Guide to the American Express Global Lounge Collection

Let’s face it—most of us got into the world of points and miles to travel in luxury for a fraction of the price. Airport lounges are a key aspect of luxury travel, providing a respite from the chaos of the main terminal before your flight departs.

American Express has the largest airport lounge network of any card issuer: The American Express Global Lounge Collection. If you hold the right American Express credit card, you can access more than 1,550 lounges in 500+ airports across 140 countries.

That means that wherever you go, chances are there’s a lounge you can access.

However, each lounge network has its own rules pertaining to entry requirements, guest policies and amenities. In this complete guide to the American Express Global Lounge Collection, we’ll run through each lounge network so you can better plan for your future travels and know where your Amex card can take you.

Amex Global Lounge Access and Benefits

The American Express Global Lounge Collection offers you unparalleled free lounge access to airport lounges worldwide.

It includes access to airline lounges, independently-run lounge networks and its own American Express Centurion lounges. The following lounge networks are part of the Amex Global Lounge Collection:

• The Centurion® Lounge
• Delta SkyClub®
• Escape Lounges
• Lufthansa Lounges
• Plaza Premium
• Priority Pass™ Select
• Additional Global Lounge Collection partner lounges

You can use Amex’s lounge finder search tool to search for available lounges in the airport you’re planning to depart from. Simply type in the airport you’re departing from and select which Amex travel rewards card you hold.

From there, you’ll see which lounges are available in each terminal and their opening hours.

If you click on a lounge, you can view its guest policies, entry requirements, amenities and location, as well as any other important information about restrictions or closures.

This search tool makes it easy to plan your lounge options in advance.

Alternatively, you can use the Lounge Finder feature in My10x to easily find any lounge in the American Express Global Lounge Collection.

Eligible Cards and Guest Policies

When it comes to accessing all of the lounges within the American Express Global Lounge Collection, these personal cards allow access:

• American Express Platinum Card^®
• American Express Platinum Card^® Exclusively for Morgan Stanley
• The American Express Platinum Card® for Schwab
• The American Express Corporate Platinum Card®
• Centurion Card from American Express

And, if you’re a business owner, you can get access with this card:

• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

These cards give you access to all lounges in Amex’s global network. Guest policies and privileges remain almost identical across all six cards, apart from access to Centurion Lounges.

Holders of the Centurion Card from American Express or The American Express Corporate Platinum Card are able to bring up to two guests for free into Centurion lounges in the United States, at Hong Kong International Airport and at London Heathrow Airport. For Centurion lounges outside of these locations, guest access policies vary from one lounge to the next.

All other versions of the Platinum Card offer complimentary Centurion Lounge usage to the primary cardholder and authorized user only—guests are charged a per-visit rate of $50 (or $30 for children aged two through 17). That’s unless you charge $75,000 to your card within a calendar year, which will get you the same guest access privileges as Centurion and Corporate Platinum cardholders, for the remainder of the calendar year, the entirety of the following calendar year and through Jan. 31 of the next calendar year.

Personal American Express cards that offer more limited lounge access include:

• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card

And, for business owners, American Express business cards that offer limited lounge access include:

• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card

The Delta SkyMiles Reserve consumer and business cards offer cardholders access to Delta SkyClubs, Escape lounges and Centurion lounges.

You’ll receive 15 complimentary visits to Delta SkyClubs each calendar year, which both the primary cardholder and authorized users can take advantage of. You’ll also receive four one-time guest passes each calendar year for use at Delta SkyClubs.

If you spend $75,000 with your card in a calendar year, you’ll gain unlimited access to Delta SkyClubs for the remainder of the calendar year, the entirety of the following calendar year and through Jan. 31 of the next calendar year.

Delta SkyMiles Reserve cardholders will also enjoy access to Escape lounges and Centurion Lounges.

To access Delta SkyClubs, Escape Lounges and Centurion Lounges, you (or your authorized user) will need to be flying on a same-day Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight. Likewise, for Centurion Lounges, you’ll need to have purchased your flight using a U.S.-issued Amex charge or credit card.

You can bring up to two guests with you into Centurion Lounges, at a per-visit rate of $50 (or $30 for children aged two through 17) per person, per location. Your guests will also need to be traveling on a same-day Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight. At Escape Lounges, additional guests will be charged the standard per-visit rate of the specific lounge.

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant cardholders receive complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership, which you’ll need to enroll in to access its lounges. At Priority Pass lounges that accept guests, you’ll be able to bring up to two guests with you free of charge.

A Detailed Look at Lounges in the Amex Global Lounge Collection

Now, we’ll look at each lounge network in the American Express Global Lounge Collection, covering their entrance rules, guest policies, locations and amenities.

