Several new lounges opened by credit card issuers, including Capital One and American Express, have recently landed in airports across the United States, promising cozy havens for select travelers waiting for their flights. . At La Guardia Airport, caviar service will be available for pre-order. At Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, travelers can get complimentary massages, and at Denver International Airport, there are nap pods. In addition to amenities, the new lounges provide an ambience reminiscent of a luxury hotel lobby, both in interior design and scale, and fit several hundred people at a time.
“The lounges have definitely gotten busier, so we’ve expanded our footprint,” said Audrey Hendley, president of American Express Travel, which in February opened it largest Centurion lounge, in 26,000 square feet at Hartsfield-Jacksonbringing the total number of lounges in the United States to 14.
Generally, there are three types of airport lounges available to travelers: operated by the airline; shared-use spaces not limited to an airline or frequent flier status (think Priority Pass); and credit card lounges. Many are run in partnership with lounge development companies.
For more than a decade, American Express was the only credit card issuer with lounges in the United States. That changed last year, when Chase Sapphire and Capital One opened locations at major airports across the country, with plans to unveil more in the coming years.
The proliferation is driven in part by the changing demographics and travel patterns of today’s fliers. This year could set a record for the number of air travelers, with an estimated 4.7 billion people expected to fly worldwide. According to a survey published in May by polling firm Morning Consult, younger travelers are more inclined than older generations to book travel using credit card loyalty programs, and those in the Gen Z age group, in particular, signaled a decrease in loyalty in airline frequent flier programs.
While credit card companies have seen opportunities to expand their brand awareness in the lounges, the facilities also provide additional benefits to card members who pay hundreds of dollars in annual fees. membership. Card fees range from $395 a year for a Capital One Venture X to $695 for an American Express Platinum.
Here are the latest highlights of new credit card lounges from around the country.
The Club’s Chase Sapphire Lounge
Local locations: John F. Kennedy Airport Terminal 4, La Guardia Airport Terminal B, Boston Logan International Airport via Gate B40.
Upcoming locations: San Diego International Airport, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas and Philadelphia International Airport.
Who can use: Travelers with Chase Sapphire Reserve, JP Morgan Reserve or Ritz-Carlton credit cards who have activated their Priority Pass memberships. Those without these cards but with Priority Pass can enter once a year. Chase Sapphire Reserve and JP Morgan Reserve cardholders can bring up to two guests per visit for free, and additional guests cost $27. Ritz-Carlton cardholders can bring unlimited guests at no extra charge.
What’s on offer: Locally produced draft beers and coffees, menus designed by local restaurants, private bathrooms with showers and, in La Guardia Airport’s 16,200-square-foot space spanning two floors, three caviar suites service that can be reserved up to 72 hours before the flight ($2,200 to book).
American Express Centurion
Local locations: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Charlotte Douglas International Airport, Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, Denver International Airport, George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Los Angeles International Airport, Harry Reid International Airport, Miami International Airport, Kennedy Airport, La Guardia Airport , Philadelphia Airport, Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, San Francisco International Airport, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
Upcoming locations: Reagan National Airport later this year, Newark Liberty International Airport in 2026.
Who can use: Eligible American Express cardholders, and holders of Delta’s SkyMiles Reserve Card or Reserve Business Card; details vary card based. Complimentary guest access depending on the credit card use; American Express Platinum and Business Platinum Card Members who spend $75,000 or more in a year can bring up to two guests for free per visit.
What’s on offer: A whiskey bar, phone booth and work station, wellness room, meals by local celebrity chefs, complimentary massages, game room and wine tastings
Capital One
Local locations: Terminal D of Dallas-Fort Worth Airport, Concourse A of Denver Airport, the Main Terminal of Dulles International Airport.
Upcoming locations: Harry Reid International Airport.
Accepted travelers: Venture X and Venture X Business cardholders, who can bring up to two guests per visit. Additional guests cost $45. All other travelers may pay $65 per visit to enter.
What’s on offer: A fitness room with Peloton bikes, nap pods, shower suite, small plate dining options and grab-and-go food, luggage lockers, coffee bar.
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