In an airport terminal with a plethora of lounges, the newest offering from Chase might be the best option even if it's not the biggest.
The bank behind the ultra-popular *chase sapphire preferred* and *chase sapphire reserve* has been working for years to build its own branded lounges dubbed the Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club – and more and more of them are opening: After opening a location abroad over in Hong Kong (HKG), Chase opened its very-first U.S. lounge in Boston (BOS) in 2023 before jumping into New York-LaGuardia (LGA) and, now, New York-JFK's Terminal 4 earlier this year.
Like Chase's other lounges, the JFK lounge is a big step above the typical airport lounges you can find in the sprawling Terminal 4. But unlike its Sapphire Lounge peers, this iteration includes a unique partnership with Etihad Airlines that allows first and business class passengers on the Middle Eastern carrier to access the space, too.
The snappy service, delicious drinks, and cool ambiance made my nearly three hours at the Chase Sapphire Lounge at JFK a wonderful experience. And I think it might be my new go-to lounge in Terminal 4 if given the choice.
How to Access the Chase Sapphire Lounge JFK
These Chase Sapphire Lounges are among the most restrictive in the country, but there are some ways to get in that are widely available to most travelers depending what credit card you hold.
- Chase's top-tier travel rewards credit card – the *chase sapphire reserve* – is practically a must. Sapphire Reserve cardholders get unlimited complimentary access to the Sapphire Lounges – and can also bring up to two guests free of charge.
- Same goes for the Ritz-Carlton Card from Chase, though that card is no longer open for applications: You'll have to upgrade from another Chase Marriott card.
- If you have a Priority Pass membership from non-Chase cards like *amex platinum* or the *venture x*, you'll get one free visit to Chase Sapphire Lounges (including U.S. locations) each calendar year – and not each location, but one total. Afterwards, it'll cost $75 per visit with no guest access.
- Everyday travelers can pay $100 for a day pass, space permitting.
- Etihad Business and First Class travelers also get access to the lounge thanks to a specific partnership at JFK.
Just be warned: No matter how you enter the lounge, you can only get in three hours before your scheduled departure – unless you are on a layover.
Read more: Everything You Need to Know About Chase Sapphire Lounges
Where is it?
The JFK Sapphire Lounge can be found just steps after you clear the main TSA security checkpoint in the airport's massive Terminal 4.
This lounge is only for passengers flying from Terminal 4, which houses airlines like Aeroméxico, Air India, Avianca, China Airlines, Delta, Emirates, Etihad, Hawaiian Airlines, Kenya Airways, KLM, LATAM, Singapore Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, WestJet, and more.
If you're flying out of another terminal, it won't make much sense to visit this Chase lounge because you'll have to clear security to get inside, then exit security and clear security at your other terminal, too.
For Terminal 4 travelers, though, it couldn't be more convenient. It's an approximately 15-second walk from where you collect your belongings at TSA to the club's front door.
Signs next to security show where to walk, but it's called the “Etihad Lounge” on some of the overhead signs, so make sure you look for both. You can see the security lanes on the left and the lounge in the background.
The Chase Sapphire Lounge is just behind the massive signs for the JFK American Express Centurion Lounge. You can see the “Sapphire Lounge” sign off in the distance of this photo.
The club is open from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.
The Space & Amenities
Inside the Chase JFK Lounge you'll find stylish seating options, a bar area, and several different nooks and crannies where you can set up.
When I arrived at around 8 p.m., the lounge was bustling and while I got in with no questions asked, there was someone sitting at about every other seat.
The entire lounge is well-lit and featured plenty of plants and foliage throughout, de-sterilizing the airport space. There was also a mix of carpet and hardwood that split up the space, too.
Alongside the bar area is a slightly quieter hallway with more small tables for two, too.
In the back of the lounge is a big fireplace with some more comfy seating options, and even a desk nook.
A duo of these work stations could also be found in the back of the club.
The bathroom was nothing special and was fairly small. Just two sinks, two stalls, and two urinals could be found in the men's room.
There are shower suites available to book for free, too, but they were all in use during my stay, so I didn't have a chance to scope them out for myself.
There was also a “Reflection Room,” a multi-purpose space in the lounge that is well-suited for Islamic prayer with foot-and-hand-washing stations, mats, and a north-facing prayer area.
Wi-Fi & Digital Ordering
For every surface in the JFK Sapphire Lounge, there's a QR code. Each table has one allowing travelers to order food and drink, reserve amenities like the shower suites, and more.
I sat at table 1, which is the furthest left seat at the bar. When you scan the code, you get a menu that looks like this.
To order something through the portal, you just click “Order food & beverage” and then “Start Your Order” after that.
There were busy servers running around the lounge the entire time I was there. Many travelers never had to get up to use the buffets or order drinks. It kept the bar space quiet, too. If you're looking for a low-key place to sit, I highly recommend bellying up to the bar.
Food & Drink
The food and drink offerings are all complimentary at the lounge – no up charges for so-called “premium” drinks or anything here.
For my pre-flight cocktail, I ordered an Upstate and Sour featuring bourbon, creme de cassis, Cointreau, and lemon juice.
Plenty of travelers were walking around the club with cold brew coffees, too. These cold brew, tea, and flavored water dispensers appeared to be a hit among the travelers in the lounge.
There was also a traditional drip coffee setup as well as side-by-side espresso machines that could make whatever craft coffee you desired.
The food could be made-to-order and delivered to your seat, but the lounge kept some options to grab from the buffet, too. I had one of the kale salads you see on the right in the photo below, and and it was delicious.
The curried chicken and rice I had (right) was a little less fresh than I desired. I should have just ordered from the QR code and had one made fresh instead.
The dessert area was a little picked over when I took this photo, but it was replenished frequently, too. These desserts weren't particularly exciting, but you could choose from cookies, brownies, baklava, and more.
Crucially, there was a water dispenser (as you can see on the right side of this image) that gives you either hot or cold water. The cold water comes in either sparkling or still water and it comes out of the tap ice cold.
Bottom Line
The Chase Sapphire Lounge at New York's JFK Airport has quickly become one of my favorites in the busy Terminal 4. Right next to the American Express Centurion Lounge, the new club's table service and more updated style set it apart from surrounding lounges.
If you have the Chase Sapphire Reserve card or a Priority Pass membership, I'd recommend stopping by this Chase Lounge on your next trip through JFK.