First Look: New Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club in Phoenix (PHX)

Chase, like many other credit card issuers, has been hard at work opening new airport lounges. Along with its locations in Boston, Hong Kong, New York, and Washington, D.C., a new location in Phoenix is now open. Let’s take a look at what to expect, including food and drinks.

Location

The Sapphire Lounge by The Club is in Terminal 4 South 1 Concourse at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), but it’s not near any gates. You’ll need to head to the signs for C + D gates to find the lounge. Continue on past the early D gates as if you’re going to gates D11 – D18. Before you get there, you’ll see the lounge on your left (a large map can be found here).

Note that Terminal 4 isn’t connected to any other terminals post-security, so only those taking off from Terminal 4 will have access. This means if you’re flying any airline other than American or Southwest, you’ll either need to arrive early enough to go through security twice, or you’re out of luck.

How To Access the Sapphire Lounge by The Club in Phoenix

Unlike other card issuers, Chase allows broader access to its network of Sapphire Lounge by The Club locations. There are several tiers of people who can visit:

• Chase Sapphire Reserve^®: Unlimited visits for yourself and up to 2 guests ($27 for additional guests)
• J.P. Morgan Reserve Card: Unlimited visits for yourself and up to 2 guests ($27 for additional guests)
• The Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card: Unlimited access, unlimited guests
• Priority Pass Members: 1 free visit per year, $75 for additional visits
• Other Guests: $100 for a day pass

While it’s not really worth it to pay $100 for a day pass, eligible cardholders with complimentary access will enjoy the higher-end feel of the Sapphire Lounge by The Club compared to other airport lounges.

Note that you don’t need your physical Chase card to enter; instead you’ll need to present your Priority Pass Select membership.

The lounge is open daily from 4:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. You can enter up to 3 hours before departure, or longer if you’re on a connection.

Seating

While Chase notes that its Phoenix lounge is 3,500 square feet, in actuality it feels much smaller. This is due mainly to the decisions to split the lounge in half. While much of the lounge is in its own separate area, the rest of it is open to the terminal and passers-by.

You can expect the same high-end design you’ve come to expect of Chase lounges, with a variety of seating options available.

It’s really difficult to overstate how small this lounge feels. At most, there’s seating for maybe 60 people, with around 20 tables scattered around the lounge.

Amenities

There isn’t much in the way of amenities at the Sapphire Lounge by The Club Phoenix. While other Chase lounges feature showers, quiet rooms, nursing rooms, family rooms, and more, this one is pretty bare-bones.

Business Center

There is a small sort of business center in the back of the lounge.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like there are any conference rooms, phone booths, or printers available.

Restrooms

There are just 2 restrooms available to guests, both of which are gender-neutral. They’re pretty big, but lack showers.

It’s a nice touch that they provide toiletries for women within the restrooms. There’s also a sign letting you know you can ask for additional toiletries, though I didn’t ask what was included.

Food and Drinks

This lounge may be small, but where it really shines is its food and drink offerings.

Food

Have you ever wanted to order baked cauliflower from an Airstream? You’re in luck.

I didn’t have high expectations for nibbles ordered from a trailer, but was pleasantly surprised at how tasty the cauliflower turned out to be.

Other trailer options inlclude a breakfast taco, grain bowl, and turkey wrap. Menu items are from The Larder & The Delta, helmed by Chef Stephen Jones.

At the other end of the lounge, you can grab cold meals and desserts from a buffet.

These include mozzarella, prosciutto, brownies, chips and guac, and more.

All the food was fresh and a cut above what you’ll find in standard airport lounges.

While it doesn’t surpass the food you’ll find at an Amex Centurion Lounge or Capital One Lounge, it was still pretty good overall.

Food here also changes depending on time of day.

Drinks

Never pay for drinks in an airport. Nachos for $45? Fine. Drinks? No, go to the lounge, you dolt. They’re free and thus much more tasty.

Case in point, the Sapphire Lounge by The Club Phoenix features a massive bar as its centerpiece.

And while you can choose from tons of non-alcoholic drinks …

… such as celery water and cold brew …

… you also have a full suite of beverages available at the bar.

This here is the Sapphire Signature Cocktail, which has been confirmed as delicious.

While you’ll need to order cocktails at the bar, beer and wine is available by scanning a QR code at your table.

Available wines included:

• Red: Mas La Chevaliere, Cabernet Sauvignon 2023, and Domaine Faiveley, Bourgogne Rouge 2022
• Rose: Le Rose D’Azur, Cotes de Provence Rose 2023
• Sparkling: Lamberti, Prosecco
• White: Pazo de Bruxas, Albarino 2023, and Famille Vincent, Bourgogne Chardonnay 2022

The beer list is pretty decent, too:

• Barrio Tucson Blonde Ale
• Paulaner Munchen Weissbler
• Peroni

Final Thoughts

While the Sapphire Lounge by The Club at PHX isn’t as big as some of its counterparts, it still feels luxurious. Don’t expect much in the way of amenities, but if you do stop by, be sure to enjoy both its food and drink.