The Chase Sapphire Terrace at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) is closing. The mostly outdoor lounge space will close its doors to guests in March 2025, at which point it will revert to being a public viewing terrace for ticketed passengers.
Admittedly, this is mixed news for travelers departing from the airport as the Chase Sapphire Terrace is the only lounge that can be accessed regardless of which airline you’re flying as long as you are a Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholder. For travelers without a Chase Sapphire Reserve card, they’ll once again get access to the outdoor viewing terrace at the airport.
Despite living in Austin, I’ve only visited the Chase Sapphire Terrace once as I typically fly America, Delta, and United and use their respective lounges at the airport. While I appreciate the concept of this lounge, the weather in Austin can be unbearable at times (Its 82 degrees here in mid-November) and this mostly outdoor space leaves you exposed to the elements.
This was always the primary complaint about this lounge though I have a feeling Chase won’t be missing from the Austin market long. As first reported by View From the Wing, a massive reshuffle of lounge space is coming to the Austin Airport as expansion projects are completed.
Among the new lounge spaces is a 20,000 square foot area that is part of the West Infill project. According to the airport’s presentation, this space has been leased to a financial institution and is projected to open in 2026-2027. While I’d love to see an American Express Centurion Lounge in AUS, it’s highly likely that this space will go to Chase given their existing relationships at the airport.
Summary
The Chase Sapphire Terrace at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is closing in March 2025 and will revert back to being a public viewing deck for passengers. While it is unfortunate that the airport is losing its only non-airline specific lounge, multiple new lounge spaces will be opening in the coming years and we’ll likely see Chase back in one of those soon.
Thanks for the news, I will miss it. I used this lounge when I didn’t have access to the UA lounge bc I was traveling domestic first (and as rarely happens for me, not connecting to an intl business class UA flight), or in the case of flying BA business, where the AA lounge is at the other end of the airport from their gates. It was great those few times to grab a drink or fizzy water and a snack and just enjoy sunshine and watching planes take off before getting in a tin can with filtered air.
The other thing is that made it a nice alternative if you had the time to walk down there, is that the UA lounge is small, dark and not great (except the one bartender who is a delight and has been there forever). So anything with a view/sunshine is better. I hope as part of the ABIA expansion UA gets its act together and puts in a nicer lounge. Both Delta and AA have better ones.
Agree with you, especially on the cramped and dark feel of the United Club. I put the Sapphire Terrace ahead of the United Club for the reasons you outlined but the future lounge options at the airport look promising as more of the expansion projects are completed.