The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card does not offer complimentary access to airport lounges, even Chase airport lounges. Chase Sapphire Reserve®, on the other hand, gives free airport lounge access – for the cardholder, authorized users, and up to two guests.
While Chase Sapphire Preferred does not offer free airport lounge access, it does come with features that make it one of the best travel rewards cards on the market. Among them are an initial bonus of 60,000 bonus points for spending $4,000 in the first 3 months and 5 points / $1 spent on select travel purchases. The annual fee is $95.
How Chase Sapphire Airport Lounge Access Works
Chase Sapphire airport lounge access provides Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders with comfortable seating, complimentary snacks and beverages, and free Wi-Fi at lounges located in more than 1,300 airports worldwide. To find a lounge, go to the Priority Pass website and type your destination into the “Find a lounge” search bar.
Navigating Guest Fees and Annual Fees
The Chase Sapphire Reserve card waives the $35 Priority Pass guest fee, allowing unlimited access for up to two guests per visit. For any additional guests, your card will be charged $35 per guest, per visit.
If you were to purchase a standard Priority Pass membership separately, it would cost at least $99 a year, plus $35 per visit (not including guests). Higher membership levels give free visits but cost significantly more – for $469 per year, all visits are free.
Now, here’s the kicker: Chase Sapphire Reserve has a $550 annual fee. Some of that can be offset by a $300 annual travel credit, but it’s still important to account for the cost if you want to get the best deal.
Chase Sapphire Airport Lounge Math
Chase Sapphire Preferred: $99 airport lounge membership + $95 annual fee = $194 per year for airport lounge access + $35 per guest, per visit.
Chase Sapphire Reserve: $0 airport lounge membership + $550 annual fee - $300 travel credit = $250 per year for airport lounge access.
As you can see, lounge access with Chase Sapphire Reserve is cheaper than with Chase Sapphire Preferred if you bring guests. Chase Sapphire Preferred is cheaper if you mainly go to airport lounges alone. You’ll need to take this into account before you decide whether the benefit included with Reserve is worth the added expense.
How to Get Airport Lounge Access with Chase Sapphire Reserve
Chase Sapphire Reserve is one of the best credit cards offering free airport lounge access. Cardmembers receive complimentary Priority Pass Select membership after completing a one-time activation.
- Log in to Chase Ultimate Rewards.
- Select Chase Sapphire Reserve.
- Click on “Card Benefits.”
- Scroll to the benefits section and select “Travel.”
- Click “Complimentary Airport Lounge Access” and follow the prompts to activate your Priority Pass Select membership.
You should receive your Priority Pass membership card by mail within 2-3 weeks after you activate your membership. You must present either a physical or digital membership card or an eligible credit card, along with a valid boarding pass and some form of ID (such as a passport or driver’s license), at the lounge reception to enter a Priority Pass lounge. Download the Priority Pass app and follow the instructions to access your digital membership card.
This answer was last updated on 08/21/24 and it was first published on 10/24/17. For the most current information about a financial product, you should always check and confirm accuracy with the offering financial institution. Editorial and user-generated content is not provided, reviewed or endorsed by any company.
