Chase Sapphire vs Amex Centurion: Two Luxury Airport Lounge Options
For travelers who want to experience luxury airport lounges without breaking the bank, two prominent options are available: Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club network and American Express Centurion Lounge network. While both offer top-notch amenities and services, they cater to different needs and preferences.
The Amex Centurion Lounge network is the larger of the two, with over 25 locations worldwide, including major U.S. hubs like Dallas Fort Worth, Miami, Las Vegas, Denver, Seattle, Los Angeles, and New York LaGuardia. In contrast, Chase Sapphire Lounges by The Club are smaller in number but strategically located at high-traffic airports such as New York JFK Terminal 4, Boston, Austin, and Hong Kong.
The key to accessing these lounges lies in the credit cards they're associated with: American Express Platinum or Centurion cards for Amex Centurion Lounges, and Chase Sapphire Reserve card for Chase Sapphire Lounges by The Club. While primary cardmembers and authorized users receive complimentary access, guest policies vary between the two networks.
Centurion Lounges have stricter rules around guests, charging per-visit fees unless cardholders meet specific annual spending thresholds or qualify for free adult guests. In contrast, Chase Sapphire Lounges allow non-Chase Priority Pass members one complimentary visit per calendar year to most locations.