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The Chase Sapphire Reserve® The credit card has some of the best benefits of any credit card on the market. While you probably know about airport lounge access and annual travel credit, one of the biggest benefits isn’t talked about enough: Chase consistently hosts cardholders in member lounges at major events around the world. I have visited several of these lounges and can safely say that Chase sets the gold standard for these member experiences. In fact, they’re a big part of why keeping the card is a no-brainer year after year.
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Introductory bonus
60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of account opening
Annual fee | 550 dollars |
Regular APR | 21.74%–28.74% variable |
What makes Chase salons special
Chase sets up lounges at major events to give cardholders the ultimate experience. These lounges often give patrons free food and drink, and sometimes even something to take home. Chase goes a step further at certain events by offering visitors the chance to meet famous athletes and celebrities.
I’ve used Chase lounges at the PGA Championship, the US Open and the Olympics. I recently visited the Chase Reserve Lounge located on the Seine at the Paris 2024 Olympics and had a great experience. If salons were an Olympic event, Chase would deserve a gold medal.
A taste of the Parisian Olympic salon
The salon was open for the duration of the Olympic Games (July 27 to August 11) and was open every day from 11 a.m. to midnight. Visitors just needed to show their Chase Sapphire Reserve card to access the lounge, as reservations were not required. Each cardholder could bring one guest.
Salon highlights
Immediately upon entering The Visa Lounge for the Chase Sapphire Reserve, I was handed two tokens, one for an alcoholic beverage and one for a free gift. During my several trips to the lounge, I experienced three decks, each with its own bar, signature cocktails, champagne toasts every time an American athlete won a gold medal, passed hors d’oeuvres, and delicious bites. The lounge was centrally located along the Seine in Paris, making it an ideal spot for a quick top-up.
One of my favorite aspects of the Lounge was that I could easily watch the US Olympians on one of the many TVs. During my time in France, it wasn’t always easy to find events featuring American athletes on TV, which made the lounge a fun gathering place for Team USA fans.
The upstairs lounge was my favorite area. Between the outdoor setup, the stunning view of the Eiffel Tower and the Seine, and the ice cream cart, I felt right at home. The patio deck was a great area to cheer on Team USA, enjoy a few signature cocktails and meet other members of the card.
Additional benefits for Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders at the Paris Olympics
Courtesy of Vis, visitors had the opportunity to reserve a spot to meet and greet Olympic legends. The athletes were Michael Phelps, Tony Parker, Aly Raisman, Allyson Felix and Sue Bird.
One of my favorite perks of the Chase Sapphire Reserve was the ability to make lunch reservations at Girafe, an iconic Parisian restaurant, featuring a special menu prepared by Chef Ignacio Mattos and Chef Charles Ducrocq. The a la carte selection featured a collaboration of Mattos’ seasonally inspired menu, which emerged from Estela, a modern American restaurant in New York, and perennial favorites from Girafe’s fresh seafood-focused menu, prepared by chef Charles Ducrocq. Yellowtail sashimi with warm sesame oil and ponzu sauce, seared tuna with black pil-pil and ponzu, linguine with tomatoes and basil, and chocolate cake with whipped cream were delicious, but even more amazing than the delicious food was the view from the outside. seats – a superb unobstructed view of the Eiffel Tower.
US Open Chase Lounge 2024
The US Open Tennis Championships starts on August 26 and runs until September 8 in Flushing, New York, and brings together the best tennis players in the world. Chase is once again hosting two cardholder lounges: The Chase Lounge is located inside the Chase Center just past the East Gate entrance to the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, and the Chase Terrace is located in the grandstand overlooking Courts 8-10. To access the US Open Chase salons, the visitor only has to show any Chase credit card, which means even cards with no annual fee such as Chase Freedom Unlimited® they will take you inside.
I have visited the US Open for the past few years and always enjoy stopping by the Chase Lounge and Chase Terrace. I like to visit the Chase Terrace and have a drink to cool off and sit much more comfortably than the bleachers that are found throughout the tennis center. I reapplied sunscreen and charged my phone on the Chase Terrace, both key components of a successful US Open. If you are attending the US Open, I highly recommend visiting the Chase Lounge and Chase Terrace to make the most of your US Open experience.
