I recently published a post about the very disappointing VIP Lounge Costa Rica located in the basement of Juan Santamaria Airport (SJO). Connecting at SJO a few days ago, I discovered a very nice lounge, the VIP Lounge BAC Credomatic, that appears to present an outstanding alternative for holders of an American Express Platinum card or perhaps Priority Pass members.
Completing a mileage run, I arrived at SJO from Miami, FL at 09:12 on American Airlines Flight 2221. I was returning to MIA on a separate ticket on the same plane. Scheduled departure at 10:28. I was already checked in and had the boarding pass on the AA app. Also at SJO you can bypass immigration and customs and get to connecting flights just by going through security. I was the only one in the special security area for connecting passengers. The surprisingly fast process gave me about 30 minutes before reboarding the 737-800 for the flight back to MIA.
I had no intention of wasting the short layover in one of the two Priority Pass lounges and planned to wait in the food court or at one of the restaurants near Gate 4. On the way, I saw a sign advertising a new lounge, the VIP Lounge BAC Credomatic at Gate 17. This lounge was not listed on the Priority Pass or Lounge Buddy apps. Even though Gate 17 is on the other end of the terminal and a bit of a hike, I decided to check it out.
Who Has Access?
The check in desk is on the left when you get off the elevator. I inquired about access explaining that I had Priority Pass and the American Express Platinum card. The rep said the lounge was not part of Priority Pass but that an Amex Platinum Card was all I needed for entry. He ran my Amex card, and I went in. Simple, or so I thought.
After returning to the U.S. I saw this photo in a FlyerTalk thread.
And another article listed these as the cards that provide access:
The Platinum Card American Express
Miles Plus Mastercard Black
Miles Plus Visa Infinite
ConnectMiles Visa Infinite
ConnectMiles Visa Platino
AAdvantage Mastercard Black
AAdvantage Mastercard Platinum
Win MasterCard Platinum Awards
Win Platinum Visa Awards
Win Amex Platinum Awards
Credomatic Mastercard Platinum Points
Credomatic Visa Platinum Points
Credomatic Amex Platinum Points
CashBack MasterCard Platinum
CashBack Visa Platinum
CashBack Amex Platinum
Here’s the mystery. This lounge opened on February 15, 2019. On March 1, 2019 Uniglobe Travel issued a press release stating that this lounge was a member of Priority Pass and that its customers could receive a 15% discount on annual Priority Pass memberships. After returning home, I contacted Priority Pass and American Express. Neither knew anything about this lounge. I hope that his lounge is indeed applying for Priority Pass membership. Like the IMF team in Ghost Protocol, the VIP Lounge BAC Credomatic seems to be officially disavowed.
Update: Reader Matthew reports (see Comments below) that only those with a locally issued Amex Platinum Card are entitled to free entry. The error that permitted my entry and several others who read this post has apparently been recognized and corrected. I can report that this lounge now appears in the Lounge Buddy app. You can try using your Amex Platinum card. If that doesn’t work, anyone willing to pay $28 can enjoy this lounge.
Regardless, my Amex card got me in (no pending charges b/t/w) and I found this lounge to be an oasis of comfort and elegance. The lounge occupies 745 square meters on the upper level in the far right corner (facing the runway) of the terminal. It is open from 04:30 to 20:00 daily.
Unlike the food and beverage options at the Priority Pass lounges at SJO, this lounge has nothing to be ashamed of.
There is a bar and dining area. Beer and wine are free and unlimited. Other alcoholic drinks come with a charge. 
Near the buffet is a room for rest and relaxation.
Children will have a good time in the large, well-equipped kid’s room.
Other features include newspapers and magazines, flight monitors, free WiFi, conference tables, bathrooms, and TVs.
In conclusion, it would be a great addition to SJO if this lounge is indeed accessible through Priority Pass and/or the U.S. based American Express card. It sure beats the alternatives.
Have you been to the VIP Lounge BAC Credomatic at Juan Santamaria airport?
Salsaworldtraveler'sblog 
Hi well I was there yesterday and I do have my American Express platinum and my American Express gold business
And let me inform you they do not accept them cuz they are not from the bac American Express
I was confuse cuz American Express is American Express any where and the world but I was not
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That makes sense. Thanks for the update.
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People are getting the lounges at SJO confused. There are 3 lounges. The upstairs lounge at Gate 5 is the Amex Platinum/Priority Pass Lounge. The basement lounge across from Gate 5 is also a Priority Pass lounge.
