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The Chase Sapphire Reserve is a credit card that offers a number of excellent benefits. However, one perk that you may have overlooked is the lounge access.
Using a lounge when you fly can be a great way to relax or work before your departure. You can not only escape those uncomfortable plastic chairs in the main airport terminal, but you can enjoy some great food and drink and make use of the lounge amenities.
So, here we’ll explore the Chase Sapphire Reserve lounge and whether access is worth it.
How Does the Sapphire Reserve Lounge Access Work?
If you hold a Chase Sapphire Reserve card, you can enjoy access to over 1,300 airport lounges around the world. This does require enrollment in the Priority Pass program.
To enter a Chase Sapphire Reserve Lounge, you need to be a cardholder and have a membership via Priority Pass or Lounge Key. When you visit the lounge, you will need to show your physical membership card, but some locations will accept your digital membership credentials for entry.
If you’re booked on a same day flight, you can enter the lounge up to three hours before your scheduled departure. You can bring up to two guests per visit and children aged two and under have free entry when accompanying a parent or guardian.
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and special member-only perks.
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and special member-only perks.
What Can You Typically Find in a Chase Reserve Lounge?
Although the finer points of the specific lounges can vary, there are some features that you can expect during your visit. These include:
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Complimentary Drinks
The selection of drinks can vary from lounge to lounge, but generally, you will find juice, teas, coffee and sodas offered free of charge.
Most lounges also have beer, wine and other complimentary alcoholic drinks. In some locations, you may be offered free cocktails.
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Comfortable Seating for Relaxing or Work
Whether you want to chill out or get some work done before your flight, most lounges offer a selection of comfortable seating options.
You are likely to find work stations or semi private quiet areas with plenty of outlets and reliable WiFi.
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Great Food
In addition to a selection of snacks and light bites inside the lounge, as a Priority Pass member, you will get free dining credits for a wide selection of airport bars and restaurants. This means that you can enjoy something light or even a full meal before you travel.
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Access to Private Mini Suites
In select airports, a Priority Pass can provide access to private mini suites. This provides a quiet and private area where you can take a nap, so you feel refreshed for the next leg of your journey.
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Luxury Features
Some lounges in the Priority Pass network have some unique and special features. For example, some lounges have waterfall features, calm spaces, fireplaces or even an outdoor pool.
How to Access Airport Lounges With a Priority Pass
Before you can access an airport lounge with your Priority Pass, you need to activate the membership that is offered with your Chase Sapphire Reserve. Fortunately, this is very easy to do as you can follow the prompts when you log into your Ultimate Rewards account and click on the “Complimentary Airport Lounge Access” link under the “Card Benefits.”
Once you’ve activated your membership, you will receive a physical card in the mail, but you can also create your digital membership card. You can also download the Pass App, which makes it easy to find the available lounges, their opening hours, the facilities and any conditions of the location, such as the types of alcohol included and if there are any time limits.
You can then access the appropriate lounge using either your physical membership card or your digital card. You will also need to present your ID and a boarding pass showing your same day scheduled departure.
What Are The Best Lounges?
There are more than 1,300 Priority Pass lounges across the globe in 600+ airports. Some of the best locations include:
- SkyTeam Lounge, Vancouver YVR: This lounge is in international departures near gate 53. It offers showers, a good food and alcohol selection and reliable WiFi. In addition to offering a variety of spacious and private seating, there is a self serve wine bar and around the world dining options which include made to order noodle soups and dumplings.
- Turkish Airlines Lounge, Washington Dulles IAD: This lounge is located Airside beside gate B43 and it is considered one of the best Priority Pass lounges in the U.S. The lounge has an upscale, elegant design and offers an appetizing buffet with an abundance of hot and cold options. However, the best feature is the floor to ceiling windows that show the international concourse.
- Star Alliance Lounge, Charles de Gaulle, Paris: If you’re traveling internationally, before your return home, you could check out this lounge. It is in Terminal One after passport control and it has a massive 10,000 square feet layout, which can accommodate up to 220 visitors. The lounge offers a massive selection of cold and hot food options, self serve beverages including alcohol, dedicated work areas and an outdoor garden.
