VIP Lounge at Viru Viru International Airport in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia [Review]

The VIP Lounge at Viru Viru International Airport (VVI) in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, doesn’t offer the bells and whistles of other lounges. It’s small, and I was tempted to say, “It’s not worth going out of your way for this lounge,” but with its prime location, it’s easy to pop in.

The lounge offers a few essential features, including food and drinks, but it also offers free access to something truly at a premium inside this airport: seating.

Here’s a look at what I found inside the VIP Lounge in Santa Cruz’s VVI airport during a recent trip to Bolivia.

Location

You couldn’t miss it if you tried. Immediately after passport control and the obligatory route through the duty-free shop, you’ll see a giant Priority Pass sign and a sign saying “VIP Lounge.” The lounge appears eager for travelers to find it on the left side of the main waiting area in the international terminal.

Given the size of the terminal, no gates are far from the lounge. Its central location means you can get to any gate within 5 minutes, allowing you to stay in the lounge until boarding is underway.

Gaining Access

The VIP Lounge in Santa Cruz de la Sierra is part of the Priority Pass network. You can get a Priority Pass membership with several credit cards, such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve^®, The Platinum Card^® from American Express, and the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card. Note that enrollment may be required for lounge access so be sure to check your card’s benefit requirements.

Upon entry, check in at the cashier station in the far corner, near the kitchen. Children under 10 years old can enter for free when accompanying an adult.

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

Apply Now(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

Welcome Offer

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

60,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$1,200

Annual Fee

$550

APR

21.49% - 28.49% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Excellent (740-850)

Why We Like This Card

If you’re looking for an all-around excellent travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve^® is one of the best options out there.

The card combines elite travel benefits and perks like airport lounge access, with excellent point earning and redemption options.  Plus it offers top-notch travel insurance protections to keep you covered whether you’re at home or on the road.

Don’t forget the $300 annual travel credit which really helps to reduce the annual fee!

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase TravelSM immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually
• 10x points on Lyft purchases through March 31, 2025
• 10x points on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $250 through March 31, 2025

Cons

• $550 annual fee
• Does not offer any sort of hotel elite status

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Card Highlights

• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
• Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.
• 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
• Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $120 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck^®
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 21.49% - 28.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

BEST LOUNGE ACCESS

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

The Platinum Card^® from American Express

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

Apply Now(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

The Platinum Card^® from American Express

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

Welcome Offer

You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after you spend $8,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months. Apply With Confidence and, if approved, find out your welcome offer before deciding to accept the Card. You may not be eligible for the maximum welcome offer amount.

As High As 175,000 Points (Find out your offer)

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

Up to $1,760

Annual Fee

$695

APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than The Platinum Card^® from American Express.

Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access, hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,400 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges (enrollment required), Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
• 5x points per dollar spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year)
• 5x points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com

Cons

• $695 annual fee (rates and fees)
• Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)

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Card Highlights

• You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after you spend $8,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months. Apply With Confidence and, if approved, find out your welcome offer before deciding to accept the Card. You may not be eligible for the maximum welcome offer amount.
• Earn 5X Membership Rewards^® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards^® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
• $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts^® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card^®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card^® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
• The American Express Global Lounge Collection^® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market. As of 03/2023.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card^® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card^®.
• $200 Uber Cash: Platinum Card^® Members can get out and about and explore their local area with $15 in Uber Cash for US rides each month, plus a bonus $20 in December. That can be up to $200 in annual Uber savings. Simply download the Uber app and add your Platinum Card^® to your Uber account to get started. Available to Basic Card Member only. Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.
• $199 CLEAR^® Plus Credit: CLEAR^® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $199 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
• Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck^® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card^®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
• Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card^®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card^® to your Resy profile.
• $695 annual fee.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: See Pay Over Time APR
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

Hours of Operation

The VIP Lounge is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. That’s good news if you have a flight departing or arriving at odd hours and want a place to relax, charge your phone, and get a quick bite while waiting for your flight.

