Complimentary airport lounge access might seem like a luxury reserved for business or first-class travelers, but it’s not!
You can enjoy a relaxing, comfortable lounge experience without breaking the bank.
In this post, I’ll share my experience accessing the Chase Sapphire Lounge at LaGuardia Airport for free! You’ll learn about what it takes to get in and what you can expect once you’re inside.
And if you’re looking for more info on how to get complimentary airport lounge access with credit cards, I’ve got you covered in this comprehensive guide.
Let’s dive in!
How to Access the Lounge for Free
Suppose you’re the primary cardholder or authorized user for the Chase Sapphire Reserve® or J.P. Morgan Reserve card. In that case, you’ll get unlimited complimentary access to the Chase Sapphire Lounge for you and 2 guests.
If you want to bring in more than 2 guests there will be a fee.
Alternatively, you’d also get unlimited guests if you can gain access via the Ritz-Carlton Credit Card (not available for new applicants).
The information for the Ritz-Carlton Credit Card and J.P. Morgan Reserve card has been collected independently by Traveling Franklins. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The lounge is managed by “The Club” so you’ll need to activate your free Priority Pass membership and use that to gain access to the lounge.
Just having your credit card won’t work.
Access with Priority Pass
If you have a Priority Pass or Lounge Key membership, you can get one complimentary visit per calendar year for yourself. You cannot bring in complimentary guests, but you may be able to pay a fee to get them in.
Read below for more details.
Can you get free lounge access another way?
Yes! When we accessed the Chase Sapphire Lounge for the first time, we did not access it with a premium Chase credit card.
Thanks to the complimentary Priority Pass membership offered by our Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, we get one complimentary entry per calendar year.
The catch is that we cannot bring in complimentary guests and there were 3 of us.
Luckily, The Venture X also offers up to 4 free authorized users and each user can get their own separate Priority Pass membership.
So weeks before our trip, my husband (the primary cardholder) added my mom as an authorized user. We waited for her credit card to arrive and then signed her up for her own complimentary Priority Pass account.
She had her Priority Pass membership card via the mobile app ready for scanning once we arrived at the Chase Sapphire Lounge.
When my husband originally got the card, I was added as an authorized user so I had already set up my own separate Priority Pass account.
Each person must have their own separate Priority Pass account.
It’s not enough to just have the credit card with their name on it. They need to activate the Priority Pass account before arriving at the lounge.
Note: Priority Pass and LoungeKey members can access a Chase Sapphire Lounge once per calendar year, with the option to pay a fee for guests. While we used the Venture X for this visit, you can also use a Priority Pass or LoungeKey membership from other cards or a paid membership to access the Chase Sapphire lounge.
Access with Capital One Venture X
We used our Priority Pass membership activated with the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card to get our one complimentary entry per calendar year, but you cannot bring in complimentary guests.
We got around this by taking advantage of the (up to 4) free authorized users offered with the Venture X.
Important Note: Only add trusted friends or family as authorized users.
Location
The Chase Sapphire Lounge LGA is located at Terminal B in the central airside area.
It’s kinda tucked into a corner, so keep an eye out for what looks like it should be the entrance to the bathroom.
If you find yourself at the Eastern Concourse pedestrian bridge, you’ve gone too far.
Above the entranceway is a sign for the Chase Sapphire Lounge.
There may be an attendant standing in the doorway to ask you if you’re in the right place and if you have a valid same-day boarding pass.
When we came across the entrance to the hallway, there was no one there so we just followed the hallway to the elevators.
Once you get off the elevator, you walk to the right and down the hallway and you’ll be greeted by a frosted sliding glass door and you’re there!
What if my flight isn’t out of Terminal B?
If you’re not flying out of Terminal B, then there’s a good chance that you won’t be able to access the lounge without having to re-clear security.
Our flight was out of terminal B so we had no issues, but it’s just something to keep in mind when you’re making plans to visit the lounge.
Check-in Process
I had heard mixed reviews about the wait times at Chase Sapphire Lounges, but thankfully, our experience was smooth sailing.
A key part of my budget travel strategy is flying during off-peak times.
For this trip, we flew just after New Year’s, when most holiday crowds had already cleared out. This timing worked out well for us.
When we arrived at the lounge, there was no line at check-in, and although there were several other passengers, there were still plenty of seats available.
We had our digital Priority Passes ready to scan on our phones, along with our same-day boarding passes.
The check-in process was quick and easy since we each had our own individual Priority Pass account ready to go. The staff member even commented on how smoothly it went—definitely a perk of doing your research ahead of time!
Something to Remember: Like us, if you don’t have one of the Chase premium credit cards (like the Sapphire Reserve or Sapphire Preferred), you won’t be able to bring in guests and will only have access once per calendar year with your Priority Pass membership.
This can be confusing if you’re used to bringing guests into other lounges with your Priority Pass. Be sure to check the details of your card benefits to avoid surprises.
That’s what we did since we had our Priority Pass through Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.
Food & Beverage Service
Not only does the Chase Sapphire Lounge offer a buffet with small bites, but they also provide a table service menu accessible via a QR code at your seat. Be sure to use the QR code at your specific table, as orders can be delivered to the wrong spot if not.
The menu featured hot items like a burger, salmon, and risotto, all delivered right to your table. Additionally, the full bar was available for delivery, and while I wasn’t in the mood for alcohol, I was thrilled to see non-alcoholic versions of many of the cocktails I wanted to try. They were delicious!
The staff was incredibly accommodating, even offering to bring drinks or food from the buffet if you hadn’t ordered through the app.
Lounge Features and Comfort
In addition to the beautiful décor and comfy seating, the lounge offers plenty of restrooms and a nursing room for added convenience.
I loved the second level, which features more seating and a beverage station, so you don’t have to go downstairs for a coffee.
The lounge also has a wellness area, including two relaxation spaces and two facial treatment rooms. You can make a reservation upon arrival by scanning the same QR code used to order food, with a selection of five different types of facials.
I didn’t realize this until later in our visit, and by then, all the available timeslots were booked up until after our flight.
I’ve heard that even if you can’t grab an appointment you should still visit the wellness area to grab a complimentary skincare travel kit!
Kid’s Options?
Yes, The family area features a children’s playroom and a photo booth that leads to a hidden speakeasy-style retro arcade.
Who It’s Best For
Leisure Travel and Families – We were traveling for leisure, and the lounge was perfect for our needs.
I loved the variety of seating options — there were dining tables, stand-alone chairs with small tables, couches, and seating at the bar.
The kids’ lounge and arcade were great for families with younger children and teenagers, adding a fun touch.
The lounge was ideal for working, too, with no time limit at the tables. However, if you’re looking for a quiet space to take a conference call, this lounge might not be the best option.
It’s more focused on relaxation and socializing. If you do need a private space, you can rent one of the Reserve Suites, though It would come at a pretty penny.
Final Thoughts
The Chase Sapphire Lounge at LGA Airport exceeded my expectations and stands out as one of the most comfortable and well-appointed lounges I’ve visited—right up there with Capital One’s Flagship Lounge at DFW.
The seating options were plentiful and cozy, and the amenities were top-notch. The food and beverages were delicious, especially considering they’re all included with access.
Plus, if you’re traveling with kids, the play area and arcade are a great touch!
From everything I’ve heard about the other Chase Sapphire Lounges, they live up to the same high standards.
Adding my mom and me as authorized users on the Venture X was absolutely worth it.
If I knew for sure that we’d be able to experience Chase Sapphire Lounges around the world, I’d seriously consider upgrading to the Chase Sapphire Reserve for even more lounge access throughout the year.
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