Unlocking VIP Lounge Access with the Amex Platinum Card

Having a place to put your feet up, enjoy a complimentary drink, conduct an important business meeting or even enjoy some spa treatments before or between flights is a luxurious experience for the modern traveler. If you’re equipped with the right credit card, you can get complimentary access to hundreds of airport lounges across the world.

The Platinum Card® from American Express (see rates and fees) and The Business Platinum® Card from American Express (see rates and fees) offer unparalleled lounge access. As an Amex Platinum or Business Platinum cardholder, you gain access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection—a network of more than 1,550 lounges in 140 countries.

The Global Lounge Collection includes all types of lounges from airline lounges to independent networks and everything in between.

In this guide, we’re covering all the lounge networks you can access as an Amex Platinum cardholder, including their entry requirements, amenities, locations and guest policies.

Which Airport Lounges Can You Access with the Amex Platinum?

The American Express Platinum Card lounge access includes complimentary access to the following lounge networks:

• The Centurion® Lounge
• Delta Sky Club®
• Escape Lounges
• Lufthansa Lounges
• Plaza Premium
• Priority Pass™ Select

These lounges make up the American Express Global Lounge Collection.

Keep in mind that all four versions of the Amex Platinum Card provide access to the Global Lounge Collection. That includes:

• The Platinum Card® from American Express
• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
• The Platinum Card® from American Express Exclusively for Morgan Stanley
• The American Express Platinum Card® for Schwab

So if you hold the Schwab Platinum Card or the Morgan Stanley Platinum Card, fear not—you still get unparalleled access to airport lounges worldwide and Amex lounge benefits.

Let’s now take a look at Amex Platinum lounge access in detail. Keep in mind that Amex Business Platinum lounge access privileges are identical to Amex Platinum lounge access privileges.

The Centurion® Lounge

The Centurion Lounges are American Express’ own airport lounges that offer some of the most luxurious amenities.

Aside from the basic amenities found in all airport lounges, such as free Wi-Fi, newspapers and comfortable seating, American Express Centurion Lounges offer a wide selection of complimentary alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, locally inspired dishes, relaxation rooms, private workspaces and sometimes even showers and spa amenities.

In the United States, you can find Amex Centurion Lounges at the following 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)

A new Centurion Lounge is set to open in Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) in 2025 as well as another in Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in 2026 and one in Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) in 2028.

Amex Centurion Lounges aren’t restricted to the U.S. alone—you’ll find Centurion Lounge locations in the following international airports:

• Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM)
• Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL)
• Ezeiza International Airport (EZE)
• Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)
• London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
• Melbourne Airport (MEL)
• Mexico City International Airport (MEX)
• Monterrey International Airport (MTY)
• São Paulo/Guarulhos International Airport (GRU)
• Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN)
• Sydney Airport (SYD)
• Tokyo-Haneda International Airport (HND)

As an Amex Platinum cardholder, you can bring up to two guests into Centurion lounges in the United States, Hong Kong and London-Heathrow when you charge $75,000 to your card within a calendar year. This complimentary guest access benefit is valid for the remainder of the year you earn it, the following calendar year and until Jan. 31 of the next year.

If you don’t qualify for complimentary guest access, travel companions are charged a per-visit rate of $50 ($30 for children aged 2 through 17) at Centurion Lounges in the U.S., Hong Kong and London-Heathrow.

For most other international Centurion Lounges, you can typically bring one to two guests or immediate family members and children under 13 years of age with you free of charge, without needing to put any sort of minimum spend on your card. Be sure to check specific lounge location pages to be sure of their policies before you go.

To enter any Amex Centurion Lounge, you’ll need to present your Platinum Card, government-issued I.D. and a same-day boarding pass with any carrier.

Delta Sky Club®

Amex Platinum cardholders enjoy a limited form of access to Delta Sky Clubs when flying on a Delta Air Lines-operated or Delta-marketed flight operated by WestJet.

Delta Sky Clubs offer complimentary food and drink, private workspaces with an abundance of power outlets as well as showers, conference rooms and sophisticated cocktail bars at select locations.

There are more than 50 Delta Sky Clubs across the United States so you’ll almost always have access to a lounge when departing from the U.S. with Delta.

As an Amex Platinum or a Business Platinum cardholder, you can enjoy up to 10 complimentary visits to Delta Sky Clubs each Medallion Year (Feb. 1 through Jan. 31), when traveling on a same-day Delta-operated flight or Delta-marketed WestJet flight. Keep in mind that basic economy tickets won’t qualify you or your guests for lounge access.

