| Happy Sunday, it’s July 19. The FIFA World Cup wraps up today with $50 million on the line for the winner. That's a lot of money... though unlimited lounge snacks before your flight might be a close second. Today we're diving into Chase Sapphire Lounges and whether they're worth the hype.
The Ultimate Guide to Chase Sapphire Lounges
Airport lounges used to mean a sad buffet of warm pretzels and questionable Chardonnay. Not anymore. Chase has entered the chat — and it's spending real money to make Amex sweat. Here's everything you need to know about Chase Sapphire Lounges before your next trip.
The club is growing fast — eight locations, two more coming
Chase Sapphire Lounges are currently open in Boston (BOS), Washington Dulles (IAD), Las Vegas (LAS), JFK, LaGuardia (LGA), Philadelphia (PHL), Phoenix (PHX), and San Diego (SAN). Dallas Fort Worth and LAX are next up, though no opening dates yet. Translation: check before you plan your layover around one.
Boston started it all
The Boston lounge (Terminal B-to-C connector) was the original, opening back in 2023. It set the tone: self-serve buffet, QR-code à la carte ordering, a proper cocktail bar, a craft beer tavern, and massage chairs for the weary. Basically, an airport lounge that doesn't feel like an airport.
Some "Chase" lounges used to belong to someone else
The JFK and Dulles locations aren't built from scratch — they're renovated Etihad Lounges that got the Chase glow-up. Fun twist: Etihad's top-tier flyers can still walk in without ever touching a Chase card. Airlines sharing real estate — who knew.
Vegas went vertical (and stylish)
The newest lounge, opened December 2025 in Harry Reid's Terminal 1, is only 4,590 square feet but spans two stories and seats 87. Highlights include Momofuku pork buns, a spicy cucumber salad, and — because it's Vegas — a Champagne parlor upstairs. Small footprint, big energy.
Philly brought the spa treatment (literally)
Chase Sapphire Lounge at Philadelphia (PHL
At 20,000 square feet, Philadelphia is one of the larger outposts, and it doesn't hold back: two treatment rooms for complimentary facials, two shower suites, a game room, a beer garden, and Eagles-themed cocktails. You may leave more relaxed than when you boarded.
San Diego and LaGuardia went all-in on wellness and family
Chase Sapphire Lounge – San Diego (SAN)
San Diego packs four private relaxation pods plus a family room and shower. LaGuardia has a kids' playroom and arcade — and its own splurge-worthy trick, covered next.
LaGuardia has a "lounge within a lounge"
Chase's Reserve Suites concept lets travelers with money to spare book a private suite for three hours inside the LGA lounge. It's the airport equivalent of upgrading from a hotel room to the penthouse — not for everyone's budget, but nice to know it exists.
Phoenix takes reservations — and you don't even need to be there
PHX started accepting reservations in mid-2025, bookable up to three hours before departure. You can reserve a spot without physically being in the airport yet. Also worth noting: three heavyweights (Chase, Capital One, and an Amex-backed "Escape" lounge) all competed for that gate-side real estate — Chase won.
Here's who actually gets in
Access is reserved for Chase Sapphire Reserve, Sapphire Reserve for Business, J.P. Morgan Reserve, and Ritz-Carlton cardholders. Each cardholder can bring up to two guests free; extra guests cost a fee, and kids under 2 always fly (and lounge) free. No card in that lineup? You've got two other doors in:
Priority Pass and Etihad flyers get a side entrance
Any Priority Pass member — regardless of which card grants the membership — can visit a Chase Sapphire Lounge once per calendar year, with paid guest access available. And select Etihad elites or premium-cabin passengers can still use the JFK and Dulles locations, thanks to that shared lounge history.
Bottom line
Amex's Centurion network had the lounge game to itself for years. Now Chase is building a real rival, one terminal at a time — and the rest of the industry (looking at you, Capital One) is racing to keep up. For the average traveler, that rivalry means better food, better design, and better odds of finding a decent seat before your flight. Competition is exhausting for card issuers and delightful for the rest of us.
20 Things Every Traveler Should Know About
Chase Sapphire Lounges
You don't need to fly first class. Lounge access is based on your eligible credit card — not the cabin you're flying in.
Nine lounges are open today. Boston, Washington Dulles, Las Vegas, New York (JFK & LaGuardia), Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Diego, and — as of July 2026 — Dallas Fort Worth. Only LAX is still on the way.
Eligible cardholders get two free guests. Beyond that, extra guests run $27 each per visit.
Priority Pass gets you one free visit. Even if your Priority Pass comes from another credit card, you typically get one complimentary Chase Lounge visit per calendar year.
Kids under 2 enter free. They don't count toward your guest allowance.
Skip the $25 airport burger. Most lounges offer complimentary hot meals, snacks, desserts, and drinks that easily beat the food court.
Every lounge feels different. Instead of copying the same design everywhere, Chase highlights local food, drinks, and artwork unique to each city.
