Read my updated August 2024 post here!
The Chase Sapphire Lounge in JFK’s Terminal 4 opened its doors in January 2024. I was very excited about this, as JFK Terminal 4 is a frequent terminal of ours, plus I had really been wanting to visit a Chase lounge! This timed up nicely with our recent flight from JFK to Nairobi, Kenya for a safari! In brief, the lounge was very, very nice. Tied with the American Express Centurion and Virgin Clubhouse for best lounge in Terminal 4. Good food, fantastic drinks, and nice service. My only complaints are that its small (and I hear often has a wait to enter) and far from many gates in Terminal 4.
Lions on our safari after we reached Kenya.
LOCATING THE CHASE SAPPHIRE LOUNGE AT JFK
The Chase Sapphire Lounge is located on the second floor of JFK’s Terminal 4, just after security right next to the American Express Centurion Lounge. This used to be the JFK Etihad Lounge – its now jointly operated by Chase and Etihad.
To reach the lounge, proceed through security and go left (with your back to security) for 3 minutes. You can’t miss it. Note that you will need to descend one level to reach Terminal 4’s gates.
ACCESSING THE CHASE SAPPHIRE LOUNGE AT JFK
Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders receive complimentary access and may bring in two guests per visit. To enter, I was asked for either my Chase Sapphire Reserve card OR the associated Priority Pass (free with the card). I used my Chase Sapphire Reserve and did not show my Priority Pass card. I have read conflicting information on this, though. Best to have both on hand. Once I showed my card and my husband’s and my boarding cards, we entered the lounge.
The entrance to the Chase Sapphire Lounge at JFK. Despite the appearance of a line, there was no wait.
Priority Pass members who do not have Priority Pass via the Chase Sapphire Reserve can enter one Chase Sapphire Reserve lounge per year for free. Additional visits cost $75 USD.
I would also note that while we entered without a wait, I have heard stories of long wait times and my friend who was there 2 weeks ago had to wait an hour. The good news is that its a digital waitlist and the lounge texted her when she could enter.
THE CHASE SAPPHIRE SPACE AT JFK
As mentioned, Chase Sapphire Reserve took over the former Etihad lounge at JFK. As such, unlike other Chase Sapphire lounges, the JFK outpost was not “built from scratch” and as a result, its rumored to be the least nice on in the country (booooo). That being said, while small, this is still a pretty lounge and quite nice, especially compared to some of the other Priority Pass options at JFK (i.e., the KAL lounge, the Primeclass lounge in Terminal 4 (T1 is much nicer), and the old Wingtips).
An interesting little room in the Chase lounge.
Once entering the lounge, the lounge is a long rectangle shape and right in the center is a really beautiful bar (I unfortunately neglected to take a good photograph)! Guests can sit at the bar, and it was packed during our visit. I would have preferred to sit at the bar, but nothing opened up.
From the lounge, various types of tables, chairs, and couches comprise the bulk of the space. Some of these are cafeteria style for eating, while others are more living-room style seating for comfort. The lounge is decorated nicely, with green plants and modern accents that reminded of something West Elm would design.
Chairs and plane views.
The table decor was really giving West Elm vibes.
Floor to ceiling windows line one wall with views of planes. Not great views, but views. These views are similar to that in JFK’s old Wingtips lounge. Hello nostaglia.
The windows are nice.
The far end of the lounge consists of a cafe area, with a buffet of hot and cold plates, a coffee bar, a small dessert bar, and fridges with various non-alcoholic beverages. All in, a nice modern set up, but it was very crowded (and we were not flying on a particularly busy travel day).
Cafeteria seating area.
The far end of the lounge contains a small fireplace, which is more for looks than heat LOL. Restrooms and showers are located behind the cafe area, a bit hidden away (I had to ask).
A swanky little fireplace.
