Amex Centurion Lounges: What Are They & Where Are They Located? [2022]

Advertiser Disclosure: UponArriving has partnered with affiliate partners and may receive a commission from card issuers. UponArriving does not display all credit card offers and affiliate relationships may impact how offers are presented. Amex Disclosure: Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

If you’ve read any articles about 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?

What are Amex Centurion Lounges?

Centurion Lounges are American Express airport lounges known for being some of the nicest and well-equipped lounges found in the US. You can find them at many major airports in the US and across the globe but to get access you’ll need to hold an eligible card like The Platinum Card® from American Express.

Centurion Lounge
The Las Vegas Amex Centurion Lounge — the first Centurion Lounge opened in 2013.

How can I get access to Amex Centurion Lounges?

In order to gain access to a Centurion Lounge, you’ll need to have one of the following Amex cards:

Authorized users with a Centurion or Platinum Card get access as well, which is a great deal because you can add up to three authorized users to the Platinum Card for just $175 per year (rates & fees).

Currently, you cannot purchase a membership for the Centurion Lounge.

**Note: Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Card Members are only eligible to visit The Centurion Lounge when flying on a same-day Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight and eligible lounges only include all Centurion Lounges located in the United States, Hong Kong, and London.

All information about the Centurion® Card and Corporate Platinum Card® has been collected independently by UponArriving.

The Platinum Card® from American Express is the most common way to get Centurion Lounge access for most UponArriving readers.

The awesome thing about the Platinum is that you also get access to other airport lounges like:

  • Priority Pass Select Lounges*
  • Delta Sky Clubs
  • Airspace Lounges
  • Escape Lounges
  • Plaza Premium Lounges
  • Select Lufthansa Lounges

In my opinion, with so many quality options it’s the clear #1 card for airport lounge access. But it also stands out with additional features like:

*Enrollment is required for these benefits.

Centurion Lounge at PHX.

Arrival times and connections

With the Platinum Card, you can only visit the Centurion Lounge if you have a departing flight or are arriving for a connecting flight (same-day round-trip itineraries are not considered connecting flights.)

Also, you can only get in within 3 hours of the departure time stated on your boarding pass. In my experience, you can get in more than three hours before your flight if it is delayed but that’s probably a YMMV situation.

If your flight departs after the lounge closes for the day, they will admit you as early as 3 hours prior to the lounge closing.

Centurion® Card holders have more flexibility with access.

For example, they can enter beyond three hours and even enter when arriving at the airport. As long as they have a same-day boarding pass and access to the terminal they can get in.

Getting into the lounge

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
  • A government-issued ID

During busy hours, there may be a wait list. In that case, you’ll put your phone number down and then get a text message whenever the lounge is ready for you to enter.

Sometimes the wait may only be 5 to 10 minutes but other times you could be waiting over 30 minutes.

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.

Tip: If you don’t have your physical card you can still probably get in with mobile check-in which can be done through the American Express app.

Centurion® Card holders also have special privileges for access. They often can get in even when the lounge is at capacity and sometimes they even have special reserved tables or even special rooms they can access.

All information about the Centurion® Card and Corporate Platinum Card® has been collected independently by UponArriving.

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 to 7am and stay open until late but none of them in the US 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 Amex Centurion Lounges:

  • 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: 6:00am to 4:30pm
  • New York’s LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
    • Location: Terminal B, one level above security, right before the Eastern Concourse pedestrian bridge
    • Hours: Sunday – Friday 5:00am to 9:00pm, Saturday 5:00am to 8:00pm

Future airports:

  • Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) (coming 2023)
  • Reagan National Airport (DCA) 
Amex Centurion Lounges

International Amex Centurion Lounges

In the past, most international Centurion lounges were not on par with what you come to find in the US.

I remember visiting the lounge in Sydney, Australia, and being extremely underwhelmed with what was a very crowded and stuffed lounge experience.

However, American Express recently announced that they were upgrading these lounges and so in the future they should be of a much higher quality.

One thing to keep in mind about these international lounges for now is that the guest policy differs for each lounge.

  • Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN)
    • Location: Terminal 5, after the Security Checkpoint, between the A and F Piers, take the stairs across from Oak Cafe up to the entrance on the Mezzanine Level
    • Hours: Monday – Friday & Sunday 5:00am to 8:00pm, Saturday 5:00am to 7:00pm
  • Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (BOM)
    • Location: Terminal 2, Domestic on Level 3 across from Burger King in the Domestic Departure Area
    • Hours: 24 hours every day
  • Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL)
    • Location: Terminal 3, Domestic and is adjacent to Gate 27 and 28
    • Hours: 24 hours every day
  • Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE)
    • Location: Terminal B, take the stairs near Gate 15 to the entrance on Level 2
    • Hours: 10:00am to 12:00am
  • Sao Paulo–Guarulhos International Airport (GRU)
    • Location: Terminal 3, after the Security Checkpoint and Passport Control, turn left and follow the signs to the ‘VIP Lounges’
    • Hours: 11:00am to 3:00am
  • Melbourne Airport (MEL)
    • Location: Terminal 2, International. After the Security Checkpoint and Passport Control, take the escalator opposite Gate 7 down to the entrance on the lower level
    • Hours: 6:00am to 11:00pm
  • Mexico City International Airport (MEX)
    • Location 1: Terminal 1, International pre-Security between Gate 8 and F1, beside Flap’s restaurant
    • Hours: 5:00am to 10:00pm
    • Location 2: Terminal 1, Domestic Departure area between Gates 17 and 18
    • Hours: 5:00am to 10:00pm
    • Location 3: Terminal 2, after Security, proceed to the Mezzanine Level via escalators or lift. The entrance is down the hall and up the stairs
    • Hours: 5:00am to 11:00pm
  • General Mariano Escobedo International Airport (MTY)
    • Location 1: Terminal A inside Security. Go to the Departure Level, near Gate 4
    • Hours: 5:00am to 9:00pm
    • Location 2: Terminal B in the Departure Level, near the Food Court in front of Gate 4, next to Starbucks
    • Hours: 5:00am to 9:00pm
  • Sydney Airport (SYD)
    • Location: Terminal 1, International Departures near Gates 50-63. Take the escalator or lift down to Level 1 to access the lounge
    • Hours: 6:00am to 10:00pm
Amex Centurion Lounge hong kong
Centurion Lounge at Hong Kong.

Centurion Lounge guest policy

Over the past few years, the guest policy has changed several times so it’s always good to brush up on the latest policy.

Currently, 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.

Just remember that the guest policy is based on your status as a cardmember and not cardholder.

This means that even if you have both the personal and business version of the Platinum Card, you still are only limited to two guests and not four.

New guest policy update for 2023:

Beginning February 1, 2023, U.S. Platinum Card and U.S. Business Platinum Card Members will be charged a $50 fee for each guest (or $30 for children aged 2 through 17, with proof of age).

U.S. Platinum Card and U.S. Business Platinum Card Members will qualify to bring in two free guests if they spend $75,000 on their card between January 1, 2022 and December 31, 2022 and in each calendar year thereafter.

The new guest fee is just another reason why you should consider adding someone as an authorized user to your Platinum Card. That way, they will still be able to get through those blue doors for free.

Remember, you can add up to three for only $175 total per year (rates & fees).

This will get them free centurion lounge access and also Delta Sky Club access when flying Delta.

Amex Centurion Lounge SFO
Centurion Lounge at SFO.

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
  • 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*
  • Family room*
  • Luggage lockers*

*Available in select locations.

Decor and vibe

Aside from the perks discussed above, I think the Centurion Lounges are bit unique because they’re just simply nicer than a lot of other domestic lounges.

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.

And who could forget about the amazing scent….

As long as the lounge is not overcrowded, it feels like one of the best places to be in an airport.

IAH Centurion Lounge.
IAH Centurion Lounge.

Service

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.

They can also assist you with your travel itinerary and even help you make restaurant reservations. If you travel frequently, the staff will quickly become acquaintances with you.

That’s definitely not something you get in every airport lounge.

There’s also a certain “exclusivity factor” since you need to hold a premium Amex card to get in, although with the crowding issues at some of these Centurion Lounges, you may not necessarily feel so “exclusive.”

Dining and drinks

Centurion Lounges offer free dining and drinks, including alcoholic beverages.

For the dining, Amex teams up with renowned local chefs to deliver its cuisine.