Free facials are a thing now. Philadelphia, San Diego, and Dallas all offer complimentary facial treatments — yes, a spa moment before your flight.
San Diego is built for relaxing. Private relaxation pods, a shower, a family room, and a large wraparound bar.
Phoenix lets you reserve your visit. Book a spot up to three hours before departure — and you don't even need to be at the airport yet to do it.
LaGuardia is surprisingly family-friendly. A dedicated playroom and an arcade keep kids entertained — plus Chase's first-ever private "Reserve Suites" for those who want to splurge.
Showers can be a game changer. Several lounges offer shower suites, perfect after a red-eye or before a long international flight.
Local coffee beats airport coffee. Many locations partner with regional roasters instead of standard drip.
Cocktails change with the city. Vegas even has its own Champagne parlor upstairs.
The Wi-Fi is usually much better. A quieter place to work, stream, or simply recharge.
You'll rarely hunt for an outlet. Most seating areas include convenient power and USB charging.
The airport becomes part of the vacation. Many frequent travelers arrive early just to enjoy the lounge before boarding.
Chase is expanding fast — and started overseas. The very first Sapphire Lounge actually opened in Hong Kong in 2022, months before Boston. That location closed for good in January 2026, making the network 100% U.S. now.
LaGuardia is the largest lounge, not Philly. At 21,800 sq. ft., LGA edges out Philadelphia's 20,000 sq. ft. — and is more than double the size of the Centurion Lounge next door.
A few lounge visits can save real money. Skip breakfast, coffee, lunch, and a drink in the terminal, and lounge access can easily save $40–$60+ per visit.
By the Numbers
9 Chase Sapphire Lounges currently open
1 more confirmed (LAX — Dallas already opened)
2 complimentary guests with eligible Chase cards ($27 each after that)
1 free annual visit for Priority Pass members
0 fee for children under 2
21,800 sq. ft. — LaGuardia, the largest lounge in the network
2022 — The very first Sapphire Lounge opened, in Hong Kong
2023 — Boston became the first U.S. location
5 Pro Tips for Chase Sapphire Lounges
💡 Activate before you go, not at the gate.
If your Sapphire Reserve was opened before June 23, 2025, Priority Pass access isn't automatic — activate it at Chase.com (Ultimate Rewards → Card Benefits → Travel → Complimentary Airport Lounge Access) the night before. It takes 5–10 minutes for your digital card to arrive by email, so don't wait until you're stuck on spotty airport Wi-Fi.
💡 Lounge access ends when your flight does.
Most Chase Sapphire Lounges require a same-day departing boarding pass, so you generally can't use them after you've landed. Got a long layover or connection? That's the perfect window to stop in — just don't count on visiting one after your final destination.
💡 Visit during breakfast or lunch for the best food.
Menus rotate throughout the day, and peak meal times tend to offer the widest, freshest selection.
💡 Check wait times before committing.
If your airport has both a Chase Sapphire Lounge and another lounge you can access, compare the lines during busy travel periods — one may have a wait while the other lets you walk right in.
💡 Even in economy, the lounge makes the trip feel premium.
A hot meal, reliable Wi-Fi, comfortable seating, and a quiet place to reset can completely change the start of your trip — no upgrade required.
Card Spotlight: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
If the Chase Sapphire Reserve isn't the right fit, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is one of the best entry-level travel rewards cards available.
Current Welcome Offer
🎁 Earn 100,000 bonus points
after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months.
Why Travelers Like It
✓ 100,000-point welcome bonus
✓ $95 annual fee
✓ Earn points on travel and dining
✓ Trip cancellation and interruption insurance
✓ Primary rental car coverage
✓ No foreign transaction fees
What It Doesn't Include
Unlike the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, the Sapphire Preferred does not include Chase Sapphire Lounge access. If airport lounge access is one of your top priorities, you'll need the Reserve card instead.
Boarding Soon's Take:
If you travel a few times a year and want a premium rewards card without paying a premium annual fee, the Sapphire Preferred is one of the strongest values on the market. If your goal is unlimited Chase Sapphire Lounge access, however, the Sapphire Reserve remains the better choice.
👉 Current Offer: Earn 100,000 bonus points after meeting the spending requirement (offer ending soon). Apply here
Who do you think will win the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
| Until next boarding...
Travel smarter, Explore more. ✈️
Written by the Boarding Soon Editorial Team
Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Subscribe free
and get smarter travel news in your inbox.
Copyright © 2026 Boarding Soon. All rights reserved.
Editorial & Affiliate Disclosure
Some links in this newsletter may be affiliate links, which means Boarding Soon may earn a commission if you apply for or purchase a product through those links—at no additional cost to you. We only recommend products, services, and travel tools we believe provide value to our readers.
Our content is researched using a combination of official sources, reputable publications, and AI-assisted tools to help gather and summarize information. While we strive for accuracy, details such as prices, promotions, benefits, and policies can change without notice. Always verify important information directly with the official airline, hotel, credit card issuer, government agency, or other relevant provider before making travel or financial decisions.
