Chase Sapphire Reserve Lounge Access: Complete Guide (2026)

Overview

The Chase Sapphire Reserve (CSR) is one of the most popular premium travel credit cards in the United States, and airport lounge access is one of its headline benefits. With a $550 annual fee (offset by a $300 annual travel credit), the CSR includes a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership that unlocks 1,500+ airport lounges worldwide.

Unlike the Amex Platinum, which bundles access to six different lounge networks, the Chase Sapphire Reserve focuses entirely on Priority Pass. This makes it simpler to understand but narrower in scope. You won't get access to Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs, or other Amex-exclusive networks.

That said, Priority Pass is the world's largest independent lounge network, and a Select membership alone is worth $469 per year if purchased directly. Getting it bundled with the CSR -- along with the $300 travel credit, 3x points on travel and dining, and excellent trip protection -- makes this card a strong value for frequent travellers.

Compare all credit cards with lounge access →

Priority Pass Select Access

The core lounge benefit of the Chase Sapphire Reserve is a Priority Pass Select membership, the highest tier in the Priority Pass program. Here's everything you need to know about using it.

How to Enroll in Priority Pass with Chase Sapphire Reserve

Log into your Chase account at chase.com or the Chase mobile app
Navigate to your Sapphire Reserve card benefits
Look for the Priority Pass benefit and click Activate or Enroll
You'll receive a digital Priority Pass card immediately, and a physical card arrives by mail in 7-10 business days
Download the Priority Pass app and log in with your membership credentials

How to Use Priority Pass at the Airport

When you arrive at the airport, finding and entering a Priority Pass lounge is straightforward:

Find a lounge -- Use the Priority Pass app to search for lounges at your airport. The app shows locations, opening hours, amenities, and directions.
Check in at the front desk -- Present your Priority Pass card (digital or physical) along with your same-day boarding pass.
Enjoy the lounge -- Food, drinks, Wi-Fi, and other amenities are included at no additional charge.

Most Priority Pass lounges have no time limit, though some impose a maximum stay of 3-4 hours. The app notes any restrictions for each location.

What Lounges Are in the Priority Pass Network?

Priority Pass includes a wide variety of lounge types:

Independent airport lounges operated by companies like Plaza Premium, No1 Lounges, and Marhaba
Airline partner lounges that accept Priority Pass during off-peak hours
Airport-operated lounges at various international airports
Airport restaurants and cafes (see the restaurant access section below)

The network spans 148 countries and covers virtually every major international airport. Coverage at US domestic airports has improved significantly in recent years, though some smaller regional airports may have limited or no Priority Pass options.

Browse all Priority Pass lounges →

Priority Pass Restaurant Access

One of the most underused benefits of Priority Pass with the Chase Sapphire Reserve is restaurant access. At airports where no Priority Pass lounge is available -- or even when you simply prefer a sit-down meal -- you can use your membership at participating airport restaurants.

How Restaurant Access Works

Present your Priority Pass card at a participating restaurant
You'll receive a dining credit of up to $36 per person (amount varies by location)
The credit covers food and non-alcoholic beverages
If your bill exceeds the credit, you pay the difference
Guests can receive the credit too, but each guest may be charged the standard Priority Pass guest fee

Finding Priority Pass Restaurants

The Priority Pass app clearly marks restaurants alongside lounges. Look for the restaurant icon when searching for locations at your airport. Popular Priority Pass restaurant partners in the US include locations at airports like Houston (IAH), Minneapolis (MSP), Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), and many others.

Pro tip: At some airports, the Priority Pass restaurant credit offers better value than the lounge. A $36 credit at a quality sit-down restaurant can be more enjoyable than a crowded lounge with mediocre food.

Guest Policies

Understanding guest policies is important for planning lounge visits with travel companions.

Chase Sapphire Reserve Priority Pass Guest Rules

You can bring up to 2 guests per visit
Each guest costs $35 per visit, charged to your Chase Sapphire Reserve card
Children count as guests and are charged the same rate
Some lounges may impose their own capacity limits regardless of guest entitlements

Authorized User Benefits

Each authorized user on your Chase Sapphire Reserve account ($75/year per user) receives their own Priority Pass Select membership. This is a significant advantage:

Each authorized user gets unlimited lounge visits independently
They can bring their own guests ($35 each)
They don't need to travel with the primary cardholder
At $75 per year, authorized user Priority Pass access is exceptional value compared to the standalone $469/year membership

Tip: If you and a travel companion visit lounges together even twice per year, adding them as an authorized user ($75) saves money versus paying $35 per guest visit. The break-even point is just over 2 visits.

Chase Sapphire Reserve vs Amex Platinum

The Chase Sapphire Reserve and Amex Platinum are the two most popular premium travel cards for lounge access. Here's how they compare head-to-head:

Feature	Chase Sapphire Reserve	Amex Platinum
Annual Fee	$550	$695
Effective Fee (after travel credit)	$250	$495
Priority Pass	Yes (Select)	Yes (Select)
Centurion Lounges	No	Yes
Delta Sky Clubs	No	Yes (flying Delta)
Plaza Premium	Via Priority Pass only	Direct access + Priority Pass
Escape/Airspace Lounges	No	Yes
Total Lounge Networks	1	6
Priority Pass Guests	$35 each	$35 each
Authorized User Fee	$75/year	$195/year
AU Lounge Access	Priority Pass	Priority Pass, Centurion, Delta Sky Club

