Inside Chase’s new Sapphire Lounge in San Diego

Chase’s rise to the nexus of credit card airport lounge games has been phenomenal.

The issuer’s take on airport lounges, called Sapphire Lounge by The Club, is set to open in the US at Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) in 2023. The domestic network has since expanded to New York’s LaGuardia Airport (LGA) and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), and Dulles International Airport (IAD), in addition to the international center in Hong Kong.

On Friday, the manufacturer will open its latest lounge — its seventh domestic location — at San Diego International Airport (SAN), making Chase the first credit card issuer to open a space at SAN.

There’s a lot to love about this new facility, so read on for everything you need to know.

Chase Sapphire Lounge San Diego location

The Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club at SAN is located in Terminal 2 West between gates 46 and 47. The entrance is opposite Starbucks.

All the gates in Terminal 2 are connected by air, so as long as you’re not traveling on Frontier Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Southwest Airlines or Sun Country Airlines, you’ll be fine to go through the lounge before departure without clearing security. (The airlines mentioned above operate from Station 1 of the SAN, which is connected only to the security of Station 2.)

Once you find the entrance, you’ll need to take the elevator or stairs up to the mezzanine level, where you’ll find the frosted blue doors that mark the official entrance to the lounge.

The place is open every day from 5 am to 10 pm

Chase Sapphire Lounge San Diego access

Access policies for the Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club have not changed for this opening.

Prime and authorized Chase Sapphire Reserve® card members can enter the lounge for free, and can bring up to two guests. Note that you will need to have a Priority Pass (compatible) associated with the card to enter the lounge. Additional guests beyond the initial quota will be charged $27 per person.

The same access policy applies to those with a JP Morgan Reserve card or Ritz-Carlton Credit Card (no longer available to new applicants), although the latter card includes unlimited guest access.

Even if you don’t have one of these cards, you can still enter the Sapphire Lounge. Travelers with a Priority Pass membership (from any other premium credit card) may visit one Chase Sapphire Lounge per calendar year and purchase additional admissions for themselves and guests for $75 per person.

The Ritz-Carlton Credit Card and JP Morgan Reserve Card information is independently collected by The Points Guy. The card information on this page has not been updated or provided by the card issuer.

Chase Sapphire Lounge San Diego building

Immediately upon entering the new location, you’ll notice familiar color schemes and design features that mimic the rest of the Sapphire Lounge network.

From the colorful pictures to the wooden floor to the tiered room dividers, this space is clearly Sapphire Lounge.

That said, Chase has put a bit of local flair into this space, with living room art that’s on display for everyone upon entering.

This colorful mural of surfboards fits right in with San Diego and establishes a sense of place for travelers passing through SAN.

After entering the lounge, you will pass straight through the reception desk into the bright and vibrant bar and dining area. The wrap-around bar is the largest Chase has ever built, and is sure to be a popular gathering and entertainment spot once the lounge opens.

There are a number of bench-style dining tables lined up along the wall here.

The main dining area has four high independent tables.

The adjoining dining room – complete with eye-catching lighting – has additional tables for dining or lounging.

As you pass the main restaurant, you can go two ways. Heading directly behind the living room, you’ll find another large recreation room equipped with sofas, recliners and a faux fireplace that serves as its focal point.

Opposite this lounge area are three productivity pods built right into the wall – a cool touch for those trying to get some work done at the last minute.

If you’re taking calls, you’ll want to make a beeline for the lone telephone lounge, which is located right next to the production pods.

As you move further into the lounge, you’ll find space amenities – more on that below.

If instead you leave the dining room and turn left to go back towards the lounge door, you will find two more lounges.

The first one is emphasized by the palm tree which acts as a touch of the right place. This open space is heavily furnished with comfortable sofas and chairs to enhance relaxation.

Meanwhile, if you continue directly behind the lounge, you’ll find the “Balboa breezeway,” named after San Diego’s Balboa Park. This room feels like a California-inspired home library, and this is where you’ll find me posting the next time I’m in the living room.

Interestingly, Balboa’s breezy hallway can be separated from the rest of the lounge by a sliding frosted glass door. Chase doesn’t intend to split this space initially, but it could be used down if the issuer contracts with an international airline that wants to offer a dedicated SAN lounge for its premium passengers.

Chase’s first digital wall, featuring stunning drone footage of San Diego’s beaches, is in a hallway that connects the rest of the resort to Balboa’s breezy street.

All in all, this lounge is distinctly Southern Californian.

Even better, this space will also be popular with aviation enthusiasts because the floor-to-ceiling windows along the edge of the lounge offer unparalleled views of the apron and tarmac.

The space measures approximately 11,000 square feet and has room for approximately 200 flyers. While that may not be enough to handle a large demand, the split design should make the living room feel more crowded than it really is.

Chase Sapphire Lounge San Diego Facilities

While the iconic Chase Center at LaGuardia may be the king of entertainment, this space can be considered a mini-me of New York’s finest.

It starts with a comfortable seating area located aft of the lounge, with four private relaxation pods. Each pod has access to Devi Brown’s digital meditations.

Meanwhile, there is a small facial bar with treatments from Face Haus located just across from the wellness area.

The lounge also has a family room, stocked with toys, games and books for little travelers.

There is also one shower in the living room, and it is available on a first come, first served basis. Chase uses Byredo products in all of its lounges.

Meanwhile, there are separate toilets for men and women. The men’s bathroom has three restrooms, two urinals, a beautiful hand basin with gold studs, and great views of the tarmac and planes taking off.

In fact, this might be the best bathroom in the airport.

Note that there is also a separate, all-gender, accessible bathroom.

There is also a separate nursing room available on a first come, first served basis.

To reserve a facial, wellness pod or shower, you’ll need to scan one of the QR codes displayed on each table. From there, you’ll be redirected to the lounge’s landing page, where you can make your reservation (and even order a la carte dining).

In addition to the amenities mentioned above, the living room has the basics covered. Speedy Wi-Fi, power outlets, and USB-C and USB-A ports are available on almost every seat.

Chase Sapphire Lounge San Diego food and drink

All Chase lounges have above-average dining options, and this place is no exception.

The lounge offers a full breakfast buffet until 11 a.m., when it switches to all-day fare. From French crepes to hamburgers and parfait dishes to hummus pockets and pitas, you’ll likely find something fun at the buffet.

If you are looking for nutritious food, you can also order items from a web-based portal. Chase is partnering with San Diego’s Oscar’s Mexican Seafood for a number of specialty dishes, such as chicken tostada and potato soup with shrimp, available in addition to staples like the Sapphire Burger.

Plus, the bar can whip up your favorite cocktail or pour one of San Diego’s signatures, like the bourbon- and gin-based Queen of Rum Row — all served for free.

For those looking to hydrate, there are two large drink stations, one near the buffet and one near the entrance to the surfboards.

Both offer a wide variety of water, coffee from California’s Groundwork Coffee, espresso machines and mini fridges stocked with popular soft drinks, such as Spindrift and Leisure Hydration electrolyte drinks.

Bottom line

With seven lounges in operation in just over two years and three more already confirmed, Chase is making a big play for travelers to carry its premium credit cards.

The San Diego location will undoubtedly help attract more card members. The space itself is beautiful, and offers many amenities and quality dining options that will impress.

Plus, the Southern California-inspired design helps give the space a local flair that will set it apart from existing outdoor spaces.

As Chase continues to build more lounges, it’s raising the bar for what travelers can expect from a credit card-branded airport lounge. As the network grows, American Express and Capital One should take note because Sapphire Lounges are, in some ways, better than Centurion Lounges and Capital One Lounges.

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