Unlocking the World of Amex Centurion Lounges

All information about the American Express Centurion® Card has been collected independently by 10xTravel.

American Express is well renowned for its airport lounge access perks offered through its premium travel rewards credit cards.

For instance, holders of American Express Platinum Card^® (see rates and fees) and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express (see rates and fees) enjoy access to The American Express Global Lounge Collection, boasting a network of more than 1,550 lounges worldwide.

Yet, it’s arguable that the most valuable lounge network in Amex’s Global Lounge Collection is its own lounge network: American Express Centurion Lounges.

The Centurion Lounges, where thoughtful designs meet top-notch service, far outpacing your standard airport lounge, offer an exclusive reprieve from the main terminal.

With the right credit card in your wallet, you can gain access to one of the most exclusive lounge networks in the world, promising a relaxed pre-flight experience every time.

Let’s look at what sets Amex Centurion airport lounges apart, where you can find them and exactly how to get access to The Centurion Lounges.

Why These Lounges Set the Gold Standard in Travel Luxury

American Express Centurion Lounges go beyond the simple complimentary-drinks-comfortable-seating-free-Wi-Fi formula used by other airport lounges.

Amex has worked to create an exclusive network of lounges, each of which has its own individual flair and local touches. These curated spaces, designed with luxury and efficiency in equal measure, are hospitality driven with a proactive service staff focused on making your stay as comfortable as possible.

Put simply, American Express Centurion Lounges are exactly how all airport lounges should be: luxurious, quiet and beautifully designed spaces with outstanding service.

What Sets Centurion Lounges Apart From the Rest?

The American Express Centurion Lounge experience begins with ambiance. Each Centurion Lounge has its own unique ambiance, a product of intentional design through the use of local artists and regionally sourced materials that play on the specific theme of the lounge’s city.

Centurion lounges also have a wide range of complimentary alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks to boast, including cocktails curated by a nationally renowned mixologist Jim Meehan in addition to some of the best dining options of any lounge networks with menus curated by award-winning chefs. This puts the dining experience far above that of other lounge networks.

American Express Centurion Lounges are also rich in amenities. While all Centurion Lounges come with the minimum of comfortable seating, a gorgeous bar, free Wi-Fi and private workstations, you can also find shower suites, private work and relaxation rooms, and even spa facilities in select locations.

When combined with top-quality service, these elements put Amex Centurion Lounges far ahead of most other airport lounge networks.

A Look at Their Origins and Evolution

The Centurion Lounges began as an American Express initiative in 2013 to provide elevated spaces for its most premium cardmembers, launching the first Centurion Lounge in Las Vegas’ Harry Reid International Airport.

Amex was the first card issuer to launch its own lounge network with other card issuers, including Chase and Capital One, following suit in recent years.

Amex’s idea was straightforward—create spaces that combined exclusivity with luxury tailored for business travelers who were increasingly underwhelmed by standard airline lounge offerings. Each lounge was to have its own individual charm inspired by local influences instead of being carbon-copies of one another.

The initial response was overwhelmingly positive, prompting a rollout to additional hubs including Dallas, Miami, San Francisco and further afield. As the program expanded, so did its ambition. Amex rebranded its international lounges, which were in need of updating, under the Centurion brand, expanding beyond the United States.

By 2023, the Centurion brand had grown beyond the airport with the launch of the Centurion New York, a unique lounge-meets-membership-club located on the 55th floor of One Vanderbilt. Unlike airport lounges, Centurion New York doesn’t require a boarding pass and caters to business meetings, fine dining and relaxation for the Platinum Card^® and Centurion cardholders.

Today, the Centurion network spans major U.S. airports and a growing roster of international locations. The lounges have helped define consumer expectations and have generated significant shifts in competition among other credit card issuers.

How Do You Gain Access to Amex Centurion Lounges?

Getting into an American Express Centurion Lounge isn’t as simple as turning up and walking through the door. You need to hold the right American Express card or be an eligible guest of specific cardholders.

Let’s look at how to get Amex Centurion lounge access.

Which American Express Cards Unlock the Door?

The easiest way to get access to American Express Centurion Lounges is by holding any variation of the Platinum Card from American Express. That includes:

• American Express Platinum Card^®—$895 annual fee (see rates and fees)
• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express—$895 annual fee (see rates and fees)
• The American Express Platinum® Card for Schwab—$895 annual fee
• American Express Platinum Card^® Exclusively for Morgan Stanley—$895 annual fee

In addition to American Express Platinum cardholders, those who hold the exclusive invitation-only American Express Centurion® Card also have full access to Amex Centurion lounges.

