{"id":281052,"date":"2026-10-08T13:00:59","date_gmt":"2026-10-08T13:00:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/?p=281052\/"},"modified":"2026-10-08T09:57:09","modified_gmt":"2026-10-08T09:57:09","slug":"amex-announces-major-centurion-lounge-expansion-with-two-new-and-two-renovated-locations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/news\/amex-membership-rewards\/centurion-lounge-expansion-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Amex Announces Major Centurion Lounge Expansion With Two New and Two Renovated Locations"},"content":{"rendered":"

American Express has just announced its biggest Centurion Lounge<\/a> expansion yet. The issuer plans to open two new lounges and fully renovate two more, which is fantastic news for Amex cardmembers. Although we won't be able to enter some of these lounges for a couple of years, we're eager for them to open.<\/p>\n

Here's what we know so far about these new and expanded Centurion Lounges.<\/p>\n

New and Expanded Locations Coming to Centurion Lounge Network<\/span><\/h2>\n

American Express will open two new lounges: one in Newark (EWR) and another in London Heathrow (LHR). For anyone keeping track, when the Newark lounge opens, American Express will be the first credit card issuer with a lounge in all three New York City airports. It\u00a0will also be the first card issuer to offer two lounges at Heathrow.<\/p>\n

Capital One and Chase both offer lounge concepts at New York-Kennedy (JFK) and LaGuardia (LGA), but neither offers a lounge in Newark. Similarly, Newark doesn't even offer a Priority Pass lounge<\/a>, so your only option until now has been an airline lounge, which many people do not have access to. Opening a Centurion Lounge in Newark is phenomenal news, especially for frequent Star Alliance flyers.<\/p>\n

In addition, American Express will expand its lounges in Philadelphia (PHL) and Houston (IAH), giving travelers much more space to unwind between flights.<\/p>\n

Newark Centurion Lounge opening in 2027<\/span><\/h3>\n

We probably would've been happy if American Express had told us it was opening a Sidecar or even a grab-and-go location in Newark (EWR), just to have more options for something to eat on a layover. However, American Express did one better.<\/p>\n

The new lounge will be more than 30,000 square feet and will be the largest location in the Centurion Lounge network. When American Express first announced the Newark location, it was slated to be about 18,000 square feet and open in 2026. We certainly don't mind waiting a bit longer for a lounge almost twice the size.<\/p>\n

It will be two floors and located in Terminal A. Like other Centurion Lounge locations, it will draw on the local culture and culinary scene and offer three distinct bar experiences. The Main Bar will offer craft cocktails and curated wines, the Specialty Bar will “put a modern spin on the state\u2019s iconic diner culture,” while the Terrace Bar will offer gelato, Italian pastries, and Italian-inspired cocktails.<\/p>\n

The Blue Roast by American Express Coffee and Wellness Bar will feature espresso beverages, cold brew, and seasonal coffee specialties with fresh offerings like smoothies, avocado toast, and chia pudding. James Beard Award-winning Resy chefs, including Kwame Onwuachi, Mike Solomonov, Mashama Bailey, and Sarah Grueneberg, will create the culinary offerings.<\/p>\n

London Heathrow Centurion Lounge opening in 2028<\/span><\/h3>\n

The new 9,000-square-foot lounge in Terminal 5 at London Heathrow (LHR) will add to the existing Terminal 3 location and is expected to open in 2028. It will feature premium food and beverage offerings, dedicated work areas, a VIP area, and London-inspired design.<\/p>\n

Philadelphia Centurion Lounge reopening in 2027<\/span><\/h3>\n

The Centurion Lounge in Philadelphia (PHL) is getting a major overhaul. It's doubling in size to more than 12,000 square feet across two stories, and should open by the end of 2027. It will feature design inspired by Philadelphia's history and will include work from local artists. The bad news? The Centurion Lounge will temporarily close for renovations starting October 16, 2026<\/strong>. That means you'll soon need to find somewhere else to relax during your Philadelphia layovers.<\/p>\n

Houston Centurion Lounge reopening in 2028<\/span><\/h3>\n

The current Centurion Lounge in Houston (IAH) isn't very big. After this renovation, it'll be one of the largest in the network at more than 23,000 square feet \u2014 almost tripling in size. Once again, the design is influenced by the local landscape and will reflect Houston's vibrant culture and culinary scene.<\/p>\n

You'll be able to enjoy specialty dining experiences, a new Blue Roast by American Express Coffee and Wellness Bar, a second full-service bar, more seating, and more restrooms and showers. It's expected to open in 2028, but we don't yet know when renovations will begin.<\/p>\n

How To Access Centurion Lounges<\/span><\/h2>\n

The Centurion Lounge Network now includes 30+ locations worldwide, with more on the way. Plus, the American Express Global Lounge Collection<\/a> gives cardholders access to more than 1,550 lounges in 140+ countries \u2014 more than any other card issuer.<\/p>\n

If you want access to the Centurion Lounge, you'll need to hold an American Express Platinum Card\u00ae<\/sup><\/a> card (including business and corporate versions), the Delta SkyMiles\u00ae<\/sup> Reserve American Express Card<\/a> (only when flying on a same-day Delta-operated or Delta-marketed flight with a seat\/zone assignment), or the Centurion\u00ae<\/sup> Card from American Express.<\/p>\n

And if you want to bring guests to the Centurion Lounge<\/a>, you can do so for a flat fee of $50 per adult guest or $30 per guest aged 3 to 17. However, you can unlock complimentary guest access by spending $75,000 on your card in a calendar year.<\/p>\n

\"American<\/div><\/div>
American Express Platinum Card\u00ae<\/sup><\/div>
Welcome Offer<\/strong>\r\nYou may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards\u00ae<\/sup> Points after spending $12,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.<\/div><\/div>
How to Apply<\/a><\/div>
Annual Fee<\/strong>

$895<\/span><\/p><\/div>

Credit Score<\/strong>

Excellent, Good<\/p><\/div><\/div>