For example, at DFW the menu features cuisine designed by James Beard Award-winning chef Dean Fearing and consists of locally-inspired dishes like Texas Migas.

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 and sometimes they really hit the spot like the perfectly seasoned pot roast dish I once had at IAH.

But sometimes there’s just not a lot of food that I care for.

Centurion Lounges usually serve both healthy and “less healthy” dining options (I’ve seen fried chicken served up), so it’s not that difficult to “be good” at this lounge.

Overall, the food is usually acceptable to good and well beyond the finger food or snacks that you often find in some other US lounges.

It’s just not always knock-it-out-of-the-park delicious and I think they could step it up a little bit.

As for drinks, Centurion Lounges definitely know what they’re doing.

You’ll find premium spirits and curated wines, and if you’re into cocktails you can look into ordering the specialty cocktails that each lounge serves up.

One popular Centurion Lounge drink is the “Blue Door,” a name inspired by the lounge’s iconic doors.

It’s made with Johnnie Walker Black Label Blended Scotch Whiskey, Myer’s Rum, Herbal Liqueur, Lemon Juice, and Anise-Flavored Liqueur.

Unlike a lot of other airport lounges, you don’t have to pay for these signature cocktails.

Some of the newer lounges may offer special experiences like wine tasting.

You can usually get tea and coffee, too. Also, they usually have a container with some kind of infused water.

Amex Centurion Lounges
Infused water at The Centurion Lounge.

Tip: If you want to bring a little bit of the Centurion Lounge flavor to your home you can check out these recipes.

Nap rooms and relaxation

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

The lounge at IAH has also incorporated wellness into the lounge and has a new room offering free access to Calm content and a health and wellness menu with health-conscious beverage options, including hot Calm Relax Tea and Calm Focus Tea, coconut water, and other options.

Amex Centurion Lounges
IAH nap room.

Seating and work stations

If you’re in the mood to just sit in a comfortable chair, you’ll 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.

Assuming you can find an open workstation, it’s a great place to get work done with high-speed Wi-Fi, semi-private workspaces, and computer bars with a printer/fax/copier. Conference rooms might be available at some lounges as well.

Amex Centurion Lounges FAQ

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.

Can I get free food and drinks in Centurion Lounges?

Yes. One of the great perks about the lounge is that you are offered free hot meals and free drinks, including alcoholic beverages.

In fact, each Amex Centurion Lounge has its own specialty cocktails you can request.

Do Centurion Lounges have showers and spas?

Many of the Centurion Lounges have showers and a couple of them like the ones in DFW and Miami do have spas.

Does Priority Pass get me access to Amex Centurion Lounges?

Priority Pass will not get you access into the Centurion Lounge.

Do Centurion Lounges have free wifi and work stations?

American Express Centurion Lounges provide high speed wifi on a complimentary basis and usually have tables and other work stations that you can use.

They also typically have a computer bar area equipped with printer, fax, and copier.

Do Centurion Lounges have family/kid rooms?

Some of the Centurion Lounges offer special rooms filled with things to keep your kids occupied. They usually have a transparent wall so you can keep an eye on them from the outside.

Do I have to be 21 years old to enter?

No, but in order to be served alcoholic beverages you must be 21.

Can I bring food into the lounge?

No, you are not allowed to bring outside food into the lounge.

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 and at PHX, since they give me a comfortable working space, quality wifi, and complimentary drinks and food.

Advertiser Disclosure: UponArriving has partnered with affiliate partners and may receive a commission from card issuers. UponArriving does not display all credit card offers and affiliate relationships may impact how offers are presented. 

Editorial Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analysis & recommendations are UponArriving’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities. 

Amex Disclosure: Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

American Express Hong Kong Centurion Lounge (HKG) Review

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The American Express Centurion Lounge at Hong Kong International Airport is one of the newest Centurion Lounges to open. It’s got a different vibe from many other Centurion Lounges as it’s very open and build more like a cafe than a lounge. I had the chance to check it out recently and here’s my review of that experience.

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American Express Hong Kong Centurion Lounge

The American Express Hong Kong Centurion Lounge is a “true” Centurion Lounge and not merely an international Amex Lounge. The difference is that the international lounges aren’t typically as nice and equipped as the Centurion Lounges are. For example, they are often smaller and may not have the same level of food and drink options.

You can find the locations for all true Centurion Lounges below:

American Express Hong Kong Centurion Lounge Access

You can get access to the American Express Hong Kong Centurion Lounge if you have one of the following Amex cards:

  • Personal Platinum Card
  • Business Platinum Card
  • Corporate Platinum Card

Top 10 Travel Credit Cards

The personal Platinum Card is one of the best cards for frequent fliers and comes with the following perks.

Guest Policy

You’ll be allowed to bring in two guests with you on a complimentary basis if you have the Platinum Card. Centurion members 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 USD at the time of entry.

Amex Hong Kong Centurion Lounge Location

The Amex Hong Kong Centurion Lounge is located in Terminal 1. Take the escalator just before Gate 60 and you should have not problem finding the lounge, which is near the Plaza Premium Lounge and the United Club Lounge There are plenty of signs in the area to help guide you along the way.

Cathay Pacific First Class Lounge The Pier at HKG 49
Terminal 1 map of HKG.

Cathay Pacific HKG Terminal 1 map.

Amex Hong Kong Centurion Lounge Hours

The Amex Hong Kong Centurion Lounge will be open 5:30am to 12:30am.

The Pier

We made our way to the Amex Centurion Lounge after visiting Cathay Pacific’s first class lounge, The Pier. On our way over to The Pier, we saw the sign for the Centurion Lounge so it only made sense to give it a visit, especially since The Pier is nearby by Gate 63.

Because The Pier was the far superior lounge, we spent the vast majority of our time in that lounge. There, we were able to try out some great dining and experience the day suites and nice bar area as well as lounge around in the cozy seating areas.

The service at The Pier was a bit lackluster, though, and to be honest I felt like we received better service at the Centurion Lounge. However, with that said, I’d still say The Pier is much better and that I just probably caught it on an off day when it came to the service.

The Pier First Class Lounge.

Entering the lounge

The entrance to the lounge has the signature Centurion look with blue tinted door and a wall of greenery but it is a bit different from some of the other Centurion Lounges. Many Centurion Lounges are discrete and private but this lounge was wide open to the terminal. Personally, I love the open feel of the Hong Kong lounge more than the closed-off feel of some of the other Centurion Lounges.

Amex Centurion Lounge Hong Kong
The entrance to the Hong Kong Amex Centurion Lounge.

We checked in using our Amex Platinum Card as usual and were given the wifi password and asked if we needed to be shown around the lounge. We politely declined and then started to check out the lounge on our own accord.

As soon as you enter the lounge there’s a small business center/meeting room with a work table and a couple of computers along with a printer and a collection of newspapers. This room felt like a great place to set up shop and get some work done if you wanted to be away from the open area of the lounge.

Business center at the Amex Hong Kong Centurion Lounge.

It also had a TV built into the standard Centurion shelf display. It was cool to see the Centurion design juxtaposed to something different with the decor on the walls.

Business center at the Amex Hong Kong Centurion Lounge.

There’s a small meeting room that you come to next, and I liked the semi-privacy glass walls.

Meeting room at the Amex Hong Kong Centurion Lounge.

Meeting room at the Amex Hong Kong Centurion Lounge.

Next, there’s a small room for taking phone calls with the same semi-privacy shading on the glass.

Phone room at the Amex Hong Kong Centurion Lounge.

Phone room at the Amex Hong Kong Centurion Lounge.

Once we made our way past the meeting and phone room, we came across the signature American Express signage and it started to feel a little bit more like a Centurion Lounge back home. Although, with the area wide open to the terminal below it definitely had a different vibe to it.

Entrance to the Amex Hong Kong Centurion Lounge.

Amex Hong Kong Centurion Lounge Bar

We then made our way to the main area of the lounge with the bar/cafe area. It’s one of the more spectacular looking bar areas I’ve seen at an airport lounge or even just in general. It’s definitely different from every other Centurion Lounge and it’s a cool place to grab a drink or enjoy your meal as there are a few tables.

Amex Hong Kong Centurion Lounge bar
The Amex Hong Kong Centurion Lounge bar area.

