Primarily designed for travelers, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® includes a copious amount of benefits: travel insurance, statement credits toward travel and generous earning rates toward flights, hotels, rental cars and more. But of all the benefits, the airport lounge access stands out as particularly valuable. For frequent travelers, this one can pay off in spades.
The complimentary snacks and drinks not only save you money, but can be a huge time-saver. The Wi-Fi doesn’t come with time limits or commercials and bathrooms rarely have waits. And, even at their most crowded, lounges tend to be quieter and offer more comfortable seating than the terminal itself. When they’re not crowded, some can feel downright indulgent.
Once you’ve gotten used to airport lounge access, it’s hard to go back. Thankfully, with the Sapphire Reserve you can enjoy unlimited lounge access at partnering clubs, lounges and other airport facilities—all at no additional cost outside of the card’s annual fee: $550.
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
This card offers superior points earning rates if you spend frequently on travel and dining out. The $300 travel credit justifies much of the annual fee, and redeeming points for travel through Chase Travel℠ nets you a 50% bonus.
- $300 annual travel credit is incredibly flexible
- Generous welcome bonus
- Get 50% more value when you redeem points for travel through Chase
- Points transfer to valuable airline and hotel partners
- High annual fee
- High variable APR on purchases
- Excellent credit recommended
- Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $1,125 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
- $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
- Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 75,000 points are worth $1125 toward travel.
- 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
- Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
- Member FDIC
Does the Chase Sapphire Reserve Offer Lounge Access?
Yes, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers airport lounge access to all cardholders via a Priority Pass Select membership. You’ll need to activate your Priority Pass membership before you can use it, which is an easy, one-time requirement.
With your Priority Pass membership, you’ll have unlimited access to Priority Pass lounges and can admit up to two guests who are traveling with you. Authorized members will also have Priority Pass lounge access, even if not traveling with the primary cardholder.
Although several credit cards include lounge access, the Sapphire Reserve has one of the most inclusive memberships thanks to extending entry to guests and authorized users.
Priority Pass
Priority Pass is the most common airport lounge membership offered by credit cards and a Priority Pass Select membership is one of the Sapphire Reserve’s most valuable benefits. Purchased separately, a Priority Pass membership with unlimited visits costs $469 per year and doesn’t include any guest visits, making the Select membership included on the Sapphire Reserve a better option.
Priority Pass Lounge Locations
The Priority Pass network has more than 1,300 locations worldwide, covering most major airports. You can search for specific locations at prioritypass.com or by using the Priority Pass app to find out which lounges participate. You can also research hours, amenities and specific gate locations.
Most Priority Pass locations are traditional airport lounges, which typically include comfortable seating areas, complimentary Wi-Fi and select food and beverages. Some locations may also have showers, printers and other benefits that make life easier while you’re on the road. However, in some cases you may also have complimentary access to airport spa services, restaurants or sleep pods via Priority Pass. The Chase Sapphire Reserve® version of Priority Pass includes airport restaurants, which the American Express version does not.
Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club
Chase has officially opened two airport lounges, known as Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club, in Boston and Hong Kong. Chase isn’t the first card issuer to open branded lounges—American Express has multiple Centurion lounges and Capital One has three—but it’s great to see one dedicated to Chase cardmembers. The clubs are co-branded with The Club (which has several Priority Pass locations already) and operated by Airport Dimensions.
The first two locations are at Boston’s Logan International Airport (BOS), near gate B40 and Hong Kong International Airport (HGK) Terminal 1. Additional lounges are expected for New York’s LaGuardia Airport, and at Las Vegas, Phoenix, Philadelphia and San Diego airports.
Chase Sapphire lounges are accessible to Sapphire Reserve cardmembers. They are also expected to be added to the Priority Pass network, which means you won’t necessarily need to hold a Chase Sapphire Reserve card to enter.
How to Use Chase Sapphire Reserve Lounge Access
After you’ve activated your Priority Pass membership, you should receive a physical card in the mail. You’ll need to present this membership card upon arrival at participating airport lounges or your payment card. You may also need to present a same-day boarding pass.
Most locations will also accept your Digital Membership Card in lieu of the physical card. To use a digital card, you’ll need to download the Priority Pass app and link it to your membership account. Then, the lounge can register your visit from the QR code in your app instead of swiping a physical card. Not all locations are set up for this yet, so inquire in advance—especially at restaurants or airport salons where you’re otherwise billed at the end of service.
Be aware that most lounges will require a signature upon entry, but there is no charge for the Chase Sapphire Reserve® cardmember and up to two guests per visit. Additional guest access may be purchased for $27 per person.
Find the Best Travel Credit Cards for 2024
Find the best travel credit card for your travel needs.
Bottom Line
Airport lounges offer a respite for travelers before or between flights and with the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, airport lounge access is free and easy. Their Priority Pass membership already covers hundreds of airports worldwide and the introduction of new locations of Chase Sapphire Lounges will bring even more options to cardholders.
