Lounge Review: Etihad/Chase Sapphire Reserve Lounge, Terminal 4 – New York JFK

by Adam Stuart | September 25, 2024 | 0 Comments

….elevated food offerings in a casually luxurious setting

When: March 6, 2024

Rating: 8/10 – Awesome

Access: Priority Pass through Chase Sapphire Reserve Card (3 hours before departure)

A few years ago, to save costs, Etihad Airways divested itself of its lounges. After the pandemic, Etihad partnered with Chase to reopen and rebrand its US lounges with lounges at New York’s JFK and Washington Dulles. JFK Airport, with all of its foreign carriers, is one the best airports for lounge hopping – especially Terminal 4.

The Chase/Etihad lounge at JFK is nearly identical to its Dulles counterpart (review here). The lounge’s aesthetic and branding is also similar to the larger Sapphire Reserve lounges at LGA and BOS. Highlights of this lovely lounge are the proactive staff, pre-plated buffet, the ability to order ready to made food via QR code from anywhere in the lounge, and shower suites.

The entry is on the upper level of Terminal 4, near the pier with the A gates. It is right next to the American Express Centurion lounge (just like at LaGuardia). After presenting your priority pass (through Chase) credentials plus boarding pass at the entry, you enter the lounge and you are immediately struck by the awesome views of the tarmac and the bar. The bar, which serves up a variety of cocktails, some specific to JFK, is backed by a glass wall – not mirrors, which increases the light in the lounge.

The buffet is a bit further down and like all Chase lounges, the items are individually pre-plated and portioned. This is where Chase has topped American Express – in the presentation of the buffet. Chase also tops Capital One in that you can also order food a la carte from wherever you sit in the lounge: At a desk or table, on a sofa in a comfortable seat, or at the bar.

There is a large variety of seating throughout the lounge, nice bookcases, artwork, and outlets for charging. The lounge also offers shower suites, which is great given the large number of long-haul flights offered out of JFK. I would describe the décor as modern, with many curved surfaces, clean, and bright. The fireplace adds a nice touch.

Here’s to the staff at this (and all Chase lounges). They are proactive, always cleaning and always professional.   

I rate this lounge 8/10. Best features: The décor, bar, staff, a la carte dining. Flaws: Crowds later in the day before flights over the Atlantic.