On top of this, travelers who hold either the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card (see rates and fees) or the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card (see rates and fees) can access Amex Centurion Lounges when they fly on a Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight purchased with any U.S.-issued American Express card.

This gives you a few options when it comes to getting into American Express Centurion Lounges.

What You Should Know About Guest Policy Updates

As an American Express Platinum cardholder, Delta SkyMiles Reserve or Reserve Business cardholder, any guests that accompany you will be 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 Delta SkyMiles Reserve and Reserve Business cardholders, your guests will need to be flying on a Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight to enter Centurion Lounges with you.

Authorized users with a Platinum, Centurion or even Delta SkyMiles card can also access Amex Centurion Lounges as well as bring guests with them, subject to the same rules and restrictions as primary cardmembers. It costs $195 and $175 per year to add an authorized user to the American Express Platinum Card or the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card, respectively, so this could be well worth it given the litany of Amex lounge access benefits that authorized users can use.

Platinum cardholders can unlock complimentary guest access, but you’ll need to charge $75,000 to your Platinum card within a calendar year to enjoy this benefit. If unlocked, you’ll be able to bring up to two guests with you for free. Complimentary guest access will stay in effect for the remainder of the calendar year you earned it, plus the following calendar year until Jan. 31 of the next calendar year.

Unfortunately, co-branded Delta cardholders aren’t able to unlock complimentary guest access benefits through spending.

When it comes to international Amex Centurion Lounges, Platinum and Centurion cardholders can usually bring one to two guests or immediate family members and children under 13 years of age with them free of charge without having to reach any minimum spends.

Where to Find Centurion Lounges Across the Globe

Whether your travel plans have you flying domestically or internationally, American Express Centurion Lounges can be found across the world.

While most Centurion Lounges are concentrated in the U.S., there are at least 11 Centurion Lounges abroad with more set to open in the coming years.

Let’s look at all the Centurion Lounge locations where you can put your feet up and enjoy fine dining and drinks before takeoff.

The Full U.S. Lineup—and What Makes Each Unique

Here’s an overview of every Amex Centurion Lounge in the U.S. including what makes each lounge unique:

1. Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT): The CLT Centurion Lounge offers a quiet atmosphere with amenities such as private workspaces, free Wi-Fi, a family room and showers. Southern cuisine designed by local chef (and James Beard semifinalist) Joe Kindred and locally brewed craft beers are on the menu. The lounge is located in the main terminal in Concourse D/E (mezzanine level, between concourses D and E).
2. Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW): The DFW Centurion Lounge features a locally inspired menu crafted by James Beard award-winning chef Dean Fearing, offering a taste of Texan cuisine. It also offers a conference room, showers, a family room and spa facilities through Exhale with a range of complimentary spa services included. You can find the lounge in Terminal D, opposite Gate D12.
3. Denver International Airport (DEN): The DEN Centurion Lounge showcases Colorado-inspired artwork, local craft beers and a locally sourced menu, designed by James Beard award-winning chef Lachlan Mackinnon-Patterson. The Centurion Lounge in Denver also has a dedicated games room, family room and shower suite. The lounge is located in Concourse C, between Gates C46 and C48.
4. George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH): The IAH Centurion Lounge offers a Houston-inspired menu by James Beard Award-winning chef Justin Yu, complemented by cocktails from mixologist Jim Meehan and a custom art installation by local artist Patrick Renner. It also boasts showers, a family room and relaxation area. You’ll find this lounge in Terminal D, close to Gate D12 on the mezzanine level.
5. Harry Reid International Airport (LAS): The Las Vegas Centurion Lounge features a menu by chef Kim Canteenwalla and a cocktail program by mixologist Jim Meehan. It also has a shower, a family room and semi-private workspaces. This lounge is located in Concourse D, close to Gate D1.
6. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL): The Atlanta Centurion Lounge, the largest in the network, boasts multiple outdoor terraces, a whiskey bar with more than 20 American whiskeys, a menu of modern soul food by chef Deborah VanTrece and design elements inspired by Atlanta’s tree canopy, including a 50-year-old olive tree and a custom light sculpture. You’ll find this lounge in Concourse E, near Gate E11.
7. John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK): The JFK Centurion Lounge features two fully stocked bars, including “1850,” a hidden speakeasy-style bar by mixologist Jim Meehan, and a menu curated by chef Ignacio Mattos, offering sophisticated takes on classic cocktails and dishes. It also offers a full-service coffee bar, family room, shower suites and private conference room. The lounge is located in Terminal 4 on Level 4.
8. LaGuardia Airport (LGA): The Centurion Lounge at LaGuardia includes a dedicated study space designed in partnership with McNally Jackson bookstore, a menu by chef Cédric Vongerichten and a selection of New York-themed cocktails. You’ll find this lounge in Terminal B on Level 4.
9. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX): The LAX Centurion Lounge offers a menu by chef Nancy Silverton and a cocktail program by mixologist Jim Meehan, highlighting southern California’s culinary scene. The lounge also offers a spa service with complimentary treatments, a dedicated private space for Centurion cardholders, showers suites and a family room. The lounge is located on Level 2 in Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT).
10. Miami International Airport (MIA): The Miami Centurion Lounge features a menu by James Beard Award-winning chef Michelle Bernstein and a cocktail program by mixologist Jim Meehan. It also includes complimentary and paid spa services, shower suites and a family room. You’ll find the lounge in the North Terminal on Level 4, near Gate D14.
11. Philadelphia International Airport (PHL): The PHL Centurion Lounge presents a menu by James Beard award-winning chef Michael Solomonov, in addition to a shower suite, premium bar and semi-private workspaces. You’ll find the lounge in Terminal A-West, near Gate A14.
12. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX): The Phoenix Centurion Lounge features a menu by chef Doug Robson, reflecting the flavors of the Southwest. It also has a shower suite and premium bar. The lounge can be found on Level 3 in Terminal 4, near Gate B22.
13. Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA): The DCA Centurion Lounge offers a menu by chefs Michelle Bernstein, Ravi Kapur and Michael Solomonov. It features a single shower suite and small meeting room in addition to a cocktail menu by Jim Meehan and wine list by Anthony Giglio. It can be found in Terminal 2 on Level 2.
14. San Francisco International Airport (SFO): The SFO Centurion Lounge, recently expanded to 16,000 square feet, features a menu by chef Ravi Kapur, a wine list curated by Anthony Giglio featuring Napa and Sonoma wines, and design elements inspired by northern California’s landscapes. It also features a shower suite and dedicated wine tasting area. It’s located in Terminal 3, Concourse F on level 2, on the E gate side of the connector to G gates. (Note: As of mid-2025, the main T3 lounge closed for the T3 West project and Amex opened a temporary Centurion Lounge in Terminal 2, Concourse D.)
15. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA): The Seatac Centurion Lounge, expanded to nearly 14,000 square feet, offers a menu by chef Kristi Brown, a full-service coffee bar and a 40-foot mural by artist Harold Caudio. This lounge is located in the Central Terminal on the mezzanine level.

So no matter which Centurion Lounge location you visit, you’re guaranteed a luxurious experience.

Centurion Lounges Around the World

In addition to the U.S.-based Centurion Lounges, Amex currently boasts 11 international Centurion Lounge locations, spread across Asia, Europe, Oceania, and Central and South America.

Here’s the full list of international airports with Amex Centurion Lounges:

• 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)

What Awaits Inside: The Signature Centurion Lounge Experience

Stepping through the blue doors of an Amex Centurion Lounge feels less like entering an airport facility and more like walking into a hotel lobby. And thankfully, the experience doesn’t stop at a check-in desk.

Let’s dive into some of the common amenities offered by Amex Centurion Lounges.

Dining That Rivals Top Restaurants

Dining is a focal point of the Centurion Lounge experience.

Centurion Lounge menus are designed in partnership with James Beard-nominated and award-winning chefs, including Lachlan Mackinnon-Patterson, Justin Yu, Dean Fearing and many more. Amex has focused on selecting local chefs to design each individual lounge’s menu, allowing the dishes to reflect the city they come from.

Each dish is designed and plated with restaurant-quality presentation. The quality of ingredients, care in preparation and rotating seasonal items are some of the hallmarks of Amex Centurion Lounges.

Whether it’s smoked salmon with dill vinaigrette in Seattle or brisket tacos with avocado crema in Houston, every plate aims to reflect local tastes, offering you a culinary preview or farewell to your destination.

Beyond Comfort: Wellness and Productivity Perks

Amex Centurion Lounges feature high-speed Wi-Fi, an abundance of charging stations and semi-private work pods for getting down to business.

