The New Chase Sapphire Terrace at Austin-Bergstrom is Now Open
The new space at Austin-Bergstrom International is now open to Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders
Select Chase customers traveling through Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) will be feted at a new indoor-outdoor lounge furnished by the credit card provider, enjoying local food and beverages and lawn games.
The Chase Sapphire Terrace is the card provider’s second airport lounge, following the debut of its retreat at Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) in October 2022 and the first of several planned stateside airport lounges.
The Austin space has been designed to take advantage of the region’s reliably warm weather, with a 4,000-square-foot terrace and smaller, 1,000-square-foot indoor space. On the terrace, guests can soak up the sun and play classic lawn games such as shuffleboard and corn hole.
They can also sample complimentary beverages and light nibbles. The locally-inspired menu includes cider from Austin Eastciders and beer from (512) Brewing Company. Adding to the Austin flavor, the space features local muralist Rex Hamilton’s artwork. Lucky guests can also nab giveaways while supplies last.
The Sapphire Terrace is smaller than other planned lounges and more exclusive. Entry is restricted to holders of Chase Sapphire Reserve cards and up to two guests in the three hours before their flight departs. This is more restrictive than other lounges, which permit all-day access on the day of your flight. Access also isn’t granted to arrivals whose final destination is Austin.
Unlike other planned Sapphire Lounges, the Sapphire Terrace is not open to customers who have purchased Priority Pass memberships to gain access to lounges.
The new Chase Sapphire Terrace—which occupies a space that the airport has rented in a two-year deal for $3.8 million—is set to become the airport’s first lounge not managed by an airline. Its facilities are open daily from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM and are located inside the Barbara Jordan Terminal, near Gate 1, on the mezzanine level.
Photo: Courtesy of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
The space is expected to be used by Chase for the next few years, but the terrace isn’t a “permanent” fixture. The new lounge has drawn some ire from travelers who accessed the outdoor space for free to plane-spot.
Chase also plans to open seven other Sapphire Lounges at U.S. airports over 2023 and into the future, at Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), New York – LaGuardia Airport (LGA), Washington – Dulles International Airport (IAD), Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport (LAS), San Diego International Airport (SAN), and Philadelphia International Airport (PHL).
Each Sapphire Lounge will feature design details inspired by the surrounding city, complimentary locally-inspired and sourced food and beverages, high-speed Wi-Fi, and newspapers and magazines.
