Priority Pass membership is one of the flagship benefits of the Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card. I can’t tell you how many people I know who open the Sapphire Reserve for the lounge access. When they open the card they think that the credit card will get them into every airline lounge imaginable. Then when they try to visit a lounge they realize lounge access is through Priority Pass and you need your Priority Pass card to access participating lounges. Even with the Priority Pass card I find that many, myself included, are disappointed by the lounge access by the card
Even though I have my issues with the CSR and Priority Pass I do appreciate how Chase executes this benefit. See, with other cards that offer Priority Pass memberships you often have to call to request your membership card. That’s frustrating because the average person opens a card and assumes they have that benefit. So, it’s even more frustrating when you’re denied access to a Priority Pass lounge because you don’t have your priority Pass card.
Thankfully, Chase proactively mails out Priority Pass cards after opening the Chase Sapphire Reserve. Likewise, as I found out this week, Chase also proactively mails out replacement cards when your Priority Pass card expires.
I Received My New Priority Pass Card From Chase
A few days ago I received a letter from Chase which appeared a bit more important than normal. On the outside of the envelope in bold letters was a message which informed me that “Membership Information [was] Enclosed.” On the right hand envelope was additional language which told me that it was my new Priority Pass Select card. Sure enough when I tried to bend the envelope I found the familiar shape of a card inside.
When I opened the envelope I found my new priority pass card and a letter from Chase which further explained the Priority Pass Select benefit.
While the letter was fairly straightforward two things jumped off the page when reading this letter.
- Chase is now limiting the number of guests per Priority Pass card.
- Digital Membership Cards are now available.
It seems Chase used this letter as a way of telling customers that effective now (August 2018) Priority Pass memberships via the Chase Sapphire Reserve can now only bring in two guests per visit. Likewise, Chase also used this as an opportunity that customers could opt to use a digital membership card. I suspect in the future Chase / Priority Pass will do away with physical cards altogether.
Final Thoughts
While I have my issues with Chase and the way they market lounge access that comes with the Chase Sapphire Reserve, I appreciate that Chase is proactively mailing out new Priority Pass membership cards. I personally forgot that my membership card expired and am not sure when/if I would have noticed. My guess is that I wouldn’t have noticed until I tried to use the card again at which point I wouldn’t have been let in. So for that I’m happy that Chase proactively mails out these cards.
If you haven’t received an updated card from Chase make sure to reach out to them to request a new card. Likewise, this should serve as a good reminder to all Priority Pass customers to check to see when their card expires and to request a new card if necessary.