Wellness amenities vary by location, but many Centurion Lounges offer quiet rooms, shower suites and, in some cases, complimentary and paid spa services. This makes Amex Centurion Lounges somewhere you can actively decompress before or between flights.

Smart Ways to Get the Most Out of Your Lounge Visit

A little planning can go a long way in maximizing the quality of your Centurion Lounge visit. If your travel day includes multiple layovers, you can visit multiple Centurion Lounges as long as each visit is tied to a valid, same-day itinerary.

Timing Is Everything: When to Visit for a Calm Experience

When it comes to getting the most out of your lounge experience, timing matters.

No matter the lounge, early morning and late evening hours tend to be quieter, particularly midweek—although there are exceptions to this rule. Certain lounges are far busier than others, and if you have a midday or late afternoon flight, there’s not much you can do to avoid the crowds.

However, you can take advantage of the American Express app to join the waitlist for the lounge, ensuring that you snag yourself a spot while en route to the airport, avoiding the need to queue when you arrive. You can access Centurion Lounges three hours prior to departure, so it’s a good idea to arrive early to maximize your time spent in the lounge.

Can You Hop Between Lounges During a Trip?

There’s nothing stopping you from visiting more than one lounge within a single itinerary trip.

As long as you have a same-day boarding pass for any flight, there’s nothing stopping you from visiting a Centurion Lounge in your departure airport and layover airport en route to your final destination.

Generally speaking, you can’t usually visit Centurion lounges upon arrival. However, this rule is lifted for Centurion Card holders. For all other travelers, you can enter Centurion Lounges only before a flight. Unless you’re on a long layover, you can’t enter the lounge until three hours before departure.

Lounge Limitations and How to Navigate Them Smoothly

The most frequent complaints heard about Amex Centurion Lounges are overcrowding and confusion over guest policies.

Given the popularity of Amex’s Centurion Lounges and their comparatively small network, there’s often a significant amount of demand for them. That means long queues—both outside and sometimes even inside the lounge.

Certain lounges are designed to better handle large numbers of people while others simply have more square-footage, creating a less busy environment.

As Amex’s Centurion Lounge network continues to expand, overcrowding will hopefully dissipate. In the meantime, checking the Amex app in advance and trying to book travel during off-peak times is your best bet for avoiding the crowds.

The second complaint is confusion over guest policies. This can be solved by ensuring that you familiarize yourself with the specific rules of each lounge pertaining to guest access and, if in doubt, contact the lounge in advance.

Designing a Travel Strategy Around Lounge Access

With so many benefits on offer, American Express cards give you the opportunity to use multiple cardholders perks in a single day.

Here are some ways you can stack your cardholder perks for a more memorable, luxurious and enjoyable experience.

Pairing Lounge Access With Other Elite Perks

To make the most of your Amex Centurion Lounge experience, it’s easy to double-down on cardholder perks, especially when you’ve got an Platinum Card^® Card in your wallet.

For instance, in addition to the Platinum Card^® Card lounge access, you can take advantage of the Card’s TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry statement credit*, enabling you to speed through TSA screening and spend more time with your feet up in the lounge. The Platinum Card^® rewards the frequent traveler with a plethora of benefits you can combine in a single trip.

Alternatively, if you have a co-branded airline credit card like the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card, you can take advantage of a free first checked bag for you and each of your travel companions, complimentary upgrade priority, as well as a companion certificate for a first class, Delta Comfort+® or main cabin round-trip flight within the U.S. or to Mexico, the Caribbean or Central America.

Given the wealth of benefits that American Express cards offer, it’s easy to stack them all up in one trip. This way, you’ll not only have an easier trip, but you’ll also help offset your card’s annual fee through perk maximization.

* Receive either a $100 statement credit every four years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® application fee (when applying through a TSA official enrollment provider), in each case when charged to your eligible American Express card.

What’s Ahead: New Locations and Updates to Watch For

American Express is continuing to expand its growing network of Centurion Lounges, both at home and abroad.

In 2025, new Centurion Lounges are set to open in Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) and in Tokyo-Haneda International Airport (HND). In 2026, a Centurion Lounge will be opening in Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and in 2027, another one is set to open in Boston Logan International Airport (BOS).

With a growing network of both domestic and international lounges, high-quality food, drink, service and amenities, getting access to Amex Centurion Lounges should be a top priority for frequent travelers. So the next time you’re flying, use the My10x Lounge Finder tool to help you find Amex Centurion Lounges and any other available lounges in your airport of departure.