A guide to Amex Centurion Lounges

Key points

• The first American Express Centurion® Lounge opened in Las Vegas (LAS airport) in 2013.
• American Express was the first card issuer to enter the airline lounge space, but other issuers now also have lounges.
• Each lounge is unique, but they have many things in common, such as complimentary food and drinks, work spaces, Wi-Fi and a relaxing space to wait for your flight.
• Access is available only to those who hold Amex’s most premium cards, as well as their guests (guest access policies vary by eligible card).
• There are Centurion Lounges in more than a dozen U.S. airports, as well as more than 10 international airports.

Key benefits of the Amex Centurion Lounge

Airport lounges aren’t all created equal. While some provide little more than pretzels in a small waiting space with folding chairs, others provide luxurious amenities, chef-curated meals and a space to shower after a long flight. For 10 years now, American Express’ Centurion Lounge has set the standard against which other lounges are measured. In turn, this difference-maker has inspired loyalty to American Express’ premium credit cards, even as their annual fees have risen in recent years.

“We honed in on creating a haven in the terminal,” said Audrey Hendley, President of American Express Travel in an exclusive statement to USA TODAY Blueprint.

And other credit card issuers have taken notice, with Chase Sapphire Lounges and Capital One Lounges entering the fray in recent years. 

Amex Centurion Lounges vary in size, which means some are able to offer amenities that others can’t, due to space constraints. However, all lounges have some basic amenities in common. 

Each lounge should have Wi-Fi, work spaces, TVs and other entertainment options, fresh food and drinks developed in partnership with local chefs, complimentary alcohol and staff who can assist you with both travel plans and questions about your American Express account. Plus, you’ll also find the tell-tale green wall at the entrance to each Amex Centurion Lounge.

Other amenities vary by location and are subject to availability. These can include spa services, wine tastings, meeting rooms, family- or child-dedicated spaces, shower suites (currently closed) and luggage storage areas. Additionally, you may find private spaces for American Express’ high-spending account holders, local art and flight departure monitors so you know which gate your flight will depart from. 

Although many aspects of each Centurion Lounge follow a general rubric, each lounge has its own vibe, with local flair, local artwork and local menus. For example, in the Seattle Centurion lounge you’ll find artwork created from coffee beans nodding to the local coffee culture, the JFK Lounge has an Equinox Body Lab and a piano bar is planned in the forthcoming Newark location in a nod to New Jersey’s jazz culture.

“The overarching philosophy is to provide a space that gives our customers what they need while they are waiting for their flight,” said Hendley. “We get great feedback on these amenities and thoughtful touches.”

How to get access to The Centurion Lounge

Not everyone can access the Amex Centurion Lounge. The lounge doesn’t sell memberships or day passes for walk-in visitors.

Instead, access is reserved to those with American Express’ most premium cards. Holders of these cards can enter The Centurion Lounge by showing their eligible card, a government I.D., and same-day boarding pass for a flight. Access is granted up to three hours before departure, three hours before the lounge closes (if the flight departs after lounge closure) or during a layover when waiting for a connecting flight. Most lounges will not provide access after arriving; a departing boarding pass is required, though individual lounge policies can vary outside the U.S.

Those with Delta’s most premium credit cards, which include the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card (terms apply) and the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card * The information for the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. (terms apply), also have access to The Centurion Lounges within the U.S., London and Hong Kong when flying Delta that same day. However, these cardholders cannot access The Centurion Lounge unless they have a Delta-issued boarding pass for a departing flight, subject to the same three-hour regulation.

When it comes to bringing guests into the lounge, the rules are more nuanced. Guest policies can vary at international Amex lounge locations, but these are the policies for lounges in the U.S., U.K. and Hong Kong.

Corporate Platinum Card® Members can bring up to two complimentary guests, while those with either the personal or business versions of the American Express Centurion Black Card * The information for the American Express Centurion Black Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. (terms apply) can bring two guests or their immediate family (including spouse or partner and children under age 18). 

The Platinum Card® from American Express (terms apply, rates & fees) and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express * The information for the The Business Platinum Card® from American Express has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. (terms apply) cardmembers can bring children under the age of two at no charge (with proof of age). However, adult guests cost $50 per visit, per guest; guests aged two to 17 cost $30 per visit, per guest. To gain Complimentary Guest Access for up to two guests per visit, cardholders must spend $75,000 in eligible purchases each calendar year on their Platinum card. 

Delta cardholders do not have complimentary guest privileges when visiting The Centurion Lounge. Guests will be charged a per-visit rate of $50 per person for adults or $30 per person for children aged two to 17. There is a maximum of up to two guests per visit for Delta cardholders.

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Editor’s Take

Pros

• Over $1,500 in travel and entertainment credits can offset the annual fee.
• Comprehensive lounge access benefit.
• Generous travel and purchase protections.

Cons

• High annual fee and spending requirements.
• Amex’s once-per-lifetime rule limits welcome bonus eligibility.
• Annual statement credits have limited use.

The Platinum Card® from American Express is packed with unparalleled luxury travel perks. Cardmembers have access to a wide range of airport lounges, mid-tier hotel elite status and a comprehensive set of travel protections.

Card Details

• 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. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card®, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
• Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
• $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
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• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card®. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Up Benefits are excluded.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card®.
• $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only.
• $300 Equinox Credit: Get up to $300 back in statement credits per calendar year on an Equinox membership, or an Equinox club membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you pay with your Platinum Card®. Enrollment required. Visit https://platinum.equinox.com/ to enroll.
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• $100 Global Entry Credit: Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
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• Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile.
• $695 annual fee.
• Terms Apply.

What cards are eligible?

