Chase Sapphire Expands its Airport Lounge Network with New Digs at LaGuardia Airport
by Barbara Peterson /The transformation of New York City’s LaGuardia Airport from dilapidated depot into first-class facility continues: the airport just got its latest, and possibly most lavish, passenger lounge.
And it’s not run by an airline or limited to high-status fliers. The new Chase Sapphire Lounge by the Club, a sprawling 21,000-foot location in Terminal B, is the third airport location to open under the Chase banner; the other two are in Hong Kong and Boston. And on Jan. 23, Chase will make its debut at JFK Airport in partnership with Etihad Airways, at the airline’s elegant club at Terminal 4 which has been shuttered since the pandemic. Another space, at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, opened last March in what had been a public terrace (it’s not an official part of the Chase Sapphire Lounge network.)
Chase is a bit of a latecomer to the increasingly competitive airport lounge scene, and the new club puts it in more direct competition with American Express’ bespoke Centurion lounges, open to Platinum cardholders (who can also use their cards at Delta Air Lines’ Sky Clubs.) A third card issuer, Capitol One, is also growing its network and has opened airport locations at Dallas, Denver, and Washington (Dulles).
The Chase Sapphire club at LaGuardia, which opened on Jan. 16, has already drawn raves from road warriors: The Points Guy frequent flier site dubbed it “the nicest lounge in the entire airport.” Interestingly, it’s located right next door to rival Amex’s Centurion Lounge, another road warrior favorite.
Aside from the expected bar, brimming buffet, and work areas, the two-floor facility includes the following amenities: wellness rooms with a range of spa treatments from Face Haus, a women-owned facial bar; a kids’ playroom and nursing room for those traveling with children (each cardholder can bring two guests) and an arcade-style game room with a jukebox, pinball machine, shuffleboard, and photo booth. As an added level of service, guests can reserve (for a fee) one of the “Reserve Suites by Chase,” private rooms with a dedicated attendant and ensuite bath and shower, which are located on the upper level.
The lounge is open free of charge to all Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders. Guests will need to have the complimentary Priority Pass membership that comes with a Sapphire Reserve card to enter the lounge. Additional guests beyond the two-person limit cost $27 per person.
Travelers with the J.P. Morgan Reserve card or the Ritz Carlton credit card can also be admitted, and even without a Chase branded card, Priority Pass members can get one free visit a year and can purchase additional entries for $75 each.