Amex has been rapidly expanding its Centurion Lounge network. Recently, we’ve seen new Centurion Lounge projects in Hong Kong, Philadelphia, and, JFK New York, Denver. And now it looks like LAX is finally going to get a Centurion Lounge!
Amex Centurion lounges are consistently among the best domestic lounges offering great signature cocktails, decent hot food, comfy seating, wifi, showers, and great service. Aside from crowding issues, it’s usually an all-around solid experience at these lounges, so it’s always exciting to hear about a new Centurion Lounge on the way.
To access Centurion Lounges, you need to hold either the Platinum Card or the Centurion Card (Amex Black Card) since entry is no longer allowed for any Amex cardmembers. You’re also limited to bring in two guests and you cannot bring in unlimited family members any longer.
I had a feeling LAX would be next back in January when I said, “I’ve got a feeling [the next Centurion Lounge is] going to be ORD or LAX” though that’s admittedly not an impressive prediction given that folks have been anticipating this particular lounge at LAX for a while.
Here’s the official report to the Board of Airport Commissioners regarding the approval of the lease for the lounge, which would be for 10 years and include over $33,000,000 of rent.
Where will the Centurion Lounge at LAX be?
The new Centurion Lounge will be located in the Tom Bradley International terminal, though I don’t think anybody knows exactly where within the terminal the lounge would be built.
Not all of the terminals at LAX are connected airside but you can connect to most of them airside in some form or fashion. Terminals 4 through 8 are connected airside (directly or indirectly) to the Tom Bradley International terminal. There’s also a Delta shuttle bus that connects Tom Bradley to terminals 2 and 3. As of now, you should be able to enter security at each terminal so long as you hold a same day boarding pass.
So assuming these things don’t change over the next couple of years, you should be able to enter into one of those terminals and then make your way to the Tom Bradley terminal. Southwest flies out of Terminal 1 so those passengers are losing out here with the current arrangement.
The proposed lounge is set to be 13,693 square feet which makes it one of the biggest Centurion Lounges and continues the trend of bigger lounges built by Amex that no doubt is a result from the crowding issues these lounges are plagued with at times.
Most are expecting a completion some time in 2019 if everything is approved but it could definitely take longer if things get tied up as they have before. No word yet on if the lounge will house any special amenities.
Final word
As always, it’s exciting to see another Centurion Lounge in the works. Although this lounge has to undergo some more steps before it receives official approval, I think there’s a good chance we’ll see this lounge be built.
H/T: Brian Sumers
Daniel Gillaspia is the Founder of UponArriving.com and the credit card app, WalletFlo. He is a former attorney turned travel expert covering destinations along with TSA, airline, and hotel policies. Since 2014, his content has been featured in publications such as National Geographic, Smithsonian Magazine, and CNBC. Read my bio.
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