| | The evolution of airport lounges | | by Brian Kelly | |  | If there's one trend that's undeniable, it's that airport lounges in the U.S. have gotten much nicer over the last 10 years. With the proliferation of lounges opened by credit card issuers, the lounge experience has definitely been elevated.
When I started The Points Guy in 2010, airport lounges were pretty bare-bones — you could get a cup of coffee, pretzels, cheese — and then, at some point over that decade, airlines started charging for premium alcohol. The one key upside to airline lounges to this day is having agents there who can assist you if travel plans go wrong.
Now, credit card lounges have changed the game, offering better dining experiences, amenities like family rooms and, in some cases, the ability to mobile-order food — a great perk when traveling with kids. American Express Centurion Lounges continue to lead the way in this space, but Chase Sapphire Lounges and Capital One Lounges are also building meaningful footprints in many key hubs across the country.
In the last few months, we've seen the long-awaited Centurion Lounge open at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), along with the new Capital One Landing concept. Chase debuted a new Sapphire Lounge in Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), and another is on the way for San Diego International Airport (SAN).
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) also saw the launch of a new Sapphire Lounge this year, and Capital One has a lounge in the works there as well.
These expansions are great because one downside for many travelers has been that, due to their increasing popularity, it has gotten more difficult to gain access to some of the credit card lounges. As credit card issuers continue to grow these memberships, they're also exploring new concepts like grab-and-go food and upgraded technology to manage wait times.
If you don't already have one, I'd recommend exploring some of the credit cards that can give you access to a wide range of lounges. Things are getting really exciting in this space, and I can't wait to see what new lounges debut in 2025!
Safe travels, everyone!
BK
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