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Our pick for Centurion Lounge access: The Platinum Card® from American Express
Up to $7,000
In welcome offer value
Among airport lounges, few carry the first-class reputation of Amex Centurion Lounges. Indeed, there are only a handful of Centurion lounges around the world making them all the more exclusive. In these lounges, you’ll find impeccably designed spaces, semi-private workspaces, shower suites, bars and dishes prepared by award-winning chefs.
You can currently find a Centurion lounge in nine different locations worldwide.
| Location | Airport | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle Tacoma | SEA | 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. |
| San Francisco | SFO | 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. |
| Las Vegas | LAS | 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. |
| Dallas | DFW | 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. |
| Houston | IAH | 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| Miami | MIA | 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. |
| Philadelphia | PHL | 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. |
| New York | LGA | 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Friday 5:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturday |
According to the Centurion Lounge website, you can expect to see lounges in five new locations soon, including DEN, JFK, LAX, LHR and CLT. Amex hasn’t announced an official date for these lounges as of this writing.
In line with the bourgeois reputation of the Centurion Lounges, you have just one primary way to gain access: owning an eligible credit card.
Amex offers a few credit cards that provide complimentary access to Centurion lounges. These cards include:
Access is complimentary for these cardholders. To enter the lounge, you’ll need to provide the lounge agent with the following:
Centurion lounges are what Amex calls a “day of departure” lounge. That means you won’t be eligible to enter the lounge if you possess a standby ticket or are a non-revenue standby passenger. To enter, you’ll need a boarding pass showing a confirmed seat or zone assignment for your flight, according to the Amex Centurion Lounge site.
In addition to cardholders, Amex also allows up to two guests to enter the lounge at no additional charge.
Children under the age of two years old are allowed into the lounge free of charge.
Access to Centurion lounges is considered complimentary if you have an eligible card. That said, you’ll still need to front the annual fee of that credit card, which will run you the following:
| Amex Card | Annual fee |
|---|---|
| The Platinum Card® from American Express | $695 (Terms apply, see rates & fees) |
| The Business Platinum Card® from American Express | $595 (Terms apply, see rates & fees) |
| Corporate Platinum Card® | $395 |
| Centurion® Card from American Express | $2,500 with a $7,500 initiation fee |
You only have a few choices when it comes to Centurion Lounge credit cards and it largely comes down to whether you want a personal, business or corporate credit card.
You’ll find an assortment of luxurious amenities when you walk into a Centurion lounge, ranging from a fully stocked premium bar to fine dining created by established local chefs. Exact amenities and access hours depend on your location, but here’s a taste of what you can expect:
With so many amenities you’d expect to see at a spa rather than an airport lounge — that includes an actual spa — there’s no better way to pamper yourself while waiting for your flight than kicking up your feet at a Centurion lounge.
However, if the Amex Platinum series of credit cards aren’t to your liking, there are plenty of other lounge credit card options available. Compare travel credit cards to find one that suits your needs and offers access to other types of lounges.
A youth savings account with a whopping 7% APY on account balances up to $1,000.
A kids savings account with an interest rate that compounds daily but has long hold times for customer service.
A checking account that earns up to 1.75% APY and up to $25 in ATM reimbursements.
Navy Federal’s Visa Buxx card has no fees, but you must qualify for membership with the credit union.
A strong cashback card if you want to build your credit score.
A must-have for parents looking to teach their little ones healthy money habits early on.
Pay for your rent fee-free using this card.
An underwhelming and overshadowed entertainment credit card.
A savings account with a competitive interest rate and comes with an ATM card.
Earn earns up to 0.40% APY depending on the balance you keep.