As you’d expect from a Centurion Lounge, there’s a wide selection of spirits for you to choose from on a complimentary basis. You can also order your espresso from the bar if you don’t wish to make it yourself. They also had both San Pellegrino and Acqua Panna water.

Amex Hong Kong Centurion Lounge bar.

There are multiple juice stations in the lounge.

Amex Hong Kong Centurion Lounge bar.

Centurion Lounges are known for their specialty cocktails and they had some of the common cocktails you find at the Centurion Lounge like the amazing “Blue Door.” We tried out the Rickshaw and thought that it was really great. You could also select from a number of wines.

Amex Hong Kong Centurion Lounge cocktail menu.
Amex Hong Kong Centurion Lounge cocktail menu.

The Rickshaw.

There’s an open seating area that has a few tables with chairs and some pretty good views of the tarmac/runway. While I thought the area was impressive from a design and views perspective, it certainly lacked in size compared to other Centurion Lounges.

Seating area at the Amex Hong Kong Centurion Lounge.

The seating area is definitely not on the same level that many Centurion Lounges offer in the US. It wasn’t just the size of the seating, either.

Centurion Lounges usually have much more comfortable/cozy seating options great for hunkering down for hours if needed. The seating here is more suited for shorter visits and there’s no true area to “lounge” in — it’s much closer to a cafe feeling, in my opinion. So the lounge (relaxation) element of the Centurion Lounge is missing a here and that is one of the drawbacks to the lounge.

There is also no family room at the Hong Kong Centurion Lounge.

Amex Hong Kong Centurion Lounge Views

The views from the lounge are great. You’re pretty high up and can watch these birds make their way to the runway.

You’ll probably see mostly Cathay Pacific/Dragon Air but we caught some good views of some others as well.

With the mountains in the background, this is really a beautiful spot to plane spot.

There’s another seating area with stools lining a long bar where you can enjoy the views while being a little more secluded from the crowds. This area also had power outlets so you can get some work done there as you admire the view.

The chairs/stools in this area looked kind of crazy in this area but I did like them. They were another element that gave off more of a cafe vibe than a lounge vibe, though.

Amex Hong Kong Centurion Lounge food

The food at the Hong Kong Centurion Lounge is located in the back of the lounge located near the large and iconic American Express logo seen below.

There was a lot of hot food to choose from, including locally inspired items.

I’d already eaten at The Pier earlier and was trying to save room for our Cathay Pacific first class flight so I didn’t partake in trying out any of the dishes. But here’s a look at some of the items they were serving up, which included shrimp dumplings, pasta, fried fish, pork, mushroom, and a number of cold items like salads, and deli meats.

It looked like a decent spread but keep in mind you’re competing with Cathay Pacific lounges like The Pier at HKG and those amazing noodle bars Cathay has. So again, I definitely wouldn’t prioritize my meal here if I had access to other Cathay Pacific lounges.

There was also a nice little dessert section.

Some breads were also available. There’s also an expresso machine, soft drinks, tea, and an area for juices, too.

Overall, the food selection was nothing extraordinary. For US lounges it would be pretty good but given the competition of other lounges at HKG, it was not anything special.

Amex Hong Kong Centurion Lounge bathroom

The bathroom was small but very clean and high quality. In the past I’ve been embarrassed for Amex by the sight of the bathroom at the IAH Centurion Lounge, so it was nice to see such a clean Centurion bathroom.

There is a shower suite at the lounge so inquire with the front desk if you’re interested in that.

Amex Hong Kong Centurion Lounge bathroom.

Amex Hong Kong Centurion Lounge bathroom.

Final word

The Amex Centurion Lounge at HKG is a cool twist on the Centurion experience. It doesn’t offer quite the comfort that lounges back in the US offer, but it’s a very cool looking airport lounge with great drinks and perfect views great for plane spotting. I think it’s a solid plan to combine a Centurion Lounge visit with a visit to another lounge at the airport but I wouldn’t prioritize the Centurion Lounge over Cathay Pacific lounges.

Amex Platinum Lounge Access Guide (Global Lounge Collection) [2020]

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The Platinum Card from American Express is the best credit card for lounge access, at least in my opinion. Many people only think about Centurion Lounge access or maybe Priority Pass and Delta Sky Club access when it comes to lounge access offered by the Platinum Card.

But there are actually many more different types of lounges you can access within the Global Lounge Collection.

In this article, I’ll cover all of these different types of lounges and walk you through what you can expect at these lounges in terms of quality and guest policies.

Be sure to check out the YouTube video at the end as well! 

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What lounge access do you get with the Amex Platinum?

The Platinum Card is the best card for airport lounge access because it offers such a variety of different lounges to visit. It not only offers quantity but quality.

You’ll be able to visit all of the following lounges (subject to certain terms).

  • Centurion Lounges
  • International American Express Lounges
  • Priority Pass Select Lounges
  • Delta Sky Clubs
  • Airspace Lounges
  • Escape Lounges
  • Plaza Premium Lounges
  • Lufthansa Lounges
  • “Hidden” lounge benefits

There are a lot of other premium cards that offer airport lounge access but most of them only offer Priority Pass Select.

For example, the Chase Sapphire Reserve only offers Priority Pass Select. Since the Platinum Card goes above and beyond Priority Pass Select, it is clearly the best card for lounge access in my opinion and it’s really not even close.

However, there are a couple of instances where you might benefit more with one of the other cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve and I will talk about those below.

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Centurion Lounge access

Amex Centurion Lounges are among the nicest lounges in the US. Why exactly do they stand out? To me it is for a few specific reasons.

Nice selection of hot food items

Generally speaking, I can find a pretty nice selection of hot food items when visiting a Centurion Lounge. Many airport lounges only offer light snacks or cold food items on a complementary basis, so getting quality hot food items is a major plus.

If you are trying to get breakfast at a normal lounge you might only get offered some basic cereal, fruits, and yogurt. But if you are visiting a Centurion Lounge you might get something like hot eggs, poached eggs, sausage, etc. — they will just offer you a much more robust spread (for free).

High quality drinks and cocktails

Many lounges will offer you complementary drinks, including alcohol. If you want more premium drinks or special cocktails, sometimes you have to pay extra. At Centurion Lounges you can choose from a selection of high-quality cocktails and get them all for free. You can also get these served to you while you relax in your seat. 

Nice modern designs

I also just really like the vibe inside of Centurion Lounges. They are usually designed very well and look pretty swanky. They also have a distinct scent that I really love. In short, they just feel like nicer lounges than most other lounges I find in the US and they feel like a more relaxing place to unwind in.

Variety of seating

In some airport lounges, you may only find two or three different types of seating options throughout the entire lounge. At Centurion Lounges you will find several different types of seating that offer different comfort levels depending on what you are looking for. For example, you might be able to find a chaise lounge chair where you can relax and take a nap or find seats that offer more of a cubby experience so that you can get more privacy.

Showers and other facilities

Many have showers and some of the lounges, like at MIA and DFW, offer enhanced amenities such as spa facilities.

Here are all of the current locations for Centurion Lounges:

There are now more and more Centurion Lounges popping up all over the place. So chances are if you frequent a major airport and they don’t have a Centurion Lounge yet at some point in the next few years they might be getting one.

Also, sometimes you can find an American Express pop-up lounge. We’ve seen these in places like London, Tokyo, New York, LA, etc. So be on the lookout for those as well because sometimes they seem to act as a predictor of where the next lounge will be built!

Amex Centurion lounge at IAH.

How to get access

You must bring your Platinum Card with you to gain access to the Centurion Lounge (along with your same-day boarding pass). If you happen to forget your Platinum Card, some agents will be okay with verifying your ID and still allowing you in but that’s not guaranteed so don’t rely on it.

You are allowed to bring in two guests, regardless of familial status. You used to be able to bring in unlimited immediate family members but, to the dismay of many, American Express changed that policy to only allow two complimentary guests total. If you want to bring in an additional guest, it will cost you a pretty penny at $50 per person.

There are also new limitations where you may be denied entrance into the lounge If you are trying to enter the lounge more than three hours prior to your departure. American Express states:

We will not admit Platinum Card Members more than 3 hours before the departure time on the Platinum Card Member’s same-day, confirmed boarding pass.

This rule does not apply when you have a connecting flight. Also, another exception to this rule would be when your flight has been delayed as I was recently allowed entrance into the lounge a good four hours prior to my newly scheduled departure time.

