American Express is one of a few credit card issuers that has their own airport lounges. In fact, American Express was the only credit card issuer in the game with its Centurion lounges until recently. Amex’s network of Centurion Lounges has greatly expanded and is now among the most exclusive lounges in the American Express Global Lounge Collection.
If you are an American Express cardmember and like to be one of those lucky ones with access to American Express lounges, keep reading to learn more about those lounges and how to get there.
American Express Global Lounge Collection
The American Express Global Lounge Collection® is a vast network of airport lounges. The network includes various lounge options, including airline-operated lounges, which make more than 1,400+ airport lounge offers across 140 countries and counting. Here’s a list of the American Express Global Lounge Collection partners:
– The Centurion® Lounge
– Escape Lounges – The Centurion® Studio Partner
– Delta Sky Club®
– Airspace Lounge
– Plaza Premium Lounges
– Lufthansa
– Priority Pass Select (enrollment required)
– International American Express Lounges (ARN).
Although the network includes various airline lounge options, Centurion Lounges are considered the swankiest. The Centurion® Network consists of 40+ locations worldwide. Here’s a list of U.S. cities with Centurion Lounge locations:
– Charlotte (CLT): Located at the intersection of Concourses D & E, mezzanine level. Open: 7 am – 8 pm.
– Dallas (DFW): Located in Terminal D, across from Gate d12. Open: 5:30 am – 9 pm.
– Denver (DEN): Located post-security in Concourse C just past Gate C46 on the mezzanine level. Open: 5 am – 9 pm.
– Houston (IAH): Located in Terminal D and is accessible via the elevator located in the Duty Free Shop near Gate D6. Open: 6 am – 8 pm.
– Las Vegas (LAS): Located in Concourse D, opposite Gate D1. Open: 5 am – 9 pm.
– Los Angeles (LAX): Located in Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT). Open: 6 am – 7:30 pm.
– Miami (MIA): Located in Concourse D, near Gate D12, on the 4th floor. Open: 5 am – 10 pm.
– New York (JFK): Located in Terminal 4. Open: 6 am – 9 pm.
– New York (LGA): Located one level above security, right before the Eastern Concourse pedestrian bridge. Open: 5 am – 9 pm Sun-Fri, 5 am – 8 pm Sat.
– Philadelphia (PHL): Located in Terminal A West, near Gate A14. Open: 5:30 am – 9 pm.
– Phoenix (PHX): Located in Terminal 4 across from Gate B22 on the upper level. Open: 7 am – 8 pm.
– San Francisco (SFO): Located in Terminal 3, adjacent Gate F1/F2. Open: 6 am – 7 pm (please note that the Centurion Lounge at San Francisco International Airport will be temporarily closed for maintenance, beginning September 6).
– Seattle (SEA): Located in Concourse B, opposite Gate B3. Open: 8 am – 4:30 pm (temporary hours).
Amex plans to expand their Centurion Lounges in Seattle and San Francisco, hence the temporary closure of the lounges. Plus, we will soon see more Centurion Lounges in the U.S. Thus, Amex confirmed that the world’s largest Centurion Lounge is coming to the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). And one more Centurion Lounge is coming to Washington, D.C.’s Reagan National Airport (DCA). The last is expected to open in late 2022.
American Express Lounge Benefits
The most exclusive amenities and outstanding benefits are offered at Centurion Lounges. The amenities can vary wildly, but Centurion Lounges typically offer seasonal food developed in partnership with renowned local chefs, signature cocktails, premium spirits and curated wines, high-speed Wi-Fi, semi-private workspaces, TVs and digital library of magazines and newspapers. Select Centurion Lounge locations can offer spa services, shower suits, family room, conference rooms, luggage lockers, and wine-testing area (subject to availability).
Other lounge partners of the American Express Global Lounge Collection offer such benefits as hot and cold food, light snacks, open bar, and plenty of workspace. Some lounges also have shower facilities.
American Express Lounge Guest Policy
If you want to bring a guest with you, we strongly recommend you check the guest policy of the lounges you are planning to visit during your trip. Most lounges that are part of The American Express Global Lounge Collection would typically allow you to bring two additional guests without charge. However, some lounges, like Delta Sky Club, do not allow you to bring guests for free. You will have to pay a special per-visit rate of $39 per person to bring a guest with you (up to two guests).
Also, AmEx has plans to change the Centurion Lounge guest access policy on February 1, 2023. As a result, most cardmembers would no longer be allowed to bring in two friends or family members for free.
Credit Cards with the American Express Global Lounge Collection Access
American Express has plenty of various credit card products but just a few AmEx credit cards include lounge access. Those cards are AmEx’s premium travel cards, and several airline co-branded credit cards. Here’s a quick overview of American Express cards with the American Express lounge access benefit:
– The Platinum Card® from American Express: Complimentary access to The Global Lounge Collection, including The Centurion® Network and to Priority Pass™ Select (enrollment required)
– The Business Platinum Card® from American Express: Complimentary access to The Global Lounge Collection, including The Centurion® Network and to Priority Pass™ Select (enrollment required)
– Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: Complimentary Delta Sky Club® access, complimentary access to The Centurion Lounge
– Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card: Complimentary access to Delta Sky Club®, to the Centurion Lounge and Escape Lounge
– Centurion® Card from American Express (invitation-only card): Complimentary access to the Centurion Lounge network and Priority Pass Select membership (enrollment required).
Getting Into American Express Lounges
An American Express credit card with the lounge access benefits does not guarantee you’ll get into the lounge. Each lounge in the Global Lounge Collection has its own policy, which can be slightly different about when eligible cardmembers can enter.
Take the most desirable Centurion Lounges as an example. You can access the Centurion Lounge within three hours of the departure time on your same-day, confirmed boarding pass. You will need to show that boarding pass, as well as your eligible AmEx credit card and photo ID at the lounge reception to enter. If you are an eligible Delta co-branded card cardmember, you must be flying on a same-day Delta operated or marketed flight to get access.
To access other lounges from the Global Lounge Collection, you also need to show your boarding pass, eligible AmEx card, and ID. However, you will need to take an extra step if you want to enter Priority Pass lounges – you need to enroll your card. Wait for your Priority Pass Select card to arrive in the mail and then you can visit Priority Pass lounges.