A evaluation of the Chase Lounge and Terrace on the US Open

It has change into a giant custom on the U.S. Open in Queens, New York: Chase has been working an unique lounge on the Flushing Meadows venue for 12 years now. For the second yr in a row, Chase additionally introduced again an outside terrace the place you may watch tennis with a chook’s-eye view of the courts and sip a cocktail in model.

There’s additionally a cool Chase ATM allotting swag, a photo-op for tennis followers of all sizes and styles, and a station the place you may borrow a cellphone charger. General, there are many actions to take pleasure in … even if you cannot get into the primary lounge.

Chase invited TPG again to the U.S. Open once more this yr to take a look at all of the venues.

This is what it is like to go to the varied Chase experiences.

Chase Lounge on the US Open

One of many hottest tickets on the Open is the Chase Lounge. It is open from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. for day classes and 6 p.m. to eight:30 p.m. for night classes. It’ll stay open through the US Open by way of Sept 6, although there will not be each day and night classes after Sept. 4.

Among the many facilities (if you will get a coveted spot) are air-con, snacks, a full bar, free Chase baseball hats (with elective customized embroidery), a complimentary comfortable hour and dwell ESPN broadcast moments. There was recent fruit and occasional (each cold and warm by Lavazza) once I was there.

There are additionally complimentary mild bites, delicate drinks and a wide selection of alcoholic drinks — although these aren’t free. Beers and wines began at $14, and blended drinks have been round $17. You will not be capable to get a full meal right here, however it will provide you with somewhat gas on the go.

Do not forget to cease by the Ice Cream Bar to the left of the bar, the place you may choose up a free ice cream sandwich from New York Metropolis model Van Leeuwen (there’s even a vegan possibility).

You may discover numerous seating areas and attention-grabbing views from the floor-to-ceiling home windows. The restrooms are good, they usually did not have strains once I was there.

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You should definitely seize a free Chase-branded baseball cap, and head to the again of the lounge to get your identify embroidered on it. It was a enjoyable swag second.

Once I was there round 2 p.m. on Wednesday, I did not want to attend in line to get in. The lounge wasn’t completely packed, however as you may see from the pictures, it was crowded.

It is not simple to get entry, nevertheless. As in years previous, all Chase cardholders are eligible, together with these with the Chase Sapphire Reserve, Chase Sapphire Most popular Card, Chase Freedom Limitless, Ink Enterprise Money Credit score Card and IHG One Rewards Premier Enterprise Credit score Card.

To entry U.S. Open advantages as a Chase cardholder, you will need to have the Chase Cross, which you will obtain after signing up by way of e-mail with a singular QR code. Save or screenshot this QR code, as you will have to scan this to entry the lounge.

Sadly, reservations have been nearly not possible to get even for those who tried to join the primary day they have been out there. Most people (myself included) obtained added to a waitlist as a substitute. Chase representatives stated they’ve been in a position to open the lounge to some on the waitlist, however you should not depend on it. Hopefully, you will get fortunate and get a spot.

When you examine in and enter the lounge, you will obtain a wristband that lets you enter, depart and reenter the lounge. Nevertheless, it is capacity-controlled, so chances are you’ll want to attend for reentry if the lounge is at capability.

The lounge is correct contained in the East Gate entrance of the USTA Billie Jean King Nationwide Tennis Heart. It is not removed from the doorway you’d use if taking the subway or the Lengthy Island Rail Highway.

Happily, it isn’t the one alternative for Chase cardholders to have that VIP feeling on the event.

Chase Terrace on the US Open

I truly most well-liked the Chase Terrace to the Chase Lounge because it was out within the open air and had unbelievable views of a number of tennis courts. In fact, it wasn’t too sizzling once I was there, so your expertise could differ.

Entry is on a first-come, first-served foundation solely for Chase cardholders.

You may examine in on the bottom ground, get a bracelet and stroll upstairs. The Chase Terrace can be in your left.

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CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY

The terrace sits on an outside hospitality space with sweeping views of three tennis courts and some money bars. The bleachers enable of us to sit down and watch the matches. Complimentary flavored water is accessible right here as nicely.

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CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY

A separate IHG Lemon Bar is about up throughout comfortable hour and affords one complimentary drink for every visitor. One different extremely popular function was the IHG cobranded facilities bar.

Company can choose one deal with from the bar, together with a fan, mints and even fancy La Roche-Posay sunblock.

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CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY

There are additionally a number of shaded areas arrange with soft-cushioned lounge chairs. I heard one girl say she actually felt like a VIP within the area. Certainly, I’d have been comfortable to spend a couple of hours right here.

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CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY

You don’t want to make a reservation to enter the terrace, and it doesn’t shut between day and night classes.

Flash your Chase card without cost swag

On the way in which to the Chase Terrace entrance are a couple of extra Chase-branded areas, together with the Chase Cross, which debuted to many optimistic critiques final yr. I did not attempt it since there was a line once I went, however it regarded enjoyable. Any Chase clients who’ve enrolled in Chase Cross can use the “Magic ATM” which dispenses swag as a substitute of cash. Among the many prizes are fanny Packs, sun shades, followers, seat upgrades and extra.

A enjoyable Chase photo-op

Subsequent to the charging station, there is a enjoyable space the place visitors can pose with a humongous tennis racket and take pictures to their hearts’ content material. Chase instructed us they wished to maintain it easy with a enjoyable branding second that visitors may take pleasure in. It seemed to be particularly well-liked with youngsters whereas we have been there.

Chase Sapphire at Seaport

If you cannot make all of it the way in which to Queens however need somewhat style of the Open, Chase created a pop-up tennis courtroom on the rooftop of Pier 17 in Manhattan.

Sapphire Reserve cardmembers get unique entry to buy clinics or open courtroom occasions. Packages unlock 45-minute clinics taught by native professionals or tennis legends; additionally they provide open courtroom time for cardmembers and as much as three visitors with various time slots from Sept. 7 to Sept. 9.

Associated: Amex cardholders get these 6 perks on the US Open Tennis Championships

Backside line

There’s lots to do on the U.S. Open, even when you do not have tickets to any precise matches. There are sponsored venues galore, and you may entry some actually cool free further perks for those who’re a Chase buyer.

Reservations are bought out for the Chase Lounge, however you may put your self on the waitlist. In my view, although, the Chase Terrace is the true gem. It lets you get near the tennis motion even for those who could not rating tickets to a match or get into the Chase Lounge.

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