This week, Chase has opened a pretty cool new concept at Austin Airport.
In this post:
Basics of the Chase Sapphire Terrace Austin
On March 20, 2023, Chase opened the Sapphire Terrace at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS). This isn’t a traditional lounge, but rather is an indoor-outdoor space, with a majority of the space being outdoors. It’s open daily from 10AM until 8PM.
The Sapphire Terrace features complimentary local beverages (like cider from Austin Eastciders, and beer from 512 Brewing Company), plus non-alcoholic drinks, and grab & go bites. Furthermore, the space features shuffleboard, giveaways, and artwork. Chase has shared the below pictures of the new lounge space.
This space will be used by Chase for multiple years, though it’s not expected to be “permanent.” This is located near the Delta Sky Club, by gate 1, and includes the deck that was previously open to the public.
The Chase Sapphire Terrace is exclusively open to those with the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card (review), who can access it on a complimentary basis an unlimited number of times, and can bring two guests. Access is permitted for up to three hours.
It’s cool to see card issuers trying new concepts, especially outdoor ones. Capital One is working on an outdoor dining concept, known as Capital One Landing. This is expected to debut in New York (LGA) and Washington (DCA) in the not too distant future.
This is different than Chase Sapphire Lounges
We know that Chase is opening Sapphire Lounges by The Club, with roughly a dozen lounges expected to be part of the portfolio in the coming years. There’s only one open so far, which is the Chase Sapphire Lounge Hong Kong.
Note that the Chase Sapphire Terrace is a separate concept. While the Sapphire Terrace is also run in conjunction with Airport Dimensions (the company behind “The Club”), it isn’t open to Priority Pass members (unlike Chase Sapphire Lounges).
For better or worse, the Chase Sapphire Terrace is definitely a bit more exclusive in terms of access requirements. Then again, I imagine there’s no shortage of people in the Austin area with the Sapphire Reserve.
Bottom line
The Chase Sapphire Terrace has opened at Austin Airport. This is exclusively available to those with the Chase Sapphire Reserve, and offers a limited selection of drinks, plus grab & go bites. While not a traditional lounge, it’s cool to see an innovative concept, especially one that involves the outdoors.
This is Austin Airport’s first non-airline lounge concept, so that’s also exciting to see.
What do you make of the Chase Sapphire Terrace concept?
How could AUS airport allow it to occupy the whole terrace, which was previously opened to the public??? Now there is no outdoor place for public travelers...
Good place to recycle the following comment I posted elsewhere...
In 1981, I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Southwestern University (SU), the oldest university in Texas, which is located in Georgetown, about 31 miles north of Austin on I-35. In 2021, with the pandemic restrictions mostly relaxed, I flew into AUS and took an Uber ride to Georgetown to participate in homecoming festivities at SU that included the 40th reunion of my...
Good place to recycle the following comment I posted elsewhere...
In 1981, I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Southwestern University (SU), the oldest university in Texas, which is located in Georgetown, about 31 miles north of Austin on I-35. In 2021, with the pandemic restrictions mostly relaxed, I flew into AUS and took an Uber ride to Georgetown to participate in homecoming festivities at SU that included the 40th reunion of my graduating class !
Since I plan to visit my alma mater more frequently than once every 40 years, this new CSR lounge will provide a nice alternative to the UA Club at AUS where I spent some time but was not as nice…
I first arrived in the area in 1977 and it has grown so much it is almost unrecognizable!
When you travel to Austin, be prepared to get drunk on Lone Star beer, feast on central Texas pit-style barbecue and then nap on fields of blue bonnets, but, importantly, do not forget to bring your Chase Sapphire Reserve visa card because they do not accept the CSP
Ditto! Went to UT a few years after you...and the changes are jaw draw-dropping. On one hand proud for the city, on the other hand I miss many things about the old Austin.
@Leigh -- Absolutely spot on!
You don't sound Texan at all.
At this current migration, Austin will soon be even more unrecognizable.
In 2030, be prepared to get drunk on cold brew, feast on avocado toasts, then nap on fields of homeless shelter, but, importantly, do not forget to bring your welfare card because they do not accept capitalism.
They already messed with Texas.
LOL.To hear it you might as well be describing El Paso or one of the southern border cities. Austex's boom is due to tech sector capital moving to a huge state with a lot of land to build factories on and lower manufacturing costs. What will be a historical relic in 2030 will be Willy Nelson's free and famous 4th of July concerts...