Keep in mind that most lounges stipulate that you can’t enter more than three hours prior to your flight departure. However, if you’re using the lounge during a connection or if your flight has been delayed, these rules are sometimes overlooked. Certain lounges can be stricter than others when it comes to enforcing these rules. Generally speaking, when lounges are operating at full capacity, they tend to enforce time limits more so than when the lounge is fairly empty.

Centurion Lounges

Centurion Lounges are owned and operated by American Express, and remain to be some of the most exclusive lounges in the American Express Global Lounge Collection.

Typical amenities include locally-inspired cuisine, complimentary drinks (including alcoholic drinks), showers, private workspaces, relaxation rooms and sometimes even spa amenities.

You can find American Express Centurion Lounges in the following U.S. airports:

• Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)
• Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
• Denver International Airport (DEN)
• George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
• Harry Reid International Airport (LAS)
• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
• John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
• LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
• Miami International Airport (MIA)
• Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
• Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
• Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)
• San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
• Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)

Additionally, two new Centurion lounges opened in Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) and Tokyo-Haneda International Airport (HND) in 2025. Two more are planned: one in Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in 2026 and one in Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) in 2027.

Likewise, you’ll find American Express International Centurion Lounges at the following airports:

• Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM), Mumbai, India
• Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL), New Delhi, India
• Hong Kong International Airport (HKG), China
• London Heathrow Airport (LHR), United Kingdom
• Melbourne Airport (MEL), Australia
• Mexico City International Airport (MEX), Mexico
• Ministro Pistarini International Airport (EZE), Buenos Aires, Argentina
• Monterrey International Airport (MTY), Mexico
• São Paulo/Guarulhos International Airport (GRU), Brazil
• Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN), Sweden
• Sydney Airport (SYD), Australia

As previously mentioned, holders of the Centurion Card from American Express or The American Express Corporate Platinum Card are able to bring up to two guests for free into Centurion lounges in the United States, as well as at Hong Kong International Airport and at London Heathrow Airport.

For all other Platinum Cards, guests are charged a per-visit rate of $50 (or $30 for children aged two through 17). The only way around this requirement is to charge $75,000 to your card within a calendar year, which will get you the same guest access privileges as Centurion and Corporate Platinum cardholders.

For Centurion Lounges outside of the U.S.—excluding Hong Kong and London—you can typically bring between one and two guests or immediate family members and children under 13 years of age with you for free. However, policies vary so be sure to check with the prospective lounge in advance.

For Delta SkyMiles Reserve cardholders, access to Centurion lounges is granted only if you’re flying on a same-day Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight which was purchased using a U.S. issued Amex charge or credit card.

Priority Pass Select Lounges

Priority Pass is a large independent airport lounge network with more than 1,700 lounges spread across the world, with numerous lounges in the U.S.

While Priority Pass lounges aren’t typically as luxurious as Centurion lounges or certain airline business- and first-class lounges, they still provide a quiet space to relax before your flight. Priority Pass lounges include complimentary food and drink, as well as private workstations. Certain lounges also offer conference rooms, beds, spa facilities and showers.

Priority Pass also partners with Be Relax Spas, Minute Suites, XpresSpa and certain airport restaurants (which offer dining credits of up to $28), but Priority Pass Select members—in other words, those who receive Priority Pass membership benefits through their Amex card—cannot access these additional benefits.

To access a Priority Pass lounge, you need to first enroll in Priority Pass through the benefits section of your dashboard or by calling the number on the back of your credit card. Your Priority Pass card will then be mailed to you. You can also download a digital membership card through the Priority Pass app, but not all lounges accept digital membership cards.

To enter a Priority Pass lounge, you’ll need to show your membership card plus your boarding pass for any same-day flight.

Holders of any American Express Platinum Card product, Centurion Card or Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card can access Priority Pass lounges and bring up to two guests with them free of charge. That said, certain Priority Pass lounges put restrictions on guest access, so be sure to check with your prospective lounge before traveling.

The Priority Pass network manages a variety of different lounges, including airline lounges belonging to Air France, Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines and more, as well as other lounge brands, such as the Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club. That means you can access certain airline lounges and Chase Sapphire lounges through the American Express Global Lounge Collection, among other popular lounge brands, subject to meeting their entry conditions.

In the case of Chase Sapphire lounges, keep in mind that Priority Pass Select members that aren’t Sapphire cardholders are entitled to one complimentary visit to Sapphire lounges (excluding Hong Kong) per calendar year, with a preferential rate of $75 applying per visit thereafter.

You can find a complete rundown of cards with Priority Pass Select membership as a complimentary benefit.

Delta Sky Club Access

Delta SkyClubs offer a luxurious pre-flight experience to those flying in Delta’s premium cabin, those who have purchased a membership or those with the right credit cards.

