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Chase is making changes to who can access its growing network of Sapphire Lounges by The Club with new rules taking effect August 15th. While everyone might not find this good news, I’m happy to see Chase begin restricting Priority Pass access as the lounges have been pretty crowded lately (even if these memberships were prioritized behind Chase cardmembers in the past).
Priority Pass or LoungeKey memberships will no longer provide complimentary access for members who do not hold an eligible Chase credit card. Until now, Priority Pass and LoungeKey members were entitled to one free visit each year with additional visits available for a discounted fee when space permitted. That option is also going away. Travelers without a qualifying Chase card who wish to enter a Sapphire Lounge will instead need to purchase a day pass for $100 per person (subject to availability).
The policy applies to all nine Chase Sapphire Lounge locations currently operating in the United States. While those lounges will no longer accept Priority Pass or LoungeKey memberships, Chase notes that dozens of other participating lounges at the same airports will continue to be available through those networks.
According to the company, the change is intended to improve the experience for Chase cardmembers by reducing crowding and making it easier for eligible customers to find space inside the lounges. The revised policy does not affect complimentary access provided to holders of the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, Sapphire Reserve for Business℠, J.P. Morgan Reserve Card, or The Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card. Those cardholders will continue to receive Sapphire Lounge access as part of their benefits and their existing Priority Pass Select memberships remain unchanged.
Chase is also introducing another traveler-friendly enhancement. Passengers connecting through an airport will soon be allowed to spend up to five hours in a Sapphire Lounge before their onward flight. This is an increase from the current three-hour limit. The extended stay applies only to travelers on layovers. For passengers beginning their journey, the existing policy remains in place and limits lounge visits to three hours before departure.
Anthony’s Take: The updates reflect a broader trend across the airport lounge industry, where operators are tightening access policies in an effort to manage demand while preserving a premium experience for their most loyal customers.
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Advertiser & Editorial Disclosure: The Bulkhead Seat earns an affiliate commission for anyone approved through the links above This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. We work to provide the best publicly available offers to our readers. We frequently update them, but this site does not include all available offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.
