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American Express, as well as other card issuers such as Capital One and Chase, are upping the ante when it comes to enhancing your airport experience and providing cardholders exclusive lounge access — and all the benefits that come with it.
Centurion® Lounges are known the world over for their luxe amenities, with complimentary perks such as high-speed Wi-Fi, shower suites, semi-private workstations, relaxation rooms and a robust menu of gourmet seasonal food and craft cocktails curated by popular local chefs.
There’s just one thing: You’ll only be able to enter if you have certain American Express cards — in particular, The Platinum Card® from American Express, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, the Centurion® Card from American Express, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card and the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card— or you’re visiting as a guest of a current cardmember.
American Express Centurion Lounge locations
With plans for another Centurion Lounge, there will soon be a total of 16 U.S. locations. The new lounge in the pipeline will be located at:
- Newark Liberty International Airport, in the new Terminal A (opening 2026).
Here’s where to find current Centurion Lounges within the U.S.:
- Atlanta Hartsfield–Jackson International Airport, Concourse E, near Gate E11.
- Charlotte Douglas International Airport, Between Concourses D and E; Open daily from 5:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
- Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, Terminal D across from Gate D12; Open daily from 5:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
- Denver International Airport, Concourse C (post-security), near Gate C46; Open daily from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Houston – George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Terminal D, take the elevator from the Duty-Free Shop near Gate D6; Open daily from 6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
- Las Vegas – Harry Reid International Airport, Concourse D, across from Gate D1; Open daily from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Los Angeles International Airport, Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT), on the left after security; Open daily from 6 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
- Miami International Airport, Concourse D, on the fourth floor near Gate D12; Open daily from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- New York City – LaGuardia Airport, Terminal B (post-security) on the fourth floor just before the pedestrian bridge; Open 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday to Friday, and 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday.
- New York City – John F. Kennedy International Airport, Terminal 4, just past security, to the left of the escalators; Open daily from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Philadelphia International Airport, Terminal A West near Gate A14; Open daily from 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Terminal 4 across from Gate B22; Open daily from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Terminal 2 on Level 2, before the entrance to the B gates; Open from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sun-Fri, 5 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- San Francisco International Airport, Terminal 3 next to Gates F1 and F2; Open daily from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, On the mezzanine level in the Central Terminal; Open daily from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Additional Centurion Lounges can be found internationally in Hong Kong (HKG), London (LHR), Stockholm (ARN), Mumbai (BOM), Delhi (DEL), Buenos Aires (EZE), São Paulo (GRU), Melbourne (MEL), Mexico City (MEX), Monterrey (MTY) and Sydney (SYD).
Billy H.c. Kwok | Getty Images Entertainment | Getty Images
American Express has rebranded Escape Lounges into a concept called “Escape Lounges — The Centurion Studio Partner,” and these locations serve as mini-Centurion Lounges. Centurion Studio Partner locations are open at 15 airports, including Fort Lauderdale (FLL), Columbus (CMH), Sacramento (SMF) and Phoenix (PHX).
Whichever lounge you visit, you can expect to find a range of complimentary perks including seasonal food and beverage options curated by popular local chefs, signature craft cocktails, high-speed Wi-Fi, semi-private workspaces, access to The Centurion Lounge Digital Library, access to a Member Services travel concierge team, luxury amenities such as spa services and shower suites and little touches like family rooms and customized relaxation spaces.
How to access Amex Centurion Lounges
To enter any Centurion Lounge, you’ll need to have a same-day boarding pass. You can only access these lounges before you fly or during a layover if you have a connecting flight. You can’t enter a Centurion lounge after you land. You must also be able to produce a valid government-issued photo I.D. and the eligible card associated with your membership (unless you are a guest of a current cardholder).
Children ages two and under get in free with a qualifying parent who can show a “lap infant” boarding pass or proof of their child’s age.
You’ll only be allowed to enter the lounge within three hours of your flight’s departure and cannot reserve a spot ahead of time — entry will be based on capacity and access to some amenities based on availability. You also won’t be allowed in if you have a standby ticket, unless you can show you have a boarding pass showing a confirmed seat or assigned zone.
Complimentary or discounted access
Travelers with The Platinum Card® from American Express, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express or the Centurion® Card from American Express receive complimentary access to any outpost within the Centurion Lounge network.
