A new Amex Centurion Lounge is on the horizon.
Newark to get 18,000 square feet of Centurion Lounge
According to the public agenda for the upcoming Port Authority of New York & New Jersey board meeting, American Express hopes to open one of its Centurion Lounges at Newark Airport. Centurion Lounges, which are the most popular lounges Amex Platinum cardmembers have access to, are a favourite perk.
American Express appears to be closing a 15-year lease for a lounge to open in Terminal A. The board has recommended the lounge concept and it is expected that they will vote to approve it in the next days.
This would not only make it the largest Centurion Lounge, but it would also mean that there would be a Centurion Lounge at each of the three major NYC airports. Newark Airport has no other exciting lounge options than United. It would be great to have another option. In terms of crowding in other lounges, it is always better to have more lounge space.
Newark Airport could be home to a Centurion Lounge
Details about the proposed Amex Centurion Lounge Newark
According to the proposal, American Express would open a 18,000-square-foot lounge in Newark Airport Terminal A's 50,000-square foot expansion. The lounge would be on the third floor, with the rest of the space being subleased to third parties.
The lease would begin around January 1, 2022 and last for approximately 15 years. The payment would start approximately on August 1, 2023 or when the lounge opens. If these plans are approved, it seems like this is the closest timeline we have for the lounge opening.
American Express would pay $121.5 million for the term of the lease and invest around $100 million in the construction of the terminal expansion. The proposed lounge would not require capital investment by the airport.
A variety of amenities would be included in the lounge, including:
A viewing terrace with views of the Newark Harbor, Port Newark, New York, the Newark Airfield and Manhattan Skyline
Multiple Amex signature food and bar areas
A piano lounge
Jersey Jazz-themed Bar
Backstage cocktail lounge with speakeasy theme
Wellness room, workstation and high-quality restrooms
I think this sounds like a great Centurion Lounge. It would be massive and have some very cool amenities.
These lounges are not something I am as excited about as others. Amex Centurion Lounges can be seen as a victim to their success. They are so much more comfortable than most airport lounges and they end up being very crowded.
Centurion Lounges usually have delicious food & beverages
Bottom line
American Express hopes to open a large Centurion Lounge at Newark Airport. The Port Authority of New York, New Jersey, is expected to approve it soon. Construction could begin soon and the lounge could open by the summer of 2023. Once this is approved and more details are released, I'll keep you updated.
What do you think of the Amex Centurion Lounge Newark proposal?
(Tip of a hat to Zach Griff
