For years, we had a mantra when discussing airport lounges in the U.S.: There are Amex Centurion Lounges … then everything else. It really was that simple. But are they still the best in the country?
American Express’s signature collection of airport lounges scattered across the U.S. (with a growing collection abroad) were long regarded as the best in the business thanks to comfortable seating, higher caliber food, and top-notch beer, wine, and cocktails – all of it free once you’re in the lounge. American Express doubled down on these lounges through the pandemic, opening brand new locations and expanding several others.
But they’ve become popular to a fault, with long lines to get in, a struggle to find seats once inside, and declining food and service – all despite new entry restrictions like charging cardholders for guests. All the while, Chase and Capital One are gunning for Amex’s crown by building out lounge networks of their own.
Still, there’s a lot to love about Amex lounges – especially now that you can join the queue digitally. But what are these lounges like? Where can you find them? And how can you get in?
Let’s take a look.
Current Amex Centurion Lounge Locations
In all, there are currently 17 Centurion lounges open: 15 in the U.S., one in Hong Kong (HKG), and another in London-Heathrow (LHR).
Here’s a quick rundown of where you can find them today:
- Atlanta (ATL)
- Charlotte (CLT)
- Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW)
- Denver (DEN)
- Hong Kong (HKG)
- Houston-Intercontinental (IAH)
- Las Vegas (LAS)
- London-Heathrow (LHR)
- Los Angeles (LAX)
- Miami (MIA)
- New York City-JFK (JFK)
- New York City-LaGuardia (LGA)
- Philadelphia (PHL)
- Phoenix (PHX)
- San Francisco (SFO)
- Seattle (SEA)
- Washington, D.C.-Reagan (DCA)
In just the last few years, American Express has opened up a handful of new lounge locations – most recently, in Washington, D.C.-Reagan (DCA) and Atlanta (ATL). Meanwhile, Amex expanded several longstanding locations like in New York City (LGA), Seattle (SEA), and San Francisco (SFO).
Let’s take a look at each lounge in a bit more detail.
Atlanta (ATL)
One of Amex’s newest Centurion Lounges is also its biggest … by far.
The Atlanta location is roughly 26,000 square feet, nearly double the size of the next-biggest lounge at JFK. And Amex uses that space well: There’s (count them) three separate outdoor spaces available year-round, a dedicated whiskey bar dubbed “The Reserve,” and a beautiful atrium anchored by a 50-year-old olive tree. Yes, it’s real.
While Amex has no doubt upped its game for its latest (and, by the looks of it, greatest) lounge, it’s also got all the amenities you’d expect from a Centurion Lounge. There’s oodles of comfortable seating, fast Wi-Fi, plenty of workstations, shower suites, an open bar with free wine and cocktails, and meals a step above what you’ll get in most other airport lounges.
It’s located near gate E11 in the airport’s E Concourse and open daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Charlotte (CLT)
Opened in early 2020, the Charlotte location is one of the newer lounges in Amex’s portfolio. The new space in Charlotte clocks in at 13,000 square feet, located on the top floor between Concourses D and E above “The Plaza,” the airport’s new space. It’s open daily from 5:30 a.m. until 10:30 p.m.
The lounge has two shower suites for travelers who need to freshen up. It has a dedicated room for families with children. And acclaimed local chef Joe Kindred is behind the wheel, serving up dishes like buttermilk fried chicken, grilled cauliflower steak, and milk bread french toast.
Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW)
Amex’s Dallas lounge is located in Terminal D, across from Gate 12 and just up an elevator on the mezzanine level. It’s open daily from 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
After moving to a new location in 2018, it now clocks in at 12,000 square feet. Still, the lounge can get very busy.
Read our full review of the Dallas Centurion Lounge!
Denver (DEN)
Denver is one of Amex’s newest lounges. And it’s outstanding.
Amex took everything that makes Centurion Lounges great and kicked it into a higher gear here. It’s 14,650 square feet, bigger than all but a few other Amex lounges. But it’s also got a unique, local flair thanks to a mountain-themed game room, a craft beer bar pouring Denver-area brews, and views of the Rocky Mountains beyond the tarmac.
But maybe it’s too good: This lounge is chronically overcrowded, with long lines out the door and down the escalators to get in.
Check out our full review of the Denver Centurion Lounge!
The Denver lounge is located in Concourse C – home to airlines like Southwest, Alaska Airlines, and Spirit – near Gate C46. The Denver lounge is open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
Hong Kong (HKG)
Hong Kong airport is full of great lounges, and the Hong Kong Centurion is no exception. The lounge is located in Terminal 1, just up an escalator or elevator around Gate 60. It’s open from 7 a.m. to 12 a.m. daily.
The lounge is perched over the terminal, with great views of the tarmac. That said, the Hong Kong lounge is certainly on the small side. And in our experience, the food offerings aren’t on par with what you can get from U.S. branches. It’s a great spot to stop for a cocktail or glass of wine between flights, though.