The Platinum Card® from American Express is a premium card loaded with annual statement credits, entertainment benefits, extensive airport lounge access, elite status perks and more. (Enrollment required for select benefits mentioned)
- Access to 1,400+ airport lounges, including Priority Pass and Amex Centurion lounges (Enrollment required)
- Statement credit offers worth up to twice what the annual fee costs
- Elite status perks for hotels and rental cars (Enrollment required for select benefits mentioned)
- High annual fee
- Many statement credit offers are complicated and are earned in increments or limited to specific purchases
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select’s editorial staff.
- Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
- 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 through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
- $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
- The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market. As of 03/2023.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
- $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: Platinum Card® Members can get out and about and explore their local area with $15 in Uber Cash for US rides each month, plus a bonus $20 in December. That can be up to $200 in annual Uber savings. Simply download the Uber app and add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to get started. Available to Basic Card Member only. Effective 11/8/2024, an Amex Card must be selected as the payment method for your Uber or Uber Eats transaction to redeem the Amex Uber Cash benefit.
- $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $199 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
- Receive either a $120 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.
- Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- 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.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you’re approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you’re approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
Balance transfer fee
Foreign transaction fee
The Business Platinum Card from American Express is a premium business card loaded with statement credit offers for business services and travel that help justify its steep annual fee.
- Access to 1,400+ airport lounges, including Priority Pass (Enrollment required) and Amex Centurion lounges
- Statement credit offers worth over $1,400 every year
- Hotel and rental car elite status perks
- Earns flexible rewards you can transfer to 20+ airline and hotel loyalty programs (Enrollment required for select benefits mentioned; Benefits may be subject to auto-renewal)
- High annual fee
- Limited bonus spending categories
- Some statement credit offers are earned in small increments or only apply to purchases from a single brand
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select’s editorial staff.
- Welcome Offer: Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
- 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com, and 1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases.
- Earn 1.5X points (that’s an extra half point per dollar) on each eligible purchase at US construction material, hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers, and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more, on up to $2 million per Card Account per calendar year. Purchases eligible for multiple additional point bonuses will only receive the highest eligible bonus.
- Unlock over $1,000 in statement credits on select purchases, including tech, recruiting and wireless in the first year of membership with the Business Platinum Card®. Enrollment required. See how you can unlock over $1,000 annually in credits on select purchases with the Business Platinum Card®
- $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 the Card.
- $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: Use your card and get up to $199 in statement credits per calendar year on your CLEAR® Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use the Business Platinum Card®.
- The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market as of 03/2023.
- $695 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card’s array of premium benefits make it a perfect fit for the most loyal Delta flyers, including elite status boosts, rideshare credits (enrollment required) and airport lounge access.
- Access to airport lounges, including Amex Centurion lounges
- Up to $560 in annual statement credits (Enrollment may be required)
- 15% discount for eligible Delta award flights (Not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.)
- High annual fee
- No bonus spending categories outside of Delta purchases
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select’s editorial staff.
- Earn 70,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $5,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Enjoy complimentary access to the Delta Sky Club® when you fly Delta. Effective 2/1/25, 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. Once all 15 Visits have been used, Eligible Card Members may purchase additional Delta Sky Club Visits at a per-Visit rate of $50 per person using the Card.
- Receive four Delta Sky Club® One-Time Guest Passes each year when you fly Delta so you can share the experience with family and friends.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge when you book a Delta flight with your Reserve Card.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars each Medallion Qualification Year and get closer to Status with MQD Headstart.
- Earn $1 Medallion® Qualification Dollar for each $10 of purchases made on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card in a calendar year and get a boost toward achieving elevated Medallion Status for next Medallion Year.
- Receive a Companion Certificate on a Main Cabin round-trip flight within the U.S. and to Mexico, the Caribbean, or Central America each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Ticket requires payment of the government-imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for round-trip domestic flights and no more than $250 for round-trip international flights (both for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Card receive upgrade priority over other Medallion Members within the same Medallion level and fare class.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members with an eligible ticket will be added to the Complimentary Upgrade list, after Delta SkyMiles Medallion Members.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you’re approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you’re approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card offers airport lounge access, Delta status boost opportunities and an elevated return for certain business expenditures.
- Access to airport lounges, including Amex Centurion lounges
- Up to $610 in yearly statement credits
- Delta elite status boosts (Enrollment required for select benefits mentioned)
- High annual fee
- Weak spending bonus categories compared to other business cards
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select’s editorial staff.
