At long last, Chase is getting in the airport lounge business: The bank behind the ultra-popular Chase Sapphire Preferred Card and Chase Sapphire Reserve is working on its first Chase Sapphire Lounge in Boston (BOS).
The Points Guy was the first to report that Chase has been approved to build out a 12,000-square foot lounge in the Boston airport's connector between terminals B and C, which is currently under construction. And more locations could be on the way: A Chase official confirmed Sapphire Lounges are in the works, promising to “bring a fresh approach to the lounge experience with locations to be announced in select markets over time.”
There are no firm details or opening date for the Boston location yet, but documents filed with the Massachusetts Port Authority show Chase could start working on its lounge as soon as early 2022. The proposal calls for a space with bar and dining service, showers, rest and wellness areas, a business lounge, and even a concierge. The lounge will be operated for Chase by Airport Dimensions, the company behind The Club lounges in Las Vegas (LAS), Orlando (MCO), and other airports.
Exactly who can get into these new lounges remains unclear. The documents reference both Chase Sapphire cardholders and Priority Pass members, plus day passes. Does that mean everyday travelers can buy their way in? Will access be restricted to cardholders with the Chase Sapphire Reserve? Or can you get in with the Preferred Card, too?
One thing is clear: As travel bounces back, the lounge wars are on. Banks see exclusive lounges as a way to build long-lasting relationships with travelers and bring in new customers. And while Chase and its Ultimate Rewards points are titans in the travel, the company has to do some catch-up on the lounge front.
American Express has led the way with its outstanding Amex Centurion Lounges, with 14 locations and counting that blow almost any other lounge in the U.S. out of the water. Even through the pandemic, they've doubled down on Centurion Lounges with fantastic new spaces in New York City (JFK) and Denver (DEN) while expanding many existing lounges.
Read more: Amex Doubled Down on Centurion Lounges During COVID-19, What’s Next?
In April, Capital One firmed up its plans for its first-ever airport lounges: A space in Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) opening later this year and a location in Washington, D.C.-Dulles (IAD) coming in 2022.
Here's a clear sign the lounge wars are heating up: All three companies (Chase, American Express, and Capital One) bidded for the new Boston space. Chase's proposal won the day.
Bottom Line
Chase's first-ever exclusive airport lounge is coming to Boston. And by the sounds of it, that's just the first location Chase has finalized as it looks to build out a series of Sapphire Lounges.
As travel rebounds, credit card companies are eager to woo back travelers with comfortable, exclusive spaces to relax before their flight. We're excited to see what's in store for Chase's lounges – and how its competitors respond.