El Paso won't be getting the cold brew people like Austin.
It's the tech boom that will drive Austin way extreme. The new immigrants will be sipping cold brew, while the ones you remember from you college days can't afford Lone Star beer, brisket, or housing anymore.
It's a matter of time before they go foraging for dead bats under the bridge.
Where do you think the state compensates for no income tax?
So unfortunate that this terrace removes access to a previously public space. Also, Operating hours are 10am-8pm. That's a huge gap for travelers with morning departures.
They took a largely unused public space and made it something useful. However, I agree that an "outdoor" lounge in the Texas summer is not exactly appealing, but is still better than paying $19 for a glass of wine in the terminal bars (for those who have the card).
Just a money grab by ABIA - public space to private space also puts a bad taste in my mouth - expect it’ll be a huge fail. Nothing like sitting in 100 degree temps 3 months out of the year. Maybe portable AC units to go along with the free beer ?
I'm not familiar with outdoor airport lounges. Wouldn't there be uncomfortable noise and jet fuel -smell?
Love the concept! I think airports need more indoor/outdoor combo spaces. The Swiss First lounge in ZRH has a fantastic outdoor space that wraps around the entire lounge on 3 sides and it's so nice to be able to step outside, get some fresh air, and watch the planes. SFO has an outdoor terrace that's a bit bare bones but still nice to be able to step outside while airside. I have heard FRA has a terrace but that it's mostly used by smokers - no thanks!
Too many people have the Chase Sapphire reserve so with that being said, this lounge is going to be super crowded and constantly running out of food
Better than including CSP, amex platinum, and all priority pass people…. At least it’s a step in the right direction for CSR vs their other lounges being built by The Club
More US airports need smoking lounges and terraces. Literally the rest of the WORLD has them. Was just traveling in Spain, Germany, & Switzerland and they have a mix of outdoor terraces, "cubicles", and small lounges. With how much they are taxed already, seems like a huge money making opportunity for airports too. Get them sponsor by brands, charge for entry/membership. Something else than go out and come back through security. Especially needed at places...
More US airports need smoking lounges and terraces. Literally the rest of the WORLD has them. Was just traveling in Spain, Germany, & Switzerland and they have a mix of outdoor terraces, "cubicles", and small lounges. With how much they are taxed already, seems like a huge money making opportunity for airports too. Get them sponsor by brands, charge for entry/membership. Something else than go out and come back through security. Especially needed at places like DFW, Denver, all NYC airports, etc. IMHO of course.
Filthy habit and most smokers stink when they come out of the cubicle/ lounge like an ashtray , and imagine then having to sit next to one.
Most sponsorship by tobacco manufacturers is prohibited
AA, UA, DL lounges, now Chase, hopefully a Priority Pass lounge soon too! Amazing the growth of Austin and AUS.
This will be nice half the year, the other year will just create more swampy situations that won't dry out until you get home.
Surely this will be the most overcrowded lounge on earth.
Is this Gary's affiliated signup milestone bonus?
Normal people get points.
Gary the thought leader gets a lounge.
Looks cool. Really sad to see this public space going away, though. I hope this doesn't become a trend at airports with public outdoor areas.
I've been praying for a credit-card access lounge in Austin for years. And now I see this. CSR is not exactly the best high-end travel credit card out there, and limiting access to this one card is not what I'm praying for (I don't have the card). Also, whose genius idea is it to have an outdoor concept in Austin when temperature can reamin at 100 degrees F for months?
Agree that this lounge will be uncomfortably hot for about half the year, and potentially cold/windy/rainy during Austin's "not summer" months. AUS is my home airport and this offering does not tempt me to apply for a new CSR.
Here's an idea - let's build an outdoor lounge that can only be used half of the year. I def want to sit in the heat outside with jet fuel fumes after walking thru AUS airport packed like a sardine. Austin just keeps getting worse.
While I can understand not wanting to use this, how exactly does it make the airport “worse”?
weird, not worse. That's Austin.
So you would like to sit outside in June in Austin next to the runways? Do you have any experience with the city?
"So you would like to sit outside in June in Austin next to the runways? Do you have any experience with the city?"
Reading comprehension, not your strong suit. I see.
"While I can understand not wanting to use this"
"how exactly does this make the airport 'worse'?"
The runways are a good distance from the terminal. You're being hyperbolic across the board.
It makes it worse when it takes a public outdoor space and converts it into some sort of semi lounge space.