Chase Sapphire Reserve Alternate?
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Anonymous
This is the same as CSR lounges too. Long waits for slightly above mediocre lounges. |
Anonymous
| I just sit at the gate. Are the lounges really that much better? |
Anonymous
Last time we went I got on the wait-list 20 minutes before arriving at the lounge (meaning about 15 minutes before getting to the airport). And yes it's an excellent lounge - the food is very good and we all left full and happy A quiet gate area is better if you aren't hungry. But it's nice to sit at a table, and usually quieter in the lounge, unless it's an airport where they have quieted the announcements, like at SFO. So much better! |
Anonymous
Lounges aren't worth paying for. You can always sit in a restaurant for a few bucks. But I use them when I get them for free. I certainly wouldn't decide on holding the CSR because of their lounges or priority pass. |
Anonymous
No, if you want lounge access get the AmexPlatinum or your airline Reserve card (think Delta). my CSP has never worked for actually getting into the lounge |
Anonymous
| Everyone has access to all of these "lounges" now. I prefer to go to a sit down restaurant. Most are empty bc of the lounges! |
Anonymous
That's not true. I was at IAD last week and did grab and go |
Anonymous
| Venture X is not going to be giving free lounge access to additional card holders starting Feb 2026. Some additional lounge benefits and others going to be gone too. Also, the grab and go - you cannot walk in to get something from grab and go if the lounge is already full (at least at IAD) - this was a change from the previous visit. |
Anonymous
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We picked up Amex Platinum about 6 weeks ago and already have over 210K Member Reward points (150K intro bonus + 50K via Rakuten +10K via Amex organic spend w/ multipliers).
Our plan is to (1) let go of my CSR when it comes up for renewal in early 2026, (2) keep my spouse's CSP for access to Sapphire travel portal and transfer to travel partners, and (3) use the Amex Plat for most non-dining spending. My spouse has flown out of DCA four times since we picked up the Amex Plat and they always get into DCA's Centurion lounge without a wait. That alone has been hugely beneficial for my spouse's early AM flights - free coffee and breakfast. |
Anonymous
Yes, way better when they aren’t crowded. |
Anonymous
US lounges are crappy. The foreign airlines’ ones tend to be much better. |