According to Delta, a “visit” is defined as entry to one or more Delta Sky Clubs at one or more airports, or usage of the Grab and Go feature, for up to 24 hours from the first point of usage. That means that if you visited two separate Delta Sky Clubs in two different airports within 24 hours, that would count as one visit—a perfect way to maximize your lounge privileges when you have a connecting flight with a long layover.

Platinum cardholders can gain unlimited access to Delta Sky Clubs after charging $75,000 to their card within a calendar year. This will give you unrestricted access to Delta Sky Clubs for the remainder of the calendar year plus the following Medallion Year.

You can bring up to two guests or immediate family members at a per-visit rate of $50 per person. Keep in mind that your guests must also be traveling on a same-day Delta-operated or Delta-marketed WestJet flight.

To enter a Delta Sky Club, you’ll need to present your same-day boarding pass for a Delta-operated or Delta-marketed WestJet flight, government-issued I.D. and your Platinum card.

Escape Lounges

If you’re flying between regional airports in the United States or the United Kingdom, Amex Platinum cardholders aren’t without a lounge to relax in. Escape Lounges – The Centurion Studio Partner offer a luxurious escape from the chaos of the main terminal, located primarily at smaller airports.

While Escape Lounges may not boast spa services and showers, they offer spacious, modern layouts with complimentary drinks, locally inspired cuisine, workstations and free Wi-Fi. They’re an excellent place to spend a few hours before takeoff and get some much needed rest or do work.

You’ll find Escape Lounges at the following U.S. airports:

• Bradley International Airport (BDL)
• Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG)
• Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL)
• Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP)
• John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH)
• Kansas City International Airport (MCI)
• Luis Munoz Marin International Airport in Puerto Rico (SJU)
• Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP)
• Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA)
• Oakland International Airport (OAK)
• Palm Beach International Airport (PBI)
• Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) (Two Escape Lounges)
• Portland, Oregon (PDX)
• Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO)
• Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport (PVD)
• Sacramento International Airport (SMF) (Two Escape Lounges)
• Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR)
• Tulsa, Oklahoma (TUL)

There are also six lounges in the U.K., with a seventh opening soon in Edinburgh, Scotland (EDI), as well as two upcoming Escape Lounges in Brisbane, Australia (BNE), and Cairns, Australia (CNS).

This ever-expanding network is a great asset for an Amex Platinum cardholder, particularly because you don’t need to fly with a specific airline to access Escape Lounges. These types of airport lounges are ideal when traveling as a group, especially as you can bring up to two guests with you for free into Escape Lounges.

To enter an Escape Lounge, you’ll need to show your valid Platinum card, same-day boarding pass with any carrier and government-issued I.D.

Lufthansa Lounges

As an Amex Platinum cardholder, you can enjoy access to Lufthansa lounges when flying with a Lufthansa Group airline. This includes Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines and Swiss International Air Lines, but excludes Lufthansa’s subsidiaries, such as Air Dolomiti, Edelweiss and Eurowings.

Lufthansa lounges are concentrated mainly in Europe and the United States. For instance, you can find Lufthansa lounges in Boston (BOS), Detroit (DTW), Newark (EWR), New York (JFK) and Washington (IAD). In Europe, you’ll find Lufthansa lounges in Amsterdam (AMS), Berlin-Brandenburg (BER), Brussels (BRU), Frankfurt (FRA), London-Heathrow (LHR), Milan-Malpensa (MXP), Munich (MUC) and Paris (CDG).

Lufthansa lounges can sometimes be less crowded given their stricter entry requirements and offer a range of amenities from premium bars, buffets and private workspaces to showers and more.

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. You’ll need to display your Platinum Card, valid boarding pass and government-issued I.D. to enter a Lufthansa lounge.

Guests aren’t typically allowed in Lufthansa lounges and while some lounges may make allowances, don’t bet on it.

Plaza Premium

Plaza Premium Group is an independent network of lounges that Amex Platinum cardholders can access. The network has more than 250 lounges across 80 countries.

Plaza Premium lounges vary from one to the next, but expect to find complimentary food and drink in addition to dedicated workspaces at all of them. In some lounges, such as the one in Edinburgh, you’ll even find a mini climbing wall for kids as well as a dedicated Peloton cycle and yoga room overlooking the runway. Other lounges offer showers and conference rooms.

There are just two Plaza Premium lounges in the U.S.—one in Orlando, Florida (MCO), and the other in Dallas (DFW).

With more than 50 locations, Plaza Premium has a strong concentration of lounges in Asia as well as in other parts of the world.

