4 Amex Centurion Lounges That Are Definitely Worth Visiting in 2026

If you’re going to splurge on a premium card for airport lounge access, you’ll probably find the best value from The Business Platinum^® Card from American Express or the Platinum Card^® from American Express.

Both flagship American Express cards offer access to the Amex Global Lounge Collection, with more than 1,550 participating locations worldwide where you can have complimentary food and drinks. That includes Amex’s well-received Centurion Lounges.

However, not every Centurion Lounge offers the same experience. After visiting nearly every location over the years, I’ve found that each has its own personality. I’ll review and rank a few of my favorite Centurion Lounges in the U.S. and mention some amenities you won’t find elsewhere.

Amex Centurion Lounge Overview

With Centurion Lounges in nearly every major U.S. airport, it’s clear that no other airport lounge network can rival the scope that Amex offers. And, unlike airline-operated lounges, which require you to be flying with a specific carrier to enter, Centurion Lounges can be accessed with any confirmed boarding pass.

All Centurion Lounges offer a complimentary buffet, a full-service bar with beer, wine, and cocktails, high-speed Wi-Fi, and a variety of spaces to work or relax. Operating hours vary by location, but most Centurion Lounges open early in the morning and serve rotating breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus before closing in the evening.

Access is generally limited to within 3 hours of a scheduled departing flight or up to 5 hours before a connecting flight. By default, complimentary access is reserved for the primary cardholder, though guests can accompany you for a fee of $50 per adult or $30 per child from 2 to 17.

However, cardmembers who spend at least $75,000 on their account annually can unlock complimentary guest privileges for up to 2 companions for the remainder of that year (and the entire following calendar year). Note that, whether you’ve hit the $75,000 threshold or not, all guests have to be on the same flight as the primary cardholder as of July 8, 2026.

BEST LOUNGE CARD

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Platinum Card^® from American Express

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The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

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Platinum Card^® from American Express

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

Welcome Offer

You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $12,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.

As High As 175,000 Points. Find Out Your Offer.

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $3,850

Annual Fee

$895

APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than the Platinum Card^® from American Express.

Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access, hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,550 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges (enrollment required), Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
• 5x points per dollar spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year)
• 5x points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com

Cons

• $895 annual fee (rates and fees)
• Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)

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Card Highlights

• You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $12,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
• Get more for your travels with 5X Membership Rewards^® points on all flights and prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel^®, including Fine Hotels + Resorts^® and The Hotel Collection bookings. You earn 5X points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel^® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
• With over 1,550 airport lounges - more than any other credit card company on the market* - enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection, over $850 of annual value, with access to Centurion Lounges, 10 Delta Sky Club visits (subject to visit limitations) when flying on an eligible Delta flight, Priority Pass™ membership (enrollment required), and other select partner lounges. *As of 01/2026
• $200 Uber Cash + $120 Uber One Credit: With the Platinum Card^® you can receive $15 in Uber Cash each month plus a bonus $20 in December when you add your Platinum Card^® to your Uber account to use on rides and orders in the U.S when you select an Amex Card for your transaction. Plus, when you use the Platinum Card^® to pay for an auto-renewing Uber One membership, you can get up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year. Terms apply.
• $300 Digital Entertainment Credit: Experience the latest shows, news and recipes. Get up to $25 in statement credits each month when you use your Platinum Card^® for eligible purchases on Disney+, a Disney+ bundle, ESPN streaming services, Hulu, The New York Times, Paramount+, Peacock, The Wall Street Journal, YouTube Premium, and YouTube TV when you purchase directly from one or more of the providers. Enrollment required.
• $600 Hotel Credit: Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts^® or The Hotel Collection* bookings through American Express Travel^® using the Platinum Card^®. *The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• $400 Resy Credit + Platinum Nights™ by Resy: Get up to $100 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card^® to pay for eligible purchases with Resy, including dining purchases at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants. Enrollment required. As a Platinum Card^® Member you have special access to reservations on select nights at participating sought after Resy restaurants in select cities through Platinum Nights™ by Resy. Simply add your Platinum Card^® to your Resy profile to book your reservation.
• $219 CLEAR+ Credit: CLEAR+ helps get you to your gate faster by using your face to verify you are you at 55+ airports nationwide. You can cover the cost of a CLEAR+ Membership* with up to $219 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for CLEAR+ with your Platinum Card^®. *Excluding any applicable taxes and fees. Subject to auto-renewal.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by the airline to the Platinum Card^® Account. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
• Start your vacation sooner, and keep it going longer. When you book Fine Hotels + Resorts^® through American Express Travel^®, enjoy noon check-in, when available, and guaranteed 4PM late check-out.
• $300 lululemon Credit: Enjoy up to $75 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card^® for eligible purchases at U.S. lululemon retail stores (excluding outlets) and lululemon.com. That’s up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year. Enrollment required.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Get up to a $12.95* statement credit back each month after you pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with your Platinum Card^®. *Up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes on one membership fee.
• Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
• $895 annual fee.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: See Pay Over Time APR
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

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NEW OFFER

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The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

This card is ideal for business travelers who enjoy luxury travel and are looking for a card loaded with benefits!

