AwardWallet's Guide to Amex Centurion Lounges and Locations

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In a travel world filled with airlines that serve pretzels and peanuts, a few bold companies began handing out treats like Stroopwafels or Biscoff cookies. And, in an airport full of mediocre places to wait for flights, American Express offers up the Centurion Lounge.

A trip to the Centurion Lounge promises a next-level lounge experience, so naturally, access is in demand. Only eligible American Express cardholders can access these coveted lounges. Here is a list of the cards that can get you in and everything you need to know about Amex's Centurion Lounges.

A Quick Explanation of Airport Lounges

In general, airport lounges are exclusive facilities that have conditions for entrance. Usually, lounges require membership to enter (though elite traveler status, a purchased day pass, or even cash payment may work for some). Lounges are often set up with comfortable areas to relax, work, drink, and dine and offer an escape from the hustle and bustle of the main airport.

American Express offers access to a host of different lounges: more than 1,200 airport lounges in 130 countries in fact. The American Express Global Lounge Collection provides eligible cardholders access to Priority Pass lounges, Airspace Lounges, Delta SkyClub lounges, and more.

In addition to providing access to these lounges, American Express owns and operates its own collection of lounges: The Centurion Lounge.

There are 13 Centurion Lounges in the United States (with more coming in 2023) and at 11 airports around the world. Each lounge is designed to be a complete experience and includes free access to chef-prepared meals, complimentary drinks, shower suites, special areas for kids/families, and even a spa (in a few locations).

Cards With Centurion Lounge Access

American Express premium cards offer a slew of fantastic benefits, and one of those benefits is Centurion Lounge access. If you have one of the following cards, you're in!

• The Platinum Card^® from American Express — Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
• The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express — Earn 120,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with your Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
• Other “flavors” of Amex Platinum cards, such as American Express Platinum Card^® by Charles Schwab.
• Centurion^® Card from American Express — which is only available by invitation. If you want a chance to hold Amex's most exclusive and premium card, you'll need to spend copious amounts of money.
• The American Express Corporate Platinum Card^® holders are also eligible to enter, but that's not a card you can apply for either.

Platinum and Centurion cardholders are eligible to enter The Centurion Lounge, regardless of the country of issue of the card.

In addition, certain Delta co-branded credit cards will secure you access to Centurion Lounges when flying on Delta:

• Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card — Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
• Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve Business American Express Card — Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after spending $12,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Plus, earn an additional 10,000 Bonus Miles after you make an eligible Delta purchase with your new Card within your first 6 months. Offer Ends 10/25/2023.

Centurion Lounge Locations

Centurion Lounges are located all over the United States and worldwide, with more openings planned. If you have an eligible credit card and find yourself at one of the airports listed below, make sure to stop by.

Below is a list of all the airports with Centurion Lounges:

U.S. Centurion Lounge locations

• Charlotte (CLT)
• Dallas (DFW)
• Denver (DEN)
• Houston (IAH)
• Las Vegas (LAS)
• Los Angeles (LAX)
• Miami (MIA)
• New York (JFK)
• New York (LGA)
• Philadelphia (PHL)
• Phoenix (PHX)
• San Francisco (SFO)
• Seattle (SEA)

International Centurion Lounge locations

American Express updated its international lounges, re-branding all of them to Centurion Lounges and refurbishing to align them with the rest of the brand.

• Buenos Aires (EZE)
• Delhi (DEL)
• Hong Kong (HKG)
• London (LHR)
• Melbourne (MEL)
• Mexico City (MEX)
• Monterrey (MTY)
• Mumbai (BOM)
• São Paulo (GRU)
• Stockholm (ARN)
• Sydney (SYD)

Centurion Lounge renovations

Originally announced in February 2021, the renovations of the Centurion Lougnes at Seattle (SEA) and San Francisco (SFO) are finally complete. The renovated Centurion Lounge in Seattle nearly tripled in size to 14,000 sq ft and features the first Centurion full-service coffee bar, while the San Francisco Centurion Lounge doubled in size to 16,000 sq ft.