When the Chase Sapphire Reserve Wins

Lower cost of entry -- The $550 annual fee minus $300 travel credit means you effectively pay $250 for Priority Pass access plus all the other CSR benefits
Cheaper authorized users -- $75/year vs $195/year per authorized user is a significant saving for families
Better points currency -- Chase Ultimate Rewards points transfer to more airline and hotel partners and are generally considered more flexible than Amex Membership Rewards
Trip delay and cancellation insurance -- The CSR offers some of the best travel insurance in the industry

When the Amex Platinum Wins

More lounge variety -- Access to Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs, Escape, Airspace, and Plaza Premium in addition to Priority Pass
Higher-quality exclusive lounges -- Centurion Lounges are a tier above anything accessible via Priority Pass alone
Better for Delta flyers -- Free Delta Sky Club access when flying Delta is a substantial benefit
More lounge coverage overall -- At airports where Priority Pass options are limited, you may have access to a Centurion Lounge or Delta Sky Club instead

Which Card Should You Choose?

Choose the CSR if you want solid lounge access at the lowest effective cost, prefer Chase points, and don't fly Delta frequently
Choose the Amex Platinum if you want the best possible lounge access, frequently fly Delta, or value the Centurion Lounge experience
Consider both if you travel very frequently -- many serious travellers carry both cards to maximize coverage

Read our full Amex Platinum lounge access guide →

Is Chase Sapphire Reserve Worth It for Lounges?

Let's break down whether the CSR makes financial sense purely for lounge access.

The Math

The Chase Sapphire Reserve costs $550 per year, but includes a $300 annual travel credit that most travellers use easily. That brings the effective annual cost to $250.

A standalone Priority Pass Select membership costs $469 per year. So the CSR saves you $219 versus buying Priority Pass directly -- and you get all the other card benefits on top.

Scenario	Cost Without CSR	Cost With CSR	Savings
Priority Pass membership only	$469/year	$0 (included)	$469
10 lounge visits (day passes at $50)	$500	$0 (included)	$500
CSR effective annual fee	--	$250	--
Net value of lounge access	--	--	$219-$250+

Even at the effective $250 annual cost, you're getting Priority Pass Select plus Chase's industry-leading travel insurance, 3x points on travel and dining, $50/year in hotel credits, and DoorDash credits.

Bottom line: The Chase Sapphire Reserve is one of the most cost-effective ways to get Priority Pass lounge access. If you'd use Priority Pass at least 5 times per year, the lounge benefit alone justifies a significant portion of the card's effective cost.

Tips to Maximize Priority Pass with Chase Sapphire Reserve

Activate Priority Pass immediately -- Don't wait. Enroll through your Chase account as soon as your card arrives so you're ready for your next trip.
Download the Priority Pass app -- The app is essential for finding lounges, checking hours, and using your digital membership card. It also shows real-time information about amenities and capacity.
Don't overlook restaurant credits -- At airports without a good lounge, a $36 dining credit at a Priority Pass restaurant can be more valuable than a mediocre lounge visit.
Add frequent travel companions as authorized users -- At $75 per year, an authorized user with their own Priority Pass membership is far cheaper than paying $35 per guest visit.
Check lounge access before you fly -- Not all Priority Pass lounges are accessible 24/7. Some have restricted hours or blackout periods. Check the app before you arrive at the airport.
Combine with other CSR benefits -- Use the $300 travel credit for flights, the 3x points for dining at the airport, and the lounge for your pre-flight experience. The card's benefits work together.
Know your alternatives at each airport -- Some airports have better Priority Pass lounges than others. If you're connecting through a hub with limited Priority Pass options, check if there's a restaurant credit available instead.
Use the digital card -- The Priority Pass app accepts the digital membership card at most locations, so you don't need to carry the physical card. However, keep the physical card as backup since a few international locations still require it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What airport lounges can I access with Chase Sapphire Reserve?

The Chase Sapphire Reserve includes Priority Pass Select membership, giving you access to 1,500+ airport lounges worldwide. Unlike the Amex Platinum, it does not include Centurion Lounge or Delta Sky Club access. Browse Priority Pass lounges →

Does Chase Sapphire Reserve include Priority Pass?

Yes. The Chase Sapphire Reserve includes a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership with unlimited visits to 1,500+ lounges. You can also access Priority Pass restaurants with up to $36 in credit per person.

Can I bring guests to the lounge with Chase Sapphire Reserve?

Yes. Your Priority Pass Select membership allows you to bring up to 2 guests for $35 each per visit. Some restaurants in the Priority Pass network may cover guests differently.

Is Chase Sapphire Reserve or Amex Platinum better for lounges?

Amex Platinum has more lounge access (Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs, and Priority Pass). Chase Sapphire Reserve only includes Priority Pass. However, the CSR costs $550/year vs $695 for the Platinum and has a $300 travel credit. See our detailed comparison above.

Does Chase Sapphire Reserve give access to Centurion Lounges?

No. Centurion Lounges are exclusive to American Express Platinum, Centurion, and Delta Reserve cardholders. The Chase Sapphire Reserve only provides Priority Pass lounge access.

Can authorized users get Priority Pass with Chase Sapphire Reserve?

Yes. Each authorized user ($75/year) on the Chase Sapphire Reserve gets their own Priority Pass Select membership with the same benefits as the primary cardholder. This is one of the most affordable ways to get a second Priority Pass membership.

Chase Sapphire Reserve Lounge Access: Complete Guide