No arrival access

Centurion Lounges are designed to be departure lounges and not arrival lounges and American Express will not admit Platinum cardholders to the lounge when they arrive. American Express specifically states:

We will not admit arriving Platinum Card Members with boarding passes for flights that have just landed.

The drawback to Centurion Lounges

Although I love Centurion Lounges, there is one major drawback to them.

They can get very crowded, especially during peak business traveler times. This can make finding a place to rest and enjoy a meal or drink virtually impossible. Sometimes these crowds are so bad you don’t even want to step foot inside the lounge. However, in early mornings, early afternoons, and evenings, I find the crowds to be much more manageable.

Las Vegas Centurion Lounge.

Overall, I think that if you frequent or even semi-frequent an airport with a Centurion Lounge, the experience can make worth holding on to the Platinum Card, considering all of the other benefits too.

International American Express Lounges

You’ll also find International American Express lounges across the globe.

  • Buenos Aires (EZE)
  • São Paulo (GRU)
  • Mexico City (MEX)
  • Monterrey (MTY)
  • Toluca (TLC)
  • Delhi (DEL)
  • Mumbai (BOM)
  • Sydney (SYD)
  • Melbourne (MEL)
  • Stockholm (ARN)

The quality and amenities offered by these lounges may vary.

For example, some are smaller than US Centurion Lounges and may require you to pay for certain food or drink items, but they generally appear to be of decent quality and thus often worth a visit, assuming you don’t have access to a superior lounge.

I recently visited the Sydney “Centurion Lounge” on a layover and it was nice to have a lounge to access to freshen up for a flight and get a quick bite but the lounge got very packed, the food was pretty basic, and the shower situation was a bit odd.

So I wouldn’t look forward to visiting these lounges in the same way I would a “real” Centurion Lounge.

Sydney Centurion Lounge.

Priority Pass Select

The other major lounge benefit with the Platinum Card is that you get Priority Pass Select, which is a $400 a year pass that comes complimentary with the Platinum Card. This pass gets you access to over 1,300 lounges worldwide.

Are these lounges quality?

The quality of these lounges varies dramatically.

Generally, I’ve found that many of the Priority Pass lounges within the US are not very great and can also have crowding issues or access restrictions where you’re not even allowed in. The lounges in the US tend to be on the smaller side but sometimes I am surprised to see them offering hot food items of decent quality.

Internationally, however, some of these lounges can be fantastic. If you’re planning any kind of long trip around the globe, having access to these lounges can be invaluable. The vast majority of Priority Pass lounges are located abroad so you really do get more value out of this membership when you travel a lot internationally.

The Club at MCO, a Priority Pass lounge.

How to get access

One thing you must remember, is that you have to register for your Priority Pass either online or by calling in. Otherwise, you won’t receive a card and won’t be able to access these lounges.

The guest policy for the Platinum Card’s Priority Pass was also recently updated, so now you can bring in two guests for free (as opposed to before when you were only allowed one guest). This was actually a pretty significant change that helped to put the Platinum Card more on par with other premium cards.

You must have your Priority Pass card with you when you to gain entrance into the lounge. There’s also a Priority Pass app so you can show them your “e-card” but note that not all Priority Pass lounges are able to scan these so it’s best to keep your card on you.

Bidvest Premier Lounge in Cape Town, South Africa.

Priority Pass Restaurants

At many airports, there are restaurants that are part of the Priority Pass lounge network. This means that you can get a food credit often around $30 at these restaurants that you can enjoy. This can be an amazing perk whenever you are not flying out of a gate near a lounge or the lounges are super packed.

The problem is that the Priority Pass membership attached to the Platinum Card no longer provides you with access to the Priority Pass restaurants so you cannot get credit for the restaurants.  

Priority Pass perks

Priority Pass can also get you access into other VIP-like perks. For example, when flying into MBJ in Jamaica, your Priority Pass gets you into the expedited line for security (as well as the VIP lounge, which is quite nice especially for Caribbean standards).

Delta Sky Clubs

The Platinum Card Can also get you access into Delta Delta Sky Clubs. Delta Sky Clubs are pretty solid lounges compared to other what other domestic carriers offer and you should be able to get free drinks and snacks.

To gain access to Delta Sky Clubs, you must be flying with Delta on that day.  Unfortunately, guests are not complimentary and you’ll have to shell out $29 for each guest to come in to the lounge with you.

The good thing about the Platinum Card is once again, authorized users are given this perk, too, so if your travel partner has a Platinum Card they can get in for free, too.

If you are interested in getting a more thorough Delta Sky Club membership you can look at the following cards:

Delta Reserve Credit Card

  • 2 miles per dollar on Delta purchases
  • Priority boarding
  • First checked bag free
  • 20% off in-flight purchases
  • Annual fee $450 (not waived)
  • Annual 1-time first class, Comfort+ or main cabin companion certificate
  • Complimentary Delta Sky Club access
  • Annual miles and MQMs after spend requirement

Delta Reserve for Business Credit Card

  • 2 miles per dollar on Delta purchases
  • Priority boarding
  • First checked bag free
  • 20% off in-flight purchases
  • Annual fee $450 (not waived)
  • Annual 1-time first class, Comfort+ or main cabin companion certificate
  • Complimentary Delta Sky Club access
  • Annual miles and MQMs after spend requirement
JFK T4 Sky Club Sky Deck

Airspace lounges

The Platinum Card also offers access to Airspace lounges. There are currently only a couple these lounges and they are found in Cleveland and San Diego. The lounges offer basic snacks and drinks but as a Platinum cardmember, you’ll be given a $10 credit that you can use towards food and drinks, which should be enough to cover a light meal.

The cardmember’s spouse and children under the age of 21 or up to two companions may enter the club as complimentary guests.

Airspace lounge in San Diego. Image via San Diego International Airport.

Escape Lounges

As one of the recent upgrades to the Platinum Card, it now offers access to Escape Lounges, too. Escape Lounges can be found at:

United States locations

Arizona

California

Connecticut

Minnesota

Nevada

Ohio

Rhode Island

United Kingdom locations

Entry to some of these would cost your $40-45 to enter these lounges so these were nice additions to the Platinum’s lounge network. You can bring two guests with you to these lounges.

The BDL and MSP lounges were part of the Priority Pass network but MSP was recently dropped, so now you would gain access to that lounge by your Platinum Card instead of Priority Pass. These lounges are generally regarded as quality lounges, although you have to pay for certain premium items.

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Plaza Premium Lounges

Plaza Premium Lounges can often be accessed with Priority Pass so there’s a large overlap with lounge benefits here.

However, there are some lounges that are only accessible with the Platinum Card so you do get access to more venues. But in addition to that, sometimes access is restricted for Priority Pass members but not Platinum members and as a Platinum cardmember, you might be given more benefits (unlimited free drinks, etc.).

These lounges are largely found in Asia but you can find some in other locations like Europe and South America. You can search for locations here.

I have reviewed a Plaza Premium lounge before and felt like it was a pretty decent lounge on par with a typical Priority Pass lounge. They had a number of hot food items for breakfast, drink options, and the lounge was decent sized with some comfortable seating options.

Cardmembers may bring up to 1 companion into Plaza Premium Lounges as complimentary guests.

Plaza Premium Lounge at TPE.

Lufthansa Lounge access

With the Platinum Card you can also get special Lufthansa Lounge access.

As part of The American Express Global Lounge Collection, you can get access to select Lufthansa airport lounges in the satellite area of T2 in Munich Airport and in Terminal 1 Concourse B of Frankfurt Airport through 3/31/20.

Platinum Card Members may enjoy access to Lufthansa Business Lounges (regardless of ticket class) and Lufthansa Senator Lounges (when flying business class) in the Satellite area of T2 in Munich Airport, and T1 Concourse B in Frankfurt Airport.

To access the Lufthansa lounges, Platinum Card Member must present a government issued I.D., a same-day boarding pass showing confirmed reservation on a Lufthansa Group flight (Lufthansa, SWISS and Austrian airlines) and a valid Platinum Card.

Lounge access is for Card Members departing from Munich and Frankfurt only.

Frankfurt Airport.

