Chase Sapphire Lounges: Locations & Access Rules

May 31, 2023

In 2021, Chase announced that it would be getting into the airport lounge game, which was previously dominated by American Express with its Centurion Lounges (and for that matter, Capital One is also getting into the airport lounge business).

We know that Chase Sapphire Lounges are coming to a minimum of nine airports, though opening lounges takes time. The Chase Sapphire Lounge Hong Kong opened in October 2022, while the Chase Sapphire Lounge Boston is opening as of May 2023.

In this post I wanted to cover everything we know about the Chase Sapphire Lounge network, from locations to entry requirements, since there's quite a bit to be aware of.

In this post:

JPMorgan Chase is opening airport lounges, known as Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club. Chase describes these lounges as offering a "fresh approach to the lounge experience."

Chase's entry into the lounge space is being done in collaboration with Airport Dimensions, which operates existing airport lounge group "The Club" (which are perfectly fine, but aren't particularly remarkable). However, Chase is certainly taking The Club experience up a notch, with some unique entry requirements as well.

Let's cover where the lounges will be located, when they’ll open, and who gets access.

Chase plans to open nine airport lounges. Of those, all but one lounge are in the United States. As of this week, two Chase Sapphire Lounges will be open, including:

On top of that, the following Chase Sapphire Lounges are coming soon, though don't yet have specific opening dates:

It's expected that at least a couple more of these lounge locations will open in 2023.

Interestingly Hong Kong, Las Vegas, New York, Philadelphia, and Phoenix, already have Centurion Lounges, while Boston, San Diego, and Washington don't (though Washington has a Capital One Lounge coming in 2023).

The Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club portfolio has unique entry requirements, which will take some getting used to. The first thing to understand is that these are modified Priority Pass lounges, which are primarily intended as a perk for those with the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card (review).

There are different entry requirements for the Chase Sapphire Lounges in the United States, and those abroad (meaning the Hong Kong location).

The Chase Sapphire Lounge Hong Kong is open to all Priority Pass members. This means that the lounge can't just be accessed by those with a Priority Pass membership through a Chase card, but also those with a membership through another premium credit card, like the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card (review) and The Platinum Card® from American Express (review).

However, Chase Sapphire Lounges in the United States have a different set of entry requirements. This makes perfect sense, since understandably Chase wants to make access to these lounges a perk of being a cardmember, and also limit overcrowding.

So here are the entry requirements for Chase Sapphire Lounges in the United States:

It's fantastic to see Chase launching a portfolio of lounges, which appear to be very high quality. More airport lounge capacity is always a good thing, given the demand for these spaces.

The entry requirements will no doubt confuse some people, but they make sense, and primarily make this a benefit for those with the Chase Sapphire Reserve. How do these lounges stack up to Amex Centurion Lounges and Capital One Lounges? While I haven't yet been to a Capital One Lounge, here's my impression:

I still imagine these lounges will be very busy, given how many people have the Chase Sapphire Reserve, and also given how small some of these lounges will be. With three of the lounges expected to be 3,500-5,200 square feet, I imagine they’ll fill up pretty quickly. That's just the reality of the airport lounge game, though, given how little real estate is available at airports.

Chase is getting into the airport lounge game, with the introduction of Chase Sapphire Lounges by The Club. The first international lounge (HKG) opened several months ago, while the first domestic lounge (BOS) is opening this week. It's exciting to see this network grow, and we can expect more lounges to open later this year.

The Chase Sapphire Lounges have quirky entry requirements, as they’re essentially modified Priority Pass lounges. You need a Priority Pass membership to enter, though the card is primarily intended for those with the Chase Sapphire Reserve.

What do you make of Chase's new airport lounge concept?

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Just visited the HKG location. My GF and I both agree that the Chase lounge was better than the Centurion lounge at this airport. A significantly bigger lounge, the aesthetic was gorgeous, the service was just as friendly, it was significantly less crowded, and the featured cocktails were better made.

