【Updated 2024.11】Chase has announced the next phase of its Sapphire Lounge rollout: one opened at PHX on November 12, and another will open at SAN on December 6.

In addition, there will be a special event at Aria Resort& Casino in Las Vegas on November 16. If you’re in the area, it may be worth stopping by.

There are now seven locations officially open. Have any of you visited one yet?

  • Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) : Opened in 2023; scheduled to close in March 2025
  • Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) : Opened in May 2023
  • Dulles International Airport (IAD) : Opened in March 2024
  • Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) : Opened in October 2022
  • New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) : Opened in January 2024
  • New York LaGuardia Airport (LGA) : Opened in January 2024
  • Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) : Opened in November 2024

About Chase Sapphire Lounge

As we covered previously, Chase had announced plans to open 9 Sapphire Lounge airport lounges, similar to the AMEX Centurion Lounge. The Hong Kong Sapphire Lounge opened earlier, but it is operated by a third party, with Chase essentially just branding it. Now the Sapphire Lounge network is gradually expanding, and 7 locations are already open.

Access Rules

Holding an eligible Chase credit card

Cardholders of these three cards, along with authorized users, can access the lounge, though guest privileges vary slightly.

  • Chase Sapphire Reserve and J.P. Morgan Reserve: The primary cardholder can enter directly and bring up to two guests for free. Authorized users receive the same access benefits as the primary cardholder. Additional guests cost $27 per person.
  • Chase Ritz Carlton credit card: The primary cardholder can enter directly and bring unlimited guests for free. It’s a bit surprising to see the Ritz Carlton card pick up yet another extra benefit.
  • Children under two are free.
Chase Sapphire Reserve, J.P. Morgan Reserve and The Ritz-CarltonTM Credit Card primary cardmembers and authorized users who have activated their complimentary Priority PassTM membership have lounge access. Sapphire Reserve and J.P. Morgan Reserve cardmembers may bring up to two guests per Priority Pass Membership card, per visit, for free and additional guests for $27. Ritz-Carlton cardmembers may bring unlimited guests at no charge. There's no additional charge for children under two.

Having a Priority Pass card (one visit only)

The Hong Kong Sapphire Lounge can be accessed with a PP card. However, the U.S. lounges appear to work a little differently. Earlier rumors suggested Sapphire Reserve cardholders would have direct access, and now the detailed access rules have officially been published.

In addition, other Priority Pass members get one complimentary visit per calendar year. Presumably, this is meant to encourage those cardholders to apply for an eligible Chase card. This limit likely applies per PP card, so if you have multiple PP cards, each one should theoretically allow one visit.

Other Priority Pass members receive one complimentary visit to a Sapphire Lounge by The Club per calendar year. Please visit lounge location listings or FAQs on Priority Pass for additional information.

One important note: the Sapphire Preferred does not come with lounge access, which is somewhat surprising. Chase also specifically points out that Sapphire Preferred can be upgraded to Sapphire Reserve by calling the number on the back of the card.
No, complimentary lounge access is not a benefit for Chase Sapphire Preferred. If you would like to upgrade to Sapphire Reserve, call the number on the back of your card. Learn more about the Sapphire Reserve card

Lounge Opening Status

The following lounges are already open:

  • Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) : Opened in 2023; closing in March 2025
  • Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) : Opened in May 2023
  • Dulles International Airport (IAD) : Opened in March 2024
  • Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) : Opened in October 2022
  • New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) : Opened in January 2024
  • New York LaGuardia Airport (LGA) : Opened in January 2024
  • Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) : Opened in November 2024

Other planned locations are as follows:

  • Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) : Terminal 1 C gates: Opening in mid-2025
  • Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) : Tom Bradley International Terminal; Opening date TBD
  • Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) : Terminal D/E Connector; Opening in 2025
  • San Diego International Airport (SAN) : Terminal 2 West; Opening in December 2024

Other Lounge Access

If you hold the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, you automatically receive a Priority Pass membership. In addition to complimentary entry for yourself, you can also bring in up to two guests for free.

Cardholders can also access Air Canada lounges and the Etihad Lounge (IAD).

My Take

This lounge still hadn’t opened at the time of the original discussion, so it was hard to say whether the quality would match the Centurion Lounge standard. That said, the access requirements are relatively restrictive, and there are still fewer Sapphire cardholders than the much more common varieties of Platinum cards. If you get a chance to visit, feel free to leave a comment and share your thoughts on this first Chase Sapphire Lounge location in the continental U.S.

That said, based on reader comments, the Hong Kong location seems fairly average. Hopefully Chase will do a better job operating its U.S. lounges directly.