“Hidden” Amex lounge benefits

I’m always surprised how many cardholders aren’t even aware of the many hidden benefits of the Platinum Card. Beyond the lounge networks above, there are actually several other lounges where you can get access with your Platinum Card. Just keep in mind that these less-advertised perks may be subject to change since they are not highly publicized.

Access Suite Lounge at South Coast Plaza

The South Coast Plaza is a super high-end mall all outside LA known for its high concentration of designer stores. It is also home to a little VIP lounge known as the Access Suite.

The Access Suite Lounge at South Coast Plazas is located on the 2nd floor, just outside Saks Fifth Avenue. It is open from 11am to 7pm (Monday through Saturday) and from 11am to 6:30pm on Sunday. You should be able to enter with up to three guests. You can find a full review here.

American Express Lounge by Pontus at Arlanda

This is a lounge in Stockholm and you can find a full review here. Platinum cardmembers may take one guest with them.

Centurion Suite at the Barclays Center 

You can get special access through a dedicated entrance found on Atlantic Avenue, to the left of the Calvin Klein VIP Entrance. To gain entry to Barclays Center through the American Express Card Member Entrance, you must present the guest services representative with a valid American Express Card along with a valid event ticket.

They state that the guest policy is the following:

All active American Express Card Members are permitted entry to Barclays Center via the Card Member Entrance for themselves and all guests in their party, provided all guests have a valid event ticket.

So it sounds like all of your guests just need to be with you and have a ticket to get in through this entrance.

Note: the Centurion Suite at the Barclays Center is now closed!

Centurion Suite at the Staples Center

The Centurion Suite at the Staples Center is located on Suite Level B. After entering from any main entrance, proceed to the Centurion Suite check-in, located on the Main Concourse across from aisle M22 (next to the Team LA Store).

You will need to show your Platinum Card along with a photo ID at check-in. And you will be given a wristband that allows for re-entry. You will be allowed to bring up to three guests with you.

Once you’ve been checked in, take the stairs or the elevator to Suite Level B.

Here’s what they state for directions:

If taking the elevator, The Centurion Suite will be located through the brown double doors to your right once you reach Suite Level B. Otherwise, proceed to your left at the top of the stairs. The entrance to The Centurion Suite will be located on your right hand side.

The Centurion Suite opens for most Los Angeles Kings, Los Angeles Lakers, and Los Angeles Clippers home games throughout the year. It opens up 90 minutes prior to the beginning of a game. Since spots are given out on a first come, first serve basis you need to check in as quickly as possible!

Centurion Suite in Louis Armstrong Stadium at the US Open

During the U.S. Open you can get access to an American Express lounge. You will be able to bring up to three guests but spots are issued on a first come, first serve basis and the access is not restricted to only Platinum Card members. You also can sometimes get additional perks like free bags or even a statement credit to use at the event.

Eurostar Business Premier Lounges

If you are ever traveling on the Eurostar you might be able to enjoy one of the lounges at one of the main stations including:

  • London St. Pancras
  • Paris Gare du Nord
  • Brussels Midi/Zuid
  • Ebbsfleet International

Note that there is no access for guests at these lounges.

Universal Studios lounges (Orlando and Hollywood)

The terms state that to get access to the American Express Lounge, you need to purchase a Multi-Park Ticket or Annual Pass with any American Express card at UniversalOrlando.com or at the Universal Orlando Resort ticket window.

In reality though many people report getting into the lounge without having shown proof of purchase of that type of pack. It could depend on the capacity of the lounge but it is worth giving it a shot to get in even if you did not purchase one of the eligible packages.

Entrance to the Universal Studios Florida American Express Lounge is located across from Shrek’s Ye Olde Souvenir Shoppe. The American Express Lounge is open seven days a week from 12–5 pm and subject to availability.

Virgin Australia lounge access

You can get Virgin Australia lounge access when flying Virgin Australia.

Not all of these lounges will offer full complimentary service. For example, for the Centurion Suite at the Staples Center, the terms state:

This VIP space offers a full service bar with a complete selection of finely crafted cocktails, beer & wine, and an array of non-alcoholic beverages for purchase. Guests can also purchase and order premium food items from the bar, prepared by renowned Levy Restaurants Chef Joseph Martin.

H/T: DOC for the round-up

Authorized users

One great thing about the Platinum Card is that authorized users are given full access to these lounges just as the primary cardmember is. You can add up to 3 authorized users for $175, so this can be a great way to receive a lot of value if you’ve got friends or family that you trust and want to offer these perks to.

Platinum Card lounge access FAQ

What lounges can I get access to with the Platinum Card?

You can get access to the following lounges subject to certain terms:

Centurion Lounges
International American Express Lounges
Priority Pass Select Lounges
Delta Sky Clubs
Airspace Lounges
Escape Lounges
Plaza Premium Lounges
Lufthansa Lounges
“Hidden” lounge benefits

Do I have to bring my Platinum Card to gain access to the Centurion Lounge? 

Yes, you will need to bring your Platinum Card and also your same-day boarding pass.

In the past, they have made exceptions to this at times but my advice would be to always bring your card just in case.

Can I get access when I arrive to the airport?

No, you cannot get access when you arrive at the airport unless you have a connection.

How early can I arrive to a Centurion Lounge? 

You will not be allowed in more than three hours prior to your departure. Exceptions may apply if your flight is delayed.

Do Centurion Lounges get crowded?

During peak business traveler times, some Centurion Lounge are known to get very crowded.

During these times, it may be difficult to find a place to sit, especially if you are traveling as a group.

Can I bring my family into a Centurion Lounge?

The Platinum Card will allow you to bring up to two family members with you for free. If you want to bring in an additional guest, it will cost $50 per person.

Do you get access to Priority Pass Restaurants?

Unfortunately, no, you do not get access to Priority Pass restaurants with the Platinum Card.

Final Word

I think that the Platinum Card is probably the best card for lounge access. While other cards like the Sapphire Reserve and Citi Prestige offer Priority Pass, the Platinum Card goes beyond that with its quality Centurion Lounges and other lounges located throughout the US and the world.

So while the value of lounge access comes down to use, I think these lounge benefits provide me with more than enough value to hang on to the Platinum Card even with its high annual fee.

American Express Las Vegas (LAS) Centurion Lounge Review

Offers contained within this article maybe expired.

I have finally visited a Centurion Lounge! After three years of holding the American Express Platinum Card, I went to an airport that had a Centurion Lounge. While, I have been through HKG, LGA, IAH, and SFO during the last three years, I always had access to better lounges or arrived just in time for boarding.

I always heard Centurion lounges were very crowded. That alone made me not care about visiting them. So, I took the opportunity to visit the Centurion Lounge in Las Vegas and wow, it felt like I was at the commons building at my university, but I would visit again.

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American Express Las Vegas Centurion Lounge

The American Express Las Vegas Centurion Lounge is a “true” Centurion Lounge and not merely an international Amex Lounge. The difference is that the international lounges aren’t typically as nice and equipped as the Centurion Lounges are. For example, they are often smaller and may not have the same level of food and drink options.

I highly recommend you can check out our article about Centurion Lounges here.

You can find the locations for all true Centurion Lounges below:

Fun fact: Las Vegas Centurion Lounge was the very first Centurion Lounge to open!

American Express Las Vegas Centurion Lounge Access

You can get access to the American Express Hong Kong Centurion Lounge if you have one of the following Amex cards:

Top 10 Travel Credit Cards

The personal Platinum Card is one of the best cards for frequent fliers and comes with the following perks.

  • 60,000 miles after spending $5,000 within the first 3 months (75K offer in Google Incognito and there are even methods to get 100K offers)
  • $200 annual airline credit
  • $200 annual Uber credit
  • Priority Pass access for you and two guests
  • Centurion lounges access for you and two guests
  • Delta SkyClub access when flying with Delta
  • Hilton Honors Gold elite status 
  • SPG Gold Preferred elite status (and therefore Marriott Gold and Ritz-Carlton Gold), and rental car status as well
  • 5X on airfare and 5X on hotels booked through the Amex Travel portal
  • TSA Pre-Check/Global Entry $100 credit
  • Annual fee: $550 (NOT waived first year)

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Guest Policy

You’ll be allowed to bring in two guests with you on a complimentary basis if you have the Platinum Card. Centurion members 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 USD at the time of entry.

