The Hong Kong (HKG) American Express Centurion Lounge – Location, Hours, Amenities, and More

Key Takeaways

• The Hong Kong (HKG) American Express Centurion Lounge is in Terminal 1 near gate 60, accessible by an escalator to level 7, and open from 3 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
• The 8,000-square-foot lounge offers a phone room, computer bar, locally-inspired cuisine, high-speed Wi-Fi, a member service desk, a premium bar, shower suites, and a dedicated work area.
• There’s a bar-like seating area with stools facing large windows for great views of the airport and runways.

American Express’ lounge network covers both domestic U.S. locations and key international cities. Hong Kong is one of American Express’ international flagship Centurion Lounge locations and features a well-equipped facility that provides complimentary food, drinks, areas to relax, tables to work and restrooms to freshen up.

While the lounge isn’t as large as other locations, the Centurion Lounge Hong Kong plays host to several upgraded amenities that allow it to compete with many of the first class options in the airport, mainly those belonging to Cathay Pacific.

In this post, we’ll look at how to access the Centurion Lounge Hong Kong, what amenities you can expect, tips and tricks for making the most of your visit, and sample menus of the food and drink you’ll be able to experience during your stay.

How To Access the Centurion Lounge Hong Kong

As the name suggests, the Centurion Lounge Hong Kong belongs to the American Express Centurion Lounge network, where you’ll need either The Platinum Card^® from American Express, The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express, Centurion^® Card from American Express, Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card (when you book your Delta flight with your Delta Reserve card), or Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve Business American Express Card (when you book your Delta flight with your Delta Reserve Business card) to enter.

Hot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a welcome bonus offer of up to 125k (or 150k) points with the Amex Platinum card. The current public offer is 80,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)

Your credit card can be issued in any country (for example, you can use the Hong Kong version of the Amex Platinum card), and can also be a co-branded version (one where Amex partners with another brand for additional benefits), such as the American Express Platinum Card for Schwab^®.

There are a few rules you’ll need to abide by, however, since this is a Centurion Lounge:

• Day of departure flights only — You’re only allowed to enter the Centurion Lounge on the day of your flight, and you won’t receive access if you’re arriving from a flight, except for connections.
• No more than 3 hours before your flight — To prevent overcrowding, American Express has revised their lounge access policy to restrict entry on flights that are more than 3 hours before departure. You’ll need to wait until it is 3 hours before departure to be let in unless you have a connecting flight, in which case you can come in as soon as you land.

Lounge Guest Policy

• Amex Platinum card and Amex Business Platinum cardmembers may enter with up to 2 complimentary guests if they have spent $75,000 in eligible purchases in a calendar year. Otherwise, a guest day pass can be purchased for $50 per adult or $30 per child between the ages of 2 and 17.
• Centurion cardmembers may enter with up to 2 guests or immediate family (spouse or domestic partner, and children under 18) at no additional charge.
• Delta Reserve cardholders may bring up to 2 guests at a per-visit rate of $50 per person, per location.
• Amex Platinum card, Amex Business Platinum card, and Centurion cardmembers may purchase a day pass for any additional guests for $50.

Lounge Location

The lounge is located in Terminal 1, which is host to several airlines, including Hong Kong’s own Cathay Pacific. There’s an escalator by gate 60 you’ll take up to level 7 where you’re greeted by a wall with the blue American Express logo. On this level, there is also a United Club and a Plaza Premium Priority Pass lounge, for reference.

Lounge Hours

The lounge is open from 3 p.m. through 12:30 a.m., covering the vast majority of flight departures and connections. 

Entering the Lounge

As you walk through the blue glass, you’ll see the familiar greenery wall present in most Centurion Lounges. Lounge attendants will greet you and ask for your Amex Platinum card or Centurion card, your boarding pass, and identification.

