American Express Centurion Lounges: How to Get Access
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American Express boasts 13 Centurion Lounges in the United States and 11 in international locations, which are exclusively reserved for cardholders of [data-lightrail id="54"]{name}[/data-lightrail], [data-lightrail id="614"]{name}[/data-lightrail] or the [data-lightrail id="1324"]{name}[/data-lightrail].
You can also gain access if you have the [data-lightrail id="56"]{name}[/data-lightrail] or the [data-lightrail id="1219"]{name}[/data-lightrail], fly Delta and book your flight with your card.
The fact that American Express has its own lounge network makes it unique among other card issuers who offer premium travel cards. Here's a quick summary of where the lounges are located, key details about each location and how you can visit the next time you're in transit.
Centurion Lounge benefits
In fact, gaining access to Centurion Lounges only requires you to carry one of the top premium travel cards from American Express.
Centurion Lounges offer luxurious, locally inspired food and drinks. They're leagues above the lounges offered by U.S. airlines and comparable to the top lounges around the world. These lounges have typical amenities like food, beverages, Wi-Fi, work areas and more, without the necessity of a premium flight ticket.
Benefits you can expect when you escape to an American Express Centurion Lounge can vary, but may include:
- Member services desk
- Fresh, locally inspired food developed by local chefs
- Premium bar featuring wines and spirits
- High-speed Wi-Fi
- Semi-private workspaces
- Computer access with printer/fax/copier
- TVs, magazines and newspapers
- Spa services
Currently, all U.S.-based American Express Centurion Lounges have reopened after temporary closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The only exception is the Los Angeles International Airport location in California, which is currently closed to construction.
Hours may be limited and some amenities might currently be altered or inaccessible due to safety restrictions. For example, buffets are currently being replaced by preportioned cuisine options. You may also be able to use contactless check-in options for lounge entry.
Face masks are currently required when visiting Centurion Lounges, although you can remove your mask while eating or drinking.
How to access Centurion Lounges
The only way to get access to American Express Centurion Lounges is to have the right American Express card. In addition, these lounges are "day of departure lounges" — this means you can't gain access if you're arriving from a flight that just landed unless you can prove you have a connecting flight in the same airport.
The following Amex cards can help you gain access to Centurion Lounges:
Card | Annual fee | Authorized user access? |
|---|---|---|
| [data-lightrail id="54"]{name}[/data-lightrail] [affiliate-lightrail id="54" view="banner" width="135" /] | [data-lightrail id="54"]{fee.annual.text}[/data-lightrail]
[data-lightrail id="54"]]See rates and fees[[/data-lightrail]
| Yes (requires $175 authorized user fee).
Users added to complimentary Gold and Green Cards on your account are not eligible for access |
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Example of how we calculate the rewards rates: When redeemed for travel through Ultimate Rewards, Chase Sapphire Preferred points are worth $0.0125 each. The card awards 2 points on travel and dining and 1 point on everything else. Therefore, we say the card has a 2.5% rewards rate on dining and travel (2 x $0.0125) and a 1.25% rewards rate on everything else (1 x $0.0125).