Complimentary access is given to holders of the following Amex cards (terms apply):

• The Platinum Card® from American Express
• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express * The information for the The Business Platinum Card® from American Express has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
• The American Express Corporate Platinum Card®
• American Express Centurion Black Card * The information for the American Express Centurion Black Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
• Business Centurion® Card from American Express

To enter as a Delta cardholder, you must have one of the following cards:

• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card * The information for the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Common lounge rules and policies

Aside from the guest policies mentioned above, Amex requires that visitors use their eligible card to pay for guest visitors. Moreover, you are required to pay with your physical card that grants lounge entry permission. Using your card in a mobile wallet will not be sufficient.

There are additional “house rules” as Amex calls them, applicable when visiting a Centurion Lounge. These include not bringing outside food (unless medically necessary) and drinks into the lounge or taking food and drinks with you as you leave, unless they are specifically designated as grab-and-go items. Moreover, guests can only receive one alcoholic beverage at a time and alcohol will be served only to those of legal drinking age in the country where the lounge is located.

Other rules at The Centurion Lounge include not bringing airport luggage carts into the lounge, sleeping on the floor, putting feet on furniture, smoking or vaping. You are expected to behave and dress in a way appropriate for a family environment, keep pets in a carrying case and use headphones when watching videos or talking on the phone.

Where can I find Centurion Lounges?

Centurion Lounges are available at the following airports within the U.S.:

• Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT).
• Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW).
• Denver International Airport (DEN).
• Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH).
• Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport (LAS).
• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
• Miami International Airport (MIA).
• New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).
• New York LaGuardia Airport (LGA).
• Philadelphia International Airport (PHL).
• Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX).
• San Francisco International Airport (SFO).
• Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA).

International lounge locations include:

• Buenos Aires Ezeiza Airport (EZE).
• Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL).
• Hong Kong International Airport (HKG).
• London Heathrow Airport (LHR).
• Melbourne Airport (MEL).
• Mexico City International Airport (MEX).
• Monterrey International Airport (MTY).
• Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM).
• São Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport (GRU).
• Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN).
• Sydney Airport (SYD).

Additional lounges are in the works, as well. These include Atlanta (ATL), Washington Reagan (DCA), and Newark (EWR) airports. 

“We want to be where our customers are, so we focus on building Centurion Lounges in the airports that our Card Members frequent,” says Amex’s Hendley.

Beyond the traditional Centurion Lounge, there exist two additional options for Amex cardholders. Escape Lounges — The Centurion® Studio Partner, which tend to be smaller than Centurion Lounges and are located in smaller, less prominent airports around the U.S. 

American Express also opened its first Centurion Club in March 2023 on the 55th floor of One Vanderbilt in Manhattan. It is not similar to an airport lounge, however. Instead, it’s more like an upscale restaurant, and you can book a reservation via Resy (which is owned by American Express).

Other Amex card benefits available for travelers

Beyond access to The Centurion Lounge, Amex’s premium cardholders can take advantage of multiple travel benefits. In fact, The Centurion Lounge isn’t the only lounge cardmembers can visit. Through the American Express Global Lounge Collection®, Platinum and Centurion cardholders can access the following lounges:

• American Express Centurion Lounges.
• Delta Sky Club® lounges (when flying Delta, bring up to two guests or immediate family at a rate of $50 per person per visit. Effective 2/1/25, Delta Reserve Card Members will receive 15 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of Visits each year starting on 2/1/25, the total eligible purchases on the Card must equal $75,000 or more between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and each calendar year thereafter).
• Priority Pass Select lounges (enrollment required).
• Escape Lounges — The Centurion Studio Partner.
• Plaza Premium lounges.
• Select Lufthansa lounges.
• Other Global Lounge Collection partner lounges.

Other travel benefits for Amex Platinum cardholders include up to $200 in annual statement credits for prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel (The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay), up to $200 per calendar year in statement credits for incidental airline fees incurred with one preselected, qualifying airline and up to $200 in annual Uber Cash to use for rides or UberEats orders in the U.S. (disbursed in monthly increments; the card must be added to your Uber account to receive this benefit). Note that enrollment is required in advance for some of these Amex benefits. The card comes with an annual fee of $695.

Business Platinum cardholders also can take advantage of up to $200 per calendar year in airline fee statement credits (on one qualifying airline of choice) plus a 35% Airline Bonus when using Pay with Points for flights with their selected qualifying airline booked through Amex Travel (the airline selected for the 35% Airline Bonus and the up to $200 airline fee credit must be the same). Cardholders can get up to 1 million bonus points per calendar year, per account.

Moreover, both cardholders can receive a statement credit for their application fee to several airport security programs. Amex Platinum and Amex Business Platinum cardholders can receive up to $189 in statement credits per calendar year toward their CLEAR® Plus membership fee. Cardholders also can receive up to $100 as a statement credit toward their application fee for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. This benefit is available every 4 years for Global Entry or every 4.5 years for TSA PreCheck.

Amex cardholders also can take advantage of insurance protections during their trip, but these will vary by card. You may have benefits like secondary rental car insurance¹, trip delay insurance², and trip cancellation and interruption insurance².

Lastly, cardholders can take advantage of offers for extra rewards on their spending as well as the ability to earn valuable rewards points. Via Amex Offers (enrollment required), cardholders can find targeted offers to add to their card, earning bonus points or statement credits after making eligible purchases with the merchant included in the offer. These offers could be as simple as 10% back on purchases with a merchant or double points on spending with a particular business. 

Plus, those with cards earning Amex Membership Rewards® points have numerous uses of their points in ways that can improve their travels. These include access to more than a dozen transfer partners for redeeming points for award travel, using points for travel booked in the Amex Travel portal or redeeming points as a statement credit against recent purchases.

^{For rates and fees for The Platinum Card® from American Express please visit this page.}

^{¹Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.}

^{²Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.}