I think it was Benjamin Franklin who said “…in this world, nothing is certain except death and taxes. And travel and credit card program devaluations.”
Did I get that?
Anyways, we knew this was bound to happen at some point.
Three travel reward credit cards’ Priority Pass benefit will no longer include benefits at certain airport restaurants as of July 1, 2024.
That means no more (up to) $28 credit per person on the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, The Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card, and J.P. Morgan Reserve Card (formerly Chase Palladium).
All information about The Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card and J.P. Morgan Reserve Card has been collected independently by Eye of the Flyer. The Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card and J.P. Morgan Reserve Card are not available through Eye of the Flyer. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.
AwardWallet broke the news and noted Chase Sapphire Reserve® cardholders are starting to see these notifications in their monthly statements:
As of July 1, 2024, you will no longer have access to restaurants, cafes, and markets participating in the Priority Pass Select network as part of the Priority Pass SelectTM Benefit associated with your card. Access to Priority Pass Select’s network of lounges and other select airport experiences is not impacted by this update.
Chase told AwardWallet the exclusions apply to “restaurants, cafes and markets.” So, spa visits, nap rooms, and random places like that should still be OK.
Not Without Precedent
The Chase cards’ Priority Pass restaurant benefit was a big deal after the The Platinum Card® from American Express and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express Priority Pass eliminated it about five years ago. The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card‘s Priority Pass restaurant benefits were available from the card’s November 2021 launch through December 2022.
To be honest, I rarely use my restaurant credits. There aren’t many participating locations where I travel. But I know people who use the restaurant perk all the time.
That said, here’s someplace I’ll miss: The PGA Lounge inside Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP). Outside of the Sherman Oaks Castle Park miniature golf courses (highly recommended, by the way), I’m not much of a golfer. My guess is that we’ll still have access to that. But the credit is great toward an Ike’s Clubhouse cheeseburger and fries.
I have a couple of trips planned through MSP during the next few months — and plan to properly say goodbye. 🙂
Chase Lounges
According to AwardWallet, “Chase says the changes are a direct response to growing its own network of Chase Sapphire Lounges.”
I’ve been to the Chase Sapphire Lounges in both Boston and New York-LaGuardia. (My colleague Benjamin Chiang just reviewed the new New York-Kennedy location.)
They’re gorgeous, the amenities are great, and the food and drinks are delicious.
However, only three operate inside the United States (Hong Kong hosts the international Chase Sapphire Lounge). We still don’t know when the Las Vegas (LAS), Philadelphia (PHL), Phoenix, and San Diego (SAN) clubs will open.
So, it would be nice if we at least had more information on that side of things.
Final Approach
The restaurant benefits as part of the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, The Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card, and J.P. Morgan Reserve Card Priority Pass Select memberships will end on June 30, 2024.
Chase Sapphire Reserve® holders: how much does this affect your travel experience — or perception of the card?
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I’ll miss the two restaurants I visit in Denver. But as long as the other lounges stay available, I guess I’m ok. For now.
Body count increased to 4 today. Hilton Business Amex
@Nitpicker – The Hilton biz devaluation is truly brutal.
I think this is a huge miss. I use it frequently when on domestic travel at an airport where the only lounge access is in the Intl terminal and I am not in that terminal, so for Denver, Houston and other airports, this is annoying. Especially when I am traveling with my family (husband and kid), and could only get ONE of them into a lounge anyway with Priority Pass access. With the restaurant money credit it was MUCH more flexible for families since we could order whatever as long as it was covered (mostly) by the credit for two people. Probably why they got rid of it- useful and costs them money. If I am flying internationally it is for work and its in business class so I will use the airline lounge for free anyway.
CSR has been dropping benefits (like broad PYB narrowing), but I will keep the Reserve for the primary rental car insurance and trip delay insurance as both are very valuable to me. Also, I’m in Boston, so the new Sapphire Lounge is a huge benefit.
The CSR’s trip protection is great. What have your experiences been using the Sapphire Lounge? Any long waits or overcrowding?
This is not a big miss for me because I don’t usually use the restaurants in airport and 90% of the time I travel in big city airports so there is always bound to be a Skyclub or a Priority club lounge. Also, the food experiences at a few of the restaurants that I did use were just very average …. over coocked burgers, greasy fries (not even hot), and diner-like service. I know it is another benefit taken away from me, but it is not a big miss. If I am desperate for food and there isn’t a lounge at the airport (which is rare for me), I will just have to suck it up and pay $10 for a Big Mac and fries; but at least it will be hot. LOL!