A New Centurion Lounge Is Opening in Amsterdam This Week. Here’s a Look Inside.

American Express is about to open a Centurion Lounge at Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) this week, and we were invited to take a peek before doors open to the public.

The lounge, which is Amex’s 33rd location, opens its doors to the public at 6 a.m. on Thursday, September 17 and covers nearly 6,000 square feet.

Shall we take a look inside?

Amsterdam Has Only the Third Centurion Lounge in Europe

The first European Centurion Lounge opened at London Heathrow (LHR) back in October 2021. The new location at Schiphol is only Europe’s third lounge and the first to open on continental Europe with full Centurion Lounge branding, unlike the American Express Lounge by Pontus Frithiof in Stockholm.

“Amsterdam is a very important hub for North American travelers,” said Audrey Hendley, president of American Express Travel, when I asked why Amsterdam was the first choice out of all the other major airports in Europe.

Amsterdam is also a very important gateway for SkyTeam member Delta Air Lines, whose passengers traveling on a Delta flight booked with a co-branded Delta American Express credit card will now have a shiny new Centurion Lounge to visit when passing through Amsterdam.

While Hendley didn’t deny there could be more European Centurion Lounges in the pipeline, the focus is now on finishing current expansion and refurbishment projects in the U.S. and Australia.

Location of the Centurion Lounge at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport

Amsterdam’s departures and arrivals are split between Schengen and non-Schengen zones, so whether you have access the Centurion Lounge without having to spend time in the passport control line depends on where you’re traveling to and from.

Hot Tip:

If you haven’t heard “Schengen” before, it’s a treaty that allows free movement between member states without having to show passports. Schengen member states include the Netherlands and 28 other European nations.

As the lounge is located in the non-Schengen part of the airport between Concourses E and F, some passengers will have easier access than others. For example, if you’re heading to the U.S. and your journey starts in Amsterdam, you won’t have to factor in any extra time beyond normal for passport control.

However, the below table shows whether you’ll have to clear passport control when connecting. It’s worth considering this if you’re planning to visit the lounge on a short layover.

Inside the Lounge

After checking in at reception, with its classic Amex green wall, you’re greeted by a portrait of the Amex’s long-standing bulldog mascot.

The space is split into 3 main areas. As you enter, the Blue Roast by American Express café is behind the welcome feature wall. This is only the fourth Blue Roast café in the Centurion Lounge network.

This area has some casual café-style tables and chairs, as well as these cozy booths.

To the right of the Blue Roast café is the coziest area of the lounge, which feels more like a living room of a private residence or luxury hotel suite than a lounge. The floor-length windows and high ceilings give the impression that the lounge is larger than it is.

I think this is one of the brightest, most colorful, and welcoming spaces I can remember of all the Centurion Lounges I’ve visited.

“While we’re in an airport, we want our customers to feel like they’re home with American Express,” Hendley said.

The earthy color palette of greens and blues is to represent the Dutch landscapes and the canals that Amsterdam is known for.

I really liked the semiprivate reading nook, decorated with Delft-style tiles featuring images of dogs.

And finally, if you turn left when entering the lounge, you’ll find the hot and cold buffet, bar, and main dining seating area. More on that to come.

As always with Amex’s newest Centurion locations, they really leaned into local artistry and design.

I was obsessed with the little ornamental book displays all around the lounge.

Another stand-out design element is the Delft-style wall hangings.

A clear effort was made to ensure guests are never too far away from a charging point. This is the first time I’ve seen a lounge prioritize USB-C ports completely by not adding any USB-A charge points.

Even the restrooms were beautifully decorated. Unfortunately, the lounge doesn’t have showers.

Complimentary Food and Drinks

All food and beverages offered in the lounge are complimentary.

It’s always great to see colorful and healthy options at the buffet.

The hot buffet will have up to 5 dishes at any given time. I particularly enjoyed the roasted chicken in a honey and mustard glaze.

There was also a very tempting dessert selection.

Guests can also enjoy typical Dutch cuisine, such as bitterballen — a fried meat snack that is a bit like a Dutch take on arancini.

As for drinks, there was a hot drink station (in addition to the café) and a full-service bar with everything from spirits and cocktails to wine and Champagne. Guests who don’t drink alcohol can enjoy a punchy selection of mocktails, including Amex’s signature Member’s Mojito.

Hours of Operation

The Amsterdam Centurion Lounge is open daily from 6 a.m. until 9:30 p.m. as of September 17, 2026.

How To Access the American Express Centurion Lounge at Amsterdam

Access to the Centurion Lounge at Amsterdam Schiphol is strictly for passengers departing the airport with one of the following cards in their wallet:

• Platinum Card^® from American Express
• The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express
• Centurion^® Card from American Express

Additionally, if you purchased your same-day Delta flight with either the Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card or the Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve Business American Express Card, you are also eligible to use the lounge.

Access is granted no more than 3 hours before your scheduled departing flight — or up to 5 hours during a layover.

Guest Access

Cardholders of the Amex Platinum card, Amex Business Platinum card, Delta Reserve card, and Delta Reserve Business card can bring up to 2 guests for $50 per person or $30 per child ages 2 to 17. However, cardholders of the Amex Platinum card or Amex Business Platinum card who reach an annual spend of $75,000 on eligible purchases unlock the ability to bring up to 2 guests into the lounge at no charge. All guests must be traveling on the same flight as the cardholder; this rule went into effect in July 2026.

Centurion cardholders can always bring up to 2 complimentary guests or immediate family members, including a spouse or domestic partner and children under 18.

Final Thoughts

It was about time Europe had another Centurion Lounge, and Amex has finally supplied us with an excellent location at one of the continent’s most important gateways.

The relaxing atmosphere, Dutch-inspired design, and hearty meal options are sure to make Amex’s newest lounge a hit with cardholders. However, some guests might not appreciate the lack of shower facilities and crisscrossing through border control for access.

I’m already looking forward to my next visit as a passenger.