The number of Chase Sapphire Lounges will be doubled in the coming week, as new locations are opening at both New York JFK and New York LaGuardia airports. Since the number of people who can potentially visit a Chase Sapphire Lounge is going to increase significantly, it’s essential to understand the entry rules, as they differ from those of other bank-sponsored lounges.
Let’s cover the most important difference between Chase’s lounges and similar offerings from American Express and Capital One. At those lounges, access is granted by presenting an eligible credit card and a boarding pass, which is why it’s necessary to bring your American Express Platinum card (or other AMEX card with lounge access) with you when traveling.
However, to enter a Chase Sapphire Lounge, it’s necessary to show either your physical or digital Priority Pass card.
Priority Pass
Travelers are no strangers to the Priority Pass network of airport lounges. Many travel credit cards offer a Priority Pass Select membership, with access to over 1,500 locations worldwide.
In what probably comes as a shock to many, the Chase Sapphire Lounges, including the newly opened location at LaGuardia airport, are included in the Priority Pass lounge network.
However, what matters most when visiting a Chase Sapphire Lounge is which Priority Pass card you use.
Cards Linked To A Chase Account
It can be challenging to distinguish which credit card account is linked to each Priority Pass Select card, as they all have the same appearance. However, it’s vital to remember this information since each card provides distinct benefits. Additionally, Priority Pass cards linked to Chase accounts offer access to the Chase Sapphire Lounges.
These are the Chase cards that include Priority Pass Select memberships:
- Chase Sapphire Reserve
- J.P. Morgan Reserve
- Ritz-Carlton Credit Card
According to OMAAT, there’is a way to tell which bank a Priority Pass card is linked to by the membership number.
Priority Pass cards issued through Chase typically have 16 digit membership numbers, the card number typically starts with 735, and the cards are typically valid for three years.
Even between each Chase card, there are different rules about entering the club.
Sapphire Reserve and J.P. Morgan Reserve cardmembers may bring up to two guests per Priority Pass Membership card, per visit, for free and additional guests for $27. Ritz-Carlton cardmembers may bring unlimited guests at no charge. There’s no additional charge for children under two.
Once again, the Ritz-Carlton card has better lounge benefits than the other Chase-issued cards by allowing unlimited guest privileges.
Other Priority Pass Select Cards
What about other Priority Pass Select members? Since the Chase Sapphire Lounges are part of the Priority Pass network, can Capital One Venture X cardholders enter with a Priority Pass Select card?
Yes, but there’s a catch.
Note: Members can access the lounge once per calendar year using an allocated visit entitlement (both inclusive and Pay As You Go) subject to availability. Additional visits over and above the 1 calendar year, and any guest visits, will be charged a preferential entry fee of US$75 per person, per visit, payable to the lounge.
Each member is entitled to one visit per calendar year to any of the Chase Sapphire Lounges without any guests. However, if a member wishes to bring a guest or make additional visits, they’ll be charged $75 per person per visit. Please note that this limit applies to all of the Chase Sapphire Lounges, and not just one visit per lounge. The only exception to this rule is the Hong Kong lounge, which operates like a typical Priority Pass location and doesn’t require a Chase-issued card.
The only way to work the system is if you have multiple Priority Pass Select cards, you can use each one for a single visit. Just make sure to keep track of which cards you’ve already used.
Final Thought
With the number of Chase Sapphire Lounges set to expand in 2024, it’s vital to understand the entry rules to avoid any inconveniences. While other bank-sponsored lounges require an eligible credit card and a boarding pass, Chase Sapphire Lounges require you to show your Priority Pass Select card.
It’s crucial to keep track of which credit card is linked to each account to avoid any unexpected charges. Additionally, compared to other cards issued by Chase, the Ritz-Carlton card offers better lounge benefits. However, it should be noted that other Priority Pass Select members, even those with cards from other banks, have limited access to the Chase Sapphire Lounges.
Cover Photo: Chase
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8 comments
Odd. I have the Chase Sapphire Reserve card and there is zero info about Priority Pass on the chase.com website. It’s not listed under Card Benefits.
If you’re looking at the card benefits, it’s listed under “Complimentary Airport Lounge Access”. There you’ll find a link to enroll, or if you’re enrolled you’ll see your membership number.
Very nice analysis. I’d wondered about entry requirements. For me it’s still not worth the additional annual fee expense but you’ve made it easier to figure out.
Since we fly to NY often, the Chase lounges are another option besides the Delta SkyClub and Centurion Lounge.
Priority Pass cards through Chase have different account numbers for the physical card vs. the digital card. No idea why this is the case, but it’s a quirk to be aware of. Another quirk – you can see your visit history via PP with memberships via Amex, Citi, etc., but not with Chase.
The physical card number and what’s shown on the Chase website is 16 digits that typically start with 735.
The digital card number and what’s shown on the Priority Pass website is 14 digits that typically start with 150.
While not directly related to the Sapphire Lounges, the Chase PPs still have access (for now, at least) to non-lounge experiences (restaurants, spas, etc.), while those through Amex and Capital One don’t.
@Christian – the annual fee of the CSR is really only $250. Yes it is $550 but you get a $300 credit against almost any travel expense (including parking and tours). Then for the net $250 you get a PP card w full access to the Chast Sapphire Lounges as well as the PP restaurants (which aren’t included w Amex PP cards). Also you get DoorDash and Instacart credits plus ability to use points for travel at 1.5 cent a point. AF shouldn’t be a barrier to anyone wanting this card.
For the Sapphire lounge, do you need to have the physical PP card or digital is good enough (PP from Venture X)
The digital cards worked find when we visited the lounge at JFK. But remember you only get 1 visit per year.