The New BAC lounge at Gate 17 ( previously the Dragon Lounge) upstairs, is primarily for BAC cardholders. I have both the BAC issued Amex Platinum and a BAC issued Black MasterCard. Unlimited visits. 2 guests free. All other card holders pay $25 + tax.
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Thanks for the info. I’m glad they screwed up and let me in the BAC lounge. The PP lounges are terrible.
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I’m in the lounge right now. They took my US issued American Express Platinum no problem and said we get a free 20 min massage. There’s also a sign saying they accept priority pass although I didn’t ask.
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Wow a 20 minute massage is a great amenity. Priority Pass still does not list this lounge on its app. The lounge now appears on the Lounge Buddy app which is owned by AmEx. Lounge Buddy says I would have to pay $28 to enter even though I have a Platinum card. Would you feel comfortable asking a rep about the confusing status of this lounge? This lounge is still mysterious. Thanks very much for your report!
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That is the Gate 5 location. The article refers to the new BAC lounge at Gate 17.
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I live in Costa Rica and I have been there many times over the years (at least five years ago I can remember) so they definitely didn’t open on February 15, 2019. More like 2015 or before. It is sponsored by BAC Credomatic, a local bank, so that’s why Amex International probably doesnt know about it. Inside this lounge btw are two sections, the big one you mentioned plus a smaller more premium one (for Platinum AMEX only) where you get more freebies including more liquor choices.
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Interesting and more mysterious. Airport signage and other articles describe it as a new lounge. Thanks for the comment
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What I think happened is they made some renovations and re-launched it. But as you can see here it was originally opened back in 2011: https://www.larepublica.net/noticia/sala_vip_de_taca_y_credomatic
And it has always been way better than the other VIP place.
By the way, this bank (BAC Credomatic) also gives us a Priority Pass card with 10 free entrances for other airports around the world.
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Indeed this lounge is very nice and quite new. Despite all that only local Amex Platinum card holders can get access to this lounge. It seems in the past there was some confusion about it, and even some people with international Amex platinum were allowed in, but this is not longer the case. The good news is that it what used to be Avianca lounge has been recently renovated in a very nice way and it is now called The American Express lounge and Priority Pass and any Amex Platinum card holder gets entrance. We even just posted a video about it in our YouTube Channel
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Thanks for solving the mystery of this lounge. Avianca’s lounge sounds like a good alternative.
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Why do you specify American-based AMEX cards? What is the discriminatory practice against other countries’ AMEX platinum cards?
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That’s a good question. I specify U.S. based Amex cards because that is the card I have and because I believe BAC Credomatic is based in Central America. It might discriminate against U.S. based cards or others. Who knows. Thanks for the comment
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Sitting at the VIP Lounge BAC in SJO this very moment. Came across your post yesterday, just in time for the scheduled travel out of SJO today.
Beautiful lounge with a great view of the runway. And yes, Amex Pt gets you in for “free.”
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Thanks for confirming that I’m not crazy. Any clues about Amex not knowing of this lounge or the earlier claim that it is a Priority Pass lounge?
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No clue. Obviously the standing poster board which you already photographed and shared specifically identifies Amex Pt as eligible.
They ran my Amex Pt card and it now has a pending charge of USD 1.01 (one dollar and one cent) for two people. But that was probably just for verifying eligibility.
Food was very good, by Latin-American standards for PP. On par w/ European PP lounges. And def better than US PP lounges.
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Appreciate the feedback. I was also impressed with this lounge compared to its competition. No need to look this gift horse in the mouth as long as we are not being charged.
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I wonder how many other lounges across the planet have been officially disavowed by American Express?
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Good question. Thanks for reading.
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I wonder how many other lounges around the world are officially disavowed by American Express?
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I entered the lounge a few years ago and while entry was free they wanted to charge for any drinks.
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Thanks for reading and commenting. I wonder if the lounge you entered is the same one I visited. This lounge is above Gate 17 and the press release claims it opened on February 15, 2019. Maybe the VIP BAC Credomatic lounge is a successor to the lounge you were in.
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I thought the punchline was going to be that an Amex Platinum and a meager $50 was enough to get you in.
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That would not have been very funny 🙂
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Did you check your Amex charges to see if you were actually charged to enter?
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Yes. And no charges pending. Weird that Amex never heard of this lounge.
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It looks like a great business lounge
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I think this lounge compares favorably to many airport business-class lounges. Compared to the other options at SJO, it felt like being in a first class lounge.
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