I fly dozens of times a year. Chase's new lounges are a game changer — and don't require a first-class ticket.

Taylor RainsAug 31, 2024, 01:13 IST

I love the new Chase-branded lounges at New York's JFK and LaGuardia airports.Taylor Rains/Business Insider<ul class="summary-list"><li>My Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card gives me access to airport lounges around the world.</li><li>Most are part of the Priority Pass network, but new Chase-branded ones have joined the lineup.</li></ul>As an avid traveler who traverses the Atlantic at least a dozen times a year and <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/virgin-atlantic-vs-norse-airways-usa-europe-compared-review-2024-8">flies mostly in economy</a>, one of my biggest comforts is airport lounge access.I have a Priority Pass membership through my <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/credit-cards/best-travel-rewards-credit-cards">Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card</a>. It costs me $550 yearly and provides access to hundreds of lounges worldwide.Many of these offer free food and drinks (including alcohol), while some offer complimentary showers. A rare few also provide beds and <a target="_blank" class href="https://affiliate.insider.com?h=bfc11d7086efcbe251029991ccae6f84a2ab2f6cacdb9857e39e6304e9567ebf&postID=66d0a21071b62b11ae8e0200&postSlug=chase-lounge-jfk-laguardia-nyc-credit-card-review-2024-8&site=bi&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.prioritypass.com%2Flounges%2Fdominican-republic%2Fpunta-cana-international%2Fpuj2-vip-lounge">swimming pools</a>.Most lounges are owned by airlines, requiring a ticket on that specific carrier, or independent service providers with their own membership networks, like <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/credit-cards/how-to-get-priority-pass-for-free">Priority Pass</a>, which many credit cards provide access to.But a new crop of lounges has popped up in recent years sponsored by banks and credit card issuers. American Express leads the pack with its more than two dozen global Centurion Lounge locations, and Chase is <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/chase-sapphire-lounge-nyc-jfk-airport-new-york-2024-1">now opening its own branded airport spaces.</a>I recently visited the <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/credit-cards/chase-sapphire-lounge">Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club</a> locations at New York's John F. Kennedy and LaGuardia airports. I think Chase has created a well-balanced pre-flight experience — and I like that you don't need airline status or a business-class ticket to access it.

There are five Chase locations in the US and one overseas.

I visited the Austin location (pictured) in October 2023, which is exclusive to Reserve cardholders and not in the Priority Pass network.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

I get unlimited access, but there's also the option to pay.

The entrance to the Chase lounge at LaGuardia.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

I was stoked to use both NYC locations for the first time this year.

The first level of Chase's LaGuardia lounge had several rooms to spread out.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

Neither is over-the-top luxurious, but they are cozy with all the needed amenities.

The JFK location was smaller than LGA but it had plenty of seating and cozy corners.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

The LaGuardia lounge is much bigger than Chase's JFK location.

There was no shortage of seating at Chase's LaGuardia lounge.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

I liked the quiet space upstairs at LaGuardia.

The second level of Chase's LaGuardia location.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

LaGuardia's also has an arcade and a kids playroom.

The LaGuardia lounge had a good-sized kids' room (top left) and a retro gaming room (top right and bottom).Taylor Rains/Business Insider

There were plenty of good food and drink options.

The Chase lounges had plenty of meal options at both the LaGuardia (top) and JFK (bottom) locations.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

I enjoyed the a-la-carte meals, too.

The bottom two pictures were at JFK, while the menu and meal in the top photos were at LaGuardia.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

The JFK lounge has free showers.

I didn't find too big of crowds at either lounge during my morning flights. Taylor Rains/Business Insider

Like its sister lounge, Chase at JFK also has a cozy fireplace and a bar.

The JFK location has reflection rooms for added privacy and calmness.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

The JFK location offers the best views.

There was plenty of seating right by the window for a perfect view of the airplanes.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

I'm thrilled to have reliable lounges to look forward to in NYC.

Airport lounge access (the LGA location pictured) is just one of the perks of the Reserve credit card.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

Hopefully Chase can quickly add more locations to better compete with Amex.

Amex's Denver Centurion Lounge. The network has a good reputation, and Amex also offers cardholders Priority Pass membership.Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

My family's been to 44 states by car. It was nice, but now we pick train travel because it's superior in many ways.

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I fly dozens of times a year. Chase's new lounges are a game changer &mdash; and don't require a first-class ticket.