Tag: food

American Express Centurion Lounges: What to know and expect when visiting

American Express has 25 Centurion lounges worldwide, 15 of which are in the United States (soon to be 17). Today, we will explore the Centurion lounges in the U.S., what to know, what to expect when visiting, and how to get access. I have been to several of the locations in the U.S., and each has its unique ambiance. From the food offering to the design and amenities, each location aims to give its guests a local feel.

Where are the Centurion lounges in the U.S.?

  • Atlanta (ATL)
  • 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)
  • Washington D.C. (DCA)
  • Newark (EWR) – opening in 2026
  • Salt Lake City (SLC) – opening in 2025

What to know and expect when visiting?

American Express lounges are an excellent place to relax during a layover or if you get to the airport early. Depending on the location they offer a variety of amenities such as:

  • Spa
  • Shower suites
  • Conference spaces
  • Semiprivate workspaces
  • Personal workspaces
  • Game rooms
  • Large flat screen TVs
  • Outdoor terraces
  • Spirits and wine bar
  • Coffee bar
  • Tranquility areas
  • Piano lounge

American Express partners with James Beard Award-winning chefs to help curate locally inspired menus. They also offer a wide range of craft brews and spirits. Food options at these lounges are certainly steps above most airport lounges. Come hungry; you won’t be disappointed. The workspaces are a very nice amenity as well. If you have a long layover and need to get some work done, they come in handy. Lastly, one other amenity I’m a massive fan of is the shower suites. It was convenient when I took a red-eye for a meeting in New Orleans (MSY). I had a layover in IAH I took a shower and had breakfast before heading to MSY.

Given the popularity of these lounges, expect a wait. Many long-time Centurion guests have shared their complaints about the excessive wait times. During peak hours, lounges are usually very full. When accessing a lounge, you must get an eligibility code before you go. This gets you on the waitlist (if there is one) when you are going.

How to get lounge access?

To access Centurion lounges, you will need an eligible American Express card. Not all American Express cards are eligible to get access. The following cards are lounge eligible:

  • Platinum Card
  • Business Platinum Card
  • Centurion Card

If you have one of these cards, you have access. Guests’ access, however, is no longer complimentary. This policy changed on February 1, 2023. Previously, eligible cards could bring two complimentary guests. AMEX changed this policy to prevent overcapacity. There is now a fee of $50 per adult and $30 per child (ages 2-17). If cardholders want to keep the complimentary guest access, they will need to spend $75,000 or more on their card in a calendar year.

Leave a comment and let us know your Centurion lounge experience.

Happy Travelz!