Amex Centurion Lounge Expansion: Newark and Heathrow Debuts, Houston and Philly Getting Bigger

Updated: October 8, 2026, 8:02am CDT

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New Centurion Lounges at Heathrow and Newark
Centurion Lounge Renovations
Final Thoughts

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Four cities, 1 huge network expansion.

American Express has confirmed that new Centurion Lounges or expansions are coming to Houston (IAH), London Heathrow (LHR), Newark (EWR), and Philadelphia (PHL).

“We’re investing in the lounges our card members already know and love while continuing to open new spaces,” said Audrey Hendley, president of American Express Travel.

Here’s what’s to come.

New Centurion Lounges at Heathrow and Newark

Newark Liberty International

The most hotly anticipated Centurion Lounge opening has finally been confirmed. After its announcement in 2021, we can look forward to a brand-new 30,000-square-foot space in Newark’s Terminal A in 2027.

Amex Centurion EWR Rendering Terrace Bar — Rendering of the bar area. Image Credit: American Express

Highlights will include Amex’s new Blue Roast coffee and no less than 3 bars, with the Terrace Bar serving gelato, pastries, and Italian-style cocktails as a nod to New Jersey’s rich Italian connections.

Hot Tip:

To access American Express’ Centurion lounges, you’ll need one of the following cards in your wallet: the Platinum Card^® from American Express, The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express, and the Centurion^® Card from American Express*, as well as the Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card or the Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve Business American Express Card. You must be flying Delta the same day to use a Delta credit card for access.

*The information regarding the Centurion^® Card from American Express was independently collected by Upgraded Points and neither provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

London Heathrow Terminal 5

Over in Europe, and hot on the heels of the recent opening in Amsterdam, a second Centurion Lounge has been announced for the U.K.’s busiest airport.

The new 9,000-square-foot space will be located in Terminal 5, the hub for most of British Airways and all of Iberia‘s flights. Save for 2 very average independent lounges, the terminal is dominated by British Airways’ own lounges. As such, the addition of a Centurion Lounge should greatly improve the airport experience for passengers who aren’t eligible to access BA’s lounges.

Amex Centurion LHR T5 Rendering Main Bar — Rendering of the bar area. Image Credit: American Express

The opening date for the Terminal 5 lounge is currently scheduled for sometime in 2028. The first Heathrow Centurion Lounge opened in Terminal 3 in 2021.

Hot Tip:

As Delta operates from Terminal 3, cobranded Delta cardholders will not have access to the new lounge in Terminal 5.

Centurion Lounge Renovations

George Bush Intercontinental Airport

The existing Houston Centurion Lounge will be almost tripled from 8,000 to 23,000 square feet. It will also feature one of Amex’s new Blue Roast Coffee bars as well as new specialty dining and craft cocktail options.

When the updates are finished by 2028, cardholders will also enjoy redesigned restrooms and premium shower suites.

Amex Centurion IAH Rendering Main Bar — Rendering of the lounge’s interior. Image Credit: American Express

The silver lining is that Amex hasn’t said anything about plans to close the lounge during expansion works.

Philadelphia International Airport

Amex is going to double the size of the existing Centurion Lounge in Philadelphia by expanding it to 2 stories and more than 12,000 square feet.

Amex Centurion PHL Rendering Blue Roast Coffee — Rendering of the Blue Roast Coffee bar coming to the lounge.Image Credit: American Express

When work gets underway on October 26, 2026, the lounge will be temporarily closed. The expected completion date is by the end of 2027.

Final Thoughts

From Texas to the East Coast and across the Pond in London, new Centurion Lounges and expansions are on the way. While the updates and refurbs to the Houston and Philly locations will be welcome, it’s the confirmed new locations at Newark and London that we’re most looking forward to.

We’ll keep an eye on the projects and be back with an update once we have firm opening dates. Hopefully the new and larger lounges will help with the problem of overcrowding and waitlists at the door.