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If you're familiar with airport lounges, chances are you've heard of American Express Centurion® Lounges. While marketed as luxurious and exclusive, these lounges are now more commonly associated with overcrowding, limited seating, and — perhaps most of all — sometimes having absurdly long lines just to get in.
American Express has attempted to combat this issue. The lounges currently enforce time limits for entry, and policies restricting guest access. Amex has also announced a new concept called Sidecar by The Centurion Lounge in order to divert guests out of the main Centurion spaces. But those changes are a ways off from solving the problem.
However, there may be hope after all (or at least a little). Digital waitlists for Centurion Lounges have finally rolled out via the Amex app. While the lounges will still be just as crowded, at least you won’t have to stand in a packed line just to get inside!
Here's how Amex Centurion Lounge waitlists work after some recent enhancements.
How the Amex Centurion Lounge Digital Waitlist Works
The Amex Centurion Lounge digital waitlist system is very similar to what Capital One implemented for its lounges. Customers can join a queue through the Amex mobile app.
And effective September 18, 2025, the Amex app now shows you how busy the lounge is at the moment — just like the Capital One Lounge system. If there’s space available, you’ll receive a QR code for direct entry. If the lounge is at capacity, you will be shown the average wait times to get in, and be offered to be placed on the waitlist.
One major benefit of the digital waitlist is that it allows you to get in line earlier — even before you ever reach the lounge. For instance, you can join the waitlist while going through security or getting off a connecting flight. That way, by the time you arrive at the lounge, you're already at the front of the line.
The catch? Once you're notified that it's your turn, you have only 10 minutes to check-in with the friendly desk agents. For comparison, Capital One gives its waitlisted guests 15 minutes.
So far, this feature seems to be available only in Centurion Lounges located in the U.S. However, international Amex lounges may not need it, as they typically aren’t as crowded as their U.S. counterparts.
Related: Best Credit Cards for Airport Lounge Access
How to Join the Amex Centurion Lounge Digital Waitlist
To join the Amex Centurion Lounge waitlist, first log in to the Amex app and navigate to the “Membership” tab under your account. But note you'll only see this page if you have a card that grants you access in the first place. From there, select “Airport Lounge Access.”
Search for your airport, or the app will automatically suggest the closest Centurion Lounge. Click on it.
The selected Centurion Lounge information will show up. If the lounge has space, you’ll be able to request a QR code for entry. Otherwise, there will be a button at the bottom reading ‘Join Waitlist' if there currently is one.
Once you click on it, information displaying the estimated wait time will show. You'll also be given options to either enter your flight number or find your flight on a list. This is to confirm access eligibility given your flight times. Otherwise, you can just skip and confirm these details once you get to the lounge.
Lastly, you'll have to acknowledge that you have a confirmed, same-day boarding pass, you're carrying a government-issued ID, you're going to access the lounge within three hours of your schedule departure, and that this is either your departure airport or you're connecting elsewhere.
You’ll quickly confirm your personal details and accept the terms and conditions. You’ll also have the chance to indicate any guests and choose whether to receive notifications via text or email.
After confirmation, you’ll get a message that you’ve been added to the queue. When you’re notified that it’s your turn, you have 10 minutes to check-in, or you’ll need to restart the process.
Related: Overview of American Express Centurion Lounge Guest Policies
Bottom Line
With more people signing up for The Platinum Card® from American Express every day, these lounges are only going to get busier. While they may feel more happening than they once did, a lounge is (sometimes) still better than no lounge at all. At least now, you won’t have to waste time standing in a physical line, and you'll know approximately how long you'll be waiting to get into the lounge.
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