Chase Stands Firm on Lounge Access for Cardholders
In an effort to ease congestion at its Centurion Lounge, American Express implemented a guest fee for travelers using the Amex Platinum Card, which can go up to $50. Now, Capital One plans to do something similar with its Venture X cardholders next year.
However, Chase is taking a different approach.
Executives at Chase have made it clear that they don’t intend to follow the trend of charging for guest access at their Sapphire Lounge locations. Cardholders can continue to bring two guests at no additional cost, even after the annual fee for the Chase Sapphire Reserve card increased from $550 to $795.
“As of now, our card members can bring up to two guests for free,” stated Sam Palmer, general manager of Chase Sapphire, during a recent Q&A session. “We will monitor access and review foot traffic to ensure a good experience for our members.”
The phrase “as of now” carries some weight in this context. It’s reasonable to think this policy might change eventually.
Chase has been making strides, with seven Sapphire Lounges open in cities like Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) and Los Angeles (LAX), ensuring their premier cardholders can bring along travel companions. Though there has been a price increase for additional authorized users, the guest access remains free.
But there’s a catch: the access isn’t solely linked to the reserve card. It’s actually your Priority Pass membership you can get from the extra card. So, ensure that account is activated and remember to use your preferred pass at the entrance.
Also, it’s worth noting that holders of either the Amex Platinum or the Venture X credit card can get a free visit to the Chase Sapphire Lounge each calendar year.
Chase hasn’t cut that benefit, yet. “We haven’t changed our approach to access at this time,” Palmer added. “It’s also important to manage priority for our Sapphire clients over Priority Pass users in the lounges.”
In simpler terms, rather than limiting access per year for cardholders from rival banks, Chase is focused on giving priority to its own valuable clients.
“We keep track of traffic and manage capacity effectively,” Palmer noted.
Interestingly, Chase was the last of the major banks to enter the lounge scene, launching its first U.S. location in Boston over two years ago. Yet, it has quickly established itself as a serious contender in the airport lounge arena.
By teaming up with top local restaurants, Sapphire Lounge provides food and drinks that can compete with mid-tier restaurants, offering meals that justify their price rather than the typical staples you might find elsewhere.
In addition to a well-stocked self-service buffet, Chase allows you to order food via QR codes throughout the dining area. This feature is usually found in exclusive business-class lounges, like those of Delta or United. Notably, Capital One has recently introduced a similar capability in its new lounge in New York City (JFK).
Importantly, these lounges still offer an inviting atmosphere, a pleasant departure from the often crowded scenes at Centurion Lounges or Delta Sky Clubs where one might encounter long wait times.
Conclusion
While competitors have reduced complimentary guest access to lounges, Chase is committed to maintaining this perk for its top cardholders. It may just be a matter of time before they make adjustments, but for now, this is a welcome development for Sapphire Reserve owners, especially given the card’s hefty annual fee.
