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American Express announced on June 8, 2025, that it will be expanding its exclusive Centurion® Lounge network with a new location at Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS). The lounge is slated to open in 2026, though no exact date has been shared yet. It’ll be located between Concourses E and F, near the KLM Non‑Schengen Crown Lounge 52.
At nearly 6,000 square feet, this lounge will be smaller than many U.S. locations. However, due to the high cost of getting premium Amex cards in Europe, it may be sufficient to meet the demand.
Here’s what we know about the new space.
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Design and Atmosphere of the Amsterdam Centurion Lounge
The interior design draws inspiration from Amsterdam's iconic waterways, featuring a rich palette of blues, greens, and earth tones to evoke the charm of canal houses and the local ambiance. The aesthetic aims to capture the warmth of gezellig — a Dutch concept that loosely translates to cozy conviviality.
Floor-to-ceiling windows will let in abundant natural light and help create an open, airy atmosphere — which'll be especially welcome during Amsterdam’s gloomy winter months.
So far, the only rendering Amex has released shows a beautifully designed bar area, complete with bar seating and high-top tables positioned beside a wall of windows. Beyond that, Amex has not shared any additional details or descriptions of the space.
Cultural Elements in the Amsterdam Centurion Lounge
A standout feature is a coffee bar that pays homage to the Netherlands’ rich coffee culture and its role as a social ritual. The lounge will celebrate the city’s cultural and culinary traditions with locally inspired food and beverage menus, reflecting Amsterdam’s diverse gastronomic heritage and vibrant local flavors.
I’m looking forward to seeing this come to fruition, as I’ve never been truly wowed by the food offered at existing lounges in Schiphol.
This new Amex Centurion Lounge in Amsterdam will also showcase work from local artists — much like the recent openings in Atlanta and Washington, D.C. These features tie the space to Amsterdam’s artistic heritage and anchoring it in its locale.
Amsterdam Centurion Lounge Amenities and Experience
American Express cardholders can expect the same signature Centurion offerings: premium dining and bar service, dedicated workstations, charging options throughout, including both outlets and USB ports, complimentary high‑speed Wi‑Fi, and a variety of seating zones designed for comfort as well as productivity.
However, we'll have to wait and see what other key features Amex will bring to this lounge, as the initial press release was light on details.
Related: A Guide to American Express Centurion Lounges: Locations, Amenities, and Access
Strategic and Global Context Behind the Amsterdam Centurion Lounge
This marks American Express’s entry as the first global credit card company with a proprietary lounge at Schiphol. It will be one of the network’s three European locations, after London Heathrow (LHR) and Stockholm Arlanda airport (ARN).
The global Centurion Lounge network currently spans more than two dozen lounges, with further additions planned in Tokyo (HND) and Salt Lake City (SLC) both expected to open in 2025, and Newark (EWR) and Boston (BOS) in 2026 and 2027 respectively.
Audrey Hendley, President of American Express Travel, highlighted that a “large number” of American Express cardmembers travel through Schiphol annually. In fact, Amsterdam is the third largest airport in Europe by passenger volume — with almost 67 million passengers annually. The lounge aims to leverage this demand and enhance the travel experience with local culture and premium amenities.
Related: Upgrade Your Travel Experience: Best Travel Credit Cards With Lounge Access
Bottom Line
The new Amex Centurion Lounge in Amsterdam (AMS) will open in 2026. That is a relatively quick turnaround for an airport lounge, so we won't have to wait long to see what this new offering actually looks like. I for one welcome this new option at Schiphol that we will have access to regardless of airline flown, in a space historically dominated by SkyTeam member airlines.
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