Chase Sapphire Airport Lounges: Where to Find Them & How to Get In

It's official: Chase is in the airport lounge business.

The bank behind the ultra-popular Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and Chase Sapphire Reserve® has been working for years to build its own branded lounges dubbed the Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club. The credit card company finally opened its first Sapphire Lounge over in Hong Kong (HKG) last fall and its very-first U.S. lounge is set to open in Boston (BOS) this week. Many more are on the way, with two (or more) expected to open by the end of the year.

These lounges are run in collaboration with Airport Dimensions, the same group behind “The Club” family of lounges that you'll find throughout the U.S. Priority Pass members can currently access. But Chase has upped the ante for its own lounges: The design is chic and spacious, complimentary food and drinks area big step above your typical airport club, and there are also upscale amenities like showers and wellness areas.
 

 

Take a look inside Chase Sapphire Lounges with our early look at the upcoming Boston lounge!

Still, these new Chase Sapphire Lounges will face stiff competition. American Express has been the king of airport lounges for years with its long and growing list Amex Centurion Lounges in both U.S. airports and abroad. And now Capital One has set the bar even higher with its first-ever lounge in Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), with two more Capital One lounges on the way next year in Denver (DEN) and Washington, D.C.-Dulles (IAD).

So where will these new Chase Sapphire Lounges be? And how will you be able to get in? Read on for everything you need to know.
 

 

Chase Sapphire Lounge Locations

Chase Sapphire Lounge locations are planned in the nine following airports:

• Boston (BOS) between Terminals B and C: Opens Tuesday, May 16
• Dallas (DFW) in Terminal D by gage 35
• Hong Kong (HKG) in Terminal 1: Now Open
• Las Vegas (LAS) in the C Concourse
• New York LaGuardia (LGA) in Terminal B
• Philadelphia (PHL) in Terminal D/E connector
• Phoenix (PHX) in Terminal 4
• San Diego (SAN) in Terminal 2
• Washington, D.C.-Dulles (IAD) in Concourse A

While this list of prospective lounges looks great, just one is currently open.

That changes soon: The bank's first U.S. lounge opens on May 16, 2023, in Boston (BOS). And if all goes well, at least two more locations will open before 2023 closes out, a top Chase executive told Thrifty Traveler.

Here is everything we know so far about the each of these Chase Sapphire Lounges.

 

Boston Chase Sapphire Lounge

The Boston Chase Sapphire Lounge was first announced back in June 2021, and we finally have an opening date. The nearly 12,000-square-foot space will officially open for business on Tuesday, May 16, 2023.

You'll find it located between gates B39 and B40 in the Boston airport's relatively new B-to-C connector.

Its location will make it easy for JetBlue flyers to pop in as well as United, American, and a slew of major international airlines – at least so long as you're up for a bit of walk. But for loyal Delta flyers, it'll be a pain: It'd be at least a 20-ish minute walk from Terminal A where Delta flies in and out of, requiring you to re-clear security multiple times.

Travelers are in for a treat. This nearly 12,000-square foot lounge is a massive step up from your typical “The Club” lounge and easily on par with lounges from competitors like American Express or Capital One. It's laid out beautifully, with tons of natural light and tarmac views, great seating, not one but two bars, and a whole lot more to love.
 

 

Read more: First Look at Chase's First US Sapphire Lounge in Boston!
 

Dallas Chase Sapphire Lounge

The governing board of the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) airport is expected to approve or deny a lease agreement with the Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club at its next board meeting.

According to the board meeting notes, the Sapphire Lounge will be located in Terminal D by gate 35, which would be relatively close to both the existing Capital One Lounge at DFW (which we think is one of the best airport lounges in the country) and the Dallas American Express Centurion Lounge.

There aren't any details about the size of the space as of right now, but it's in an area with a number of shared airline lounges, any one of which could be the future home of the Sapphire Lounge.

 

Hong Kong Chase Sapphire Lounge

The first Chase Sapphire Lounge to open its doors is all the way over in Hong Kong.

The Hong Kong Chase Sapphire Lounge opened in late October 2022, located located in the West Hall of the International Departures area near Gate 40. It was a puzzling opening salvo for Chase. Why open the first location 7,000-plus miles away from most U.S. travelers might seem like a head-scratcher – especially in Hong Kong, where tourism remains way down thanks to strict entry requirements?
 

 

But it was all about opportune timing. Rather than building this lounge from the ground up, Chase was able to take over from an existing The Club location, allowing it to open much earlier.

We haven't visited yet, but Chase has promised comfortable spots to work or relax, high-speed Wi-Fi and plenty of outlets, and complimentary drinks as well as la carte food (both with some local flair) available via mobile ordering.

