During a trip to New York last year, I stopped by the Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club with Etihad Airways (that name will never not be a mouthful) at JFK Terminal 4. My visit to the Chase lounge was actually just a few weeks after its opening, but it was already an extremely popular lounge then. Crowding aside, it was a very nice experience. The food options were varied with good quality, there’s a fantastic bar, and service was excellent. JFK T4 is where Singapore Airlines operates from, and the Chase Sapphire lounge is a far better lounge option that what Singapore Airlines offers most of its passengers. I was very satisfied that I made time to stop by the Chase Sapphire Lounge at JFK T4 before my flight back to Singapore.
Location & Access
The Chase Sapphire Lounge is located at Level 4, the same level as check-in and TSA screening. Immediately after clearing TSA, take a left and walk pretty much all the way to the end. The Chase Lounge is located beside the AMEX Centurion Lounge. The entrance to the lounge is impossible to miss, neither is the queue to enter the lounge.
Entry to the Chase Sapphire Lounge JFK T4 is given to Chase Sapphire Reserve, J.P. Morgan Reserve and The Ritz Carltonâ„¢ Credit Card cardmembers, using their Priority Pass Select membership. As the lounge is part of the Priority Pass network, Priority Pass members through other means can also get access. However, such Priority Pass members are limited to one visit per calendar year to any US Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club. i.e. having used my Priority Pass membership from my one of Singapore credit cards to visit the JFK Chase Lounge in 2024, I could not visit any US Chase lounges again in 2024.
As this lounge is operated “with Etihad Airways”, premium cabin and status passengers on Etihad flights are also able to access the lounge.
Because of the crowding issues, “regular” Priority Pass members may find themselves unable to enter the lounge. In fact on my visit before catching SQ23, I was first greeted by a queue and this sign:
However, I went along with the queue and upon enquiring at the lounge reception, was told I could get on a waiting list. I gave them my Singapore phone number, which they had no problems accepting, and around 25 minutes later I received a text message that I could return to the lounge. Not a bad wait at all. Once back at the lounge, the very friendly and helpful staff scanned my Priority Pass digital card and into the lounge I went.
The Lounge
The space
The lounge has a wide variety of seating options, starting with the centrepiece sofa just after entering the lounge. Surrounding the lounge were various sets of low chairs and tables, plus some booth seating.
Back towards the entrance, there was a semi-hidden narrow space which had seating for pairs. I’m not sure if it’s meant to be quieter, more private space, but when the lounge is jam packed the space actually felt a little cramped to me.
Past the bar, there were a few window-facing chairs that could also be swivelled to talk to a companion or face away from the window instead.
Near the buffet area were seating areas set up for dining, with dining tables at a proper height.
Deeper into the lounge, there was a space set up like a living room complete with an electric fireplace. At the deepest section of the lounge were two work desks.
When the lounge was quieter later into the night, it was a comfortable and pleasant space. When it was packed, it felt cramped. That said, the staff did a great job monitoring the crowd levels so it wasn’t impossible to find a seat. There’s plenty of different seating options for all group sizes. The heavy use of wood and lighter colours in the decor does help give a brighter, more airy feeling. The light colours are contrasted well with splash of darker shades like the occasional orange or red chair. I can imagine in the daytime with natural light pouring in, the lounge ambience would be even better. Overall, a pleasant lounge to relax in when the crowd level isn’t at maximum.
Food & beverage
The Chase Sapphire Lounge at JFK T4 offers a decent selection of food. During my visit, there was both a small buffet of hot and cold items, as well as items made to order. The made to order items could be ordered through a QR code. Here’s the food menu during my visit:
Everything at the buffet was nicely presented in individual small plates. With an 18h flight ahead of me, I didn’t eat too much, and didn’t order from the ala carte section. I did have a little chicken tagine and braised beef, both were decent quality.
Soft drinks, coffee and tea were self-service, while alcohol was available at the well-stocked bar. There was a cocktail menu, and I couldn’t resist sampling a couple of drinks although I usually avoid alcohol just before flying. somehow I forgot to take a photo of the bar itself.
The food and drink on offer was definitely a step up from your average US airline lounge. I would say it’s still a slight step down from a Polaris lounge in my opinion (such as the LAX Polaris lounge), but given it’s technically mainly a credit card/Priority Pass lounge, what was on offer was good enough that I didn’t feel shortchanged burning a visit here. The excellent bar and alcohol on offer was certainly a major highlight.
Facilities
The main reason I opted for the Chase Sapphire Lounge JFK T4 before my Singapore Airlines SQ23 flight was the shower. The other lounge options SQ gives its business class and non-Solitaire PPS status passengers, namely the Air India and HelloSky (previously Primeclass) lounges, lack showers and honestly not great spaces overall.
When I was first admitted to the lounge, I had requested for use of the shower. There’s an online booking system as well, but the gentleman at the front desk was able to get me in the queue and offered to find me when it was my turn. That’s great service, and he did indeed come looking for me when I was next in line for the shower.
Oddly, the lock for the shower room was spoilt despite the lounge having been in operation for only a few weeks at that point. The shower room is located down its own corridor, and the door to that bigger space could be locked, so there was no issue of anyone walking by while I was showering. The toiletries were from Brooklyn-based Apotheke. Both water pressure and temperature were good, but the lack of a divider separating the shower from the rest of the room meant water could end up everywhere.
Conclusion
The Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club with Etihad Airways at JFK T4 is great lounge by usual US standards, if one can get into the lounge. I was very satisfied with the quality of the F&B and service. It’s been almost a year since my visit, so I hope the standards have held up since. It’s not the biggest and can get really crowded, but I felt it was definitely worth my visit.