Midlionnaire

View Original

Chase Sapphire Reserve’s newest perk for NYC travelers: The LGA Sapphire Lounge

Elizabeth Lefever

For NYC travelers, the Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card just got an exciting new perk: the Sapphire Lounge at LaGuardia Airport (LGA). A welcome addition for frequent flyers, the lounge offers a space to relax, recharge, and enjoy premium amenities before your flight. Let’s dive into what makes this lounge special and whether the Chase Sapphire Reserve card is worth it for NYC jet-setters.

Inside the Sapphire Lounge at LGA

The new Sapphire Lounge at LGA is a sophisticated haven for travelers looking to elevate their airport experience. If you have a departing flight from Terminal B, you can now access the lounge 3 hours before check-in. Here are some standout features:

Impeccable vibes: The lounge is sophisticated and modern. With a bold but elegant design, the vibe absolutely delivers. You can almost forget that you’re in an airport. Honestly, it looks so good that you’ll want to level up your travel gear and wardrobe. If you’re looking to refresh, check out our tips to build a travel capsule from Amazon, check out our everyday travel picks, or splurge on high quality luxe travel finds.

Comfortable Seating and Workspaces: With ample seating areas, charging stations, and dedicated workspaces, the lounge is designed for both relaxation and productivity. Whether you’re catching up on emails or just unwinding, the environment is set up to help you make the most of your time at the airport.

Complimentary Food and Beverages: The lounge offers a selection of high-quality food and beverages, including craft cocktails, wines, and locally sourced snacks and meals. Whether you’re craving a morning coffee or a glass of wine before your evening flight, the lounge has you covered. You can help yourself to small plates and desserts, as well as order meals to any seat in the lounge. And in our experience so far, the service is solid and food is delivered very quickly.

Some favorites dishes include the salmon and the Sapphire burger. For cocktails, we loved the Blackburn’s Sour (Zaya Rum with rhum agricole, blackberry, raspberry, acai, ginger, lime and golden pea shoots) and the Viaggiare (Maker’s Mark Bourbon with Amaro Nonino, Darjeeling tea syrup, lemon and foam).

Wellness Amenities: Need to refresh before a flight? The Sapphire Lounge includes shower facilities and wellness amenities, making it perfect for travelers in transit or those coming directly from work. You can even book a nap space or a 15 minute express facial.

High-Speed Wi-Fi and Entertainment Options: You’ll find high-speed Wi-Fi and a variety of entertainment options, ensuring you’re connected and entertained during your stay. Entertainment includes a kids play space, an arcade-style game room, and even a photo booth.

In short, the Sapphire Lounge at LGA offers a premium experience that Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders will appreciate, giving them a reason to arrive early and enjoy some downtime before boarding.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card

The Chase Sapphire Reserve card is known for its generous travel perks, making it a top choice for frequent travelers. Here’s a breakdown of some key benefits that come with the card:

Annual Travel Credit: Cardholders receive a $300 annual travel credit, which can be used toward a variety of travel-related expenses. This credit effectively lowers the cost of the card for those who travel regularly. Plus, every few years you get budget to put towards Global Entry.

Priority Pass Select Membership: The card includes a Priority Pass Select membership, giving you access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide, including the new Sapphire Lounge locations like the one at LGA. For frequent travelers, this perk alone adds significant value. Although we should mention that many of the lounges are lower tier and when they get too crowded, Priority Pass members are the first blocked from entering.

Elevated Rewards on Travel and Dining: With 3x points on travel and dining and 10x points on Chase Dining purchases, the Sapphire Reserve is one of the most rewarding cards for travelers who like to dine out. If you’re a Delta loyalist, you can also boost your points through the Chase Sapphire Reserve.

Points That Go Further: Points earned on the Chase Sapphire Reserve can be redeemed for 1.5x value when booked through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal. This boost allows you to maximize the value of your points for flights, hotels, and car rentals.

Comprehensive Travel Insurance: The card offers extensive travel insurance, including trip cancellation or interruption insurance, primary car rental insurance, and lost luggage reimbursement, which can provide peace of mind when travel plans go awry.

DoorDash and Lyft Benefits: Cardholders enjoy complimentary DashPass (a $10 monthly value) and earn 10x points on Lyft rides through 2025, adding convenience and rewards for everyday services.

Let’s talk about the cost

The Chase Sapphire Reserve has an annual fee of $550, which is among the higher-end fees in the credit card market. However, with perks like the $300 travel credit, lounge access, and elevated points redemption value, frequent travelers can easily offset this fee with regular use of the benefits. But you know that we are all about intentional luxury - we really only recommend this card if you’ll make the most of the travel and dining perks.

For those who travel frequently from NYC, the addition of the Sapphire Lounge at LGA is a major bonus that makes the card even more appealing. This lounge, combined with the Priority Pass access and generous rewards structure, means NYC travelers can maximize their experience at both domestic and international airports.

Final Thoughts: Is the Chase Sapphire Reserve Worth It for NYC Frequent Flyers?

We frequently fly between New York, Miami and London and since Laguardia is our go-to NYC airport, we are thrilled with this additional perk. If you’re an NYC-based frequent flyer who values a premium airport experience, the Chase Sapphire Reserve offers benefits that are hard to beat. The Sapphire Lounge at LGA is a well-designed, luxurious space to unwind before your flight, making airport time far more enjoyable. And with the travel credits, lounge access, and high reward rates on travel and dining, the card’s perks add up quickly for those who travel often.

While the $550 annual fee may seem steep, the card’s extensive benefits and the new Sapphire Lounge experience at LGA make it a solid investment for frequent travelers. If you’re looking to elevate your travel experience and don’t yet have the card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve might be just what you need to make your trips more comfortable and rewarding.

Preparing for your next trip?