An ultimate guide to Amex Centurion Lounges
Key takeaways
- Amex Centurion Lounges are luxury airport lounges which are only available to certain American Express cardholders and their guests.
- These lounges can be found in various airports around the globe, offering amenities, such as complimentary food, drinks and services.
- Credit cards that include Centurion Lounge access include The Platinum Card® from American Express, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express and the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card.
American Express Centurion Lounges are part of the American Express Global Lounge Collection, and they are known for offering spacious seating, free and fast Wi-Fi, signature cocktails, snacks and concierge services. These lounges provide a luxurious oasis for travelers who find airports stressful and uncomfortable. Better yet, they become an option for you if you have an elite travel credit card that offers access.
If you’ve seen Amex Centurion Lounges in airports and are wondering how you could get an invite, read on to learn what it takes to gain entry and which luxuries you can enjoy once you get your foot in the door.
What is an American Express Centurion Lounge?
Centurion Lounges are chic spaces designed for comfort, with amenities that elevate the travel experience. The brand of lounges currently boasts over 25 locations in airports around the globe, including in Dallas (DFW), Miami (MIA), New York (JFK & LGA), London (LHR) and Hong Kong (HKG), among others.
Amex Centurion Lounges offer a quiet space to retreat when you want to get away from the hustle and bustle near your gate. The following amenities make each stay even better:
- Signature cocktails
- Healthy, regionally sourced snacks and foods
- Travel concierge
- Quiet workspaces
- Spacious seating
- Free high-speed Wi-Fi
- TVs
- Digital library of newspapers and magazines
- Shower suites*
- Luggage lockers*
- Conference room*
- Spa services*
- Wine tasting*
- Stocked family rooms*
(*Denotes available in select locations)
Keep in mind: Once you’ve used your card to access the lounge, you can put it back in your wallet. All food, cocktails and services within the Centurion Lounge are complimentary. Keep in mind, however, that reservations are not accepted and services are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
How to get access to Amex Centurion Lounges
If you hold one of these Amex credit cards, you automatically qualify to enter the Amex Centurion lounge:
- The Platinum Card® from American Express
- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
- The American Express Corporate Platinum Card®**
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card (for Delta flights only)
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card (for Delta flights only)
- The Centurion Card from American Express**
The lounge is only available to cardholders scheduled to depart on a flight within the next three hours. That means you can use the lounge for departure flights or layovers, but you can’t enter it at your final destination.
If you’re flying on standby, you’re not eligible to use the lounge unless you have a boarding pass showing a confirmed seat or zone assignment.
To access the Centurion Lounge, you’ll need to present:
- One of the above Amex cards
- Your boarding pass showing your reservation for same-day travel
- A government-issued I.D. card that matches the name on your credit card
Do Centurion Lounges allow guest access?
American Express Centurion Lounges made some sweeping changes in terms of guest access that went into effect on February 1, 2023. Essentially, these changes made it so most Amex cardholders can no longer bring guests into the lounge with them for free.
Specifically, cardholders with the Amex Platinum, Amex Business Platinum and Delta Reserve cards are now charged a $50 fee for each guest ($30 for children ages two through 17) or a comparable rate for international lounges. The only way for Platinum and Business Platinum cardholders, specifically, to continue getting two free guests per visit now is by spending $75,000 on eligible purchases on their card within a calendar year.
Corporate Platinum and Centurion cardholders are able to enter with up to two guests for no charge in any U.S. Centurion Lounge location, as well as in Hong Kong and London.
Platinum and Business Platinum cardholders with complimentary guest access, Corporate Platinum cardholders and Centurion cardholders can also purchase day passes for additional guests they want to bring into the lounges after the first two. The rates for these day passes are as follows:
- Guests aged 18+: $50
- Guests aged two to 17: $30
- Guests below age two: Free (with proof of age)
Where are Amex Centurion Lounges located?
Here’s a list of Centurion lounges in the U.S. and abroad:
Best credit cards with Centurion Lounge access
Centurion Lounge access is only available to cardholders of certain American Express cards. Here are a few of our favorites that provide complimentary entry to these lounges.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
The bottom line
Amex Centurion Lounges can turn long airport waits into pure pleasure for qualified American Express cardholders. These elite, stylish spaces offer everything from quiet workspaces to spa services and signature cocktails — turning the airport itself into a destination worth visiting.
That said, not everyone can enter, so you’ll want to make sure you sign up for the right American Express credit card if you want access.
Frequently asked questions about Amex Centurion Lounges
**The information about The American Express Corporate Platinum Card® and The Centurion Card from American Express has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.