Future Centurion Lounge locations

• Washington, D.C. (DCA) — Slated to open in 2023
• Atlanta (ATL) — This will be the biggest Centurion Lounge location worldwide when it opens in 2024.
• Newark (EWR) — Slated to open in 2023 2026

Centurion Lounge Access Rules

Centurion Lounges are not like Priority Pass lounges or others where you can buy a membership outside of credit card benefits. If you don't have a card that offers membership, you won't be able to enter the lounge.

• To enter a Centurion Lounge, you must have your eligible card, boarding pass, and a government-issued ID.
• For Platinum cardholders and Delta co-branded cardholders, Centurion Lounges are only accessible to members departing on that same day. Entry for Business Delta Reserve and Delta Reserve cardholders is limited to entry when flying on a same-day Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight.
• Once you arrive at your final destination, you won't be able to go to the Centurion Lounge. Only travelers waiting to depart and those making a connection can enter.
• Additionally, you can only enter the lounge up to 3 hours before your scheduled departure time. If you are connecting or laying over, the 3-hour limit is not enforced. Just make sure to have proof of your inbound and next flight on hand.

Centurion Lounge Guest Policy

The Centurion Lounge guest policy varies by card.

• The Platinum Card^® from American Express and The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express: Primary cardholders have access to Amex's Centurion Lounges but must pay $50 for guests (or $30 for children aged 2 through 17). The guest fee is waived for cardholders who spend $75,000 in a calendar year.
• Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card and Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve Business American Express Card: Primary cardholders may enter at no extra cost and can bring up to two additional guests, but guests will each be charged $50 for a day pass (or $30 for children aged 2 through 17).
• Centurion^® Card from American Express: Cardholders may enter with 2 guests or immediate family. Immediate family is defined as a spouse or domestic partner plus children under 18.

Children under 2 are permitted into the Centurion Lounge if the primary cardholder is with them.

Finally, authorized users of the Platinum-branded card ($195 for each additional Platinum Card for Authorized Users) can also use the Centurion Lounge.

Authorized users can also bring in guests but must pay $50 (or $30 for children aged 2 through 17). This only works for the Platinum-branded cards; authorized users of the fee-free Companion Platinum Card do not have Centurion Lounge access.

Change in guest access policy

On February 1, 2023, Amex eliminated their complimentary guest policy. Primary cardholders must now pay $50 each for up to two adult guests. The fee is $30 for children ages 2-17. There is one way to get around this change: Spending $75,000 on your card during the calendar year.

If you are a U.S. Centurion Member (or Corporate Platinum Card holder), there won't be any changes to the guest policy. Guests will still be free.

International Centurion Lounge guest policy

American Express guest access policies for international locations vary and may provide complimentary access for additional guests. Here's a summary of each international location's guest policy.

• Buenos Aires (EZE) — One guest and children under 16 have complimentary access
• Delhi (DEL) — Two guests plus children under 12 have complimentary access
• Hong Kong (HKG) — Same as U.S. (paid access for up to two guests at $50 or waived with $75k in card spend)
• London (LHR) — Same as U.S. (paid access for up to two guests at $50 or waived with $75k in card spend)
• Melbourne (MEL) — Two guests OR immediate family (spouse & children under 17) have complimentary access
• Mexico City (MEX) — Two guests OR immediate family have complimentary access
• Monterrey (MTY) — Two guests OR immediate family have complimentary access
• Mumbai (BOM) — Two guests plus children under 12 have complimentary access
• São Paulo (GRU) — One guest has complimentary access
• Stockholm (ARN) — One guest has complimentary access
• Sydney (SYD) — Two guests OR immediate family (spouse & children under 17) have complimentary access

Final Thoughts

Access to Centurion Lounges is a great Amex premium credit card perk. For some, the lounge access alone can justify the hefty annual fee. With new locations opening all the time, take a look to see if you can use this benefit on your next flight!

Have you been to an Amex Centurion Lounge? What did you think?

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