Amex Las Vegas Centurion Lounge Location

The Amex Las Vegas Centurion Lounge is in Terminal 1 Concourse D (also known as D Gates) near gate D1. D gates are served by American, Delta, Air Canada, Frontier, Hawaiian, Sun Country, Thomas Cook, and United. If you’re flying Southwest, you’ll be flying out of Terminal 1, B and C gates.

The Las Vegas airport is easy to navigate, unless you’re hungover from your time in Vegas. 😉

Once you take the Blue Line Tram or Red Line Tram from Terminal 1 or 2 to Concourse D, you will find yourself on level zero. Go up the escalators and follow signs for gates D1. Right across from gates D1 you will see the pure white Centurion wall with their beautiful blue doors.

To connect to other Concourses it’s only accessible by the tram after security. It takes about 5 minutes in each direction. The tram connects D Gates to A, B, C Gates and Terminal 3 E gates.

Amex Las Vegas Centurion Lounge Hours

The American Express Las Vegas Centurion Lounge is open between:

  • 5am to 11pm every day.

Amex Las Vegas Centurion Lounge experience

About 9:00 in the morning I arrived in Las Vegas and made my way to Concourse D to visit the Centurion Lounge. I arrived and saw the beautiful blue doors and white walls with no sign about capacity. Full marks to Amex on the white walls with the blue doors, I love the contrast and minimalistic look.

The photo was taken when I was leaving the lounge, as you can see the lounge has the special sign out limiting lounge access.

I walked in and found myself greeted by 3 check-in attendants. I verified if I could access the lounge even though I was arriving. The lounge attendant explained how they weren’t at capacity and that I would be allowed in.

When they are limiting guests, there will be a sign at the entrance that will typically read that you can only access the lounge 3 hours before departure and cannot access the lounge as an arriving passenger.

After scanning my boarding pass, checking my Platinum card and ID the attendant gave me the wifi and feedback card telling me to enjoy the lounge.

The shape of the lounge is a quarter of a circle; this allows lots of natural light in most areas of the lounge except the dining area. Even when I was in the dining area, I didn’t feel like I was in a cave because of the lack of natural light. Otherwise, the lounge is lovely if you want to plane spot.

When you first walk in the main part of the lounge, you see tables with chairs and some different seating options. The main part of the lounge is long and goes from the very entrance to the end of the lounge. Then you will see the dining room in the middle divided by a wall.

Amex Las Vegas Centurion Lounge

To the left of the check-in desk, you will find the member services desk for all your Amex needs. This is where you can ask them anything or act like a concierge of some sort.

Right across from the check-in desk you will find the membership desk.
Amex Las Vegas Centurion Lounge member services desk.

The rest of the lounge is a mixture of different seats everything from tables and chairs to lounge chairs. Power outlets with USB ports are available throughout the lounge, and I didn’t have a huge issue finding one, even when it became busier throughout the time I was in the lounge.

Across from the member services desk, you will find the kids room, some different tables and chairs, and then the dining room with half booths.
Towards the back of the lounge, you will see different style of seating that provides lots of privacy.
You will find the drink station and more seating at the end of the lounge.
The variety of seating in the lounge doesn’t end.
Amex knows people work and eat at lounges, so it’s easy to find a place where there is a table.
The lounge has workstation desktops readily available for guests.
A communal table with power outlets all over it.

Probably my favorite type of seat is the black chairs with the tall side walls or the wall benches that were so comfy (as seen below). They are secluded and offer lots of comfort from all the throw pillows. Each one has power outlets and of course a table. This type of seating is nice since the fabric will cut out some of the noise in the lounge.

Another thing that is great about the type of seating at the Las Vegas Centurion Lounge is how most seats can fit a couple, like in the wall benches or the black chairs.

My favorite type of seating in the Amex Las Vegas Centurion Lounge.

You will notice one theme throughout the lounge; it’s crowded. Wow, it’s been a long time since I have visited a lounge where it was this crowded and noisy.

Yes, there are still seats available. Yes, I didn’t have an issue finding a seat during my two hours staying in the lounge, but the noise level of the lounge is the issue. Without noise canceling headphones you easily hear people chatting it up with others or on the phone. It feels like I am back at my university, which is not something I want to experience at a lounge.

Where are the phone rooms?

When I visited the JAL Sakura Lounge at NRT earlier this year, it was super crowded, probably worse than this. The noise level at the JAL Sakura Lounge was very minimal, and there were kids all around, especially in the dining area. However, it’s built so noise won’t bounce off the walls as much, there are phone rooms, there are different areas, not just one long room.

The Las Vegas Centurion Lounge is the complete opposite; the noise level is annoying without headphones. This is of course not only with Centurion Lounges themselves, but it seems to be a common problem that isn’t addressed at lounges. Add a phone room, and it could help reduce the noise from people talking on their phone.

But then there is the problem of how clean the lounge is.

Cleanliness

Stained seats, food all over the seats, stained tables, and dirty bathroom are just a few things that make this lounge one of the dirtiest lounges I have been to. Yes, dirtier than lounges within China.

When was that cleaned?

There is food, crumbs all over, and then white and brown stains. Some of which is sticky… don’t worry after touching that sticky stuff I used my hand wipes. No matter where you sat on this bench you will find it dirty and stained.

What are those stains on the table? I cannot remove them from the table at all. I tried to wipe them off with a wet wipe, but nothing happened.

And no, it was multiple tables that had this stain issue.

Where are all these stains coming from? I was amazed at how many benches were stained, chairs are to lesser of a degree dirty but still wowed me. Tables are even stained, but tables can be easy to replace.

The bathroom was dirty as well. I was standing in a puddle of liquid when using the toilet… (no I didn’t take a picture while I was in the bathroom since others were in there).

Amex, please clean.

Amex Las Vegas Centurion Lounge dining and bar experience

This is where this lounge shines. During my visit to the lounge, they had a good amount of hot and cold food out. It was breakfast, so they had food like french toast, eggs, hash, and oatmeal.

The lounge offers one wall where the hot and cold food is and the other wall you will find a full-service bar with a bartender. The bar isn’t too big, and I never waited for a drink while at the bar. The bar is where you will get soft drinks and acholic beverages. There are no cocktails till 10:30am, so I ended up only getting prosecco. I am in Vegas don’t judge me. 🙂

Right outside of the dining room, you will find an espresso machine and self-service water with 2 other juices besides it.

What is nice is they have a TV displaying all the flights departing in the dining room.

Everything in the lounge is proper tableware.

Las Vegas Centurion Lounge buffet
Las Vegas Centurion Lounge buffet
Las Vegas Centurion Lounge buffet
Las Vegas Centurion Lounge bar
Las Vegas Centurion Lounge dining room
Las Vegas Centurion Lounge dining room
Las Vegas Centurion Lounge dining room
Las Vegas Centurion Lounge dining room
Las Vegas Centurion Lounge dining room

I ended up getting french toast, eggs, and charro hash with water. All of which were good for buffet style lounge food! I then got some prosecco later.

The lounge attendants were very attentive and cleared plates and glasses within minutes of finishing, but were not intrusive at all. When someone leaves a table, the lounge attendants usually do a quick wipe of the table. However, later on, the lounge got busier, and they wouldn’t wipe it off all the time since people were immediately stealing that table.

Actually, all the lounge attendants were friendly and pleasant. They always had a smile, chatting with guests sometimes.

During my 1 hour in the dining room, they refreshed the food when it got more than half empty. They also made sure the food looks presentable, which makes a huge difference in my opinion.

Amex Las Vegas Centurion Lounge WiFi

The wifi isn’t too bad for a lounge that is crowded. It’s on par with 4G speeds, which isn’t anything special though.

Final word

Crowded, noisy, and dirty. Why would I come back? Well, there are tons of outlets, and it’s easy to find a seat with a table to do some work. Some fancy seating for two people, which is nice while traveling with someone. Then there is the food, which is not the best lounge food but certainly very good. I still think it’s like a university commons area, but with a good pair of headphones, for the most part, you can ignore the noise. Just bring some hand wipes and find a clean seat. 😉

This article was originally published by Steve Smith.

Amex Global Lounge Collection (List of Locations) [2020]

The Amex Global Lounge Collection might be one of the most valuable travel perks offered by any travel rewards credit card. But what exactly is the Amex Global Lounge Collection and what are the lounges that you get access to? This article will walk you through the different lounges you’ll get access to with this program and what you can expect at these lounge locations in terms of quality and experience.

