In this post:
Chase Sapphire Lounges Leave Priority Pass and LoungeKey
From 15th August, Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club lounges will no longer be part of the Priority Pass or LoungeKey network. This affects all nine Chase Sapphire Lounge locations in the US:
- Boston Logan
- Dallas Fort Worth
- Harry Reid Las Vegas
- New York JFK
- New York LGA
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix Sky Harbor
- San Diego
- Washington Dulles
Currently, Priority Pass members and LoungeKey cardholders can visit a Chase Sapphire Lounge once per calendar year using one of their included lounge visits. Any more visits are available at a discounted rate of $75. From 15th August, both of these options will end. Access for eligible US Chase cardholders is unchanged.
Now, the only way to access the lounges is to pay the walk-up rate of $100. At JFK only, Etihad First and Business (excluding Business Value) passengers and Etihad Guest Gold and above members can also access the shared Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club with Etihad under Etihad’s lounge access rules.
Priority Pass says there are still 49 other lounges and travel experiences available at the affected airports. You can still access some great lounges such as the Air France Lounge, Turkish Airlines Lounge at JFK, plus a Virgin Clubhouse at Washington Dulles and JFK. Some of these lounges only admit Priority Pass members during certain hours. Make sure you check the app to see which alternative lounges are available.
It’s disappointing to hear this. Chase Sapphire Lounges are some of the best lounges in the US, and some of the alternatives are just not comparable. Capacity has become a major issue at Chase Sapphire lounges, so this move is likely due to that. It also makes the lounges a more exclusive benefit for Chase cardholders.
Danieli, Venezia Reopens as a Four Seasons
Danieli, Venezia has just reopened after a major renovation, converting the hotel from a Marriott Luxury Collection property to a Four Seasons.
The hotel becomes the fourth Four Seasons property in Italy alongside Milan, Florence and Taormina.
Located on the Riva degli Schiavoni, one of the most sought-after locations in Venice, the property comprises three interconnecting palaces: the 15th-century Palazzo Dandolo, originally the home of the Dandolo family and converted into a hotel in 1822; the 19th-century Palazzo Casa Nuova, which was later linked to the hotel; and Palazzo Danieli Excelsior, which was added in 1950.
French interior designer Pierre-Yves Rochon has led the redesign, drawing inspiration from the colours of the Venetian Lagoon while celebrating the building’s Venetian Gothic heritage and introducing a lighter, more contemporary aesthetic throughout.
Original features, including the beautiful gilded lobby ceiling and grand staircase, have also been restored.
The hotel now has 120 rooms and suites, all completely redesigned with larger layouts and modern in-room tech. Once the restoration of Palazzo Danieli Excelsior is complete in 2027, there will be 176 rooms and suites.
Terrazza Danieli has also reopened, with arguably one of Venice’s best rooftop views overlooking San Giorgio Maggiore and the Venetian Lagoon. Executive Chef Adriano Rausa’s new menu focuses on seasonal Italian cuisine with a Venetian influence.
The bar also puts a modern spin on the classic Italian aperitivo, serving timeless cocktails alongside contemporary creations.
Your stay also gives exclusive Four Seasons access to three private Venetian gardens where you can discover some of the hidden gardens of Venice.
A new Danieli Spa, with three treatment rooms, a sauna and hammam, is due to open later in 2026.
Room rates start at £1,198 during quieter periods, such as January, and at the moment start at £1,544. If you’re looking for one of the top room categories, expect to pay around £6,400 per night.
View the hotel website here >>>
Hilton: Up to 90% Buy Points Bonus
Hilton Honors has launched a bonus of up to 90% when you buy 3,000 or more points.
Hilton seems to be testing different bonus offers with different accounts, but most people are seeing an 80-90% bonus. I’ve been offered 80%.
The yearly points purchase limit has been increased for this promotion (on some accounts) from 160,000 to 240,000. With the bonus, that would leave you with 432,000 points with the 80% bonus (£4.58 per 1,000 points) or 456,000 with the 90% bonus (£4.34 per 1,000 points).
Whether you can get good value from the offer depends on what you’d like to spend your points on. Due to Hilton’s dynamic pricing, you’ll need to search for your preferred stay and work out if the cash rate or the cost of booking the room with purchased points is better value.
For example, a 1-night stay at the Casa Del Mar Mykonos starts at £1,025 per night in August or 140,000 points. If you purchased points, you could save £384-£417 per night. Without the offer, it would be better value paying with cash.
It’s also worth remembering that Hilton Silver and above members have the fifth reward night free on standard reward stays benefit, effectively reducing the cost of the redemption by 20%.
This is a recurring promotion that varies each time, with bonuses of up to 100%, but it’s well worth considering if you have a stay in mind.
You can access the Hilton Honors buy points page here
