no showers in this lounge.
Photo by Mike Dodge/Daily Drop
Bottom Line
The new Avianca-TAP Air Portugal VIP Lounge is a welcome addition to Miami International Airport. It’s modern, spacious, open 24/7, and offers quality food and drinks — a huge step up from the typical Priority Pass lounge.
Whether you're flying out of Concourse J or Concourse H, this lounge is a solid option — especially if the others are too crowded (as is often the case in Miami).
