Several months ago, it was revealed that a popular premium credit card would lose credits at restaurants for its Priority Pass members. I wanted to post a reminder of this, as the change kicks in as of today.
Chase Sapphire Reserve loses some Priority Pass perks
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card (review) is one of the most popular premium travel credit cards. The card offers a variety of great benefits, from valuable bonus categories, to a $300 annual travel credit, to a Priority Pass™ membership, to Chase Sapphire Lounge access.
One thing that has set the Chase Sapphire Reserve apart from other premium cards is that up until now, the card has offered credits at Priority Pass restaurants. Unfortunately that has now changed — as of July 1, 2024, the Chase Sapphire Reserve no longer offers credits or experiences at Priority Pass’ non-lounge airport products, including Priority Pass restaurants.
Per the cardmember statements that have been sent out in recent months:
“As of July 1, 2024, you will no longer have access to restaurants, cafes, and markets participating in the Priority Pass™ Select network as part of the Priority Pass™ Select Benefit associated with your card. Access to Priority Pass™ Select’s network of lounges and other select airport experiences is not impacted by this update.”
Of the “big three” premium personal credit cards, the Chase Sapphire Reserve was the last one to still offer this. With this change, Chase aligns with the policies of American Express Platinum Card® (review) and the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card (review). Meanwhile the Citi Prestige Card (which is no longer open to new applicants) continues to offer credits at Priority Pass restaurants… for now.
This same change applies to Chase’s other premium cards that offer a Priority Pass™ membership, like the Ritz-Carlton Credit Card and JP Morgan Reserve Card.
This is a sad development, but not surprising
I can’t say I’m surprised to see Chase make this change. Competitors have been heading in that direction as well in the past couple of years, so this seems like an easy place for Chase to cut costs.
Meanwhile this also comes as Chase is investing in its exceptional lounge network, with lounges now open in Boston (BOS), Hong Kong (HKG), New York (JFK), New York (LGA), and Washington (IAD). I imagine before, Chase kept Priority Pass restaurant credits around as a competitive advantage, as it didn’t have a lounge network, while its two biggest competitors did, with Amex Centurion Lounges and Capital One Lounges.
With Chase having now cut its Priority Pass restaurant perk, I can’t help but wonder how much quieter so many airport restaurants will be. For some time, many restaurants participating in Priority Pass got a majority of their business that way, so this will probably have a major impact on their bottom line. If you’re passing through an airport in the coming days with Priority Pass restaurants, please do report back if you notice major changes in crowding levels.
Bottom line
As of July 1, 2024, the Chase Sapphire Reserve has changed its Priority Pass benefit. Priority Pass™ memberships issued through the card no longer offer credits at restaurants. Amex and Capital One have similarly changed their policies in recent years, so I guess this shouldn’t come as much of a surprise, especially with Chase now operating its own lounge network.
What do you make of this Chase Sapphire Reserve benefit change?
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