I was at the Chase Sapphire Reserve Lounge today and they will not honor connecting flights if your connecting flight departs greater than three hours. Therefore, can you please update your blog regarding this statement; as the three hour rule still applies even for connecting flights:

"Chase Sapphire Lounges are only accessible within three hours of departure, unless you’re connecting, in which case you can access it earlier"

"While I haven't yet been to a Capital One Lounge,..."

Didn't you review the Capital One Lounge DFW last year?

How are they charging an entry fee on subsequent visits? Some people already pay for Priority Pass, so is it a ~$30 PriorityPass visit plus an additional $75? Doesn't make sense.

Lucky/Ben, what happened to DFW getting the 9th CHASE Sapphire lounge in Terminal D? I thought you reported on that in late January or early February? Did that fall through?

Ritz Carlton is Unlimited guests. 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...

Ritz Carlton is Unlimited guests.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.

I'm thinking chase is using this initial more widespread entry method to get people inside to get a feel and market to them. Then chase will clamp it down to control traffic and hope that they can woo folks to a csr with a "see what you can get with a csr" approach.

LAX once again put of the loop. Sad Chase cannot compete with Amex.

Was in HKG this week. I didn't leave The Wing lounge, despite Chase having a lounge there. I have no idea how they pick airports.

I'm assuming if you have multiple PP memberships via different credit cards (not CSR) then you could enter multiple times in a year using different cards.

Separately, it is amazing how long it takes to open a new lounge.

This definitely looks better than the standard The Club. I have been the location in Atlanta several times before I signed up for the Amex Platinum card and can get into SkyClubs (and last year the SkyClub was way too slammed so we went to The Club). It's not horrible, but as you say, it's nothing special. It sure beats sitting at the gate so an improved experience is a good thing. That being said,...

This definitely looks better than the standard The Club. I have been the location in Atlanta several times before I signed up for the Amex Platinum card and can get into SkyClubs (and last year the SkyClub was way too slammed so we went to The Club). It's not horrible, but as you say, it's nothing special. It sure beats sitting at the gate so an improved experience is a good thing. That being said, with Amex having a relationship with Delta and bringing a Centurion club here, I doubt we are high on the list to get one of these at Atlanta. There are pros and cons to being a fortress hub.

As for those lamenting the access, I don't get the concern. Amex doesn't have brought access for the Centurion Clubs so what's the issue with Chase doing something similar? I suppose it's the branding that is throwing people off and the access terms citing the Priority Pass membership rather than the card membership (though this is generally one and the same). Perhaps Chase and The Club should rethink their marketing message to clear up these perceptions before they get too entrenched.

Please god open in LAX, my CSR is completely useless there. Even when I lived on the east coast I don't recall anyone ever voluntarily flying from Philadelphia or Boston.

Priority Pass has totally given up on LAX. I just don't have any words for it.

My assumption is that PP was getting their butts kicked by all the revenue that was going to the KAL lounge, the AS lounge was okay only because of their internal capacity controls. But it's easier to offer nothing, so that's plan A now.

PP probably hates LAX because of P.F.Chang's.

You think KAL lounge was the culprit, you haven't seen P.F.Chang's.

wow, no guest for the annual visit, very stingy. I don't think it would kill them to allow one guest

Wow, the entry requirement is convoluted and worrying...

First, it's disappointing that Chase Sapphire Preferred is basically left in the dust. Shouldn't they at least offer a discount or something?

Second, it's kinda weird that if your Priority Pass is not with Chase, somehow you get only 1 entry (is it per lounge or for the entire Chase system?), and somehow the regular guesting privilege doesn't apply. So lounges can limit visits now? And guesting...

Wow, the entry requirement is convoluted and worrying...

First, it's disappointing that Chase Sapphire Preferred is basically left in the dust. Shouldn't they at least offer a discount or something?