Apply Now(at Amex's secure site)

The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express

This card is ideal for business travelers who enjoy luxury travel and are looking for a card loaded with benefits!

Welcome Offer

As High As 300,000 points. Find Out Your Offer. You may be eligible for as high as 300,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after spending $20,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.

As High As 300,000 Points. Find Out Your Offer.

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $6,600

Annual Fee

$895

APR

17.74% - 28.49% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

The Amex Business Platinum Card is a premium travel rewards card tailored for business owners who are frequent travelers with high annual expenses.

When you factor in the large number of perks that the card offers, like the best airport lounge access at over 1,550 lounges and numerous annual credits, it’s easy to see why this card is a top option for frequent traveling business owners.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Earn 5x Membership Rewards points per $1 on eligible travel purchases like flights, prepaid hotels, and prepaid short-term rentals booked through AmexTravel.com
• Access to over 1,550 worldwide airport lounges as part of the American Express Global Lounge Collection
• Earn 2x Membership Rewards points on eligible purchases in key business categories, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more (on up to $2 million per calendar year)

Cons

• High annual fee of $895 (rates & fees)
• Airline fee credit does not cover airfare, only incidentals like checked bags

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• As High As 300,000 points. Find Out Your Offer. You may be eligible for as high as 300,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after spending $20,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
• The American Express Global Lounge Collection^® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,550 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card company on the market as of 07/2025.
• See how you can unlock over $4,000 in business and travel value annually after meeting qualifying spend thresholds on the Business Platinum Card. Terms apply.
• Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually for up to a total of $600 in statement credits per calendar year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts^® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using the Business Platinum Card^®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• No Preset Spending Limit: The spending limit on the Business Platinum Card is flexible, so unlike a traditional credit card with a set limit, the amount you can spend adapts based on factors such as your purchase, payment and credit history.
• Make the Business Platinum Card^® work even harder for you. Hilton for Business members get up to $200 back per calendar year when you make an eligible purchase at Hilton properties across the globe. Gift cards are not an eligible purchase. Benefit enrollment required.
• Fly like a pro with a $200 Airline Fee Credit. Select one qualifying airline to receive up to $200 back per year on baggage fees and other incidentals.
• Use the Business Platinum Card and get up to $209 back per calendar year on your CLEAR+ Membership (subject to auto-renewal).
• Maximize your time away with Fine Hotels + Resorts through Amex Travel™.
• Enroll and get up to $150 in statement credits on U.S purchases directly with Dell Technologies on the Business Platinum Card and an additional $1,000 statement credit after you spend $5,000 or more on that same Card per calendar year.
• Enroll and get up to $300 in statement credits per calendar year on U.S. purchases of ChatGPT Business* on the Business Platinum Card. *Subject to auto-renewal.
• Enroll and get a $250 statement credit after you spend $600 or more on U.S. purchases directly with Adobe per calendar year on the Business Platinum Card.
• Get up to $90 in statement credits quarterly for purchases with Indeed on the Business Platinum Card. That’s up to $360 back per year. Enrollment required.
• Get up to $10 in statement credits per month for wireless telephone service purchases made directly with a wireless provider in the U.S. on the Business Platinum Card. That’s up to $120 back per year. Enrollment required.
• 2X points on purchases at U.S. construction material & hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on each eligible purchase of $5,000 or more, up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year. Purchases eligible for multiple additional point bonuses will only receive the highest eligible bonus.
• 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com
• 1X points on other eligible purchases
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 17.74% - 28.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

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1. Salt Lake City (SLC)

My home airport finally welcomed an Amex Centurion Lounge last fall. Even as the novelty of it has started to wear off, more of my recent visits have only affirmed that it is, indeed, a great space.

First, its location at SLC makes a lot of sense for non-Delta travelers, as the Centurion Lounge is at the far end of Concourse B, home to carriers including American Airlines, United Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, and JetBlue. (That said, Delta is continuing to expand its operations into Concourse B as additional gates are opening in addition to its main Concourse A gates.)

