A handful of new lounges opened by credit card issuers, including Capital One and American Express, have recently landed at airports across the United States, promising luxurious retreats 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 free massages, while naps are available at Denver International Airport. In addition to amenities, the new lounges offer an atmosphere reminiscent of a luxury hotel lobby, both in interior design and scale, and can accommodate 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 Centurion’s largest lounge, 26,000 square feet at Hartsfield-Jackson, bringing total number of its salons. in the United States by 14.
Generally, there are three types of airport lounges available to travelers: airline; common areas not limited to one airline or frequent flyer status (think Priority Pass). and credit card lounges. Many operate 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 in major airports across the country, with plans to unveil a handful more in the coming years.
The proliferation is due in part to the changing demographics and travel patterns of today’s passengers. This year could set a record for the number of air travelers, with around 4.7 billion people expected to fly worldwide. According to a survey published last May by polling firm Morning Consult, younger travelers are more likely than older generations to book travel with credit card rewards programs, and those in the Gen Z age group in particular have shown a declining loyalty to airlines. frequent flyer programs.
While credit card companies saw opportunities to expand brand awareness with lounges, the facilities also provide additional benefits to card members who pay hundreds of dollars in annual membership fees. 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.
Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club
Domestic Locations: John F. Kennedy Airport Terminal 4, La Guardia Airport Terminal B, Boston Logan International Airport by Gate B40.
Upcoming locations: San Diego International Airport, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport 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 who do not have these cards but have 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 cost.
What’s on offer: Local draft beers and coffee, menus designed by local restaurants, private bathrooms with showers and, in La Guardia Airport’s 16,200 square feet spread over two floors, three suites with caviar service that can be reserved up to 72 hours in advance. flight ($2,200 to book).
American Express Centurion
Domestic 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, Airport La Guardia , 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 SkyMiles Reserve Card or Delta Business Reserve Card. Details vary by card. Free guest access is subject to credit card use. American Express Platinum and Business Platinum Cardmembers who spend $75,000 or more annually can bring up to two guests for free per visit.
What’s on offer: A whiskey bar, phone booths and workstations, wellness rooms, food from local celebrity chefs, complimentary massages, game rooms and wine tastings
Capital One
Domestic Locations: Dallas-Fort Worth Airport Terminal D, Denver Airport Concourse A, Dulles International Airport Central Terminal.
Upcoming locations: Harry Reid International Airport.
Travelers welcome: Venture X and Venture X Business cardholders who can bring up to two guests per visit. Additional guests are $45. All other travelers can pay $65 per visit to enter.
What’s on offer: Gym with Peloton bikes, showers, shower suites, small plate and food options, luggage lockers, coffee bar.
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