Second, it's kinda weird that if your Priority Pass is not with Chase, somehow you get only 1 entry (is it per lounge or for the entire Chase system?), and somehow the regular guesting privilege doesn't apply. So lounges can limit visits now? And guesting is no longer set by the membership, but by individual lounge?This sounds *really* scary. Who's to say if Chase is the _only_ case here? Remember back when Amex was the only membership not allowing restaurants? Now few do. So if Chase lounges are allowed these weird restrictions, what's next?

Frankly, I feel like Priority Pass in US is collapsing like house of cards...

Does Amex Green let you in a Centurion lounge?

Amex Green/Gold don't get in, but they used to be able to pay before lounges became flooded.

Also, CSP has the word "Sapphire" in the product. If it's that inferior, they should distance it from the premium name. Call it "Opal" or "Blue Glass that looks like a gem."

@Andrew yeah but that's just being pedantic at this point. And while CSP has no lounge access on its own, its value for a $95 AF card is already close to CSR, especially if you already have lounge access through other means (Airline/alliance status). It's not -that- inferior.

@Andrew, as a Gemologist: I fully approve this message. (Although, real Opals can be very expensive these days, and are actually more rare that Sapphires.). But "Glass meant to look like a Gem" should definitely be the new annual fee free card level!!!

@Jan I think he's referring to the venture and venture x. They both have "venture" in the name and the lower tier card at the $100 af price point gets two lounge passes ONLY to the cap1 annually.

But these are not Priority Pass Lounges. They are Chase Lounges that (I assume) Chase has contracted with "The Club" to operate on their behalf. That does not make them a "The Club" lounge.

At a core level, complimentary access would be only for the CSR holders that these lounges are intended for. Since there is an affiliation with "The Club", Chase is simply extending the core access rules to allow one Priority Pass "courtesy"...

But these are not Priority Pass Lounges. They are Chase Lounges that (I assume) Chase has contracted with "The Club" to operate on their behalf. That does not make them a "The Club" lounge.

At a core level, complimentary access would be only for the CSR holders that these lounges are intended for. Since there is an affiliation with "The Club", Chase is simply extending the core access rules to allow one Priority Pass "courtesy" entry per year. As minor as it is, it is still an expansion of the core access rule. There is no change to access rules to Priority Pass lounges (which include "The Club" locations operated by "The Club" for themselves).

Phoenix being comically small makes me sad. Hub for AA and WN, top 10 in USA, and only 3500ft², while San Diego is 11,000ft²?

I don't think these lounge sizes have much to do with population size or the city's "status" and have more to do with available space and lease/advertising terms.

Lucky, do you think that as more of these lounges start to open, that Chase will limit access to restaurant dining credit in those airports?

wow, so i can only enter once a year with the CSP/Priority pass via Amex plat, AND have to pay $75 for a guest? I doubt I will ever try to enter one. I'd be better off trying to enter the centurion lounges, even that only has a fee of $50...

these lounges seem to get less inviting every year, what with fees, strict entry rules, and for what honestly, a crowded lounge and picked at food?

Yeah, well then maybe actually get a CSR. This lounge is mainly for CSR users.Would you complain about not getting into a Centurion Lounge because you have a Venture X?

why do i have this feeling even if i did upgrade to CSR, the lounge would still be crowded and not worth it...

What chase is saying to you is if you're maybe on the fence with canceling amex plat, maybe you should just do it and go with csr instead.

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Amex Green/Gold don't get in, but they used to be able to pay before lounges became flooded.Also, CSP has the word "Sapphire" in the product. If it's that inferior, they should distance it from the premium name. Call it "Opal" or "Blue Glass that looks like a gem."

Just visited the HKG location. My GF and I both agree that the Chase lounge was better than the Centurion lounge at this airport. A significantly bigger lounge, the aesthetic was gorgeous, the service was just as friendly, it was significantly less crowded, and the featured cocktails were better made.

I was at the Chase Sapphire Reserve Lounge today and they will not honor connecting flights if your connecting flight departs greater than three hours. Therefore, can you please update your blog regarding this statement; as the three hour rule still applies even for connecting flights:"Chase Sapphire Lounges are only accessible within three hours of departure, unless you’re connecting, in which case you can access it earlier"