I visited the Chase Sapphire Lounge at New York LaGuardia recently. I hadn’t been to this one before, though I’d certainly read the hype. Since there’s no non-stop flights allowed (except on Saturdays) between LaGuardia and my home in Austin, I only wind up using the airport when coming or going to and from somewhere else. I wind up at JFK far more often, which is a shame.
The lounge is located in the Central Temrinal (Terminal B) after security on the east side of the main hall, towards the entrance to gates 41-59. It’s open daily from 4:30 a.m. until 9:30 p.m. It’s huge at around 22,000 square feet.
The entrance is beside the American Express Centurion lounge but then involves walking down a long hallway and taking an elevator.
Food
Food is available via buffet and also delivered to order via QR code. There are local items like the salmon sandwich, and Sapphire lounge staples like the burger and noodles.
People generally praise the food at the LaGuardia Sapphire Lounge. I find it exceptionally mid. The burger isn’t great – the meat itself could be better. The salmon for the salmon sandwich was dry, and the bun came out hard. That shouldn’t be the case when you’re ordering food on demand, although I realize the food is all pre-prepped to deliver quickly. The meat over rice on the buffet was dry, too (so was the rice). I took a few bites of everything, finished nothing.
Is it odd to say that while I really enjoy the design of this lounge, and prefer it overall to the Centurion lounge next door (including the bar and cocktails), that I think the Centurion lounge’s food is probably a little better, which is faint praise.
The Facility
Overall I love the aesthetic and size of this lounge. It’s probably my second favorite Chase lounge behind Philadelphia. That probably puts San Diego at number three and Boston at number four.
What’s striking about the space is the design, which is upscale and modern with a variety of different zones and furniture types which are quite comfortable. Situated on two levels, the lounge is quite dramatic. But it has no windows (it’s below ground) and no natural light.
The lounge has private suites available for 4-8 people, with caviar service and private bathroom and shower and a dedicated suite attendant, for an insane $2,200 – $3,000. I did not review that!
The lounge features quiet rooms, a spa with 30 minute facials, rest pods, a kids play area and a game room.
Access
Access is available to Chase Sapphire Reserve and JP Morgan Reserve cardholders along with two guests each, up to three hours prior to departure. Ritz Carlton cardmembers receive unlimited guests.
It remains so strange to me that the Ritz card offers better benefits than the JP Morgan card offered to the bank’s private bank clients ($5m+ on deposit), but that card really is just a different design version of Sapphire Reserve plus complimentary United Club.
They ask to see your credit card and your boarding pass. When Chase lounges first opened they wanted your Priority Pass that comes with the card.
Priority Pass cards issued outside of Chase come with one free visit per year to a Chase Sapphire lounge. Guests, or additional visits, cost $75.
Chase Sapphire Lounge New York LaGuardia Overall
The atmosphere in this lounge is better than at the Centurion Lounge next door. The space is beautiful and comfortable, and upstairs seating quiet. You may not even notice the lack of natural light because the space is so gorgeous.
Order up a cocktail, sit at the bar, in a quiet spot, or by the fireplace. Head to the gameroom with friends. Book a facial using a QR code that’s ubiquitous throughout the lounge. And see whether you agree with the majority opinion that the food is spectacular, or with me that it’s a bit of a disappointment.
A little focus on quality control – keeping the buffet fresh, and properly cooking the burger and the bun for the salmon sandwich – would make a huge difference. But that’s fixable, and would make this place really fantastic.
I’m really looking forward to the opening of the nearby Capital One Landing this year, given how good their food is at National airport in D.C.
The Sapphire lounge at LGA is my current favorite (at Terminal B); of course, the expanded new SkyClub at Terminal C is best there. The food is generally great at Sapphire. And I beg to differ on your review of the salmon. Maybe you got a bad plate, but, other than the burger, the fish is my go-to there, and it’s usually moist and with delicious lemon-y sauce. The apple crumble is an awesome dessert, too, if you’re into that. The wait usually isn’t too long, and if there is one, for CSR holders, they give you cards to access the Air Canada lounge, or you can go to Centurion next door (if you have access). With the new Capital One opening soon, Terminal B, specifically, (and the new LGA, generally) is an embarrassment of riches. So many options. Go early. Stay all day. Bah!
The fish itself was fine – it’s the bun for the salmon that was inedible.
“exceptionally mid” is correct.
It’s surprised me every time. They nail so many details, but the food is… fine. The food certainly sounds and looks better than it actually is.
@Gary Leff — Ohh, there’s also a salmon burger… Got it. Try the filet next time. It’s much better.
@R T — With all the ‘mid’ commentary, I recall Immortan Joe’s iconic line: “…mediocre.”
Agree it’s mid. However the size and features (available seats) will allow me to use this product any day over an Amex lounge. Btw I find the burgers and salmon way better in BOS.