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What is the Amex Global Lounge Collection?

The Amex Global Lounge Collection is a program that comes with the Amex Platinum Card (full review here) which provides you access to over 1,000 airport lounges worldwide. This is my favorite benefit of the Amex Platinum Card and it’s the main reason why I choose to hold on to the Amex Platinum Card (though there are plenty of other worthwhile benefits).

Amex Centurion Lounge Hong Kong.

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Why is the Amex Global Lounge Collection special?

The Amex Global Lounge Collection is special because it’s the best airport lounge access offered by another any other credit card (at least in my opinion it is). Other credit cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve (and many other premium level travel rewards credit cards) offer only Priority Pass airport lounge access but the Amex Global Lounge Collection goes well beyond a Priority Pass membership.

If you’re a frequent traveler or just a traveler who desires to have nice lounges to enjoy when traveling then the Amex Global Lounge Collection could be just what you need.

I’ll discuss each of the different lounges that are part of the Amex Global Lounge Collection below.

Amex Centurion Lounges

Amex Centurion Lounges are fantastic because they are some of the best lounges in the U.S. These lounges usually feature modern decor with comfy seating, great cocktails and service, and decent hot food items along with showers. Some of these lounges even have spas. I’ll (almost) always choose a Centurion Lounge over a U.S. airline’s domestic lounge or another Priority Pass lounge. 

There are two drawbacks to Centurion Lounges, though. The first is that they are only found in a limited number of airports (though they are rapidly expanding). The second is that overcrowding can be a real issue at some of these lounges (though Amex is slowly working to address the crowding issues in various ways).

Here are the locations where you can find these Centurion lounges:

You’ll also find International Centurion Lounges across the globe. These don’t always offer the same level of amenities and complimentary services and they also can be much smaller than standard Centurion Lounges. I recently visited the Centurion Lounge in Sydney, Australia and was not very impressed to tell you the truth.

Here are locations where you will find them:

  • Buenos Aires (EZE)
  • Delhi (DEL)
  • Mexico City (MEX), Monterrey (MTY), Toluca (TLC)
  • Mumbai (BOM)
  • São Paulo (GRU)
  • Sydney (SYD)

Amex Centurion Lounge at Houston (IAH).

Priority Pass

The Platinum Card offers you Priority Pass lounge access, which is a network of over 1,000 airport lounges all around the world. You can search for Priority Pass lounge locations here.

With the Platinum Card, you’ll be able to bring in two guests with you into these lounges.

But note: access for Priority Pass members to these lounges is sometimes restricted during busy hours, so sometimes you won’t be given access to the lounge. Also, the guest policy can differ at certain lounges.

Priority Pass lounges differ in quality but many of them are great places to relax and enjoy complimentary wifi, food, drinks, and sometimes even showers and special nap areas.

I haven’t put my Priority Pass membership to use for domestic trips that much but for international trips I’ve gotten plenty of value from it. It’s especially nice when you can utilize an arrival lounge after a long international flight.

Priority Pass lounge in Cape Town, South Africa.

Delta Sky Club

To gain access to Delta Sky Clubs, you must be flying with Delta on that day. Unfortunately, guests are not complimentary and you’ll have to shell out $29 for each guest to come in to the lounge with you.

The good thing about the Platinum Card is authorized users are given this perk, so if your travel partner has a Platinum Card they can get in for free, too. To search for Delta Sky Club locations click here. 

Plaza Premium Lounges

Card Members may bring up to 1 companion into Plaza Premium Lounges as complimentary guests. Plaza Premium lounges are common to find in certain parts of the world like Asia.

I recently visited a Plaza Premium lounge in TPE and thought it was a very cozy lounge with a pretty good selection of hot food items and comfy seating. You can often get access to these lounges with with Priority Pass but sometimes the Platinum Card may offer you more access (better hours, etc.). Here are the locations for the Plaza Premium Lounges.

Plaza Premium lounge at Taipei (TPE).

Airspace lounges

The Platinum Card also offers access to Airspace lounges. There are currently only two of these lounges and they are found in Cleveland (CLE), and San Diego (SAN). The lounges offer basic snacks and drinks but as a Platinum cardmember, you’ll be given a $10 credit that you can use towards food and drinks, so that’s something. Entry would normally be about $35.

Escape Lounges

As one of the recent upgrades to the Platinum Card, it now offers access to Escape Lounges, too. Escape Lounges can be found at:

  • Bradley International Airport (BDL) (which is near Hartford, Connecticut)
  • Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG)
  • Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP)
  • Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP)
  • Oakland International Airport (OAK)
  • Ontario International Airport (ONT)
  • Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
  • Reno-Tahoe Airport (RNO)
  • Sacramento International Airport (SMF)
  • T. F. Green International Airport (PVD)

There are also a few in the UK at London Stansted, Manchester, and East Midlands.

Entry to some of these would cost your $40-45 to enter these lounges so these were nice additions to the Platinum’s lounge network.

Additional lounge perks

The Platinum Card also offers lounge access to special events and locations which include the following locations:

  • Eurostar Business Premier Lounges (London St. Pancras, Paris Gare du Nord, Brussels Midi/Zuid, and Ebbsfleet International.
  • Virgin Australia lounge access when flying Virgin Australia
  • Centurion Suite at the Barclays Center (open for sporting and entertainment events)
  • Centurion Suite at the Staples Center (open for sporting events — no complimentary food or drinks)
  • Universal Studios lounges (Orlando and Hollywood)
  • Select Lufthansa airport lounges in the satellite area of T2 in Munich Airport and in Terminal 1 Concourse B of Frankfurt Airport through 10/31/19 (read more here)

Final word

The Amex Global Lounge Collection obtained through the Amex Platinum is one of the most valuable travel perks because it offers access to the most extensive network of lounges compared to to other similar credit cards.

LAX American Express Centurion Lounge to Open March 9

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American Express Centurion Lounges are some of the nicest lounges that you will find in the US — at least whenever you are not flying first class or business class on international routes.

We’ve been waiting for the Centurion Lounge at LAX to open up for quite some time and finally it is set to open up in just a couple of days on March 9!

We have some details about the lounge and it looks like it’s going to be one of the best Centurion Lounges (if not the best).

Here’s what you need to know about the new lounge!

If you want to find out more about lounge access offered by the Platinum Card — click here!

It’s huge

First, this lounge is going to be huge.

At nearly 14,000 square ft., this is going to be the largest Centurion Lounge that we have ever seen. As many Centurion Lounges have seen crowding issues, this is very good to see.

It’s located in the Tom Bradley International Terminal and while LAX is not the easiest airport to navigate post security the lounge will be accessible post-security from Terminals 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8.

Tranquility rooms

This lounge is going to introduce a new concept known as “tranquility rooms.” There is both a sunrise room and a moonset room which are designed to offer relaxation.

The Moonrise room ushers in a sense of nighttime relaxation through a starry night inspired ceiling, creating an atmosphere of subtle, yet relaxing energy. Meanwhile, the Sunrise room helps awaken the senses with illuminated walls, emanating an atmosphere of dawn-like hues.

It sounds like a pretty cool concept and the chaise lounges in the moonrise room look like a good place to actually lie down and get some real rest.

Spa treatment

This will also be one of the Centurion Lounges that offer spa treatment.

American Express partnered with Exhale to offer “elevated wellbeing and spa services centered around energy and light.” The lounge is going to offer light therapy for hydrated skin, Reiki treatments, Ear Reflexology, hand and nail therapies, as well as chair massages.

Food and drink

The menu is going to be inspired by American Express Global Dining Collection Chef, Nancy Silverton. Some of these locally inspired dishes include: Asparagus Egg Pie, Panettone French Toast, Farro Salad with Fresh Herbs and Feta, Mozza Meatballs, Roasted Beets with Horseradish Vinaigrette, Butterscotch Budino and more.

The new lounge will also offer premium wine selections by Wine Director Anthony Giglio, as well as specialty cocktails by renowned Centurion Lounge mixologist Jim Meehan.

The interior sounds like it’s going to look really cool.

There’s a custom mural created by Los Angeles-based mixed media muralist, Danielle Garza, hand-picked film artifacts for the lounge, and a sweet-looking silhouette of the Hollywood Hills.

If you’re flying to LAX soon be sure to make your way to the international terminal so that you can check it out.