They’ll check to be sure you’re credentialed to enter, and if you are, you’ll be given the Wi-Fi password and a brief overview of the facilities. All of the rooms and amenities are located down a long corridor once you pass the registration desk.

Lounge Amenities

According to American Express, the Centurion Lounge at Hong Kong airport features:

The lounge is approximately 8,000 feet in size, making it feel relatively small when compared to other Centurion Lounge locations. 

Meeting Space

The Centurion Lounge Hong Kong has 2 meeting rooms and 1 phone room. One of the meeting rooms is larger than the other, with seating for up to 10 around a conference table. The room is equipped with a flat-screen television on the wall where you can share presentations or watch television.

The smaller meeting room simply has a small conference table with seating up to 8, and the phone room is a quiet place where you can take a conference call or the like.

There is no charge to rent these rooms, and they’re first-come-first-served (or first-reserved).

Hot Tip: To reserve these meeting rooms, speak to the guest services staff upon entering the lounge. Some cardmembers have had luck having American Express directly reserve the meeting rooms through such services as the American Express Platinum concierge, though your experience may differ. 

Bar Area

As you walk past the meeting rooms, there’s a bar area featuring 6 seats around the bar and then 4 tables just off to the side, with additional seating available nearby. The bar hosts several complimentary cocktails and drinks, and there are also some self-serve options depending on the time of day.

Seating

This lounge is on the smaller side, but it does have a fair amount of seating, mostly with clustered chairs around small coffee tables. There are some traditional dining tables, but most of what you’ll find is grouped together.

If you want some fabulous views of the airport and runways, there is a bar-like seating area with stools facing a series of large window panes — a perfect view for any AvGeek!

Hot Tip: The lounge isn’t great for those who are here on an extended stay who want a place to nap or sprawl out, so if you need a quiet place to catch some shut-eye, you may want to look at other lounge locations.

Food and Drink

Food is available all day from 3 p.m. until 12 a.m., and everything is self-serve and free of charge.

For breakfast, you can anticipate dishes like:

• Scrambled eggs
• Chicken sausage, bacon, and sautéed vegetables
• Yogurt and fruit bar
• Dim sum basket
• Pancakes, maple syrup, mixed berry compute, whipped cream, and butter
• Chicken congee with condiments, shredded ginger, pickled turnips, and spring onion

For lunch and dinner you can expect dishes like:

• Leek and potato soup
• Pan-fried sole fillet with caper cream sauce
• Gnocchi with Pomodoro sauce
• Beef bourguignon with baby onion and mushrooms
• Baked broccoli and cauliflower with a Mornay sauce
• Kale Mediterranean and olive salad
• Wild rice and barley salad with almond and dried apricots

For dessert:

• Tiramisu
• Baked caramel mousse cake
• Cookies

If you’re checking out the bar, you’re in for a treat. Jim Meehan is American Express’ expert mixologist and has worked up some great cocktails. Jim has served as a bartender in some of the hottest restaurants and bars in New York City (like Gramercy Tavern and the Pegu Club) and opened PDT, a James Beard award-winning bar.

He’s even got his own bar-inspired consulting firm, Mixography, Inc., so you know he’s the man for the job to make you the perfect drink.

Here’s what you can expect:

• Blue Door which includes Johnny Walker Black Scotch Whisky, Myer’s Dark Rum, Benedictine and lemon juice
• Rickshaw which includes Ciroc Vodka, Canton Ginger Liqueur, lemon juice, Midori 
• Gin Basil Collins which includes Botanist Gin, Kimono Yuzu soda, lemon juice, simple syrup 
• Tea-quila Highball which includes chilled lemon verbena tea, Siete Leguas Blanco Tequila, agave syrup, St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur 
• Soycar which includes Remy Martin V.S.O.P Cogna, lemon juice, Mandarin Napoleon, simple syrup, soy sauce 
• Skyball, which includes East Imperial Tonic Water, Botanist Gin, and Talisker 10 Year Single Malt Scotch
• Boutineer, which includes Mt. Gay Black Barrel Rum, Cocchi Americano, Italicus, Rosolio di Bergamotto
• Bobby’s Fortune, which includes Bruichladdich Classic Whisky, Martini Sweet Vermouth, Benedictine, and Smiling Sesame Date

