Inside the Chase Sapphire Lounge JFK Terminal 4: An Honest Review from Our Visit

Flying through JFK Terminal 4 and wondering if the Chase Sapphire Lounge is worth a stop before your next flight? We spent a few hours there to see for ourselves—from the waitlist to the crafted cocktails and food—so you know exactly what to expect before you go.

The lounge is open daily from 5:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. local time.

Access is permitted up to 3 hours before your scheduled departure. This time limit does not apply to passengers during a layover

Getting There & How to Get In

The lounge is on the second floor of Terminal 4, just past security, above Gate A2, just take the stairs or elevator upstairs and the Lounge is right next to the American Express Centurion Lounge. Some signage still shows “Etihad Lounge,” so keep an eye out.

Who can get in:

• Chase Sapphire Reserve, J.P. Morgan Reserve, and The Ritz-Carlton Credit Card holders: unlimited access + 2 guests free

• Non-Chase Priority Pass cards may allow one complimentary visit per year; additional visits cost $75 with no guest access

• Etihad Business & First Class travelers: included via lounge partnership

• Day pass: $100, space permitting

When we arrived, they mentioned the wait could be up to 45 minutes, so instead of just hanging around, we ventured off to explore other Priority Pass lounges in the terminal while waiting. And just when we were deciding which Priority Pass Lounge to try our luck at ( Virgin Atlantic or Air India ) we received a text ( after only about 15 minutes ) that our spot came up, which was a nice surprise.

The Lounge Space

Once inside, we found a spot in the main bar room towards the back. The lounge wasn't particularly crowded when we arrived, though the crowds fluctuated throughout our visit, as they do in most lounges. The space offered a nice variety of seating options and, while not the largest lounge we've been to, felt quite comfortable and well-designed. Seating ranged from living room-style setups to desk-style tables and cubbies for working, cozy areas near the fireplace for relaxing, and seats by large windows overlooking the tarmac. There's also a small, quieter lounge room in the back with two-person tables—perfect for a more secluded spot when the lounge isn't at capacity. Of course, the bar area remained the most popular section during our visit.

Food & Dining

Food is available in two ways: a buffet and made-to-order options via QR code at your table—something we've seen becoming more common at newer airport lounges.

During our visit:

• Made-to-order: This was so convenient—just log in, enter your table number, place your order, and the food was delivered right to your table. Options included hot meals like soup, Sapphire noodles, Sapphire burgers, chicken tenders and apple slices for the kids (or adults if that's your taste—no judgments). Most these items weren't available at the buffet.

We tried a sampling of different items from both the online order and the buffet—Sapphire noodles, fresh salads, wraps, chicken biryani, hummus, and fresh fruit. Desserts included biscotti, cookies, and brownies. We were hungry and had a long journey ahead, so it was great to fill up on a variety of options before flying out.

*The dietary-friendly labels are a nice touch.

Let's Have a Drink...or 2

The bar was definitely one of the highlights of the Chase Sapphire Lounge experience. You can order at the bar or through the QR code at your table. The drinks were unique, interesting, and I'd have to say pretty well-balanced, showing the skill of the mixologists here. We tested a few—for research purposes, of course.

They also had a beverage station on the side next to the buffet with a wide variety of coffee, teas, and flavored waters.

*The fact that this lounge had a solid combo of great drinks and food really elevated the whole lounge experience for us.

Amenities

Now I wouldn't say the lounge was overflowing with amenities, but it had its share. They offered showers—just book ahead using the QR code if there are open slots during your visit. We highly recommend taking a shower in a lounge if it's available. We've done it a few times, and it's surprisingly refreshing before a flight.

Other amenities included fast Wi-Fi, plenty of charging spots, and a reflection/prayer room. Everything is designed to give you a little oasis of calm before boarding.

We really enjoyed our visit. Some of our personal highlights: delicious cocktails, solid food, excellent service, plus the convenience of digital ordering and fast Wi-Fi—all you have to do is sit back and relax before your flight.

A few things to keep in mind: the lounge can fill up during peak hours and you might be waitlisted and some gates are a bit of a walk from the lounge. But overall, if you get a spot—even with a short wait—it's a relaxing and comfortable place to unwind before your flight.

Final Thoughts

Quick Access Recap – Chase Sapphire Lounge JFK

• Chase Sapphire Reserve: unlimited access + 2 guests

• Priority Pass (non-Chase cards): 1 visit/year, $75 per additional visit

• Etihad Business/First Class: included

• Day pass: $100

Planning your trip from Manhattan to JFK?

Watch our full video tour of the Chase Sapphire Lounge at JFK Terminal 4

Returning from JFK to Manhattan?