Once you spot the Centurion Lounge signage, a staff member directs you to the escalators or stairs leading to the reception desk to scan your boarding pass and eligible card. Just past the check-in area, the lounge opens up into a cozy living room with a fireplace and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the airfield.

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Front desk.

More than the rest of the Centurion Lounges on the list, Salt Lake City goes beyond a standard buffet with a delicious selection of menu items. This includes a dedicated coffee bar with made-to-order espresso drinks, smoothies, and desserts, and a grab-and-go station near the fireplace with more hors d’oeuvres and a self-serve cold brew machine.

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Actually good coffee from an airport lounge --- not just Starbucks.

Some days, staff members even roll out an ice cream cart featuring specialty flavors and a variety of toppings.

As this is one of the largest Centurion Lounges in the network, there are a few hidden spots that are easy to miss on your first visit. These include a dedicated wellness recovery room equipped with massage guns and compression boots, 2 private shower suites, and a spacious outdoor terrace featuring a second full-service bar.

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Quiet room for wellness and recovery.

2. Las Vegas (LAS)

Las Vegas was home to the very first Centurion Lounge, but that’s not the reason it earned a spot on this list. Instead, the airport is now home to the first-ever Sidecar by The Centurion Lounge, a new concept from American Express that debuted this past spring.

Unlike a traditional Centurion Lounge, Sidecar is a significantly smaller, sit-down-restaurant space where travelers can enjoy better food and drinks in an express setting. As there’s only room for 33 travelers, Sidecar has extremely strict entry limits, allowing guests to enter 90 minutes before their flight.

In Concourse D (where most domestic airlines depart from), Sidecar is just down the hall from the main Centurion Lounge. Although there’s usually a waitlist, it’s worth the stop if you’re looking for a full, made-to-order meal.

Unlike traditional Centurion Lounges, Sidecar places a much stronger emphasis on the dining experience, with American Express partnering with high-profile chefs and sommeliers to deliver a true restaurant-quality menu.

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Really good avocado toast with a labneh spread.

As with any other Centurion Lounge, all food and beverages at Sidecar are complimentary with eligible access, which is hard to believe with the quality dining experience you find here.

3. Atlanta (ATL)

The largest Centurion Lounge in the network is in Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). You can find it in Concourse E, which primarily serves international departures, so domestic travelers need to hop on the underground Plane Train to get here.

That extra trip, though, is well worth it. Once inside, you feel a sense of peace, worlds away from the world’s busiest airport, thanks to lush greenery, a stunning 50-year-old olive tree, and multiple outdoor terraces open year-round.

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Breathtaking space. Image Credit: Daniel Ross

In many ways, the Atlanta lounge rivals Salt Lake City’s in terms of amenities for travelers. Just inside the entrance is The Reserve by American Express, the company’s first craft whiskey bar, which complements the main full-service bar in the center of the lounge.

Toward the back of the lounge, there are 2 buffet stations serving a rotating selection of Southern-inspired comfort food, which helps to thin out crowds during busy travel periods.

Considering that several Centurion Lounges lack shower facilities due to space constraints, it’s impressive that this lounge features 3 private shower suites for guests.

4. Seattle (SEA)

While several new Amex Centurion Lounges are expected to open in the coming years, it’s also nice to see existing locations receive much-needed upgrades.

The Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) location reopened in 2023 after a major refresh, and it’s arguably the best Centurion Lounge on the West Coast today. Its location is incredibly convenient for travelers flying from any concourse, as it’s on the Central Terminal mezzanine.

It’s very reminiscent of what Salt Lake City’s location offers today, with abundant natural light no matter where you’re seated. The Blue Roast by American Express full-service coffee and smoothie bar originated here, and it even features an ice cream cart during the summer.

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The first Blue Roast Coffee Bar.

It’s a great spot to work from, with a couple of soundproof work booths and comfortable, café-style seating. There’s only 1 shower suite, which gets quite busy, so it’s important to sign up for a slot early.

Final Thoughts

American Express features the most comprehensive airport lounge program, and these spaces are just a glimpse of what’s available across its network — both within the U.S. and abroad. Other credit card issuers have since entered the airport lounge space, but they’re mostly playing catch-up with what Amex offers.

However, American Express is far from completing its airport lounge network. While the issuer is building new spaces, it’s also renovating existing ones that need a bit more love or adding a few personalized touches that seal them as memorable parts of the travel journey.