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Amex's network of Centurion Lounges is considered to be one of the best in the world. Everything you need to know about these lounges is covered in this post.
What are Amex Centurion Lounges?
Premium credit cards have lounge access as one of their perks. Credit card companies have begun to build networks of lounges as an exclusive perk for card members, as well as offering a Priority Pass membership.
The lounges run by Amex are the largest network of lounges run by a credit card company. Hot food, complimentary beer, wine, and cocktails, and a lot of other awesome amenities can be found in Amex Centurion Lounges. People value the perk of the Amex Platinum the most.
Capital One and Chase are two credit card issuers that are trying to catch up in this area.
Amex Centurion Lounge New York (LGA)
Amex Centurion Lounge access
We are going to talk about everything you need to know about the lounge. How many guests can you bring with you to the lounge, and which credit card do you need to get in?
Amex Centurion Lounge access credit cards
Those who have any of the following cards are able to access the lounge.
Day passes for additional guests can be purchased for $50 for those with a Amex Platinum or Amex Centurion card. Amex Platinum authorized users have the same lounge access perks as primary card members so they can access lounges and even bring guests.
Amex Centurion Lounge access restrictions
There are a number of terms to be aware of when accessing the lounge.
You need a same day boarding pass to access Centurion Lounges, and in the case of Delta Reserve cardmembers, the boarding pass needs to be for travel on Delta
You can access Centurion Lounges up to three hours before departure, unless you’re connecting, in which case you can access earlier
You can’t access Centurion Lounges on arrival, or with a standby or non-revenue standby ticket
If you’re guesting people into Centurion Lounges, you need to stay with them the entire time they’re in the lounge
Amex Centurion Lounge guesting privilege changes
The guesting policy for the lounge will soon be changed.
These changes kick in as of February 1, 2023
Both primary and additional cardmembers on the Amex Platinum will continue to receive lounge access
Those with the Amex Platinum will be charged a $50 fee for each guest they bring into Centurion Lounges (there’s a reduced fee of $30 for guests under the age of 18)
Amex Platinum cardmembers who spend at least $75,000 per year on the card will continue to receive complimentary lounge access for two guests
The Centurion Lounge guesting policy will remain unchanged for those with the Centurion Card
Amex Centurion Lounge Denver (DEN)
Amex Centurion Lounge locations
The network of Amex lounges continues to grow. We are going to look at the current and future Amex lounges.
Current Amex Centurion Lounge locations
There are 15 purpose-built Amex Centurion lounges at the following airports.
Charlotte (CLT) — 13,000 square feet, located between Concourses D & E
Dallas (DFW) — 12,000 square feet, located in Terminal D
Denver (DEN) — 14,500 square feet, located in Concourse C
Hong Kong (HKG) — 8,000 square feet, located in Terminal 1
Houston (IAH) — 8,500 square feet, located in Terminal D
Las Vegas (LAS) — 13,000 square feet, located in Concourse D
London (LHR) — 7,000 square feet, located in Terminal 3
Los Angeles (LAX) — 14,000 square feet, located in Tom Bradley International Terminal
Miami (MIA) — 12,000 square feet, located in Concourse D
New York (JFK) — 15,000 square feet, located in Terminal 4
New York (LGA) — 10,000 square feet, located in Terminal B
Philadelphia (PHL) — 6,000 square feet, located in Terminal A
Phoenix (PHX) — 5,000 square feet, located in Terminal 4
San Francisco (SFO) — 16,000 square feet, located in Terminal 3
Seattle (SEA) — 4,500 square feet, located in Concourse B
The above are the purpose-built Centurion Lounges. The network of Amex International Lounges has historically been called the Amex International Lounges. The Amex lounge locations in Australia have recently been renamed. The network of international lounges is here.
Future Amex Centurion Lounge locations
There are many more lounges planned for the following airports.
An American Express lounge in the US is getting an expansion.
Seattle (SEA) — the Amex Centurion Lounge Seattle will be getting a new location, and will be much larger, at nearly 14,000 square feet
Amex Centurion Lounge Charlotte (CLT)
Amex Centurion Lounge food, drinks, and amenities
There is a consistent food and beverage offering. The general offerings are the same, even though they each have their own flair. Food and drinks are free in the lounge areas.
Drinks can be found at the Centurion Lounges.
There’s a selection of complimentary alcoholic drinks, including signature cocktails, beer, and wine
There are also soft drinks, coffee, and water; for those who are coffee snobs, unfortunately there’s no cold brew or barista-made espresso drinks (unlike at the Capital One Lounge DFW)
Amex Centurion Lounges have complimentary cocktails
The Centurion Lounges have a variety of food.
First breakfast is served; often around opening time there’s first a continental breakfast, and then a warm breakfast is usually served around 30-60 minutes after opening, give or take
For the remainder of the day there’s a lunch & dinner menu, including several hot options
Food is typically served from a buffet, so there’s no a la carte dining
Centurion Lounge menus are different at each location, though menus at a particular lounge don’t tend to rotate a whole lot
Some of the lounges have unique amenities. It's for example:
The Dallas (DFW) Centurion Lounge has an Exhale Spa, though that has been closed for much of the pandemic
The Houston (IAH) Centurion Lounge has a wellness area in partnership with Calm, offering Calm content, neck warmers, and a health and wellness cart with healthy beverage choices
The New York (JFK) Centurion Lounge has a speakeasy, where you can enjoy your favorite cocktail
Amex Centurion Lounge New York (JFK)
Amex Centurion Lounge crowding
The Amex Platinum lounge is quite popular because it is far superior to what you would find in a US airline lounge. Centurion Lounges are mostly a victim of their own success because they are frequently crowded.
Even though I'm eligible for entry, I don't like Amex lounges. I value a quiet environment from which to work over a superior food and drink selection and I usually bring snacks with me when traveling as well.
The new guesting policy will hopefully reduce crowding. A new tracker was recently introduced by Amex. You can see how busy a lounge is with one of the descriptions being displayed.
Not busy
A little busy
Very busy
Almost full
You can find out how to check crowding through the Amex app.
Amex Centurion Lounges can get pretty crowded
Bottom line
Travelers love Amex Centurion Lounges because they offer great food and drinks as well as awesome amenities. The Amex Platinum Card can be used to access the lounges at fifteen airports. The access requirements, locations, and amenities of these lounges can be found in the above information. Let me know if I didn't see anything.
What do you think about Amex lounges? Do you like them or dislike them?
