There is a newly reopened upscale lounge possibility for passengers flying out of Dulles Worldwide Airport (IAD) close to Washington, D.C. It is now accessible, freed from cost, for vacationers who carry the Chase Sapphire Reserve® card.
Final week, Etihad Airways’ Dulles lounge quietly reopened following a serious face-lift — one which seems to deliver it into Chase’s rising portfolio of Sapphire Lounges.
Formally, the membership stays generally known as an Etihad Lounge. The airline’s emblem stays on distinguished show as you enter the house alongside Dulles’ A concourse.
However Etihad’s web site notes the house is a collaboration with JPMorgan Chase and airport lounge operator Airport Dimensions.
All through the two-level facility, you will discover loads of similarities to different golf equipment in Chase’s Sapphire Lounge portfolio, from spectacular food and drinks choices to a household room and reflection house.
In reality, the entrance desk itself is adorned with a emblem that claims “Sapphire Lounge by The Membership.” That is the official identify of another Chase lounges, resembling those at Boston Logan Worldwide Airport (BOS) and New York’s LaGuardia Airport (LGA).
In an uncommon twist, although, this lounge opened with little fanfare and no formal announcement from Chase, Etihad or Precedence Cross.
So, final weekend, I shuffled my journey plans and booked a flight by means of Dulles to take a look at the house for myself.
Here is what I discovered.
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Chase Sapphire Lounge Dulles location
The brand new Etihad-Chase collaboration lounge is in Dulles’ Terminal A — particularly, close to Gate A14.
After you clear safety and take the AeroTrain to the terminal, the lounge is simply to the left as you enter the concourse.
The lounge’s location places it in shut proximity to many worldwide carriers’ gates at Dulles.
You must also be capable of attain the lounge inside minutes in case you’re departing from a B gate on one other U.S. service like American Airways, Delta Air Traces, Southwest Airways or JetBlue.
Notably, the lounge is kind of removed from a majority of the gates utilized by United Airways, which operates a hub at Dulles.
You may technically transfer between all Dulles gates airside, but it surely’ll be extra of a hike to get to the lounge from terminals C and D, the place a majority of United’s gates are.
The lounge is open every day from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Chase Sapphire Lounge Dulles entry
As with the opposite Sapphire Lounge places, Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders obtain limitless complimentary entry for themselves and as much as two visitors per go to. Simply be sure you’ve activated your Precedence Cross membership by means of this card, as that is what they will examine to confess you to the lounge.
You may additionally get entry in case you’re flying in enterprise or top quality on an Etihad flight or if in case you have Gold or Platinum elite standing with Etihad Visitor.
Moreover, vacationers who earn Precedence Cross by means of a unique card will obtain one complimentary go to to any Sapphire Lounge per 12 months. That is an particularly nice possibility for Capital One Enterprise X cardholders who’re turned away from the Dulles Capital One Lounge when it is full.
Extra visitor visits and any go to above the one allowed will price $75 every.
Chase Sapphire Lounge Dulles structure
Regardless of the dearth of fanfare for this lounge’s reopening, it is an exquisite house.
It is a far cry from the huge 21,000-square-foot location at LaGuardia, however this did not come as an enormous shock. We anticipated this house to be related in dimension to the Sapphire Lounge at John F. Kennedy Worldwide Airport (JFK), which can be a revamped Etihad Lounge.
Nevertheless, it is a mere 5,200 sq. toes, in keeping with the Washington Enterprise Journal, that means it is really a lot smaller than the 7,600-square-foot house in JFK.
Instantly upon coming into, it feels such as you’re in a Sapphire Lounge — in no small half due to the signal that claims so on the welcome desk.
The colour motif and seating areas are exactly what we have come to count on from a Sapphire-branded house.
From the reception space, you will discover the bar instantly to your proper.
Alongside the home windows straight forward, you possibly can select a comfortable chair to settle in for some work or to do some planespotting. It was wet and darkish once I was there, however the floor-to-ceiling home windows alongside the again wall imply you possibly can take pleasure in some nice airplane views from a number of areas within the lounge.
To your proper, you will see a stairwell that results in the second flooring and two entrances into the small eating space. Do not forget to show all the best way to your left to see the house’s most eye-catching, library-themed space.
The bathe, meditation room and loos are all on the far aspect of the eating room.
Upstairs, you will discover varied seating choices, together with a big middle banquette with built-in shops to cost your units whilst you work. It additionally has its personal small snack space.
In such a small house, overcrowding may turn out to be a priority. Nevertheless, the distinct areas and ample seating all through the lounge will doubtless assist mitigate the problem considerably.
Chase Sapphire Lounge Dulles facilities
There are fewer amenity choices right here than what you will discover within the Sapphire Lounge at LaGuardia. Do not count on to make a facial appointment throughout your layover right here.
Nonetheless, the house provides a number of facilities to make your keep extra snug.
Simply by means of the eating room, you will discover three gender-neutral restrooms, a backlit vainness with two stools, a mirrored image room and a bathe. The separate vainness is particularly good for many who have to refresh their hair or make-up, permitting you to take action with out taking over one of many restricted restrooms.
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EMILY THOMPSON/THE POINTS GUY
If you wish to use the bathe or reflection room, you will have to make a reservation on the reception desk or by scanning the QR code on any of the tables.
Moreover, there’s a household space simply off the bar. It’s considerably small however consists of some video games and an space for youngsters to run round in a contained house.
Chase Sapphire Lounge Dulles meals and drinks
As with its different lounge places, Chase provides a formidable collection of meals and drinks on this lounge.
You may order a drink on the bar or by scanning the QR code on any of the tables on the primary stage. There are a number of signature cocktails, together with the domestically impressed “In Bloom,” which is a cherry blossom tackle a mimosa.
As you enter the eating space, you will discover a grab-and-go part to your left with canned seltzers and tender drinks, espresso machines, domestically roasted espresso and some snacks. Farther again is the recent bar, which provides a wide range of individually plated picks.
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EMILY THOMPSON/THE POINTS GUY
I used to be there throughout breakfast, and the choices included a cheese plate, in a single day oats, yogurt parfait, shakshuka, brioche French toast and curry potatoes. I extremely advocate the shakshuka, which has pomegranate seeds that add an sudden vivid pop to the savory dish.
Moreover, you possibly can scan the QR code on any of the tables on the primary flooring to order a dish from the made-to-order menu. At breakfast, the alternatives embody breakfast bao, salmon Benedict, gluten-free bagel and gluten-free muffin. That is particularly excellent news for many who simply need to stroll in and settle within the bar or a nook seating space with out venturing into the eating room.
On the second stage, you will discover a smaller snack bar with water, espresso and some small bites. Nevertheless, you do not have the choice to order meals from the second stage. It’s possible you’ll need to get some extra substantive snacks and a drink to deliver up with you in case you plan to settle up there.
The workers was extraordinarily pleasant and attentive with out being overbearing. If you happen to’re like me and may’t determine what to order or need a suggestion on the perfect spot to get some work achieved, do not hesitate to ask.
Backside line
This lounge opened quietly in early March. However regardless of the cause why Chase and Precedence Cross didn’t give it extra lip service, the lounge might be a welcome addition to flyers touring out of Dulles’ A gates.
If you happen to’re a Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholder or Precedence Cross member, do not skip it the subsequent time you end up passing by means of.
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