Press release

LAX Likely Getting Amex Centurion Lounge

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! 

Hong Kong Amex 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

Denver Likely to Get A New Amex Centurion Lounge

Amex has been rapidly expanding its Centurion Lounge network over the past couple of years. We’ve seen new Centurion Lounge projects in Hong Kong, Philadelphia, and recently announced for JFK New York. And now it looks like yet another Centurion Lounge will be popping up, this time at Denver International Airport.

Hong Kong Amex 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.

The new Centurion Lounge will likely be built at Concourse C, which serves Alaska, Allegiant, Southwest, and Spirit. However, the concourses at Denver International Airport are all connected airside meaning that it should be very practical to visit the Centurion Lounge even if you are flying on United or an airline in another terminal. This airside connection is huge because like at Houston (IAH), you can virtually always make time to visit the Centurion Lounge.

The project would involve a 10-year $20 million revenue contract and would result in one of the biggest Amex Centurion Lounges built to date at 14,650 square feet. The Centurion Lounge at JFK is set to be extra spacious and the Centurion Lounge at DFW is getting bigger, so it’s great to see that Amex has clearly heard the complaints of its guests and is taking action to resolve or at least help mitigate the overcrowding issues.

It also looks like this new Centurion Lounge would have a spa just like the lounges at DFW and MIA, so I think Amex is making a real effort to upgrade their new lounges. No word yet on if we’ll see a dispensary.

Final word

Overall, I’m still a bit surprised that Chicago wasn’t the next on the list to get a Centurion Lounge but I think it’s great for Denver International Airport and I’m loving the trend here of bigger, more equipped Centurion Lounges.

H/T: OMAAT

New Amex Centurion Lounge Opening at JFK

American Express Centurion Lounges are among the nicest airport lounges in the US. While their footprint is still relatively small, Amex has been continuously expanding its network around the country. Last year, we saw a new lounge open up in Hong Kong and another one in Philadelphia. And now, American Express just announced the most recent addition to its network: a new Amex Centurion Lounge at JFK. 

The Centurion Lounge at IAH.

The new Amex Centurion Lounge at JFK

New Centurion Lounges are always exciting but what’s really exciting about this lounge is that it looks like American Express is stepping up its lounge game. This new lounge is going to be the biggest Centurion Lounge by far, coming in at 15,000-square-feet across two levels.

This is encouraging to hear because crowding has been the biggest issue for these lounges over the past couple of years. Amex has limited access to two total guests (except for Centurion holders) and they’ve taken away the ability for non-Platinum/Centurion cardmembers to purchase day passes.

Special new features?

The Centurion Lounge at JFK Terminal 4 will also include “special new features to be announced closer to the lounge’s opening.” It will also boast “[s]pectacular airfield views.” Of course all of the standard offerings will be offered such as: a complimentary custom bar and food menu, premium restrooms and shower suites, access to high-speed Wi-Fi, noise-buffering workspaces (and more).

One has to wonder what these “special new features” will be. Perhaps an improved spa or other relaxation amenities? Upgraded dining experience or more elaborate bar set up?

The new Centurion Lounge at JFK rendering.

What terminal at JFK will the Centurion Lounge be located?

The new Centurion Lounge at JFK will be located on the 4th floor Departures level of Terminal 4, one of the most active air terminals in the United States. Terminal 4 actually welcomes more than 21 million annual passengers and accounts for one-third of all traffic at the airport — more than half of Terminal 4’s annual passengers are international travelers.

Keep in mind that you will have to go through security to get to the lounge — the lounge will be located airside.

And that’s one drawback — JFK is not like IAH where each terminal is connected airside. So if you are coming in from a different terminal you will probably have to pass through security twice.

New Centurion Lounges
New Centurion lounges are exciting news!

When will the new Centurion Lounge at JFK open?

The Amex Lounge JFK is estimated to open by early 2019. Amex has been okay about coming close to meeting deadline projections but I would consider “early 2019” to mean by mid-2019.

new amex centurion lounge
Cocktails at the MIA Centurion Lounge.

Other Centurion Lounge locations

Currently, there are 9 Centurion Lounges, one located outside the US:

  1. New York LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
  2. Las Vegas McCarran International Airport (LAS)
  3. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
  4. San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
  5. Miami International Airport (MIA)
  6. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
  7. Houston’s George Bush International Airport (IAH)
  8.  Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
  9. Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)

American Express actually has lounges in other places like South American and Australia. They typically aren’t as nice and equipped as the lounges in the US, however.

New Amex Centurion Lounge
Amex Centurion Lounge in Las Vegas.

Where will Amex expand next?

Josh McKay, vice president and general manager, Global Benefits and Services, American Express, stated that, “We aim to elevate our Card Members’ travel experiences and our industry-leading lounge program is one of our Card Members’ favorite ways we do this. We look forward to continuing to expand this offering with the Centurion Lounge in JFK and more lounges to come.”

I agree with McKay that Amex has an industry-leading lounge experience and can’t wait to see where the new Centurion Lounges will be located. I’ve got a feeling it’s going to be ORD or LAX or maybe we’ll see another international Centurion Lounge?

Photos of the New Amex Centurion Lounge in Hong Kong (Opening Oct 2)

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American Express is scheduled to open their Centurion Lounge on October 2, 2017. This will be the first Centurion Lounge in Asia and yet another addition to the number of international Centurion Lounges. Unlike some of the other international Centurion Lounges in places like Mexico, the new lounge in Hong Kong sounds like it will be on par with American Centurion Lounges.

The new Centurion Lounge in Hong Kong (HKG)

The Centurion Lounge in Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) will be located in Terminal 1 and cover approximately 8,000 square feet (just a tad bit smaller than the one in Houston).

Per the press release, the amenities of the lounge will include:

  • A premium buffet featuring both locally and internationally inspired dishes.
    • Example menu items include French toast with maple syrup and mixed berry compote, assorted Dim Sum baskets, stir-fried rice with eggs, mushrooms and vegetables, chicken congee, gnocchi with Pomodoro sauce, pan fried sole fillet with caper cream sauce, and vanilla mango panna cotta.
  • A complimentary full bar with custom cocktails created by renowned mixologist Jim Meehan and wine selections handpicked by renowned wine authority Anthony Giglio*
  • Private phone areas and a meeting room, plus a workspace outfitted with a computer bar
  • Restrooms and a private shower suite outfitted with L’Occitane amenities
  • A private area exclusively available for Centurion Members and their guests, which will offer access to a dedicated Member Services Professional to help with any specific travel, reservation or card services requests
  • The private Centurion area will also feature an a la carte menu designed by Michelin star chef, Lau Yiu Fai of Yan Toh Heen at the InterContinental Hong Kong.
    • Chef Lau’s menu will offer Cantonese dishes such as baked pork in puff pastry, crispy spring rolls with kimchi and pork, crispy fresh prawns with black truffles, braised wagyu beef cheek and turnip, barbecued pork with honey and steamed rice, and baked egg tartlettes with bird’s nest, among others.

The difference with this lounge from many other Centurion Lounges that I’ve been to is that Centurion card holders get access to an a la carte menu designed by a Michelin star chef. I’m not aware of other Centurion Lounges that offer that (I’ve seen some that offer private areas for Centurion members that nobody seems to honor). This also comes at a time when Amex is offering enhanced lounge access to Centurion card holders to Lufthansa lounges, so maybe this part of an ongoing initiative to give Centurion card holders more distinguishing perks.

Photos of the new Centurion Lounge in Hong Kong

The photos of the new lounge (courtesy of Amex) look fantastic. The decor is a bit different from many of the other lounges in the U.S. Based on the photos, the lounge still has the very chic look that other lounges have but it looks like Amex turned up the swank meter for this one, especially for the bar area.

I’ve got a trip to Hong Kong early next year and this lounge is very tempting but I think I’m still going to probably spend most of my time in The Pier Lounge which is the first class lounge for Cathay Pacific. (Though The Pier is also in Terminal 1 so it might be possible to come in and take a peak at this lounge.)

The new Hong Kong Centurion Lounge will open up on the same day that Amex is limiting access to the Centurion Lounge to only Centurion/Platinum card holders, a move that should at least a little bit with crowding issues (although I have my doubts).

Also noteworthy is that the Centurion Lounge in Philadelphia is expected to open up in late October.

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