[CLOSED] American Express Centurion Lounge at São Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport [Review]

Update:

As of March 1, 2025, American Express has confirmed that this lounge is closed. No reason or potential reopening was provided. Going forward, eligible cardholders can visit the W Lounge Pier and W 5th Av.

When I lived in Brazil, I regularly passed through the American Express Centurion Lounge at São Paulo-Guarulhos International Airport (GRU). It wasn’t always a Centurion Lounge — previously, it was an American Express International Lounge accessible with a Priority Pass membership. Now, it’s accessible only by those with Amex’s most premium cards.

The Centurion Lounge at GRU is open around the clock and has several great amenities and top-notch Wi-Fi. The lounge also has a separate dining space reserved for Centurion cardholders, but its location leaves a bit to be desired.

Here’s what a visit to this lounge is like.

Location

The Centurion Lounge is located in GRU’s Terminal 3, which handles most international flights at the airport. There is no airside connection between terminals, meaning the Centurion Lounge isn’t accessible by those departing Terminals 1 or 2.

After clearing security and passport control, the lounge is on the second floor, up the escalators on your left side. A sign saying “Salas VIP” will indicate the direction. There are also elevators nearby to access the floors on the upper level.

If you wind up in the central duty-free area, you’ve missed your turn. Looking back and up, you’ll notice the Centurion Lounge on the open walkway above you.

You’ll find lounges at the top of the escalators for LATAM and American Airlines, among others. Once you follow the blue wall around to the right side, this will lead to the Centurion Lounge’s front entrance and the traditional green wall at the reception desk.

Given that the lounge is before duty-free and well before the departure gates, it’s easy to find. However, that also makes it far from several departure gates. Allow at least 5 minutes to reach your gate when departing from gates 301 to 310, 10 minutes to reach gates 311 to 320, and 15 minutes for gates above 320.

It’s also possible to transfer from Terminal 2 to Terminal 3 airside if you’re connecting from another country and only transiting Brazil en route to a third country. If you arrive in T3 this way (from the rear hallways with a separate security checkpoint), look for signs pointing up to duty-free and lounges. If you pass this exit from the hallway, you’ll wind up exiting the hallway near gate 302 and need to backtrack to find the lounges.

Gaining Access

Access is reserved for those with a premium American Express travel card. Those with the Platinum Card^® from American Express, The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express, or the Centurion^® Card from American Express can access this lounge. This Centurion Lounge also allows children under 12 to get in free with an adult, which is different from the age rules at most U.S. lounges,

You won’t be able to enter the lounge without one of these cards, and there’s no way to buy a day pass or access with another type of lounge membership.

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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.

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 spending $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.

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

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $3,850

Annual Fee

$895

APR

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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 $8,000 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.
• More Value! 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 complimentary Delta Sky Club^® visits when flying on an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations), Priority Pass Select membership (enrollment required), and other select partner lounges. * As of 07/2025.
• More Value! $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.
• More Value! $300 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $25 in statement credits each month after you pay for eligible purchases with the Platinum Card^® at participating partners. Enrollment required.
• More Value! $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.
• New! $400 Resy Credit + Platinum Nights by Resy: When you use the Platinum Card^® to pay at U.S. Resy restaurants and to make other eligible purchases through Resy, you can get up to $100 in statement credits each quarter with the $400 Resy Credit benefit. Plus, with Platinum Nights by Resy, you can get special access to reservations on select nights at participating in demand Resy restaurants with the Platinum Card^®. Simply add your eligible Card to your Resy profile to book and discover Platinum Nights reservations near you, enrollment required.
• More Value! $209 CLEAR^® Plus Credit: CLEAR^® Plus helps get you to your gate faster by using unique facial attributes to verify you are you at 50+ airports nationwide. You can cover the cost of a CLEAR Plus Membership* with up to $209 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for CLEAR Plus with the 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 upon arrival, when available, and guaranteed 4PM check-out.
• New! $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: Receive a statement credit* for one monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) after you pay for Walmart+ each month with the Platinum Card^®.*Up to $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Ups not eligible.
• $100 Saks Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue or saks.com on the Platinum Card^®. That’s up to $50 in statement credits from January through June and up to $50 in statement credits from July through December. No minimum purchase required. Enrollment required.
• 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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Centurion^® 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.

An invitation-only card with serious luxury travel benefits. If you're not invited, The Platinum Card^® from American Express offers many similar benefits.

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

Centurion^® Card from American Express

An invitation-only card with serious luxury travel benefits. If you're not invited, The Platinum Card^® from American Express offers many similar benefits.

Annual Fee

$5,000 per year plus a one-time joining fee of $10,000 (for U.S. users)

APR

N/A, this is a charge card,Pay over time is available upon request

Why We Like This Card

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

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After working on your business for years, you finally hit the level of revenue you always dreamed of. There’s still work to be done, but your financial goals have been met.

One day, you get a letter in the mail from American Express saying you’ve been invited to apply for their Centurion Card from American Express.

You know that this is the highest honor they bestow upon their customers, and you’re excited to find out more.