Delta SkyClub is part of the American Express Global Lounge Collection, offering certain Amex cardholders the ability to access SkyClub lounges when flying on a Delta-operated or Delta-marketed flight.

While Delta SkyClubs can vary in their offerings, you’ll usually find complimentary alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, complimentary snacks, free Wi-Fi, magazines and newspapers and workspaces with power outlets. Certain locations also offer conference rooms, showers and premium cocktail bars.

There are more than 50 Delta SkyClubs in the U.S., making it a valuable lounge network to have access to.

To enter a Delta SkyClub lounge, you’ll need to present your valid credit card, government-issued I.D. and a valid boarding pass.

Depending on which premium Amex card you hold, you’ll gain varying degrees of access to Delta SkyClubs.

Holders of the American Express Platinum and Business Platinum Card receive 10 complimentary visits to Delta SkyClubs each Medallion Year (Feb. 1 through Jan. 31), when traveling on a same-day Delta-operated flight or Delta-marketed WestJet flights.

Delta defines a “visit” as entry to one or more Delta SkyClubs at one or more airports, or usage of the Grab and Go feature, for up to 24 hours from the first point of usage. For instance, if you used two different Delta SkyClubs across two airports within 24 hours, that would count as one visit.

Holders of the American Express Platinum and Business Platinum Card can bring up to two guests or immediate family members at a per-visit rate of $50 per person. However, your guests must also be traveling on a same-day Delta-operated or Delta-marketed WestJet flight.

Access rules are the same for holders of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve and Reserve Business Card, but you’ll get 15 complimentary visits per Medallion Year.

If you want unlimited access to Delta SkyClubs, beyond the minimum number of annual complimentary visits, Platinum, SkyMiles Reserve and SkyMiles Reserve Business cardholders need to spend $75,000 within a calendar year. This will unlock unlimited visits to Delta SkyClubs for the remainder of the Medallion Year you earn it, plus the following Medallion Year.

For holders of the Amex Corporate Platinum and Centurion Card, you’ll have unlimited access to Delta SkyClubs, although the same restrictions on guests will apply.

Keep in mind that regardless of which premium American Express card you hold, you won’t be able to access Delta SkyClubs if you’re flying on a basic economy ticket.

Escape Lounges—The Centurion Studio Partner

Escape Lounges—The Centurion Studio Partner is an independent lounge network that offers luxurious spaces to relax before takeoff. They’re part of the American Express Global Lounge Collection, offering another valuable network to take advantage of.

Escape Lounges are primarily found in secondary airports across the U.S. and UK, making them a great option when flying between smaller domestic airports. The best part about Escape Lounges is that you don’t need to be flying with a specific airline or flying in a premium cabin to access them.

Escape Lounges offer excellent complimentary dining options, an open bar, free Wi-Fi and dedicated work spaces with power outlets.

You can find Escape Lounges in the following U.S. and UK airports:

• Bradley International Airport (BDL), Hartford, Connecticut
• Bristol Airport (BRS), Bristol, UK
• Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG), Hebron, Kentucky
• East Midlands Airport (EMA), Derby, UK
• Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL)
• Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP), Greer, South Carolina
• John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH), Columbus, Ohio
• Kansas City International Airport (MCI)
• London Stansted Airport (STN), Stansted, UK
• Manchester Airport (MAN), Manchester, UK
• Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP)
• Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA)
• Oakland International Airport (OAK), Oakland, California
• Palm Beach International Airport (PBI), West Palm Beach, Florida
• Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) (Two Escape Lounges)
• Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO), Reno, Nevada
• Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport (PVD), Warwick, Rhode Island
• Sacramento International Airport (SMF), Sacramento, California (Two Escape Lounges)
• Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR), Syracuse, New York

Platinum Card^®, Business Platinum, Corporate Platinum and Centurion cardholders can all access Escape Lounges by showing their government-issued I.D. and valid credit card.

Eligible cardholders can also bring up to two guests with them free of charge.

Lufthansa Lounges with Platinum Card^®

The American Express Global Lounge Collection includes access to select Lufthansa lounges, provided you meet the entry requirements.

You’ll need to be flying on a same-day Lufthansa Group (Lufthansa, Swiss and Austrian Airlines) flight to enter a Lufthansa lounge. Keep in mind that flying with Lufthansa’s subsidiaries—such as Eurowings, Air Dolomiti and Edelweiss—won’t qualify you to enter.

For Platinum Card^®, Business Platinum and Corporate Platinum cardholders, you can enter Lufthansa Business lounges when flying with any class of ticket and Lufthansa Senator lounges when flying business class with a Lufthansa Group airline. However, for American Express Centurion cardholders, you can access Lufthansa Business, Senator and Lufthansa First Class lounges regardless of the class you fly.

