Don't call it a lounge, but Chase officially has its first outpost here in the U.S.
On Monday, March 20, the bank will open the doors to what it's calling a “Sapphire Terrace” at Austin (AUS), an indoor-outdoor space at the airport's main terminal. Chase is promising complimentary drinks, grab-and-go food, shuffleboard, giveaways, and more. It's located by Delta's Austin Sky Club near Gate 1, occupying at least part of public outdoor observation deck that opened a few years ago.
Only travelers with the Chase Sapphire Reserve® in their wallets can get in, along with two guests. The Sapphire Terrace is set to open its doors at 10:30 a.m. on March 20, the day after South by Southwest (SXSW) wraps up. After that, it'll be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
Photos of this new Chase location show a small indoor seating area and an expensive outdoor deck, with plenty of chic seating.
Chase has been working feverishly to enter the airport lounge wars by building a network of Chase Sapphire Lounges. But this space in Austin isn't technically part of it – it's a one-off, and it's come together quickly. Records from the city of Austin show Chase applied for a permit for the space back in December.
But Chase's plans for its own, bonafide lounges are much bigger … and much slower to come together. There are plans to open at least nine Chase Sapphire Lounges, including at Boston (BOS), Dallas (DFW), Las Vegas (LAS), New York (LGA), Philadelphia (PHL), Phoenix (PHX), San Diego (SAN), and Washington, D.C. (IAD). To date, just one lounge is open – all the way over in Hong Kong (HKG).
Read more: Everything We Know About Chase Sapphire Airport Lounges
The Sapphire Lounges are run in collaboration with Airport Dimensions, the same group behind “The Club” family of lounges that Priority Pass members can currently access. Much like this Austin Sapphire Terrace, Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders can get into Sapphire Lounges. But so can other Priority Pass members, including those who have access from other cards like The Platinum Card® from American Express or the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.
But this space in Austin (AUS) is going to be different – and likely much smaller. Chase hasn't provided many details about what travelers can expect in Austin, though it's clear it won't be your typical lounge. Given the “Sapphire Terrace” branding, it's probably safe to assume it's mostly an outdoor venue with limited seats and service.
Bottom Line
It's not a Chase Sapphire Lounge, but Chase will soon open its first dedicated outpost in the states for cardholders in Austin, dubbing it a “Sapphire Terrace.”
This indoor-outdoor space is currently set to open on Monday, March 20. And for now, only Chase Sapphire Reserve® cardholders can get in.
All photos courtesy of Chase
During my small stint in permitting i have learned that the application status is incomplete and the application fee still has a balance which means it hasn’t been paid. There is no BP (Building Permit), which usually needs to be approved first before an EP (Electrical Permit) is issued.
Well hope the spacaes are bigger than the Club spaces in DFW which allows 46 in cramped/cracked seating. Maybe they should be called Clubyholes. Seriously why are the Priority Pass Clubs overseas so much better and more abundant than the US.