 

Las Vegas Chase Sapphire Lounge

Chase and its airport lounge operator named Airport Dimensions won a bid to build a new lounge in Las Vegas (LAS), according to public documents from the Clark County Commission. The initial plans call for a roughly 4,500-square-foot lounge in the airport’s C gates, which are home to Southwest Airlines but fairly easy for any travelers to access. Documents show the lounge space is located behind security near the entrance to the C Gate concourse.

But beyond its location and size, there are precious few details about Chase’s plans for its Las Vegas lounge – including what travelers may eventually find inside and when it may open. A spokesman for the Las Vegas airport said the airport and Chase are in the midst of negotiations for a final agreement on the lounge plans and construction. Chase confirmed to Thrifty Traveler it had won the bid for a Las Vegas airport lounge but did not provide any other details about its plans for the space.

“A construction timeline won’t be settled until the agreement is finalized so it’s too soon to give any dates for work to commence or a targeted opening,” the airport spokesman said.

 

New York-LaGuardia Chase Sapphire Lounge

There are not many details currently available about the New York LaGuardia Chase Sapphire Lounge. But it will be located in the brand new Terminal B – the same as the new American Express Centurion Lounge.
 

 

Philadelphia (PHL) Chase Sapphire Lounge

In early December 2022, the Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) announced that it will be welcoming a Chase Sapphire Lounge. It's the eighth confirmed location in Chase's lounge plans.

Details on the Philadelphia lounge are scant: There's no current projected timeline for its opening, and a Chase spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment. But here's what we do know: At 20,000 square feet, it'll be massive.

The plans call for the new Chase Sapphire Lounge by the Club to be located in the airport's Terminal D/E connector.
 

At 20,000 square feet, it'll be the biggest lounge in Philadelphia – by a long shot. Consider this: It's more than triple the size of the Amex Centurion Lounge in Terminal A, which measures in at just 6,300 square feet.

 

Phoenix Chase Sapphire Lounge

The Points Guy first reported that Chase is laying the groundwork for yet another Sapphire Lounge in Phoenix's (PHX) Terminal 4.

The space is on the smaller side at only 3,500 square feet. Chase is expected to start construction sometime early this year, but an official opening date has not yet been announced.

 

San Diego Chase Sapphire Lounge

In November 2021, Airport Dimensions – Chase's partner in this Sapphire Lounge project – was awarded a contract to build an 11,000 square foot lounge in San Diego's (SAN) Terminal 2 West.

According to the San Diego Airport Authority (SDAA) planning documents, the lounge has a target open date of November 2023 and will feature “locally inspired design, local food, beverages, and art partnerships.”

 

Washington, D.C.-Dulles (IAD) Chase Sapphire Lounge

Public documents first reported this fall by the Washington Business Journal show that Chase is now preparing to build out a Sapphire Lounge at Washington, D.C.-Dulles (IAD).

The plans in Dulles call for a relatively undersized 5,200-square-foot space split across two levels, including a 1,000-square-foot bar and lounge, dedicated dining room, work area, family room, and more. It'll be located in Dulles's Concourse A, which is connected directly to Concourse B but also accessible no matter which gates you're flying out of, as the airport terminals are connected airside after security.

There's no opening timeline for the Dulles Lounge. Chase has not publicly commented on its plans for the lounge in D.C. It's likely to join the upcoming Capital One Lounge at Dulles, which is now expected to open sometime in 2023.

 

The ‘Chase Sapphire Terrace' Austin (AUS)

While it appeared to be Chase's 10th Sapphire Lounge at first, Chase's space at Austin (AUS) not really a lounge after all.

It's a Chase Sapphire Terrace. Opened March 20, it's a relatively small but chic indoor-outdoor space at the airport's main terminal. Chase is offering complimentary drinks, grab-and-go food, shuffleboard, giveaways, and more.
 

 

Only travelers with the Chase Sapphire Reserve® in their wallets can get in, along with two guests. The Sapphire Terrace is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

 

How to Get Into the Chase Sapphire Lounges

Sapphire Reserve Cardholders Get In Free

By far the easiest way to get into a Chase Sapphire Lounge – including the upcoming outpost in Boston (BOS) is by holding Chase's top-tier travel rewards credit card – the Chase Sapphire Reserve®.

Sapphire Reserve cardholders will get unlimited complimentary access to the Sapphire Lounges. They will also have the ability to bring up to two guests with them on each visit free of charge. Authorized users on the Reserve (which cost an extra $75 a year per card) should also get their own access and guests, too.

One small hitch: It's not the Reserve that gets you in but the Priority Pass membership you get from your Reserve card that gets you access. Just be sure to activate that account and you should be set.

