After clearing security at JFK Terminal 4, you have a few lounge options. Head left toward the "All Other Lounges" sign and you will find the Delta Sky Club downstairs. This time, we skipped Delta and went straight to the two heavy hitters right next to each other near security: the Amex Centurion Lounge and the Chase Sapphire Lounge.
We have access to both. We used our once-a-year Priority Pass entry for the Sapphire Lounge, and the Centurion Lounge through Amex. Having both available on the same trip gave us a clean, direct comparison that we had been wanting to do for a while. Here is how they compare across food, drinks, space, and overall vibe.
Chase Sapphire Lounge: The Food and Tech Winner
We started at the Chase Sapphire Lounge. Check-in was slightly confusing and we had to wait outside for about 10 minutes, possibly because of how Priority Pass entry is processed versus direct Chase card access. Once inside, it was worth the wait.
Food: This is where the Sapphire Lounge stands out clearly. The ordering system is genuinely well thought out: there is a QR code at each table and you order directly from your seat. No going up to a counter, no flagging anyone down, no wandering around trying to figure out how the food service works. You sit, you scan, you order. The system is responsive and the turnaround time was faster than expected.
The chicken dish was fantastic. Well-seasoned, properly cooked, and not the kind of watered-down interpretation of a dish that lounge kitchens sometimes produce. We also tried a seafood dish with a strong crab and lobster flavor, which was not really our thing, but the rest of the menu more than made up for it. The menu felt like it had been designed by someone who actually cares about the outcome rather than someone trying to feed as many people as efficiently as possible.
Drinks: The pours are generous. The Chase Sapphire signature cocktail was strong and hit immediately. They also have a locally inspired non-alcoholic option that was refreshing and balanced, not overly sweet. The bartender knew what they were making and seemed genuinely interested in the product rather than just going through motions.
Showers: You can reserve a shower room through the same QR code used for ordering food. Convenient and seamlessly integrated into the same system. No walking up to the front desk, no waiting in a separate line. This is the right way to do it.
The overall experience at Chase Sapphire: The technology integration here is the best we have encountered in any lounge. The QR ordering system removes friction from the entire dining experience in a way that makes you wonder why every lounge does not do this. The food quality backs it up.
Summary: Better food, great cocktails, smart table-service ordering, shower reservations via QR.
Amex Centurion Lounge: The Drinks and Vibe Winner
After about an hour at Sapphire, we headed next door to the Centurion Lounge. The service felt like a step up immediately. Staff at the front greeted us with actual smiles, a noticeable contrast to the check-in experience next door. Small detail, but it sets a different tone for the entire visit.
The space: The lounge is massive, spread across two floors connected by an elevator and stairs. There are multiple corridors, seating areas, and pockets to settle into. The design leans toward a warmer, more traditional lounge aesthetic than the Sapphire's modern tech-forward feel. It still gets very busy, but the size gives you more options to find a quieter spot. If you arrive at a peak time and the first floor looks overwhelming, go upstairs. There is almost always breathing room somewhere in the building.
Food: There is a decent spread, but food here is honestly just okay. Chase wins the culinary comparison without much competition. The Centurion Lounge food is serviceable, but it does not have the same intentionality as what we experienced next door. If you are hungry, Centurion will take care of you, but do not come specifically for the food.
The 1850 Speakeasy: This is the standout feature of the Centurion Lounge and the reason to visit even if you have already eaten. Behind a set of doors is their speakeasy bar, 1850. We ordered an espresso martini and a Southside cocktail. Both were expertly made: the espresso martini was sweet and strong, the Southside was crisp and exactly what we needed before a flight. The bartenders here are clearly skilled and take the craft seriously. The drinks program at 1850 is operating at a different level than a typical lounge bar.
If you visit the Centurion Lounge at JFK T4 and skip 1850, you are doing it wrong. This is the thing that makes people loyal to this lounge despite the food being average.
Coffee and self-serve bar: Beyond the speakeasy, there is a great cafe with quality barista coffee and a self-service bar area for when you want something without waiting. The coffee in particular is notably better than what you find at most airport lounges. Proper espresso machine, skilled operator, good output.
Summary: Two floors, busy but spacious, food is average, 1850 speakeasy is a must, great coffee.
Which One Should You Choose?
| Chase Sapphire | Amex Centurion | |
|---|---|---|
| Food quality | Better | Average |
| Ordering experience | QR table service | Counter/self-serve |
| Cocktails | Strong, generous pours | 1850 speakeasy (exceptional) |
| Coffee | Standard | Barista quality |
| Showers | Yes, book via QR | Yes |
| Vibe | Modern, tech-forward | Grand, two-floor lounge |
Choose Chase Sapphire if: You are hungry. The food is noticeably better and the QR table-service makes ordering easy. If you have a long flight ahead and want a proper pre-flight meal in a comfortable setting, start here.
Choose Amex Centurion if: You want a great cocktail or a proper coffee. The 1850 speakeasy alone is worth the visit, and the staff make it feel like a more welcoming experience overall.
If you have access to both and enough time, do what we did: eat at Chase Sapphire, then head to Centurion for a drink at 1850 before your flight. The two lounges complement each other almost perfectly. One does food well, one does drinks well, and they happen to be right next to each other.
Access: How to Get Into Each Lounge
Chase Sapphire Lounge (JFK T4): Access through the Chase Sapphire Reserve card. Priority Pass holders get a limited number of annual visits (typically one or two per year), which is what we used. Note that Priority Pass access to Chase Sapphire Lounges is being phased out or limited depending on your card terms, so check your current benefits before counting on this.
Amex Centurion Lounge (JFK T4): Access through the Amex Platinum card or the Amex Centurion card. Guests can be brought in for a fee. Note that Amex has added spending thresholds on some cards to restrict access for cardholders who do not meet a minimum annual spend, so check your eligibility before assuming access is automatic.
Practical Tips for JFK T4 Lounges
Order of operations: If you have time for both, eat at Sapphire first and then use Centurion for drinks. The food at Sapphire is better and the drinks at Centurion are better. Sequencing them this way gets the best of both.
Timing: Both lounges get crowded during peak JFK departure windows, typically late afternoon and early evening. If your flight allows it, arriving during a quieter window in the morning or midday gives you a better experience in both spaces.
Showers: Both lounges have them. Book at Chase through the QR code. Ask at the front desk at Centurion. Centurion's shower rooms can have a wait during busy periods, so flag it early if you need one.
Noise level: Both lounges are busier and louder than the equivalent facilities at smaller airports. If you need quiet to work, seek out the upper floor at Centurion or look for a corner seat at Sapphire.
Final Verdict
Both lounges are genuinely good. The Chase Sapphire Lounge has the better food program and the more innovative guest experience, driven by the QR table-service system. The Amex Centurion Lounge has the better drinks program, the better ambiance, and a friendlier energy at the door.
If you can only use one: Chase Sapphire if you are hungry, Centurion if you want drinks and atmosphere. If you can do both, the combination of the two is one of the better pre-flight lounge experiences available in the US.