- Welcome Offer: Earn 80,000 Bonus Miles after spending $10,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Enter Delta Sky Club® at no cost. Effective 2/1/25, 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.
- Earn 3 miles per dollar on eligible Delta purchases.
- Get closer to elevated Status next Medallion® Year with MQD Headstart and MQD Boost: receive $2,500 Medallion Qualification Dollars each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 on purchases with your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card.
- Receive a Companion Certificate on First Class, Delta Comfort+®, or Main Cabin domestic, Caribbean, or Central American roundtrip flights each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Ticket requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights and no more than $250 for roundtrip international flights (both for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- With the $240 Resy Credit, earn up to $20 per month in statement credits on eligible Resy purchases using your enrolled Card.
- Earn up to $10 back each month after using your enrolled Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers.
- Save 15% when booking Award Travel on Delta flights. Not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Not a Medallion Member? Card Members with an eligible ticket will be added to the Complimentary Upgrade list, after Delta SkyMiles Medallion Members.
- As a benefit of Card Membership, you can check your first bag free on Delta flights, saving up to $70 on a round-trip Delta flight per person. For a family of four that’s a potential savings of up to $280 per round-trip flight.
- When you purchase a Delta flight with your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business Card, you will receive complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge or Escape Lounge – The Centurion® Studio Partner.
- Receive Zone 5 Priority Boarding on Delta flights; board early, stow your carry-on bag and settle in sooner.
- Elevate your travel experience with an annual statement credit of up to $250 after using your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card to book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays on delta.com.
- Enjoy travel without foreign transaction fees from American Express with your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card.
- Terms and limitations apply.
Amex Platinum cardholders have access to more than 1,400 lounges
Amex Platinum and Business Platinum cardholders also receive complimentary access to The Global Lounge Collection®, which includes Centurion Lounges, Escape Lounges – The Centurion Studio Partner, Delta Sky Club® lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges, Priority Pass™ lounges and Lufthansa Lounges, giving you access to more than 1,400 airport lounges in over 650 cities worldwide.
Note, however, that the rules vary by lounge regarding how many guests you’re allowed to take with you and whether their entry is also complimentary. Additionally, to access Delta Sky Clubs, you’ll have to be traveling on a same-day flight that is operated or marketed by Delta Air Lines.
Paid access
Due to the exclusivity of these lounges, you won’t be able to enter unless you are a qualifying cardholder (see above) or a guest of one (see below).
Centurion cardholders can bring their immediate family (spouse, partner and children under 18) or up to two guests free of charge to any Centurion Lounge or Escape Lounge. Amex Platinum and Business Platinum cardholders can bring two free guests to Escape Lounge locations but have to pay $50 per guest ($30 per child ages 2–17) at Centurion Lounge locations. Consumer and business Platinum card members can qualify for two complimentary guest passes per Centurion Lounge visit after spending at least $75,000 on your card within a calendar year. Once earned, that complimentary guest access will be valid through January of the second calendar year (if you earned it by Nov. 1, 2024, it would be active through January 31, 2026).
Those with a Delta SkyMiles Reserve card can bring up to two guests per visit by paying a fee of $50 per person per visit ($30 per child between 2 and 17 years old; children under 2 are free) as long as you’re all traveling on a same-day flight that is being operated or marketed by Delta Air Lines. Delta SkyMiles Reserve card members may bring guests to Escape Lounge locations but will pay the per-visit fee that the specific lounge charges.
Best American Express cards with lounge access
Here’s a look at the various American Express cards that will gain you access to the Centurion Lounge network, as well as their current welcome bonuses:
Find the best credit card for you by reviewing offers in our credit card marketplace or get personalized offers via CardMatch™.
Bottom line
Centurion Lounges are known for their luxury amenities and exclusive access, which you can score by signing up for certain eligible cards. With more locations popping up in cities all over the U.S. and around the world, now might be a good time to take advantage of a lucrative welcome bonus so you can make your next airport experience a relaxing and memorable one.
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At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every credit card and airport lounge review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of travel credit card products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics.
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For rates and fees of the Platinum Card® from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of the Business Platinum Card® from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business Card, click here.
Information about the Centurion® Card from American Express has been collected independently by Select and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of the card prior to publication.
Editorial Note: Opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Select editorial staff’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any third party.