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Travel
Taylor Rains
- My Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card gives me access to airport lounges around the world.
- Most are part of the Priority Pass network, but new Chase-branded ones have joined the lineup.
- Chase's New York locations are cozy, modern, and can be enjoyed by economy-class passengers — regardless of airline.
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As an avid traveler who traverses the Atlantic at least a dozen times a year and flies mostly in economy, one of my biggest comforts is airport lounge access.
I have a Priority Pass membership through my Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card. It costs me $550 yearly and provides access to hundreds of lounges worldwide.
Many of these offer free food and drinks (including alcohol), while some offer complimentary showers. A rare few also provide beds and swimming pools.
Most lounges are owned by airlines, requiring a ticket on that specific carrier, or independent service providers with their own membership networks, like Priority Pass, which many credit cards provide access to.
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But a new crop of lounges has popped up in recent years sponsored by banks and credit card issuers. American Express leads the pack with its more than two dozen global Centurion Lounge locations, and Chase is now opening its own branded airport spaces.
I recently visited the Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club locations at New York's John F. Kennedy and LaGuardia airports. I think Chase has created a well-balanced pre-flight experience — and I like that you don't need airline status or a business-class ticket to access it.
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There are five Chase locations in the US and one overseas.
According to Chase, it has two "Club" locations in New York (the JFK one is partnered with Etihad), one in Boston, and one in Hong Kong.
Reserve cardholders can also use the other Chase-partnered Etihad Lounge at Washington Dulles International Airport and the "Sapphire Terrace" in Austin.
Chase plans to also open locations in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, Phoenix, and San Diego.
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I get unlimited access, but there's also the option to pay.
For years, Chase has offered Priority Pass as a perk of one of its highest-tier credit cards. This means people can access myriad global lounges owned by service providers, airlines, and, now, Chase. Air France, Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines, Virgin Atlantic Airways, Korean Air, and Air India are all part of the network at JFK, for example.
Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders like myself get unlimited access to the bank's "Club" lounges, and they can be visited regardless of which airline you're flying.
Travelers in any cabin can also purchase access. People with Priority Pass not through Chase can access the locations once, with subsequent visits costing $75.
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I was stoked to use both NYC locations for the first time this year.
Chase's NYC lounge spaces opened in January. The latter two compete with AMEX's ever-popular Centurion lounges operating at both airports. Capital One also has lounges in Dallas-Fort Worth, Denver, and Washington Dulles, with one also planned for JFK.
Chase's New York-JFK location is in Terminal 4. Travelers from other terminals can't access it without clearing security again, so it's most suitable for those flying on carriers operating there, like Delta Air Lines and its Skyteam partners.
Chase's LaGuardia location is in Terminal B. This means passengers on almost every US airline except Delta and Spirit, which operate out of Terminal C and A, respectively, can access it.
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Neither is over-the-top luxurious, but they are cozy with all the needed amenities.
Many mainline carriers have created airport lounges with extravagant amenities, such as huge chandeliers and full restaurants. Think Delta's new business-class-only space at JFK and United Airlines' Polaris lounge at Washington Dulles, for example.
Chase's lounges are more low-key, with simple but aesthetically pleasing decor, like greenery and velvet couches. I liked that nothing was too bright or flashy and that they still offered freebies like food and alcohol.
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The LaGuardia lounge is much bigger than Chase's JFK location.
Both Chase lounges have a bar, seating, and a buffet, but their main difference is their size.
At LaGuardia, passengers can enjoy a two-story lounge complete with several rooms and games. Amenities like rest pods and facial treatments are also available, and guests can book a private "Retreat Suite" for a fee. It comes with a shower and concierge, among other perks.
The JFK space was much smaller by comparison, but the cozy lounge overlooking the ramp still had everything I needed to relax before a long-haul flight.
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I liked the quiet space upstairs at LaGuardia.
The second level at LaGuardia featured a few open spaces, a help desk, and a drink station with coffee and other beverages.
It'd be perfect for getting work done.
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LaGuardia's also has an arcade and a kids playroom.
Tucked away in the LaGuardia lounge is a retro-themed arcade with a pinball machine and shuffleboard. There were also vinal records, a jukebox, and other random oldies decor.
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There were plenty of good food and drink options.
I visited both lounges during the morning and was happy to find many breakfast options, including eggs, bacon, potatoes, fruit, and coffee.
The food at both locations tasted fresh, not pre-packaged or frozen, as I've found at other Priority Pass lounges.
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I enjoyed the a-la-carte meals, too.
I had a salmon egg Benedict and breakfast bao at JFK and an egg omelette at LaGuardia.
Other menu options included egg polenta and a tofu spinach wrap, among other options.
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The JFK lounge has free showers.
I liked the showers at the JFK location, which can come in handy between long flights. The LaGuardia location did not have the same free perk, but customers could access one by paying for one of the Retreat Suites.
LGA isn't a long-haul hub, so I can imagine showering isn't as much of a priority.
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Like its sister lounge, Chase at JFK also has a cozy fireplace and a bar.
Despite its smaller size, JFK has plenty of seating options for relaxing or working — and I think it's the best Priority Pass option at the airport.
The other Priority Pass lounges at Terminal 4 include Virgin Atlantic and Air Inda's business lounges and the independent Primeclass Lounge. In my experience, the airline options can get crowded, while the Chase location was more tame, and I thought the food was easily better.
The Chase Lounge at LaGuardia is the only Priority Pass option at that airport. Otherwise, AMEX is next door at Terminal B, and Delta has SkyClubs in Terminal C.
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The JFK location offers the best views.
Unlike the LaGuardia location, Chase's JFK spot overlooks the tarmac.
I love sitting by the window with a coffee and watching planes before an early-morning flight.
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I'm thrilled to have reliable lounges to look forward to in NYC.
Priority Pass is ideal for me as it doesn't require on airline status, and I can justify $550 a year for almost guaranteed lounge access at airports worldwide (which is really $250 once you factor in the $300 annual travel credit).
Granted, some airports (like Newark Liberty and previously LaGuardia) don't have any Priority Pass options, while many of the lounges that do exist have few or poor food options. Further, the airline-owned ones can often get so overcrowded that they restrict Priority Pass members from entering.
However, Chase joining the lineup with branded lounges at my two home airports means I now have solid, reliable options I know will be available and comfortable with good food — and I can enjoy unlimited access with even a basic economy ticket.
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Hopefully Chase can quickly add more locations to better compete with Amex.
Amex pioneered credit card-sponsored airport lounges and has a strong customer base. Its sprawling Centurion locations make it much more accessible than Chase's smaller network, plus cardholders can also visit hundreds of airline and independent lounges, including Delta's SkyClubs.
There are many reasons to invest in an Amex card, but I hesitate because of the pricier $695 annual fee; plus, I'm a longtime Chase customer and prefer Visa for international travel.
As it's unlikely I'd pay over $1,000 to have both Chase and Amex, I'm hoping Chase can quickly catch up. Its nearly a dozen existing and planned locations are a good start.
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