Card Highlights

• There is no welcome bonus on the Centurion Card from American Express.
• 1 pt/$1 for all purchases.
• The Centurion card is an invitation-only card that caters to a more affluent customer segment.
• Dedicated concierge and travel agent.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: N/A, this is a charge card,Pay over time is available upon request
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

Hours of Operation

The Centurion Lounge at São Paulo’s GRU airport is open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, meaning you can visit the lounge no matter what time your flight is departing.

First Impressions

On this visit, my first impression was that the lounge had new furniture since my last visit nearly 2 years ago. However, the lounge also kept some of my favorite features. I still love the booths near the bar area, the choice of multiple types of seating, and the abundance of outlets for charging electronic devices.

Seating

There was ample seating in this lounge, and I loved the options. The central area had a bench around a tree, with armchairs in a semi-circle around a large TV on the wall.

There were high-top tables with bar stools as well. These tables flanked the central area and had multiple outlets for charging electronics. Additionally, there were 3 tables with booth-style seating near the TVs, separated by wooden walls. There were multiple outlets built into the sides of these booths.

On the right side, the layout had several sofas, lower chairs, and a series of brown armchairs that reminded me of the Los Angeles Union Station waiting room. If you’ve been, you probably see the resemblance.

In the far right corner, at the back of the lounge, a sign on the wall indicated a hallway to the beach area.

This area had wicker seating and a cabana vibe. It definitely fit the “beach area” description. The divider on the far side of this room separates the hallway from the lounge, and the duty-free shop is directly below. That means noise in this part of the lounge can be unpredictable.

On the left side of the lounge was a large bar area with bar stools, round tables, and chairs. Bartenders could whip up mixed drinks, and refrigerators to the side held non-alcoholic beverages.

Behind the bar, you’ll notice 2 people. This is the sit-down dining area reserved for Centurion cardholders, but more on that in the amenities section.

Food and Beverage

Buffet

This Centurion Lounge had a large buffet, which you could find to your left after the entrance. During this dinner-time visit in mid-August, the buffet had numerous finger sandwiches. Each item was labeled in English and Portuguese, but there weren’t any allergen indications.

Past a station with fruits and salad ingredients, there were 2 hot soups and a selection of breads. Soups during my visit were minestrone and bean soup with collard greens.

The buffet also had miniature cakes and yogurt cups for desserts.

Beverages

At the far end of the buffet, coffee machines offered coffee, lattes, cappuccinos, and more. There were also pieces of coffee cake nearby.

The bar was fully stocked as well. Bartenders could provide beer, wine, and mixed drinks. Non-alcoholic beverages were available in bottles and cans in refrigerators to the right side of the bar. These included iced tea, Coke and Fanta products (including local Fanta flavor Guaraná), and bottled water.

Amenities

Internet

Wi-Fi has been reliable every time I’ve been to this lounge, and this visit was another good example. I got 30 Mbps average download speeds and 44 Mbps for uploads. The password was available on signs at the entrance and several points around the lounge for convenience.

Bathrooms

Near the giant mural, a hallway on the left side of the lounge led to the restrooms. The cleaning staff did a good job keeping the bathroom clean.

Showers

In the same hallway, before the bathrooms, a side hallway led to several shower stalls. These weren’t busy during this visit, but I’ve seen lines for the showers on previous visits. If that happens, you’ll need to put your name on the list with the cleaning staff or staff at the front desk.

There was no fee for using the showers.

Work Stations

Past the sofas on the right side of the lounge, there were 3 booths that offered private working spaces. There’s a glass door you could close, and inside, you’d find a desk, chair, lamp, and universal outlet.

Children’s Room

There was a small children’s playroom near the buffet and hallway to the restroom. It had a few games and books, a small table, bean bag chairs, and a TV for watching children’s programs from Brazil — such as “Turma da Mônica” (seen on the screen).

Flight Departure Boards

One of the best features of this lounge was the fact you didn’t have to hunt for your departure information. Flight departure boards were located in multiple parts of the lounge, but you’ll want to allow plenty of time to get to your gate.

Centurion Cardmembers Room

The lounge had a sit-down dining room reserved for Centurion cardmembers only. It’s accessed through a sliding door next to the bar. Those in this private area could order from a private menu and receive drinks from the bar, which was open on both sides.

Service

Service at this lounge impressed me once again. Employees at the front desk were friendly and full of smiles as I entered the lounge, and they gave a cheerful goodbye when I left. When entering, each guest’s boarding pass was checked to see if there were updates to departure times or gates. I loved this service to ensure visitors had updated information, provided by the lounge staff.

The cleaning staff did an excellent job clearing dirty dishes and cleaning tables to ensure people could find seating when they arrived. Finally, the staff has consistently amazed me with keeping the bathrooms spotless during my visits to the Centurion Lounge at GRU.

Final Thoughts

The Centurion Lounge has been and continues to be my default lounge when flying out of GRU’s Terminal 3. I wish it were closer to the departure gates, but that’s the only negative among a list of positives. The staff is great, the food and drink selections provide something for everyone, and the ample space in the lounge can offer dedicated spaces for relaxing, playing, or working.

If I had to choose the 2 best features, they’re easily the numerous departure boards spread across the lounge and the incredible number of outlets. No one will ever need to hunt for a spot to charge their phone or the departure gate for their flight.