What are American Express Centurion Lounges?

American Express Premium Cards offer airport lounge access. Lounge access has traditionally been provided via a Priority Pass Membership. Priority Pass operate a network of more than 1,400 airport lounges globally.  

In addition to Priority Pass Lounges, other airport lounges could also be entered with your AMEX card. As AMEX had partnerships with airlines.

These days, AMEX only has partnerships with Lufthansa and Delta. The other airline partnerships are gone. Those are the only two airlines that will let AMEX cardholders use their lounges. Also, there are gaps in the Priority Pass network. Not all airports have a Priority Pass Option.

To solve this problem, American Express started opening their own airport lounges. They branded these lounges as American Express Centurion Lounges.

American Express made sure that their lounges were high quality. With excellent food, complimentary alcohol and premium cocktails. Their lounges were a breath of fresh air.

This strategy has been very successful. Today, there are over 40 lounges worldwide. There’s a wide spread of American Express Centurion Lounges locations. From Australia to India.

Chase and Capital One have also copied this strategy. By opening their own airport lounges.

American Express only have one lounge at each airport they operate from. So you’ll only get access, if you’re travelling through the right terminal.

American Express also have a partnership with Escape Lounges. These lounges can also be access with the right AMEX card. Escape Lounges are generally not as good as the Centurion branded lounges.

How to get access?

You can get access to Centurion Lounges with one of the following credit cards.

• The Platinum Card® from American Express
  
• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
  
• Corporate Platinum Card
  
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
  
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
  
• Centurion® Card from American Express
  

If your card is issued in the United States, then complimentary access is for the cardholder only. It costs $50 for each guest you bring in.

If your card is issued outside the United States, then the guest policy is more generous. You can bring in two guests, without charge.

I get access to Centurion Lounges through my Platinum Card, which was issued in the United Kingdom. If you want to apply to this card, go to this website. If you use my link, then you get an increased signup bonus of 45,000 points. If you go direct to American Express, then you get a lower signup bonus.

Once you click the link above, go to “View all Cards with a Referral Offer” (Screenshot below). Then scroll down to the platinum card (2nd screenshot further below).

US Centurion Lounge Locations

This section summarises the US American Express Centurion Lounges locations.


Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

Looking for American Express Lounges in Atlanta? The Centurion Lounge is located after security. Concourse E. Next to gate E11. The lounge has an outdoor terrace and a craft whiskey bar.

Looking for American Express Lounges in DFW? The lounge is in Terminal D. Near gate D12. The lounge offers spa therapies from Exhale, cocktails and locally inspired dishes.

US Escape Lounge Locations

Bradley International Airport, Connecticut

The Escape Lounge is after security. 

Cincinnati. Northern Kentucky International Airport

The lounge is after security. It’s near gate 21.

Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport

Looking for American Express lounges in Fort Lauderdale? The Escape Lounge is in Terminal 3. Next to Gate E and Gate F.

John Glenn Columbus International Airport

The lounge is in Concourse B. Close to Gate 32.

Greenville Spartanburg International Airport. South Carolina

The lounge is in Concourse B. Close to Gate 1.

Minneapolis. Saint Paul International Airport

The Escape lounge is in Terminal 1. It’s above the entrance to concourse E. On the mezzanine level.

Oakland International Airport

The lounge is in Terminal 1. Near gates 8, 8A and 9

Palm Beach International Airport. Florida

The lounge is after security. Close to the entrance of A and B concourses. At the intersection.

Phoenix Sky Harbor International

The lounge is in Terminal 4. It’s near Gate 22, Concourse B.

Reno Tahoe International Airport

The lounge is after security. It’s close to McDonald’s. Central Corridor area.

Rhode Island T. F. Airport

The lounge is in the Main Terminal. Close to Gate 18.

International Centurion Lounge Locations

This section summarises the International American Express Centurion Lounges locations.


Buenos Aires. Ministro Pistarini International Airport

The lounge is in Terminal B. Close to Gate 15.

Conclusion

The American Express Centurion Lounges have been a welcome addition to the airport lounge scene. They are generally higher quality than most existing lounges in the US. They have forced the competition to up their game and improve the quality.

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