Also on BoardingArea
Frequent Flyer Bonuses
Singapore Airlines Spontaneous Escapes – Save 30% on select KrisFlyer award flights
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer’s famous Spontaneous Escapes have been released for October and offer 30% off select award flights. These are the airline’s monthly discounted award flight offers that are only open for booking for the last few weeks of this month for traveling in the next month As is typically the...
ATX Jetsetter
Delta Won’t Fly Narrowbody Planes on Transatlantic Routes
Last week, Delta Air Lines held its Q3 2025 earnings call. During the call a senior Delta executive made some interesting statements regarding its plans for transatlantic flights and even took a swipe at American and United. Delta Won’t Fly Narrowbody Jets on Transatlantic Routes due to “Brand Issues” During the...
Points With a Crew
Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card Review (Limited Time Higher Offer)
KEY LINK – Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card – Earn 155,000 Hilton Honors Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 in purchases on the Card in the first 6 months of Card Membership. $150 annual fee (see rates and fees). I’ve often said that one of the best ways to get a...
The Gate with Brian Cohen
Fraud Alert on My Credit Card Was Legitimate. Again.
Despite vigilantly being as careful with my credit cards as possible, the fraud alert that I recently received on my credit card was legitimate, as three charges appeared on my credit card statement that I did not recognize. Fraud Alert on My Credit Card Was Legitimate. Again. Someone attempted to charge the...
One Mile at a Time
94th Aero Squadron: Miami’s Restaurant For Aviation Geeks (Who Knew?!)
I don’t typically review restaurants outside of hotels, but I’m going to make an exception here. A while back, I was talking to a friend here in Miami, who asked if I had eaten at the 94th Aero Squadron. I had never heard of it, so expressed confusion. “It’s right...
The Bulkhead Seat
Avelo Airlines Cuts Three Routes and Pulls an Aircraft From Raleigh-Durham International Airport
Avelo Airlines abandoned the West Coast back in July. This week it made a few more cuts on the East Coast including two routes from Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) and one from Islip’s Long Island MacArthur Airport (ISP). Avelo is also pulling one of two aircraft that it housed in...
Frequent Miler
A quick chat with Pauline Frommer of Frommer’s Travel Guides and Frommer’s Travel Show | Coffee Break Ep73 | 10-14-25 | Podcast
Recently, Greg got to appear on the Frommer’s Travel Show, and now Pauline is here to chat with our audience about some of the unexpected tips you might find in Frommer’s guidebooks as well as the fascinating origins of the Frommer’s Travel Guides. A quick chat with Pauline Frommer of Frommer’s...
Your Mileage May Vary
Everyone’s Cruising. Here’s Why You Maybe Shouldn’t
The cruise industry is definitely having a moment, as it grows by leaps and bounds. I mean, take these statistics into consideration: By the end of 2025, an estimated 37.7 million people will have cruised, up from 34.6 million in 2024. In the past 2 years, 31% of passengers were first-time cruisers 82%...
The Bulkhead Seat
A Growing Number of US Airports Refuse to Play Politically Charged TSA Video
A few days ago, I wrote about a new video released by Homeland Security Secretary, Kristi Noem. It was to play on a continuous loop at TSA checkpoints around the country. The 36-second message blames the Democrats for the funding impasse that has left airport staff unpaid and passengers facing...
Travel With Grant
Alaska Airlines / Atmos Rewards Summit Cardholders: How to Share Points with up to 10 Accounts for Free
Good afternoon everyone! I hope you had an enjoyable Indigenous Peoples’ Day or a festive Canadian Thanksgiving (both celebrated on October 13 this year).  Speaking of giving thanks, I want to thank the Atmos Rewards team for adding one of my favorite perks (free point sharing) to the Bank of America...
Economondo
Not Quite SAS! Flying on an Xfly CRJ-900: Ostersund to Stockholm Arlanda
Following an exciting flight over from Umeå Airport onboard Jonair’s Citation 560XL Citation Excel, it was time to get back to reality and join the masses for my next hop down to the Swedish capital. From the Citation, I had been escorted out through a gate and into the airport’s...
Hawaii Calling
Best Time to Visit O‘ahu: Weather, Crowds & Culture
If you’ve ever tried to figure out the best time to visit O‘ahu, you’ve probably realized there’s no single right answer — it really depends on what kind of trip you want. Maybe you’re dreaming of calm beaches and clear snorkeling water, or maybe you want to see the legendary...
Frequent Miler
Save 10% on Qatar flights + earn up to 6K bonus Avios via Hilton partnership
Qatar Airways and Hilton are running a joint promotion, although it’s a bit of a weird one because there’s very little about it that’s joint. When booking paid Qatar Airways flights, you can get both a 10% discount and up to 6,000 bonus Avios, but there are no bonus Hilton points...
Miles To Memories
Early Morning Flights: The Masochistic Travel Habit I Won’t Give Up
Early Morning Flights Matthew at Live and Let’s Fly recently published a thoughtful article about quiet airports.  It spurred my recollection of what I’ve occasionally asked myself to inform decisions over the years.  If I want or need to be in a particular place, how can I make that experience more...
You Are Travel
Comedians Perform at Saudi Arabian Comedy Festival and the Internet Gets Loud – My Thoughts
tl;dr – Opinions are all over the place on this, but there’s one thing that stands out to me. In case you missed it, a few weeks ago, the internet lost its collective sh*t when Saudi Arabia hosted the Riyadh Comedy Festival, inviting several famous comedians to the Gulf Nation to...
View from the Wing
United First Class Passenger Strapped His Dog To His Chest In A Sling, Called It A Baby
A United Airlines first class passenger traveling with a small dog – a 19-year old named Piper – was feeding his friend goldfish. He places a drink order: “Diet Coke for me, water for the dog” and then a flight attendant flight attendant returns, reminding him “your pet needs to...
One Mile at a Time
I’m Excited: It’s Time For A New Era Of Travel At OMAAT…
To those who enjoy review trips and travel content, I want to provide a quick update, and it’s good news (and it’s intended to be on a happy note)… My past many years of travel have been boring(ish) As I’ve already written about, I recently lost my mom to ovarian cancer, after...
Points With a Crew
Should you buy Hilton points with (up to) a 100% bonus?
As I continue to enjoy racking up Hilton Honors Points through my portfolio of cards, this is another great way to boost your points bank! Hilton is doing an up to 100% bonus on the points you buy. This bonus expires November 21st. You can normally buy up to 80,000...
Your Mileage May Vary
Does the Hyatt Regency JFK Have an Airport Shuttle? Here’s the Real Story
When I casually mentioned the Hyatt Regency JFK Airport at Resorts World in our post about staying at the Residence Inn near JFK, I thought it was a throwaway line. Then two Hyatt Globalists chimed in—with conflicting answers—about whether the Hyatt has an airport shuttle. Suddenly, a simple detail turned...
You Are Travel
Wake Up and Smell The…Bacon & Eggs?? – Holiday Inn’s New Alarm Clock Will “Smell” You Awake
tl;dr – IHG’s launches a limited edition scent-powered alarm clock across select properties in Oceania and Southeast Asia. We’re living in the future, folks. Do you remember the days when you’d awake to the sensuous aroma of someone cooking something slappin’ in the kitchen? Well, IHG wants to give you that...
Miles To Memories
Earn 10X Rove Miles on “Loyalty Eligible” Hotel Stays
Earn 10X Rove Miles on “Loyalty Eligible” Hotel Stays Rove announced a new feature that will let you enjoy your elite status benefits, while also rewarding you with extra points. Beginning October 14, 2025, Rove users can book Loyalty Eligible hotels directly on Rove’s platform—and still earn hotel points, elite night credits, and...
You Are Travel
New Luxury Aspen Ski Resort(s) Are in the Works – Is Aman Involved?
tl;dr – The Chalet Alpina is destined for the base of Aspen Mountain. Will an Aman property share the lift space? Some interesting news out of Aspen. A new luxury ski resort, Chalet Alpina, is under construction at the base of Aspen Mountain near Lift One. Chalet Alpina is a joint...
Frequent Miler
Get $120 back on $600+ spend with Delta Stays Amex Offer (stack with Delta Stays benefit)
The personal and business versions of the Delta Gold, Platinum, and Reserve cards all come with a Delta Stays benefit. There’s currently a targeted Amex Offer for Delta Stays that can save you even more money, with the two benefits/offers stacking with each other. The Deal Spend $600+ in one or more...
Miles To Memories
Bilt Announces New Partnership to Start Offering Rewards on Mortgage Payments
Bilt to Start Offering Rewards on Mortgage Payments Bilt already rewards members with points for paying their rent and they have hinted at offering the same for mortgage payments in early 2026. Now they have taken the first step towards that goal with a new strategic partnership with United Wholesale Mortgage (UWM), the...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Categories

Our Bloggers