The variety of options makes the Reserve card as one of the most popular cards for lounge access.
What is the Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club?
Although Chase offered its Sapphire Reserve customers lounge access via the Priority Pass, it has recently created its own brand of lounges.
The first Chase Sapphire Lounge opened in October 2022 at Hong Kong International Airport, and in 2023 two new lounges joined – in Boston and New York (LGA). Also, four lounges should be opened later in 2024 – the confirmed lounge locations include: Las Vegas Harry Reid International Philadelphia International, Phoenix Sky Harbor International, San Diego International and New York (JFK).
Chase is working in a partnership with Airport Dimensions to create its lounges. Airport Dimensions currently operates “Club Aspire” or “The Club” lounges around the world. The Chase lounges are anticipated to offer upmarket amenities that you may not get at other Priority Pass lounges.
Chase Sapphire Reserve vs Amex Platinum Lounge Access
Since the Chase owned lounges have yet to be launched in the U.S, we’ll need to compare the Priority Pass network with the Amex Platinum Lounge Access. There are some key differences:
- Greater Lounge Access: One of the perks of the Amex Platinum card is that it offers comprehensive lounge access. In addition to having access to the Priority Pass network, there are Centurion Lounges, Delta SkyClubs, Aspire Lounges, Escape Lounges, Plaza Premium, Centurion Clubs and Lufthansa Lounges that you can enter with your card.
- Full Meals: While you can get light bites in many Priority Pass lounges, Centurion Lounges offer a wide selection of hot and cold dishes. This includes a warm and continental breakfast approximately 30 minutes after opening, a lunch and dinner menu and buffet style hot items.
- Location Specific Amenities: Each Centurion lounge has its own unique amenities. This includes spas with complimentary massages, wellness centers and the Equinox Body Lab. Some Centurion Lounges also have full service bars and tabletop games.
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Chase Sapphire Reserve vs Capital One Venture X Lounge Access
The Capital One Venture X Lounge access is quite similar to the access offered with the Chase Sapphire Reserve. Both card issuers rely on the Priority Pass lounge network. However, there are some key differences. In addition to the Priority Pass network, the Capital One Venture X provides access to:
- Capital One Lounges: There are currently only one Capital One lounges, but there are plans to add further lounges in the coming months and years.
- Plaza Premium Lounges: Plaza Premium has over 135 airport lounges around the world and holders of the Venture X card can enjoy unlimited access to these locations.
Does Chase offer More Cards with Lounge Access?
Chase doesn’t typically offer lounge access as a card holder perk. The only other card with this feature is the United Explorer. The co-branded Chase United Explorer card offers two one time passes for the United Club lounges.
FAQs
The new Chase lounges will be included in the Priority Pass network and you can purchase membership independently. The cost of membership varies according to your tier.
The standard membership is currently $99 per year, but you’ll need to pay $35 per visit. If you want all inclusive, unlimited access you’ll need the top tier membership which costs $469 per year.
This depends on the location. The typical restriction is three hours, but some locations do permit stays of up to four hours.
The best way to find a Priority Pass lounge is through the Priority Pass App. You can scroll through to find available lounges along with their opening hours, features and any restrictions.
The Priority Pass membership provided with your Chase Sapphire Reserve card is Select. This level of membership includes up to two guests per visit. If you want to bring additional guests into the lounge, you’ll need to pay a fee.
Unfortunately, this card does not offer lounge access. You would need to upgrade to the Sapphire Reserve to enjoy lounge access.
If you log into your Chase Ultimate Rewards account, you should be able to activate your Priority Pass membership. You need to look under the card benefits menu for “Complimentary Lounge Access” and then follow the prompts.
If you have any issues with accessing Chase lounges, you can speak to the member of staff on the check in desk or call the Chase helpline.
Yes, the Chase card provides lounge access, so you should be able to access a lounge even if you’re not flying with a partner airline.