“Making sure Chase Sapphire Reserve customers have a priority entrance was key to the strategy. They will always have access to the lounge,” said Dana Pouwels, Chase's Sapphire Lounge General Manager and head of Chase partnerships in a statement to Thrifty Traveler.
 

 

Learn More about the Chase Sapphire Reserve®.
 

The Sapphire Reserve has an annual fee of $550, but with benefits like Chase Sapphire Lounge access, Priority Pass Select lounge access (including Priority Pass restaurants), up to a $300 annual travel credit, and many other premium benefits, it can easily be worth it.

Read our full review of the Chase Sapphire Reserve.

 

Priority Pass Members Get One Free Visit A Year

Have a Priority Pass membership from non-Chase cards like The Platinum Card® from American Express or the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card? You'll get one free visit to the Chase Sapphire Lounges (including upcoming U.S. locations) each caendar year. That's not one visit per location, but rather one visit across the entire Chase Sapphire Lounge network.

After you burn up that free annual pass, Priority Pass members can buy a discounted day pass … for $75.
 

 

One thing to note: Heading to the Chase Sapphire Lounge with a Priority Pass membership will not have the ability to bring guests in free of charge. Guests will also be required to buy a pass for $75 (more on this in a bit).

Plus, you might get turned away from Chase Sapphire Lounges during busy times. Pouwels, the Sapphire Lounge general manager, said Chase may occasionally restrict access to only Reserve cardholders as lounges fill up to ensure they can get in the door.

 

You Can Buy Your Way in for $100

Don't have a Chase Sapphire Reserve or a Priority Pass membership from another premium travel rewards credit card? You can still get into the Chase Sapphire Lounge – so long as you are willing to pay for it.

Anybody willing to pay $100 for a day pass can get into the Chase Sapphire Lounge in Boston – prices may vary at future U.S. Sapphire Lounges. Just be warned: no matter how you enter the lounge, you can only get in three hours before your scheduled departure, unless you are on a layover.

Paying $100 for three hours of lounge time likely doesn't make sense. Then again, if you are on a long layover and don't have a credit card that would otherwise provide you with Sapphire Lounge access, that cost could easily be worth it.

Just be warned: If the Sapphire Lounge is busy or at capacity, walk-up guests willing to pay the $100 access fee would likely be the first guests to be turned away. It's clear that Chase's priority with these new lounges is their top-tier Sapphire Reserve cardholders.

 

No Access for Sapphire Preferred Cardholders

Do you hold the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card? Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but you won't receive any special access to the Chase Sapphire Lounge in Boston … or any of their upcoming locations scattered throughout the U.S.

You can buy your way in by paying $100 for a day pass. Sapphire Preferred cardholders won't receive any special discounts to enter Chase's lounges. 
 

 

The Hong Kong Sapphire Lounge Access Rules Remain the Same

If you're traveling through Hong Kong (HKG) – the location of Chase's first Sapphire Lounge – it will be easier to get in.

Chase has confirmed that travelers with Chase's top-tier card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® get in free along with two free guests – the same access policy that will be in place for its U.S.-based lounges.

But if you have a Priority Pass Select membership from other, non-Chase cards like The Platinum Card® from American Express or the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card you'll also be able to get into the Hong Kong location and have the ability to bring two complimentary guests.
 

 

Other Notable Chase Sapphire Lounge Access Rules

In addition to the information above, there are a few other things you'll want to be aware of as it relates to accessing the Chase Sapphire Lounges.

 

There's a Three-Hour Entry Limit

No matter how you get into the Sapphire Lounge, you can only get in up to three hours before your scheduled departure.

That's more or less the same policy you'll find from Capital One at their Capital One Lounges, and from American Express at their Centurion Lounges. Even Delta Sky Clubs have adopted the same time limit.
 

Before Departure Only

Don't count on dropping by the Boston Sapphire Lounge or future locations after landing.

Pouwels confirmed that Chase Sapphire Lounges will only allow visitors boarding departing flights. Once again, that's consistent with how both Capital One and American Express handle things.

 

But Longer Layovers Are OK

Got time to kill between flights in Boston or future Chase Sapphire locations? Don't worry.

Chase confirmed that travelers making a connection are exempt from these rules, which means you should be able to get in more than three hours before your next flight. The bank hasn't spelled out a strict time limit on when travelers can get in.

That's much like how Amex Centurion Lounges handle access for travelers making connections at their airports. Capital One Lounges, meanwhile, do not have a layover exception.

 

Bottom Line

The airport lounge wars are in full swing as Chase gets into the game with their Chase Sapphire airport lounges. While just two will be open as of later this week, we still don't know much about most of these new and upcoming space.

But it's clear that Chase is going all in to help compete with premium credit card products from both American Express and Capital One. And based on what we've seen in Boston, that plan could work.

 

Lead photo courtesy of Chase

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