Amex Expands Centurion Lounge Network, New Guest Policy

American Express has been on a tear with big news. Along with the changes made to The Platinum Card® from American Express, which include a higher annual fee and hundreds of dollars in new statement credits, big changes have also been made to the Global Lounge Collection that Amex offers. Let’s take a look.

Table of Contents

Who Has Access to the Global Lounge Collection?
Which Lounges Have Changed?
New Access for Eligible Delta Amex Cardholders
Guest Access Changes Coming in 2023
Final Thoughts

Who Has Access to the Global Lounge Collection?

Delta Sky Club FLL — You can access Delta Sky Club, like the newest club in Fort Lauderdale (FLL), when flying Delta as an Amex Platinum cardholder. Image Credit: Delta Air Lines

Select American Express cardholders have complimentary access to the Global Lounge Collection, which features over 1,300 lounges across 140 countries worldwide, including:

Aspire Lounges
Centurion Lounges (including international locations)
Delta Sky Club (when flying with Delta)
Escape Lounges – The Centurion Studio Partner (U.S. locations)
Escape Lounges (U.K. locations)
Lufthansa Lounges (select locations when flying with Lufthansa Group)
Plaza Premium Lounges
Priority Pass Select lounges

Those who hold the Amex Platinum card, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, or the Centurion® Card from American Express can gain entry to the entire Global Lounge Collection.

Which Lounges Have Changed?

Starting July 1, 2021, American Express has chosen to convert all of its International American Express Lounges to Centurion Lounges. This brings the total network to 40+ Centurion Lounge and Studio locations worldwide.

Escape Lounges in the U.S. will also be updated and cobranded as Escape Lounges – The Centurion Studio Partner.

Though Amex Platinum and Centurion cardmembers have had Lufthansa Lounge access in Munich (MUC) and Frankfurt (FRA) previously due to a limited arrangement, select lounges in additional airports have now been permanently added to the Global Lounge Collection (terms and conditions apply).

New Access for Eligible Delta Amex Cardholders

Cardholders of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card will now gain access to Escape Lounges – The Centurion Studio Partner. Delta Reserve cardholders are allowed to have 2 guests accompany them at a “per-visit rate equal to the guest fee of the respective Escape Lounge location.”

Guest Access Changes Coming in 2023

At this time, Amex Platinum card and Amex Business Platinum cardholders are allowed free entry for themselves and up to 2 guests. However, beginning February 1, 2023, complimentary guest access for these cardholders will be eliminated (presumably to address long-standing complaints about overcrowding at Centurion Lounges).

The new fee per guest will be $50 per adult or $30 per child between 2 to 17 years old.

Complimentary guest access for up to 2 guests per visit will be reinstated once you’ve spent $75,000 in eligible purchases in a calendar year (beginning 2022).

Guest access for Centurion cardholders will remain the same.

Final Thoughts

Rebranding the Centurion Lounge network will bring the total number of Centurion Lounges and Studios to more than 40 around the world, though this isn’t a huge change for those looking to use the lounges.

While the future change to the guest access policy for the Centurion Lounge system is unfortunate, we still have some time to enjoy complimentary guest access. If you’re really desperate to keep bringing in guests beyond February 2023, consider spending $75,000 on your card annually to maintain free access, or otherwise consider adding authorized card users to your Amex Platinum card or Amex Business Platinum card.

The information regarding the Centurion® Card from American Express was independently collected by Upgraded Points and was not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

9 comments

Safa rashid September 10, 2022

Does this mean that cardholders will still have complimentary access? And, just guests have to pay? Or do cardholders who spend less than 75k have to pay?

Christine Krzyszton September 11, 2022
Hello Safa. Cardholders will still have complimentary access regardless and not have to spend $75,000 to keep it. Beginning February 1, 2023, complimentary guest access for these cardholders will be eliminated unless the cardholder has spent $75,000 on the card.
Reply
- Zab Pir October 6, 2022
  What if the cardholder has an American Express Platinum card and also has an American Express Delta SkyMiles Reserve card? Does the 75K spend limit have to be made on the Amex Platinum card or can you also qualify by making it on the Amex Delta SkyMiles Reserve card?
  Reply
  - Christine Krzyszton October 7, 2022
    Hello Zab. The spending requirement applies to U.S. Amex Business Platinum cards and personal U.S. Amex Platinum cards. Official posting by American Express states, “U.S. Platinum Card® and U.S. Business Platinum Card® Members will qualify for Complimentary Guest Access for up to two guests per visit after spending $75,000 in eligible purchases on their Card between January 1, 2022 and December 31, 2022 and in each calendar year thereafter.” Delta SkyMiles Reserve cardholders can bring 2 guests at the per-visit rate, currently $50 for each person. Terms apply.
    Reply

Amy October 30, 2022

If I’m a card holder, do I still have to pay for my own kid’s access to the lounge? What’s my annual fee actually covering?

Jarrod West October 31, 2022
Hi Amy,
Starting February 1, 2023, you will have to pay a guest access of $30 per child and $50 per adult, unless you spend $75,000 on the card in the previous calendar year.
Reply

Dan Rock January 5, 2023

Can’t wait. Horribly packed all the time.

Kyle January 21, 2023

This is just in the Centurion lounge? And it’s $50 per visit to the lounge?

Christine Krzyszton January 22, 2023
The new guest policy applies to Centurion lounges. Cardholders will still have complimentary access but starting February 1, 2023, guest access will be $30 per child and $50 per adult unless you spend $75,000 on the card in the previous calendar year.
Reply

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Amex Expands Centurion Lounge Network, Changes Guest Policy

Who Has Access to the Global Lounge Collection?

Which Lounges Have Changed?

New Access for Eligible Delta Amex Cardholders

Guest Access Changes Coming in 2023

Final Thoughts

About Carissa Rawson

9 comments

Any thoughts or questions? Comment below! Cancel reply

Advertiser Disclosure

Who Has Access to the Global Lounge Collection?

Which Lounges Have Changed?

New Access for Eligible Delta Amex Cardholders

Guest Access Changes Coming in 2023

Final Thoughts

About Carissa Rawson

9 comments

Any thoughts or questions? Comment below! Cancel reply

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Advertiser Disclosure