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Ritz-Carlton Card Lounge Access Getting a Makeover: Free Guests Limited!
Published on January 16, 2026, 2:21 AM

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Heads up, Ritz-Carlton cardholders! Chase just announced changes to guest access for Chase Sapphire Lounges and Priority Pass lounges, and it's happening on January 15, 2026. Currently, you can bring in a gaggle of guests for free (within lounge limits, of course), but after that date, you'll be limited to two free guests. Any extra travel buddies will cost you $27 each.

Why does this matter? If you frequently travel with a larger family or group and rely on your Ritz-Carlton card for lounge access, you'll need to factor in these new fees. Make sure to have your physical Ritz-Carlton card or Priority Pass digital membership ready upon entry. This could also mean that Chase might begin charging for authorized users in the future, so stay tuned for any further updates.

Why This Matters for Your Strategy

News in the points-and-miles world moves fast, and promotional changes often have a short window. If this announcement affects a card or program you hold, log into your awardtrail dashboard to check your current benefit usage, bonus progress, and whether a transfer or redemption makes sense right now — before terms change.

As a general rule: transfer points only when you have a specific redemption in mind — transfers are almost always one-way and non-reversible. If you're unsure of the value, check our redemption guides before acting.

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