Get the latest scoop on credit card benefits, including new lounge access for Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders, Amex lounge changes, and an exciting Delta flash sale. Here’s a breakdown of everything you need to know.
Chase Expands Lounge Access for Sapphire Reserve Cardholders
Chase has introduced new lounge options for Sapphire Reserve
cardholders, providing more choices for premium travelers. Card members and
authorized users can now access Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges and Cafés. To
enter, travelers simply need to show their Chase Sapphire Reserve card along
with a same-day boarding pass for a Star Alliance flight. If you’re traveling
with a guest, you can bring them along for a fee of 59 units in the lounge’s
local currency.
This expansion covers several major airports in the U.S.
such as Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), and New York (JFK), along with
international locations like Frankfurt and London. Notably, the SFO Maple Leaf
Lounge is considered one of the best in the network, making this addition a
valuable perk for frequent travelers.
Chase’s move appears to be a response to the competitive landscape dominated by American Express (Amex), which has a significant global footprint with its Centurion Lounges. As Chase looks to close the gap, it's likely they will continue to explore partnerships with major airlines, with British Airways being a strong candidate. However, partnerships with other airlines like United may be less feasible due to potential conflicts with existing co-branded credit cards.
Key Points:
- Chase
Sapphire Reserve cardholders can now access Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges
and Cafés.
- Access
requires showing the Sapphire Reserve card and a same-day Star Alliance
boarding pass.
- Guest access costs 59 units in the local currency of the lounge.
New Lounge Locations:
|
Location |
Region |
|
Los Angeles (LAX) |
United States |
|
San Francisco (SFO) |
United States |
|
New York (JFK) |
United States |
|
Frankfurt |
Germany |
|
London |
United Kingdom |
Benefits:
- The
expansion covers major U.S. airports and key international hubs.
- The
San Francisco Maple Leaf Lounge is highly rated, making it a valuable
option for travelers.
Strategy Insight:
- Chase
is aiming to compete with American Express (Amex), which has a larger
lounge presence.
- Possible
future partnerships could include British Airways, though United
partnerships may face challenges.
Amex Centurion Lounges: Changes to Spa Services and Guest Policies
In a significant shift, Amex has decided to remove spa
services from its Centurion Lounges in locations such as Dallas-Fort Worth
(DFW), Miami (MIA), and Los Angeles (LAX). The spas took up considerable space,
and with long wait times of 30 to 90 minutes, they were not accessible to many
travelers. The additional space will now be used to increase seating capacity
to accommodate more guests, addressing one of the biggest issues—overcrowding.
Moreover, Amex has been working to reduce lounge congestion
by eliminating paid guest passes and raising requirements for free guest
access. Now, cardholders need to spend at least $75,000 annually on the card to
bring in a guest. Recent renovations have significantly expanded lounge spaces,
such as the San Francisco location, which doubled its size in 2023 to 16,000
square feet, and the new Atlanta lounge, spanning 26,000 square feet.
Key Changes:
- Spa
services have been removed from Centurion Lounges in locations such as
Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), Miami (MIA), and Los Angeles (LAX).
- Free
guest access now requires $75,000 in annual spending on the card.
- The
extra space previously used for spas will now accommodate more seating.
Lounge Expansion:
|
Lounge Location |
Size Before |
Size After |
|
San Francisco (SFO) |
8,000 sq. ft. |
16,000 sq. ft. |
|
Atlanta |
N/A |
26,000 sq. ft. |
Rationale:
- Removing
spas and changing guest policies aim to reduce overcrowding.
- The
focus is shifting toward expanding lounges and improving the overall guest
experience.
Amex Green Card Update: Discontinuation of LoungeBuddy Credit
Starting January 13, 2025, Amex will discontinue the $100
LoungeBuddy credit offered on the Amex Green Card. This credit was challenging
for many cardholders to use, especially since most popular U.S. lounges were
already accessible through other programs like Priority Pass. The
discontinuation follows LoungeBuddy’s app shutdown in July 2024, hinting at a
shift in strategy for lounge access benefits.
Although this may seem like a loss for Green Card holders,
Amex could replace this perk with a different benefit, possibly linked to
dining or Resy credits. Alternatively, they might introduce limited Priority
Pass lounge visits similar to what other credit cards offer.
Details:
- The
$100 LoungeBuddy credit for Amex Green Card holders will be discontinued
on January 13, 2025.
- LoungeBuddy’s
app was shut down in July 2024, indicating a broader strategy change.
Alternative Options:
- Amex
may introduce new benefits, such as dining or Resy credits, or offer
limited Priority Pass lounge visits.
- This
change aligns with Amex’s ongoing efforts to manage lounge access
effectively.
Delta Flash Sale: Deals on International Flights Using Miles
Delta is currently running a flash sale on miles redemptions
for international flights, with some attractive deals for travelers looking to
use their miles. Notable offers include round-trip basic economy flights to
Taipei for 30,000 miles plus $45 in fees and San Francisco to French Polynesia
for 80,000 miles plus $66 in fees.
These deals provide an excellent opportunity for
budget-conscious travelers to explore destinations in Asia and the Pacific,
though it’s advisable to double-check availability and booking requirements.
Notable Offers:
- Round-trip
flights to Taipei for 30,000 miles + $45 in fees.
- San
Francisco to French Polynesia for 80,000 miles + $66 in fees.
Why It Matters:
- These
deals are great for budget-conscious travelers seeking to explore
destinations in Asia and the Pacific.
- The
flash sale offers an affordable way to redeem miles for international
travel.
Summary Table: Key Changes and Benefits
|
Change |
Impact on Travelers |
Notes |
|
Chase lounge access |
More options for Sapphire Reserve cardholders |
Covers U.S. and international locations |
|
Amex Centurion spa removal |
More seating space, less wait time |
Spas removed in select lounges |
|
Amex guest access policy |
Higher spending required for free guest access |
Now requires $75,000 in annual spending |
|
LoungeBuddy credit removal |
Green Card holders lose $100 credit |
Effective January 13, 2025 |
|
Delta flash sale |
Great deals on international travel using miles |
Round-trip offers for Taipei and French Polynesia |
Key Takeaways
- Chase
is expanding lounge options for Sapphire Reserve cardholders, adding value
for those who fly frequently.
- Amex
is focusing on reducing lounge crowding by eliminating spas and tightening
guest policies.
- Delta
offers a limited-time flash sale, making it a good time to redeem miles
for international travel.
What This Means for Travelers
These recent changes reflect the dynamic nature of the
travel credit card industry, where companies continuously adjust benefits to
maintain competitiveness. For Chase Sapphire Reserve holders, the addition of
more lounge options enhances the card's value, especially for those who
frequently fly with Star Alliance airlines. Meanwhile, Amex's changes suggest a
focus on improving lounge quality and managing overcrowding, even if it means
removing certain benefits like spa services.
For travelers weighing whether to get a new credit card or
upgrade an existing one, it’s essential to consider these updates alongside the
annual fees and bonus offers. The Chase Sapphire Preferred, for example,
currently offers a $300 travel credit and 60,000 bonus points after spending
$4,000 in the first three months, with a $95 annual fee, making it a
competitive option.
Final Thoughts
These updates emphasize the evolving landscape of credit card perks, with companies like Chase and Amex continually enhancing their offerings to attract premium travelers. Whether it’s expanded lounge access, restructuring lounge services, or enticing flash sales, there are always new opportunities to make the most of travel rewards.
Share Your Thoughts
What do you think of these changes? Do the updates make
travel more convenient, or are they just cosmetic? Which credit card benefits
do you value the most? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!