Chase Lounge
The Chase Lounge offers patrons respite from the heat with air conditioning, complimentary snacks and soft drinks, a private cash bar, complimentary hats, custom embroidery, complimentary happy hour and moments of live coverage from ESPN. Reservations are mandatory and must be made online (although all reservations are currently taken, you can add yourself to the waiting list).
Chase Terrace
The Chase Terrace, an outdoor space with shaded areas, offers patrons the ability to watch tennis on courts 8 to 10, seating, complimentary snacks and soft drinks, a private cash bar and more. Chase Terrace is a first-come, first-served place and sometimes the line can get quite long, so plan accordingly.
Additional Chase benefits at the US Open and Pier 17 in Manhattan
US Open attendees with a Chase credit card will be able to rent free cell phone chargers to charge your phone and devices throughout the day. Cardholders can also visit the South Plaza Booths which will feature “ATMs” dispensing co-branded gifts and an immersive photo opportunity. And at the Seaport Sapphire Lounge, Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and Reserve cardholders will have access to court dates that can be reserved every day through Ultimate Rewards.
Past Chase Lounge Experiences
To give you an idea of what to expect, here’s a quick rundown of some of the Chase events held over the past few months.
National Live Events 2024
Chase Sapphire Reserve card members have access to purchase premium experiences and ticket packages for Live Nation music festivals, such as Boston Calling, Roots Picnic, Lollapalooza and Ocean’s Calling. Some of these events even have a lounge for Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders that offers perks like free all-day snacks, a hydration station, daily Happy Hours with one free drink and more.
Miami Race Week 2024
Chase Sapphire Reserve Cardmembers attending Race Week had access to the Chase Lounge, which offered attendees access to exclusive experiences throughout the weekend and the ability to purchase event tickets through the Ultimate Rewards platform.
PGA 2024
The Sapphire Reserve Lounge on the grounds of Valhalla Golf Club during the PGA Championship offered cardholders fresh coffee every morning, a cash bar with specialty drinks and signature cocktails from liquor partners, an exclusive premium bar seating with an exclusive patio bar, complimentary beer and wine for First Class a seating area and a more expensive meal based on local food.
Sundance 2024
Chase Sapphire was the presenting sponsor of the 2024 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah for the 14th year. Chase Sapphire in the main house served as the base of operations for Reserve card members and guests visiting Park City during the 2024 Sundance Film Festival.
For advice: Some of the perks I got from my Sapphire Reserve were ones I didn’t expect, like access to the Sapphire Reserve lounge at the Miami F1 race with apps loaded and a full bar, and the EEEEEATS CON Miami special lounge with oysters and cocktails. Adam Frankel: Contributes to Wealth
Chase Sapphire Reserve Card Member Value
I appreciate these lounges and see how a visit to the Chase Lounge can enhance the experience of any event. Between my personal experiences visiting Chase lounges at the PGA Championship, the US Open, and the Olympics, I can’t imagine taking the Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card out of my wallet anytime soon.
If you’re flying to/from New York, don’t forget to check out the Chase lounges: JFK’s Sapphire Lounge by The Club with Etihad Airways and LaGuardia’s Chase Sapphire Lounge in the club.
To take away
Chase continues to put the cardholder experience first, as noted in this quote from Jason Wynn, head of Chase Travel: “Our cardmembers are always looking for unique and special touches to make them feel like VIPs when they travel, and the Visa Lounge for Chase The Sapphire Reserve is the perfect embodiment of how we provide this. Being in Paris and having access to an oasis on the Seine with complimentary snacks, comfortable seats to watch the event live on the big screen and a great view—these are the perfect ingredients to help enhance the cardholder’s journey.”
If you’re not yet a Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholder, now is a good time to see if any of Chase’s upcoming event benefits fit your schedule.
Fortune Recommends™ has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Fortune Recommends™ and CardRatings may receive a commission from the card issuer.
Please note that card information is correct as of the date of publication, but is subject to change at any time at the discretion of the issuer. Contact your card issuer to check rates, fees and benefits before applying.