Picture this: you’ve just survived the chaos of McCarran—sorry, Harry Reid International—and instead of fighting for an overpriced airport beer, you’re sipping complimentary champagne while someone else poured for you. That’s the reality starting December 3, 2025, when the newest Chase Sapphire Lounge opens its doors in Las Vegas. I’ve been chasing lounge openings for years, and this one feels different. Maybe it’s the Vegas energy, maybe it’s the promise of a dedicated champagne parlor, but something tells me this spot is about to become the toughest ticket in town.
Why the Las Vegas Sapphire Lounge Actually Matters
Let’s be honest—airport lounges used to be sad sandwich stations with lukewarm coffee. Then Amex Centurion Lounges raised the bar, Capital One started building their own palaces, and Chase decided they weren’t going to be left out. Nine lounges later, the Sapphire network has quietly become one of the most exclusive clubs in the sky. And now they’ve planted their flag right in the middle of America’s playground.
Chase says Las Vegas was the sixth-most booked domestic destination in their 2025 travel data. Translation: this lounge is going to be packed. So if you’re planning a trip to Sin City anytime soon, understanding exactly how to get in (and who pays what) suddenly feels pretty important.
Where Exactly Is It and What Does It Look Like?
The lounge sits in Terminal 1, Concourse C—right after security if you’re flying Southwest, Allegiant, or a handful of international carriers. At just over 4,500 square feet spread across two levels, it’s not the biggest Sapphire Lounge (JFK still holds that crown), but the design team clearly had fun with the Vegas theme without turning it into a mini Bellagio.
Think desert-inspired earth tones, custom light fixtures that echo the neon strip at night, and artwork from emerging Nevada artists. There are quiet zones with actual laptop-friendly tables—rare in lounges these days—and plenty of spots to just sink into a chair and pretend the rest of the airport doesn’t exist.
The Food and Drinks Are the Real Headliner
Chase partnered with Momofuku for the food menu, which already tells you this isn’t your average lounge buffet. Expect the famous pork buns, spicy cucumber salad, and rotating seasonal plates. Local touch? Dark Moon Coffee Roasters from Las Vegas is handling the caffeine.
But the feature everyone is talking about is the champagne parlor. Yes, an entire area dedicated to bubbly. We’re talking bar-cart service, seasonal spritzes, mimosas if you’re arriving at an ungodly hour, and proper champagne by the glass. In my experience, once a lounge starts pouring good champagne for free, the entire vibe changes. People actually relax.
When you can walk off a redeye and someone hands you a perfectly chilled glass of champagne, the whole trip feels different.
How to Get In – The Rules in Plain English
Here’s where it gets a little tricky, because Chase changed the game a couple years ago.
- Chase Sapphire Reserve® or Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ cardholders → Unlimited visits + up to 2 guests free. Extra guests $27 each.
- Authorized users on personal Sapphire Reserve → Can get their own Priority Pass and unlimited Sapphire Lounge access for $195/year (worth it if they travel).
- Regular Priority Pass members (from other cards) → One free visit per calendar year across the entire Sapphire network, then $75 per visit. Guests also $75.
- Kids under 2 → Always free with an adult.
- Hong Kong lounge exception → Still unlimited for any Priority Pass with unlimited visits.
I’ve watched people get turned away at other Sapphire Lounges because they thought their generic Priority Pass still worked like it did in 2019. It doesn’t. If you only have Priority Pass through a card that isn’t Sapphire Reserve, plan accordingly.
Best Cards That Get You Unlimited Access
If you’re wondering which cards actually deliver the golden ticket, here are the current winners:
- Chase Sapphire Reserve® – The original. $550 annual fee, but the $300 travel credit and lounge access usually make it a wash in year one.
- Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ – Same lounge rules, different bonus categories. Employee cards don’t get lounge access, though.
- J.P. Morgan Reserve – Invite-only, but if you have it, you’re in.
Everyone else is playing on harder mode.
Comparing the Competition – Is Chase Still Winning?
Look, I love Centurion Lounges. The food is usually spectacular, and the spa services at some locations are a game-changer. But crowds have become a real problem. Capital One Lounges are gorgeous and less crowded (for now), but there are only a handful. Plaza Premium and smaller contract lounges still feel like, well, contract lounges.
The Sapphire network hits a sweet spot: beautiful spaces, excellent food, and—crucially—capacity controls that actually work. I’ve never waited more than five minutes to get into a Sapphire Lounge, even at peak times. That alone might be worth the price of admission.
| Lounge Network | Unlimited Access Card | Guest Policy | Food Quality |
| Chase Sapphire | Sapphire Reserve | 2 guests free | Very High (Momofuku, etc.) |
| Amex Centurion | Platinum / Centurion | 2 guests or family | Excellent but crowded |
| Capital One | Venture X | 2 guests free (until 2026) | Strong, growing network |
| Priority Pass (standard) | Many cards | Varies widely | Highly variable |
My Take: Is It Worth Changing Cards For?
If you fly through any of the nine current Sapphire cities more than a few times a year—Boston, New York, DC, Phoenix, San Diego, Philly, Hong Kong, Washington Dulles, and now Vegas—the answer is probably yes. The combination of truly unlimited visits, solid guest policy, and food that doesn’t embarrass you in front of clients makes the Sapphire Reserve hard to beat in the premium card space right now.
Even if you only for the champagne parlor in Vegas.
Safe travels, and if you see someone raising a glass of bubbly in Concourse C next month, give me a wave—I’ll probably be the one pretending I’m not counting down to my next flight just to come back.
