Just a week after Chase unveiled its third branded airport lounge at New York's LaGuardia airport, the issuer has rolled out yet another Sapphire Lounge by The Club at John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) on Jan. 23, 2024.
The lounge uses the space formerly occupied by Etihad Airways (which partnered with Chase to create the lounge), which means it has different rules for access compared to the other Chase Sapphire by The Club locations. Measuring 7,600 square feet, this lounge is smaller than its siblings but still offers plenty of features to enjoy while traveling.
CNBC Select breaks down what you can expect from the new Chase lounge and how you'll be able to get in.
How to access the Chase Sapphire Lounge at JFK
Because this lounge is a collaboration between Chase and Etihad Airways, select Etihad passengers can access the Sapphire lounge based on their status with the airline's loyalty program. You also get in if you're flying business or first class with Etihad, and even economy passengers have an opportunity to purchase access on a first-come-first-serve basis.
Access is also available to Chase Sapphire Reserve® cardholders and anyone with a Priority Pass membership. Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders who have activated the card's Priority Pass membership receive unlimited access and can bring up to two guests at no charge.
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Rewards
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 plus, 10X points on Lyft rides through March 2025
Welcome bonus
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℠.
Annual fee
$550
Intro APR
None
Regular APR
22.49% - 29.49% variable
Balance transfer fee
5%, minimum $5
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit needed
Excellent
Terms apply.
Read our Chase Sapphire Reserve® review.
All other Priority Pass members receive one free visit per calendar year across the Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club network in the U.S. and will pay a $75 fee for each subsequent visit.
Many premium credit cards come with a complimentary Priority Pass lounge membership. For example, The Platinum Card® from American Express and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, both come with a Priority Pass membership and grant you access to American Express Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs and Plaza Premium lounges as well. Terms apply.
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Rewards
Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year, 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel, 1X points on all other eligible purchases
Welcome bonus
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
Annual fee
$695
Intro APR
None
Regular APR
See Pay Over Time APR
Balance transfer fee
N/A
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit Needed
Excellent/Good
See rates and fees, terms apply.
Pros
- Up to $200 in annual airline fee credits
- $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Terms Apply.
- Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings, which requires a minimum two-night stay, through American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®.
- $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
Cons
- $695 annual fee
- No special financing offers on new purchases
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Rewards
Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com and 1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases. Also, earn 1.5X points (that's an extra half point per dollar) on each eligible purchases at US construction material, hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more everywhere else, on up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year.
Welcome bonus
Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
Annual fee
$695
Intro APR
N/A
Regular APR
19.49% - 28.49% variable
Balance transfer fee
N/A
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit needed
Excellent/Good
See rates and fees, terms apply.
Pros
- Unlock over $1,000 in statement credits on select purchases, including tech, recruiting and wireless in the first year of membership with the Business Platinum Card®. Enrollment required. See how you can unlock over $1,000 annually in credits on select purchases with the Business Platinum Card®
- Get 35% points back when you use points to purchase all or part of an airline fare, up to 500,000 bonus points back per calendar year
- American Express Global Lounge Collection
- Breeze through security with CLEAR® Plus where available and get up to $189 back per year on your membership when you use your card. (subject to auto-renewal)
- Up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year for incidental fees charged by your one selected, qualifying airline to your card
Cons
- $695 annual fee
- No introductory 0% financing offers
If you're seeking a Priority Pass membership and access to Capital One Lounges, consider the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card. With the card, you have unlimited access to Priority Pass, Capital One and Plaza Premium lounges.
What to expect at the JFK Chase Sapphire Lounge
The Chase Sapphire Lounge, situated in JFK's Terminal 4 right next to the American Express Centurion Lounge, serves as a tranquil oasis amidst the busy hub that hosts airlines such as Delta Air Lines, Virgin Atlantic, and Singapore Airlines. Embracing the theme of a nature escape, the lounge provides a variety of amenities for travelers seeking respite from the airport's hustle and bustle.
Upon entering, you'll find the main lounge area past the reception desk. Much like the lounge at LaGuardia, a central bar is surrounded by various seating options, including dining tables, couches and reclining chairs. But what sets it apart from the LaGuardia lounge is the abundance of natural light streaming in through the windows, providing a view of the airfield.
The lounge also features additional seating areas throughout, catering to those either seeking a productive work environment or a laid-back space to unwind. This includes reflection rooms, as well as private bathrooms with showers. One side offers a cozy living room area of sorts complete with an electric fireplace to make you feel right at home.
Next to the dining tables, is a buffet area with a variety of quality hot and cold meal options available on a made-to-order or ready-to-eat basis. For breakfast, you can indulge in a range of food options including salmon benedict, breakfast bao (made up of spicy turkey bacon, egg and cheese with a bao bun) or a gluten-free bagel, along with local beverages from Joe Coffee. You can also enjoy crafted cocktails and select options of wine from a curated wine list from the bar.
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Bottom line
As the Chase Sapphire by The Club network continues to expand, you can enjoy an array of amenities now at John F. Kennedy Airport whether you're looking to work or unwind. Though smaller than the one at LaGuardia Airport, there are plenty of perks to indulge in from dining to lounging.
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For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, click here.
