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Chase is opening an interesting new lounge at JFK — here's what we know

Jan. 16, 2024
3 min read
Chase Sapphire Lounge LaGuardia LGA
Chase is opening an interesting new lounge at JFK — here's what we know
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Chase's airport lounge network is expanding with the addition of an outpost in one of the nation's busiest airports.

The issuer shared on Tuesday that it would open a "new" lounge in New York's John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK).

The Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club in JFK will open on Tuesday, Jan. 23, and it'll be in Terminal 4, home to Delta and a variety of other international carriers, such as Aeromexico and Singapore Airlines.

ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY

Unlike the three other Sapphire Lounges (Hong Kong, Boston and LaGuardia) that were specially built by Chase, the one in JFK will be different.

That's because Chase is teaming up with Etihad Airways to jointly operate this lounge. It wasn't immediately clear how the arrangement would work, but Chase's JFK location will occupy the space of the former Etihad Airways lounge at JFK. (Etihad's lounge has been closed since the beginning of the pandemic, so this will mark the outpost's first reopening since then.)

It will be past security in the mezzanine level above Gate A2 and adjacent to the two-story Amex Centurion Lounge.

the entrance to an American Express Centurion Lounge
ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY

No other details were shared about the upcoming JFK location, but TPG will be there with first-look coverage when the lounge opens.

In recent years, Chase has been aggressive about quickly building out a network of lounges that cardholders will want to visit. This includes opening three new outposts, debuting a terrace in Austin and sharing concrete plans to open four more lounges across the country in Phoenix, Las Vegas, San Diego and Philadelphia.

Expanding the Sapphire Lounge network comes as Amex, Chase and Capital One are now in a race to woo premium cardholders with fancy airport lounges.

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Amex is the incumbent in the market with its expansive Centurion Lounge network that will continue growing with the addition of outposts in Atlanta and Washington, D.C., later this year.

Meanwhile, Capital One debuted its first lounge in Dallas/Fort Worth in 2021 and has since opened locations in Denver International Airport (DEN)

and the Washington D.C. area's Dulles International Airport (IAD). The issuer plans new "landings" — food-focused outposts — in New York and Washington, D.C., as well.

As the competition intensifies, it will be interesting to see how the airport lounge wars evolve. The real winner in all of this, however, is the cardholder, who will enjoy newer, nicer and larger spaces than ever before.

Related reading:

Featured image by ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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  • Annual Fee is $325.
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Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants
TPG Editor‘s Rating
4 / 5
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Rewards Rate

4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
3XEarn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
2XEarn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
1XEarn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.
  • Annual Fee

    $325
  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.