Amex Centurion Lounges: What are They & Where Are They Located?

If you’ve read any articles about the The Platinum Card® from American Express, you’ve probably heard about Centurion Lounge access, which is one of the most valuable benefits of the Platinum Card. But what exactly are Amex Centurion Lounges and why should you care about them?

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What are Amex Centurion Lounges?

Amex Centurion Lounges are relatively new airport lounges created by American Express beginning in 2013 with the opening of the lounge in Las Vegas. They are some of the nicest lounges found in the US, especially when compared to the lounges offered by the major domestic carriers.

What airports have Amex Centurion Lounges?

Currently, you can find Amex Centurion Lounges at the following locations below. As you can see, they typically open around 5am and stay open until late but none of them are open 24 hours.

Almost all lounges are located after security, but keep in mind that if you’re coming from another terminal like at MIA, you might have to re-enter security to get back to your terminal after accessing the lounge.

Here are all of the current locations for Centurion Lounges:

• Charlotte Douglas International (CLT)
  • Location: The Lounge is located at the intersection of Concourses D & E, mezzanine level.
  • Hours: 5:30am to 10pm
• Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
  • Location: Terminal D, opposite Gate D17 on the mezzanine
  • Hours: 5:30am to 10pm
• Intercontinental Houston Airport (IAH)
  • Location: Terminal D, access via elevators near Gate D6
  • Hours: 5:30am to 9pm
• Las Vegas McCarran International Airport (LAS)
  • Location: Concourse D, opposite Gate D1)
  • Hours: 5am to 11 pm
• London Heathrow (LHR) [coming soon]
• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
  • Location: After clearing TSA in TBIT, walk towards the bridge to the Great Hall. Once there, immediately turn left and enter the elevator lobby. Take elevator from level four to level two where the lounge is straight ahead.
  • Hours: 6:30am to 11 pm
• Miami International Airport (MIA)
  • Location: Concourse D, near Gate D12)
  • Hours: 5am to 11 pm
• New York’s LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
  • Location: Terminal B, pre-security, on the upper level),
  • Hours: Sunday – Friday 5:30 am to 8 pm, Saturday 5:30 am to 6:30 pm
•  Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
  • Location: second level at Terminal A-West, near gate A14)
  • Hours: 5am  to 9pm
• Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX)
  • Location: Terminal 4 across from Gate B22 on the upper level
  • Hours: 5:30am to 10pm
• San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
  • Location: Terminal 3, near Gate 74
  • Hours: 5am to 11pm
• Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
  • Location: Concourse B, opposite Gate B3
  • Hours: 5am to 10pm
• Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)
  • Location: Terminal 1; take the escalator just before Gate 60
  • Hours: 5:30am – 12:30am

How can I get access to Amex Centurion Lounges?

In order to gain access, you’ll need to be an Amex Platinum cardmember, Delta Skymiles Reserve Card member, or Centurion cardmember.

All card types are included so Business Platinum Cards and Corporate Platinum Cards will get you access, too.

Once you show up to The Centurion Lounge, you must present the Centurion agent with your American Express card, a boarding pass showing a confirmed reservation for same-day travel on any carrier, and a government-issued ID.

So it doesn’t matter what carrier you are flying with or if you’re flying first class or basic economy, as long as you have your American Express card with you and your boarding pass and ID, you can get access to the lounge.

Can I bring guests with me into The Centurion Lounge?

The guest policy depends on what type of credit card you are using for entry:

• Platinum Cardmembers may bring in two guests for free. 
• Delta SkyMiles Reserve Cardmembers may bring up to two guests at a per-visit rate of $50 per person, per location.
• Centurion Cardmembers may enter with up to two guests or immediate family (spouse or domestic partner, and children under 18) at no additional charge.

Platinum Card and Centurion Members may purchase a day-pass for any additional guests for $50. This day pass will be good at any Centurion Lounge on the same day as long as the guest is still accompanied by the Card Member.

What amenities are offered by Centurion Lounges?

You can find the following features at some Centurion Lounges:

• Member Services Professionals to assist with you with various needs including  travel itinerary and even restaurant reservations
• Dining developed in partnership with renowned local chefs
• Signature cocktails, premium spirits, and curated wines
• High-speed Wi-Fi
• Semi-private workspaces
• Computer bar with printer/fax/copier
• TVs, magazines and newspapers
• Spa services*
• Wine tasting area*
• Conference room*
• Shower suites* For Lounges who offer Shower suites – Please note the shower is offered until one hour prior to closing and is subject to availability
• Family room*
• Luggage lockers*

Aesthetically speaking, I find the design, decor, and furniture more visually appealing and often times more comfortable than other standard airport lounges in the US.

The service in Centurion Lounges is also great, too.

The staff members are usually exceptionally friendly, enthusiastic, and professional and will attentively serve you drinks and take requests. That’s definitely not something you get in every lounge.

There’s also a certain “exclusivity factor” since you need to hold a Platinum Card or Centurion Card to get in.

(Although with the crowding issues at some of these Centurion Lounges, you may not necessarily feel so “exclusive.”)

As for the dining, Amex teams up with renowned local chefs to deliver its cuisine. However, if I’m being honest, the food in the Centurion Lounge can be a bit hit or miss for me. There’s usually some decent options to choose from, but sometimes there’s just not too much food that I care for.

They often have healthy dining options but I’ve even seen things like fried chicken being served up, so it definitely varies.

Overall, the food is usually acceptable and beyond the finger food or snacks that you often find in some other US lounges but just not always knock-it-out-of-the-park delicious.

You can usually get tea and coffee, too. Also, they usually have a container of some kind of infused water which is very tasty to me.

Another nice perk that some lounges like the one in Houston have is a place to rest and take a nap on comfy chaise lounge chairs.

If you’re in the mood to just sit in a comfortable chair, you’ll be able to find those in the lounge, too. Many of the lounges also have cubbies as seen below that offer you a semi-private experience. In addition, you can usually find monitors displaying flight information in various parts of the lounge so you can stay updated on your flight status.

Final word

American Express Centurion Lounges are some of the nicest domestic lounges that you’ll probably come across. There are more popping up each year and now it looks like they are expanding overseas, which is great to see. I personally put a lot of value in my frequent visits to The Centurion Lounge at IAH, since it gives me a comfortable working space, quality wifi, and complimentary drinks and food.

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