THE FOOD AT THE JFK CHASE SAPPHIRE LOUNGE
Food is offered in two forms at the JFK Chase Sapphire Lounge. First, a small buffet is set up offering both hot and cold small plates. Guests can walk up and take whatever they desire. On our visit, which coincided with the switch over from breakfast to lunch, on offer were small plates of hummus with naan (naan looked not the best), beef and chicken tajine, a green salad, small bowl of cheese, and a couple other small plates. This was very reminiscent of how the Centurion lounges offers food.
Aragula salad. These looked tasty.
Bites of cheese and pesto. These also looked good.
Hummus bowls with tomatoes and olives. Can’t go wrong.
The naan. This looked a little odd.
Tajines. These were served hot and brought out frequently. They looked tasty but I didn’t try one.
Aside from the buffet, guests can also order hot food from a QR code displayed in the seating areas (like the Virgin Clubhouse lounge at JFK!). All of this is included – a great deal at pricey JFK. On our visit, once lunch switched over (at 11 AM I believe), the QR menu offered a full menu of lunch food. A picture of some of the menu can be found below. Given that we were getting ready to get on a looong flight, I opted for something I figured I would love, children’s chicken fingers with apple slices, plus a side of french fries, LOL. These were pretty tasty, but the chicken was a bit dry. The fries were very good, as were the apples. The mayonnaise that I asked for with my french fries was excellent.
Kids tendies and fries.
Chicken tenders and apple slices close up.
French fries. These were cooked well.
Dan ordered a standard hamburger that came with french fries. He was happy with his meal and said that it was really tasty.
Dan’s hamburger. They really love the arugula here.
For dessert, the cafe has a few desserts in one corner for guests to take as they wish. During my visit the offerings appeared to be limited to chocolate chip cookies, brownies, and lemon bars. I tried the chocolate chip cooks and they were FANTASTIC. Do not leave without a chocolate chip cookie. DON’T DO IT.
These chocolate chip cookies were beyond IMHO.
The dessert offerings.
If you are not interested in children’s fare or burgers, here are some samples from the made-to-order menu in March 2024 if you are curious. Healthier offerings are certainly available.
A sample from the menu March 2024.
Another sample from the menu March 2024.
THE DRINKS AT THE CAHSE SAPPHIRE LOUNGE AT JFK
In my opinion, the cocktails are truly where the JFK Chase Sapphire Lounge shines. Like most food, cocktails, mocktails, wine, and beer are ordered exclusively from the QR code menu. The menu offers several fancy cocktails, most with creative names tied to New York. We tried several between us and were very pleased with the result. My personal favorite was the Sapphire, which contains ACTUAL GLITTER! I would also note that unlike the Centurion Lounge, there was no limit on the number of beverages one could order, and we over ordered to try several.
The Sapphire. There is real glitter in this drink. This was so good for a free airport lounge.
This was another really beautiful and tasty cocktail. I cannot recall which one.
This is the Concrete Jungle. I loved the name but the cocktail was just booze (which may be appealing to some…).
Also on offer were the usual red wine and sparkling wine.
A sample of drinks from March 2024.
More drinks from March 2024.
And one more from March 2024.
Here are some beer offerings.
Aside from the MTO drinks, the cafe area offers an espresso bar, drip coffee, and fridges filled with soda, juices, etc. There is also a filtered water tap to fill glasses with water. These were all self-service, and the espresso machine was sadly broken during our visit.
The [broken] espresso bar.
One of the drinks fridge.
OTHER AMENITIES AT THE JFK CHASE SAPPHIRE LOUNGE
Besides the food and drink, we did not really take advantage of the lounge’s amenities. The wifi was WFH good and easy to use. I also took a peek at the showers, and they looked clean.
All in, this was a good lounge and a fabulous addition to the JFK Terminal 4 lounge space. I look forward to returning in another season and hope that the wait is not too long.
STEAL OUR LOUNGE
Sapphire Lounge by The Club: JFK Terminal 4. Post-security, to the left of security (with your back to security). Open daily 5:00 AM – 11:00 PM. Complimentary access to cardholders of the Chase Sapphire Reserve and two guests. Priority Pass members without the Chase Sapphire Reserve can visit one Chase Sapphire lounge per year.