There are also several wines on offer, too, as of late 2019 (wine served 3 p.m. until 12 a.m.):

• Brut, G.H. Mumm Cordon Rouge, NV, Champagne, France
• Cabernet Sauvignon, The Federalist Lodi, 2015, Sonoma, California
• Chardonnay, Terlato Family, 2014, Russian River, California
• Merlot, Grace Vineyard Tasya’s Reserve, 2011, Shanxi, China
• Moscato, Seven Daughters, 2016, California
• Pinot Grigio, Lunardi, 2016, Veneto, Italy
• Pinot Noir, Flor de Campo, 2014, Santa Barbara, California
• Prosecco, Riondo Spumante, NV, Veneto, Italy
• Prosecco, Riondo Spunmantel, NV, Veneto, Italy
• Rosé, Sanford Estate, 2016, Santa Rita Hills, California
• Sauvignon Blanc, Markham, 2016, Napa Valley, California

If you’re not an alcohol drinker, there’s a fridge with Coke, Diet Coke, Coke Zero, Fanta, Sprite, Pellegrino, Acqua Panna, tonic water, and ginger beer. In the same area is a coffee machine, dispensing traditional coffees, lattes, cappuccinos, and more.

Bottom LineAll food and drink in the Centurion Lounge is complimentary.

Restrooms and Showers

The lounge features men’s and women’s restrooms, as well as 2 separate, private shower rooms. These shower rooms are equipped with a toilet, sink, and shower and feature complimentary soaps, shaving kits, and other accessories, as well as a bath mat, towel, and washcloth. These are replaced new after each visitor. 

The showers are first-come-first-served, and to gain access, you need to reserve them at the front desk. During peak flight departure times, you may notice a wait for the showers, so it’s best to reserve early so you can guarantee yourself a spot.

Wi-Fi

The entire Centurion Lounge space features complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi throughout, perfect for you to work or download your favorite movie before leaving on a flight. You can get the password to the Wi-Fi at check-in or by visiting the guest services desk.

Computer Bar

The lounge features several Mac computers you can use to browse the internet on, check emails, or print small documents. These computers and printers are free of charge to access. 

Magazines and Newspapers

The lounge has several international magazines and newspapers on offer, including several in different languages. You can take any of these with you to read on your journey. 

Print, Fax, and Copy Services

If you need any document printed, faxed, or copied, you can see one of the hosts at the entry desk and they’d be happy to assist you in getting that done, or you can visit the self-service computer bar for any minor tasks. This is perfect for printing that last document before an important business meeting or signing a time-sensitive contract.

Centurion Cardholder Section

There is a special mini-lounge located within the Centurion Lounge Hong Kong reserved for Centurion cardholders.

American Express shares some details about what you’ll find in this private space:

“The private Centurion area will also feature an a la carte menu designed by Michelin star chef, Lau Yiu Fai of Yan Toh Heen at the InterContinental Hong Kong. Chef Lau’s menu will offer Cantonese dishes such as baked pork in puff pastry, crispy spring rolls with kimchi and pork, crispy fresh prawns with black truffles, braised wagyu beef cheek and turnip, barbecued pork with honey and steamed rice, and baked egg tartlettes with bird’s nest, among others.”

Final Thoughts

The American Express Centurion Lounge Hong Kong is a great retreat in this otherwise busy airport. An airline-specific lounge, such as one of Cathay Pacific’s, will generally have better food and amenities, but if those lounges are crowded or you don’t have access, the American Express Centurion Lounge is certainly one of your best bets.

The information regarding the American Express Platinum Card for Schwab^® was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.