Terminal 4 at Phoenix Sky Harbor recently got a new addition: the Chase Sapphire Lounge, near Gate D1. It opened in late 2024 and we knew we had to check it out. The visit came with a catch, though. Here is the full honest review.
The Chase Sapphire Lounge at PHX is one of a growing number of Chase-branded lounges opening at major US airports, and it has been generating real buzz in the travel community since it opened. We wanted to see for ourselves whether it actually lives up to the hype, especially compared to the Centurion and Escape Lounges in the same terminal.
Access Rules and Our 2-Hour Wait
We do not hold a Chase Sapphire Reserve card, so we used the Priority Pass that comes with our Amex Platinum setup to get in.
Here is what Priority Pass access looks like at Chase Sapphire Lounges: you are allowed in only once per calendar year, and you are placed at the bottom of the priority queue. Every time a Chase Sapphire cardholder arrives, they move ahead of you.
We checked in at 8:49 AM and were told there was no guaranteed wait time. We waited over two hours. We honestly thought we were not going to make it. The notification to enter finally came at 10:25 AM, right as our flight was boarding.
This is the most important thing to know before you plan around this lounge. Priority Pass access here is technically possible, but practically unreliable. If you are relying on Priority Pass and you have a flight to catch, you are gambling. Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders get guaranteed access and bring up to two guests. Priority Pass holders are essentially standby.
If you have a Chase Sapphire Reserve card: this is a non-issue. Walk in, settle down, enjoy the lounge at your pace.
The Size and Vibe
The Centurion Lounge at Sky Harbor is around 9,500 square feet. The Chase Sapphire Lounge is about 3,500 square feet. It is narrow and noticeably smaller.
But because it is strictly capacity-controlled, the inside feels calm and not chaotic. No crowds pushing past you to get to the buffet. It is a genuinely relaxing environment, which is a meaningful difference from most airport lounges.
The design is clean and intentional. Warm wood tones, comfortable seating that does not feel like it was bulk-purchased for durability, and a layout that keeps foot traffic from interrupting the people sitting and eating. It feels like a restaurant that happens to be inside an airport, rather than an airport lounge that is trying to feel like a restaurant.
The cocktail and coffee bar is visible from the entrance and adds to the atmosphere. Local Arizona ingredients and roasters are featured in the drinks menu, which is a nice detail.
The Food
We were rushing to catch our flight so we did not have time for the a la carte menu (available via QR code at each table) or the cocktail and local coffee bar. We went straight to the buffet.
They heat the plates at the buffet station. Your food actually stays warm at your table. That one detail is a small thing that makes a real difference.
What we grabbed:
- Cheese and bacon dish: very good
- Fresh fruit with honey: generous amount, well done
- Peanut butter and chocolate pudding layered with strawberry jam: sweet and savory in a way that actually worked
The food is already significantly better than what you will find at the Centurion or Escape Lounges in the same terminal.
What we did not get to try but saw others ordering: the a la carte breakfast menu items looked genuinely appealing. There were composed plates coming out of the kitchen that looked much more like restaurant food than lounge food. If you have time to sit and order properly, the Chase Sapphire Lounge is worth every minute of it.
The Bar
Even though we did not have time to order cocktails, we got a good look at the bar setup. The Chase Sapphire Lounge uses a rotating menu of local Arizona spirits and craft coffee. The bartenders were actively making drinks for seated guests throughout our brief visit.
If you have time for a proper sit, the cocktail menu here is the kind of thing that makes a 90-minute pre-flight stop feel like an actual experience rather than just waiting. This is what separates the Chase Sapphire Lounge concept from more generic airport lounges.
PHX Lounge Comparison
Since we were in the same terminal, it is worth putting it plainly: the Chase Sapphire Lounge is clearly the best food and atmosphere option at PHX Terminal 4. But the access situation matters a lot.
- Chase Sapphire Reserve: Come here. It is the best lounge in the terminal.
- Amex Platinum with Priority Pass: The lounge accepts Priority Pass but places you at the back of the line. Budget significant buffer time or use the Centurion or Escape Lounge instead.
- Amex Platinum (no Priority Pass for Chase): Your options are Centurion or Escape Lounge, both at Gate B21.
Tips
- If you are using Priority Pass, arrive very early. Two hours or more before your flight is not an exaggeration. We nearly missed ours.
- Priority Pass access is limited to once per calendar year at Chase Sapphire Lounges. Do not burn it on a short trip if you fly PHX frequently.
- Put your name on the list for the a la carte menu when you sit down. Even if you plan to hit the buffet, the made-to-order items are the real draw here.
- Heated plates at the buffet. Small detail but your food will still be warm when you sit down.
- Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders get priority access and can bring two guests. If you are a frequent traveler, the lounge access alone is a compelling reason to evaluate the card.
Bottom Line
If you have a Chase Sapphire Reserve card: This is the lounge to use at PHX. Better food, controlled capacity, much more relaxing space. We genuinely wish we had more time to enjoy it.
If you are using Priority Pass: Be prepared to wait. Two-plus hours is a real possibility. Unless you have a generous buffer before your flight, the Escape Lounge next door is the more practical choice. The food at the Chase Sapphire Lounge is worth it if you can get in, but not worth missing your flight over.
