Lounges

Category Archives for Lounges.

Pre-Opening Look Inside New Austin Airport Chase Sapphire Reserve Terrace

by Gary Leff on March 14, 2023

Mar 14 2023

Last month I broke the news, based on an Austin city permit that Chase would be opening a space in the Austin airport, an indoor-outdoor space next to the Delta Sky Club< which takes over the public outdoor deck. It's opening this month and will offer grab and go food. Chase has shared that the “Sapphire Terrace” will open March 20, and be available to Sapphire Reserve cardmembers departing from Austin (no access on arrival) and offer complimentary local beverages (“like cider from Austin Eastciders and beer from (512) Brewing Company as well as non-alcoholic beverages”). There will be “shuffleboard, a giveaway, and more” and “artwork from Austin artist and muralist Rex Hamilton that’s inspired by the vibrant colors and native flowers of Texas.” Sapphire Reserve cardmembers will be eligible to bring two guests. The…

How Delta Could Have Reduced Crowding, Instead Of Kicking Employees And Customers Out Of Sky Clubs

by Gary Leff on March 11, 2023

Mar 11 2023

Delta has a close collaboration with Starbucks already. American Express has given out Starbucks gift cards occasionally in the past when denying cardmembers access due to lounge crowding. Surely they could team to buy these cards at a big discount, driving business to Starbucks and freeing up lounge space.

A Delta Sky Club Executive membership went up by $650 this year. The airline could allow members paying $1495 back into the lounge when traveling on a basic economy fare. That extra membership cost covers a lot of $8 gift cards purchased for some percentage off of that.

Chase Opening First Exclusive Airport Space For Sapphire Reserve Cardmembers In Austin

by Gary Leff on March 8, 2023

Mar 08 2023

Last month I broke the news, based on an Austin city permit that Chase would be opening a space in the Austin airport. Then I shared further details that it would be an indoor-outdoor space next to the Delta Sky Club taking over the public outdoor deck, opening in March and likely offering grab and go food.

Chase is now offering more details on the space. The “Sapphire Terrace” will open March 20.

American Airlines JFK Flagship First Dining Is Now The Tasting Room

by Gary Leff on February 28, 2023

Feb 28 2023

The old Flagship First Dining space is now part of the Greenwich lounge, re-opened as the Tasting Room to take advantage of the bar there.

Capital One Retains Access To U.S. Virgin Lounges, Despite Management Turnover

by Gary Leff on February 27, 2023

Feb 27 2023

U.S. Virgin Clubhouses won’t be closed for long. They’re downgrading service providers to Sodexo. Eligible Capital One cardmembers still retain access.

4 U.S. Virgin Atlantic Lounges Closing For Refurbishment, With Little Or No Notice

by Gary Leff on February 26, 2023

Feb 26 2023

The San Francisco Clubhouse is already closed. Three Virgin U.S. lounges will temporarily close starting Tuesday, February 28.

Virginia Passed Emergency Legislation To Let Chase, Capital One Lounges Serve Alcohol

by Gary Leff on February 24, 2023

Feb 24 2023

Sometimes the easiest route to serving alcohol in an airport club is just to… change the law. That’s what’s happening in Virginia. And it’s going to get you served in new Capital One spaces at Washington Dulles and National airports, and at the Chase ‘The Club’ collaboration at Dulles.

Virginia’s legislature has passed an ’emergency’ law (i.e., goes into effect right away rather than waiting until July 1), to extend “mixed-beverage carrier licenses to financial institutions, their subsidiaries or contractors.”

It’s (Almost) Time For American Airlines To Raise The Fee For Admirals Club Lounge Membership

by Gary Leff on February 23, 2023

Feb 23 2023

American Airlines seems prepared to raise the price of access to its Admirals Club airport lounges, but this will make sense only if they improve the lounge product. I alluded to this in my explanation of how each of the major U.S. airlines is at a crossroads. Fortunately the lounge product is improving and this will make a higher fee worth it.

Details Of New Chase “Sapphire Experience” At Austin Airport, Opening Next Month

by Gary Leff on February 22, 2023

Feb 22 2023

It appears that Chase is taking over the outdoor deck that had been open to all passengers next to the Delta Sky Club near gate 1 at the East end of the terminal – and could be finished as soon as next month.

Food is “most likely pre-packed grab and go.” and “[w]ord on the street is that it’s a high end local taco spot that will be serving food.”

San Francisco Airport Getting New “The Club” Priority Pass Lounge Near American Airlines, Southwest

by Gary Leff on February 19, 2023

Feb 19 2023

San Francisco is getting a The Club lounge, a brand owned by the same company as Priority Pass. It will be in terminal 1, which serves American Airlines, JetBlue, and Southwest. It will be located airside near security.