Chase Cuts Sapphire Lounge Access For Priority Pass: What Travelers Need to Know

Chase is restricting Sapphire Lounge access to curb airport crowding.

In a significant shift aimed at curbing airport lounge overcrowding, Chase is officially removing its Chase Sapphire Lounges by The Club from the Priority Pass and LoungeKey networks, effective August 15, 2026.

While this marks an end to non-Chase cardholders using Priority Pass to access some of the country’s top-rated airport lounges, it brings welcome updates and extended perks for core cardholders.

1. Priority Pass and LoungeKey Access Is Ending

Until now, general Priority Pass and LoungeKey members—including those who received their membership through competing premium cards like the Capital One Venture X or Amex Platinum—were entitled to one complimentary visit per calendar year to a Chase Sapphire Lounge, with additional visits available for a discounted $75 rate.

• No more free annual visits: Priority Pass and LoungeKey passes will no longer grant entry to any Sapphire Lounge location.
• No discounted rate: The $75 reduced entry fee for Priority Pass holders will be eliminated.
• Standard day pass price: Non-cardholders or general travelers can still purchase a guest pass at the door for $100 per person, subject to space and capacity availability.

2. Extended Layover Stay Window for Chase Cardholders

To reward its primary cardmembers, Chase is rolling out a major positive update for connecting travelers on the same date:

• 5-Hour Layover Access: Starting August 15, eligible cardholders traveling on a connecting itinerary can enter a Chase Sapphire Lounge up to 5 hours before their scheduled departing flight (up from the previous 3-hour window).
• Originating Flights: For travelers starting their trip at an airport with a Sapphire Lounge, the access window remains capped at 3 hours prior to departure.

Who Still Gets Unlimited Access?

If you hold one of Chase’s premium travel cards, your lounge perks remain intact (and should come with shorter wait times at the podium):

• Chase Sapphire Reserve®
• Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business℠
• The Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card
• J.P. Morgan Reserve Card

Primary cardmembers and authorized users continue to receive unlimited complimentary access, along with two free guest passes per visit.

"Airport lounge crowding has reached an all-time high, and Chase is following in the footsteps of American Express and Capital One by prioritizing its own cardmembers over network pass holders."

The Bottom Line

If you hold a non-Chase card with Priority Pass and haven't used your complimentary annual visit yet, be sure to drop in before August 15, 2026!

The Shrinking Perks Of The Amex Platinum: 2026 Cutbacks & Key Dates

Following the massive refresh that bumped the annual fee to a hefty $895, American Express isn't slowing down. While 2026 hasn't brought a single ground-shaking overhaul, Amex has been quietly cutting, slicing, and swapping out perks.

Whether you are looking to maximize your remaining benefits or trying to decide if the card is still worth its premium price tag, keeping track of these timelines is crucial. Here is the updated list of the Amex Platinum Card Changes in 2026 and the exact dates they take effect.

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📅 The 2026 Timeline: What's Changing (and When)

Benefit / Feature	The Change	Effective Date
Saks Fifth Avenue Credit	The $100 annual credit is discontinued entirely.	March 26, 2026 (New applicants) / June 30, 2026 (Existing members)
Uber VIP Status	Uber VIP status is replaced by "Signature Support for Amex" priority customer service.	May 7, 2026
"Events by Amex"	Dedicated program wound down; core exclusive ticket access rebranded.	June 10, 2026
Centurion Lounge Rules	Access restricted to within 5 hours of departure; guests must be on the same flight.	July 8, 2026
Lufthansa Lounge Access	Complimentary access to Lufthansa Business Lounges is removed.	October 1, 2026

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🔍 A Closer Look at the Key Changes

1. The Death of the Saks Fifth Avenue Credit

Following Saks Global filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy earlier this year, Amex officially pulled the plug on the $100 Saks Fifth Avenue statement credit. For new cardmembers, the perk vanished instantly on March 26. Existing cardholders had until June 30, 2026, to squeeze out their final use of the credit.

2. Tightened Rules at the Centurion Lounge

Starting July 8, 2026, Amex is clamping down on lounge crowding with two major rule adjustments:

• The 5-Hour Rule: You can no longer camp out all day. Lounge access will be limited to within 5 hours of your departing or connecting flight.
• Same-Flight Guest Policy: If you pay to bring guests into the lounge, they must now be booked on the exact same flight itinerary as you, closing a long-standing loophole.

3. Uber VIP Swapped for "Signature Support"

On May 7, 2026, Amex quietly retired Uber VIP status. In its place, cardmembers get Signature Support for Amex, which offers 24/7 priority live agent support directly inside the Uber, Uber Eats, and Postmates apps.

Note: The core $200 annual Uber Cash credit and the Uber One credit remain completely unchanged.

4. Lufthansa Lounge Access Exit

The latest travel perk to face the chopping block is the partnership with Lufthansa. Beginning October 1, 2026, Platinum cardholders will officially lose access to Lufthansa Business Lounges.

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💡 Is the Platinum Card Still Worth It?

With these subtle erosions to the lounge network and shopping credits, the value proposition of the $895 card is shifting. However, it's not all bad news. Amex has rolled out an updated Airfare Program covering select domestic Economy tickets, alongside the value found in newer perks like the Resy and lululemon credits.

If you leverage the heavy travel insurances, lounge access restrictions don't bother you, and you regularly use the remaining credits, the card can still easily pay for itself. But if you primarily held the card for early airport arrivals and Saks shopping sprees, it might be time to evaluate other premium options in your wallet.