The lounge had a 4-hour maximum visit while I was there. That could be an issue if you’ve got a long layover or a delayed flight.

First Impressions

My first impression was a chuckle, muttering to myself, “Hey, I think I found the lounge.” Inside, the size immediately caught my attention. It’s tiny. My old New York City apartment was bigger than this lounge.

A few families visiting the lounge simultaneously could easily gobble up the seating. And due to the small size, there wasn’t space for additional amenities other lounges could offer. There were no showers, separate areas for different activities, or a children’s area.

You can only do so much with a lounge that’s just a small room next to the cash register for a coffee shop.

Seating

There were 2 types of seating available within the lounge. The first were tables and chairs resembling the coffee shop just beyond the door.

There were also black leather sofas on the other half of the singular room in the VIP Lounge.

Again, seating is relative to the size of the space and the Viru Viru International Airport. During my visit, the limited number of seats wasn’t an issue. However, it could fill up quickly.

That said, the ability to find available seating might be the best perk this lounge offers. Numerous gates at VVI don’t have any seating. My flight boarded from a hallway with 3 gates and 0 seats. Sitting down (and not on the tile floor) while waiting for your flight is a huge plus.

Food and Beverage

Snacks

Where you might find hot dishes, cheeses, or a salad bar at many lounges, the spread at this lounge was much more modest. It included apples, oranges, and a few types of individually wrapped candies.

The largest portion of the food spread was occupied by chips, banana chips, and crackers. The offerings were very basic.

Hot Food (Maybe)

The lounge had a kitchen, but that’s because this kitchen prepares food orders for the small coffee shop just outside. At no point during my visit did the 3 employees indicate hot food was available.

As I was about to leave for my flight, a family in the lounge ordered empanadas. I didn’t hear the employees or guests discuss payment at all, and I found a years-old online review that says it’s possible to get these for free. If you visit the VIP Lounge, I encourage you to inquire about free empanadas (and possibly other hot foods). I can’t believe I missed this opportunity and that none of the staff informed me about it.

Beverages

The 2 refrigerators in the corner offered bottled drinks, including water, sports drinks, iced tea, Coke, and Fanta products.

If you ask at the counter, getting beer, wine, or whiskey is possible. Complimentary alcohol was limited to 2 drinks per person.

Amenities

There’s only so much the lounge could fit into this small space. Thus, the amenities were very modest. There was a charging station near the sofas under the TV.

Finding this was a positive because the outlet near my seat didn’t work. I tried to plug into this power strip on the wall, hoping to charge my phone and laptop simultaneously, but the power strip didn’t work either.

Wi-Fi

The Wi-Fi was reliable and offered decent speeds. My speed test result was 35 Mbps for download and 10 Mbps for upload. Signal strength was reliable enough and strong enough for other guests to make video calls during my visit.

Signs on multiple tables around the lounge made it easy to find the password.

Bathrooms

The lounge had a single bathroom located near the kitchen. It was a small, individual bathroom with a locking door.

The good news is that public toilets were also available just outside the lounge, so you would not be too inconvenienced if someone was hogging the bathroom during your visit.

Service

Service felt like what I’d expect at a neighborhood coffee shop, unlike a “VIP Lounge” at an airport. Employees didn’t go out of their way to offer anything, but they answered my questions with friendly attitudes. They greeted me with smiles and hellos when entering and wished me a pleasant flight when I left.

You’ll get what you ask for here but won’t get anything beyond that. The empanadas you can get only if you know to ask for them are a perfect example. Service was a solid “average.”

Final Thoughts

The VIP Lounge wasn’t impressive, as far as airport lounges go. The small space constrained what was possible here. However, the lounge did provide some important basics. It had complimentary Wi-Fi, drinks, and light bites. And it offered comfortable seating in an airport with a dearth of available seating. Even if you aren’t impressed with the lounge’s offerings, scanning your Priority Pass card could be worth it just to get a comfortable seat while waiting for boarding. But if you have to pay for visits, you’ll need to think twice to see if you’re getting enough value out of the seats, drinks, and snacks to justify the cost.