Chase is preparing to cut off Priority Pass and LoungeKey access to its Sapphire Lounges starting Aug. 15, 2026. The move ends a once-a-year complimentary visit that many travelers without a premium Chase card had come to rely on. At the same time, the bank is lengthening the window for eligible cardholders on connecting itineraries, giving them more time inside the lounges before their next flight.
Priority Pass Members Face a Clear Cutoff
Travelers who hold Priority Pass Select or LoungeKey memberships will lose the ability to enter any Chase Sapphire Lounge through those programs after Aug. 15. The annual free visit and the option to pay a discounted $75 fee for additional entries both disappear on that date. The change affects every Sapphire Lounge location, regardless of how recently it opened or how popular it has become. Priority Pass members will retain access to more than 1,900 other lounges and experiences worldwide, including alternative options at the same airports that host Sapphire Lounges. The decision reflects Chase鈥檚 effort to manage capacity as demand for its own lounges has grown.
Core Access Rules Stay the Same for Chase Cardholders
Eligible Chase cardmembers will continue to enjoy unlimited complimentary entry with no new restrictions tied to the Priority Pass change. The same guest policy remains in place, allowing up to two guests per visit plus children under age two, with additional guests charged $27 each. The following cards qualify for this access:
- Chase Sapphire Reserve
- Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business
- J.P. Morgan Reserve Card
- Ritz-Carlton Credit Card
The complimentary Priority Pass Select membership that comes with these cards is also unaffected. Cardholders can still use that membership at other participating lounges without interruption.
Connecting Itineraries Gain Extra Lounge Time
A separate policy adjustment takes effect on the same date and benefits frequent flyers with long layovers. Eligible cardmembers on connecting itineraries will be allowed to enter a Sapphire Lounge up to five hours before their scheduled onward flight, up from the previous three-hour limit. Access rules for the first flight of a trip or for nonstop itineraries remain unchanged at three hours before departure. The extra two hours apply only when a traveler has a connection, giving more flexibility during extended waits without altering entry for other trip types.
Before-and-After Access Comparison
The following table summarizes the key differences that take effect Aug. 15.
| Aspect | Before Aug. 15 | After Aug. 15 |
|---|---|---|
| Priority Pass / LoungeKey entry | One free visit per year + $75 paid option | No access |
| Chase cardholder entry | Unlimited complimentary | Unlimited complimentary (unchanged) |
| Connecting-flight window | Up to 3 hours before onward flight | Up to 5 hours before onward flight |
| Guest policy | Up to 2 guests + children under 2 | Up to 2 guests + children under 2 (unchanged) |
Practical Steps Before the Deadline
Travelers who still hold Priority Pass access and have not yet used their annual Sapphire Lounge visit may want to schedule it before Aug. 15. After that date, the only way to enter will be through an eligible Chase card. The adjustments follow a pattern seen across premium card issuers as lounge networks expand and capacity management becomes more important. For Chase cardholders, the net result preserves unlimited access while adding meaningful flexibility on connecting itineraries. For everyone else, the Sapphire Lounges will soon be off-limits through third-party programs.