To enter a Plaza Premium lounge, you’ll need to show your Platinum card, government-issued I.D. and a same-day boarding pass with any airline. You can also bring up to two guests with you free of charge, making it a great choice when traveling with friends or family. So no matter whether you’re flying with American Express airline partners or another airline, you and your companions will be able to access Plaza Premium lounges.

Priority Pass™ Select

Priority Pass Select boasts an independent network of more than 1,500 airport lounges and experiences worldwide. It also manages multiple airline lounges, such as those of Air France, Turkish Airlines and more, in addition to partnering with other lounge networks, such as the Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club.

Amex Platinum cardholders can gain access to the full gamut of Priority Pass-managed lounges, subject to meeting each individual lounge’s entry requirements.

Priority Pass lounges vary in their offerings, with all lounges offering complimentary food and drink, free Wi-Fi and dedicated workspaces. Some lounges go above and beyond, offering conference rooms, beds, showers and spa facilities.

However, keep in mind that Amex Platinum cardholders don’t have complimentary access to Priority Pass’ partners, such as Be Relax Spas, Minute Suites, XpresSpa and certain airport restaurants that offer dining credits.

Before visiting a Priority Pass lounge, you need to enroll in Priority Pass through the benefits section of your dashboard or by calling the number on the back on your credit card. Your Priority Pass card will be mailed to your address. You can also download a digital membership card through the Priority Pass app, but be mindful that 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. Likewise, you can typically bring up to two guests into the lounge with you free of charge, but policies do vary between lounges so be sure to check in advance.

Keep in mind that if you want to enter a Chase Sapphire lounge as an Amex Platinum cardholder, you can get only one complimentary visit per calendar year (excluding Hong Kong) if you’re not also a Sapphire cardholder. After that, you’ll be charged a rate of $75 for every additional visit.

Similarly, Priority Pass Select membership gives you access to Aspire lounges. You can find two Aspire lounges in Ontario International Airport (ONT) in California and one in San Diego International Airport (SAN).

How to Maximize Your Lounge Access Benefits

Best Practices for Peak Travel Times

With more and more travelers taking to the skies, it’s no surprise that lounges can be filled to the brim during peak travel times.

While lounges with easier access policies that are more widespread, such as Priority Pass, tend to be busier than more exclusive lounges, such as Amex Centurion or Lufthansa Senator lounges, that’s not always the case.

During peak travel times, utilize the American Express app to get real-time notifications regarding capacity. This way, you can see your options for lounges, compare how busy they are and even join a waitlist if necessary.

If you know that you’re traveling during a peak travel time, it’s doubly important to arrive early at the airport so that you can maximize your time spent in the lounge (rather than in the queue to enter it).

Combining Different Lounge Options at Major Hubs

When you have a longer layover, there’s nothing stopping you from spending your time at an airport lounge rather than by your gate.

Most lounge networks will allow you to use their airport lounges during layovers and will often drop the three-hour time limit restriction.

And if you’re visiting two Delta Sky Clubs across two airports within 24 hours, this will count as just one visit, giving you maximum usage out of this card perk.

Common Lounge Access Restrictions and How to Avoid Them

Guest Policy Changes and Family Travel Solutions

When traveling with a larger group or your family, it’s important to know where you stand in terms of guest access policies. Here’s an overview of each lounge network’s guest access policy for Amex Platinum cardholders:

Keep in mind that each individual lounge may apply its own guest policies, so it’s always advisable to check in advance of your trip.
Generally speaking, you’re better off sticking to independent lounge networks when traveling with family members or friends because they have a better chance of getting in.

Time Limits and Overcrowding Restrictions

Generally speaking, most airport lounges stipulate that you can enter a maximum of three hours before your flight departs—in some cases, this is reduced to two hours.

However, the degree to which these time limits are enforced typically varies from lounge to lounge and depends largely on how busy it is at the time of your visit. If a lounge is crowded, staff at the front desk are usually stricter about time limits.

In some cases, lounges will be fully crowded during peak travel times, meaning you’ll need to join a waitlist to gain access to the lounge. That’s why it’s always best to arrive early to the airport, so that you still have time to make the most of your lounge experience even if you’re waitlisted.
Similarly, you can save time waiting by using the American Express app to monitor the status of lounges, check guest policies and get real-time notifications regarding crowds. You can also join the waitlist through the app, saving you even more time.

Making the Most of Your Premium Travel Experience

The Amex Platinum Card has long been considered the juggernaut of premium travel rewards cards and for good reason. As an Amex Platinum cardholder, you benefit from unmatched lounge access privileges, meaning you’ll almost always have somewhere to put your feet up in peace before takeoff.

Apply for the Amex Platinum Card today and travel in luxury for the rest of your days with Amex lounge access.