Guests aren’t officially allowed, although certain Lufthansa airport lounges may allow you to bring a guest in at the per-visit rate.

Lufthansa lounges have a lot to offer, particularly their Senator and First Class lounges, which offer luxurious spaces to relax, work and eat. You can find complimentary buffets, drinks and even shower cubicles, among many other amenities, in Lufthansa lounges, which vary by location.

In the U.S., you can find Lufthansa lounges in Detroit (DTW), Washington D.C. (IAD), Boston (BOS), Newark (EWR) and New York (JFK). In Europe, you can find Lufthansa lounges in Frankfurt (FRA), Munich (MUC), London Heathrow (LHR), Paris Charles-de-Gaulle (CDG), Milan Malpensa (MXP), Amsterdam (AMS), Brussels (BRU) and Berlin Brandenburg (BER), among other major airports.

Likewise, you’ll find Lufthansa lounges scattered across the world, from New Delhi (DEL) to Dubai (DXB).

Plaza Premium Lounges

Plaza Premium Lounges are an independent network of more than 250 lounges, spread across 80 countries, which are part of the Amex Global Lounge Collection. Plaza Premium Group also manages Virgin Atlantic Clubhouses, allowing you to gain access to these lounges too, subject to meeting the individual lounge’s entry requirements.

Plaza Premium has two of its own lounges in the U.S.—one in Orlando (MCO) and the other in Dallas Fort Worth (DFW)—as well as three Virgin Atlantic Clubhouses in Washington D.C. (IAD), New York (JFK) and San Francisco (SFO).

Plaza Premium also has a particularly extensive network in Asia, with more than 50 lounges.

While the amenities vary from one Plaza Premium lounge to the next, you can generally expect to find complimentary food and drink, work stations and free Wi-Fi. Certain lounges, such as the one in Edinburgh, have a dedicated sports section with foosball tables, exercise bikes and a small climbing wall for kids, while other lounges offer conferences rooms and showers.

All holders of Platinum Card^® Card products can enter Plaza Premium lounges by showing their eligible credit card, government-issued I.D. and a same-day boarding pass with any airline.

You can bring up to two guests with you free of charge, making Plaza Premium lounges ideal when traveling with companions.

Other Partner Lounges in the Network

American Express Platinum and Centurion cardholders enjoy access to additional partner airport lounges. You can find all available lounges by using Amex’s lounge finder tool.

You’ll need to display your eligible credit card, government-issued I.D. and a same-day boarding pass either with a specific airline or with any carrier, depending on the lounge.

Guest access rules vary by lounge, so it’s best to check in advance to be sure that your companions can enjoy the lounge with you.

Making the Most of Your American Express Lounge Benefits

The key to maximizing your airport lounge experience is deciding which lounge to visit and arriving well before your flight departs.

Certain lounges have a higher number of visitors, as access is more widespread than with other lounges. For instance, Priority Pass and Plaza Premium lounges will typically have more visitors than Lufthansa First Class or Centurion lounges, all other things remaining equal. Lounges with reduced access policies tend also to be the lounges with the most premium offerings.

Therefore, if you have the choice, you should try to select a less busy lounge for a more tranquil experience. You can use the American Express app to check how busy lounges are and get real-time notifications about capacity and entry restrictions.

It’s also key to arrive early when you’re planning to visit a lounge. While most airport lounges allow you to enter up to three hours before your departure, not all lounges enforce this rule, meaning you could score even more time to enjoy the complimentary food and drinks before takeoff. Likewise, if the lounge is at full capacity when you first arrive, being early enables you to wait for an opening to come up.

Food, Beverage and Premium Services

Most airport lounges in the American Express Global Lounge Collection offer complimentary food and drink, including certain alcoholic beverages.

However, some lounges charge extra for top-shelf alcohol and special cocktails. What’s included and what comes at a premium is a matter of each airport lounge’s individual policies.

Likewise, certain lounges that offer private conference rooms, spa treatments, showers and beds may charge extra for these services.

Get the Most Out of the Amex Global Lounge Collection

The American Express Global Lounge Collection offers the most extensive network of airport lounges, scattered across the world. With independent networks like Plaza Premium and Priority Pass, luxury airline lounges such as Lufthansa First Class and Delta SkyClub lounges, and even Amex’s own Centurion lounges, there are few airports in the world where you won’t find a lounge you can enter.

These are just some of the Platinum Card^® and Amex Business Platinum benefits you can expect to enjoy as a cardholder. So apply for a Platinum Card^® product today and enjoy the benefits of complimentary global lounge access.