Review of the Chase Sapphire Lounge at JFK Terminal 4
The exterior of the Chase Sapphire Lounge at JFK airport terminal 4. All photos by John O’Boyle / The Empty Nest Explorers
Chase has opened lounges at a number of airports to support its Sapphire Reserve card.
Chase built a stunning new lounge from the ground up at New York’s LaGuardia Airport. At New York’s largest airport, John F Kennedy Airport, Chase acquired the long-dormant Etihad Lounge in Terminal 4 and has created an upscale space that is as nice or nicer than the neighboring American Express Platinum Lounge.
The Chase Sapphire Lounge at JFK, located above shops and resturants.
Getting to the Chase Sapphire Lounge
The Chase Sapphire Lounge is located on the second floor of JFK’s Terminal 4.
After passing through security, make a left and you’ll see the Lounge ahead of you on the right.
The lounge is located directly next to the American Express Centurion Lounge, a visual metaphor for the current head-to-head battle among the premium travel credit cards.
While the signage on the front of the lounge is very clear, many of the signs around the airport show the lounge by its old name - Etihad Lounge.
Keep in mind that your gate may be a bit of a walk from the lounge, so be sure to leave enough time.
Who can access the Chase Sapphire Lounge?
Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders get unlimited complimentary access by activating the card’s Priority Pass membership. Cardholders can bring up to two guests free of charge. (Note - Chase Sapphire Preferred card members do not get unlimited complimentary access.)
If you have a Priority Pass membership through a non-Chase-issued card, you get one complimentary visit to a Chase Sapphire Lounge each calendar year. Additional visits are $75 with no guest access.
You can pay $100 for a day pass, space permitting.
At JFK only, Etihad Business and First Class passengers can access the lounge since technically, Chase operates this location with Etihad.
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We enjoyed these comfortable chairs. While some gates are a long walk from the lounge, that’s our Virgin Airlines flight right outside the window.
The Sapphire Lounge experience
We visited at 5 pm on a Monday before a flight to London and were put on a waiting list. About 30 minutes later, we received a text to come back to the lounge.
The first obvious difference between the Chase Lounge and other lounges is that a staff member seats you. They give you options, if they are available, between different style seats (desk style, comfortable lounge chair, etc).
I really liked having a staff member seat me instead of hunting around for an empty spot. I hope more lounges adopt this method.
You’ll notice a QR code at your table or seat. The QR code will allow you to order food and drinks directly to your seat.
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There are two options for food at the Chase Sapphire Lounge: you can order off a menu and have the food delivered to your seat, or you can try the buffet. Each offers different food.
I used the QR code to order shrimp and penne in a zesty tomato sauce, and it was excellent.
I then went to the buffet and filled up a plate. The offerings included Moroccan spiced beef and tomato stew, salmon with lobster sauce, shrimp and pepper risotto, and couscous and pesto salad. Definitely a higher-end buffet.
The Chase Sapphire Lounge takes its drinks seriously. I ordered “Sapphire”, which is vodka, blueberry, goldenberry, lime, ginger, oregano, five-spice powder, bee pollen and pearl dust.
Debbie ordered the “Queen Bee”, which includes Ketel One Vodka, Cointreau, honey, lemon, and orange.
The Sapphire on the left and the Queen Bee on the right.
There is a self-service cafe area offering an espresso bar, drip coffee, and soda, juices, etc. There is also a filtered water tap to fill glasses with water, in addition to cold tea, cold coffee.
So there is no shortage of food or drink options.
While not as unique as the other Chase Sapphire lounges that were built from the ground up, we completely enjoyed our time at the lounge.
The staff was incredibly attentive and friendly. It was clear to see the supervisors walking through the lounge, checking to make sure everything was up to their standards. This was a welcome sight and a vast departure from most lounges.
I don’t think we could expect more from an airport lounge, except those catering to first-class passengers.
We can’t wait to go back and also try the other Chase Sapphire Lounges around the country.
This post was researched and written by John of the Empty Nest Explorers. You can learn more about the Empty Nest Explorers here