Houston-Intercontinental (IAH)
The Houston Centurion Lounge is located in Terminal D, open daily from 6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. It’s accessible via the elevator located in the duty-free shop near Gate D6. You can access Terminal D from other terminals without going through security via the SKYWAY (upper level) train. The Subway (lower, basement level) train connects all terminals outside of security.
The kitchen is run by local chef Justin Yu, the brains behind Houston restaurant Theodore Rex.
Las Vegas (LAS)
The Las Vegas location is located in Concourse D, opposite Gate D1. Concourse D is accessible from Terminal 1 or Terminal 3 via the airport’s transit system. You can get in daily from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.
It was the company’s very first lounge, with all the usual amenities. But Amex has expanded the space to more than 13,000 square feet. Amex added a few multi-purpose areas, new private telephone rooms, a newly designed reception area, new workspace areas, and freshened up the entire space.
Even with all that extra space, the Vegas lounge tends to fill up fast.
Read our full review of the Centurion Lounge Las Vegas!
London-Heathrow (LHR)
London was calling, and Amex went there.
This is Amex’s second bonafide international location. The new London-Heathrow (LHR) Centurion opened in October 2021.
The new lounge clocks in at 7,000 square feet, located in Heathrow’s Terminal 3. That means flyers with Virgin Atlantic, Delta, Emirates, Japan Airlines, and a handful of other carriers can easily access the lounge when it’s open from 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
Aside from the normal Centurion flourishes, the London location has some quintessentially British flair. That includes a menu curated by Michelin-starred chef Assaf Granit with dishes like homemade Kubalah bread and an olive oil cake with pistachio anglaise and rose water diplomat, plus a special British tea cart for guests. There are also London-inspired art installations scattered throughout the lounge.
Los Angeles (LAX)
Opened in early 2020, the Los Angeles (LAX) Amex lounge is located in Tom Bradley International Terminal. After a prolonged closure due to some puzzling repairs, it’s back open each day from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
At 14,000 square feet, it’s one of the bigger Centurion lounges – all built around a stunning centerpiece bar. But you can also find unique amenities like nap rooms and relaxation rooms.
Amex tapped local chef Nancy Silverton to cook up some signature meals for the lounge like mozzarella meatballs, farro salad with herbs and feta, and roasted beets in a horseradish vinaigrette.
Miami (MIA)
The Miami Centurion is located in Concourse D near Gate D12 on the fourth floor. It’s open daily from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
James Beard award-winning chef Michelle Bernstein also whips up some delicious food.
Read our review of the Miami Centurion Lounge.
New York City-JFK (JFK)
One of the newer Centurion Lounges is also one of the biggest and best yet.
Opened in October 2020 in Terminal 4, the JFK location clocks in at 15,000 square feet, spanning two floors. It’s located just past security, open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
The JFK Centurion has tons of seating space, special fitness and yoga rooms, shower suites, and even a speakeasy dubbed “1850” serving some delicious cocktails.
Check out our full review of the JFK Centurion Lounge!
New York City-LaGuardia (LGA)
The New York City-LaGuardia (LGA) Amex lounge is better than ever.
Once undersized and located before security, this lounge is now located behind security and more than twice the size, with a dedicated family room, more workspace and phone rooms, and features soaring views of the New York City skyline.
It’s located in Terminal B near the bridge to gates 40-59. It’s open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day except Saturday, when it closes at 9 p.m.
Read our review of the LGA Centurion Lounge!
Philadelphia (PHL)
The Philadelphia Centurion is located in Terminal A West, near Gate A14. It can be reached from any other terminal by walking or via shuttle bus. You can get in from 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day.
While fairly small at 6,300 square feet, it’s renowned for its food thanks to local chef Michael Solomonov, who has designed a special Israeli menu for the lounge.
Phoenix (PHX)
Another addition in early 2020, the Phoenix Centurion Lounge is one of the smallest, period – it clocks in under 5,000 square feet.
You can find it in Terminal 4 across from Gate 22 on the upper level, where it shares an entrance with the new Escape Lounge. It’s open daily from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Read our review of the Phoenix Centurion Lounge.
San Francisco (SFO)
The San Francisco Centurion Lounge is located in Terminal 3, near Gate 74 past security. It’s open from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.
Once Exhibit A for lounge overcrowding, Amex made its San Francisco lounge nearly twice as big in 2022 with a major expansion and refresh. It’s now 16,000 square feet, with a second bar and even a cafe area.
Plus, the menu is designed by local chef Ravi Kapur, with a focus on California fare.
Seattle (SEA)
The Seattle (SEA) Centurion is all grown up – and easily one of the best lounges in American Express’ network.
Following a relocation and a renovation, Seattle’s new flagship is now 14,000 square feet, three times the size of its predecessor. But what truly sets this lounge apart is the full-service coffee bar, the first of its kind in an Amex lounge and a nod to Seattle’s storied roasting history.
The new lounge is located on the newly created mezzanine level of the Central Terminal. It’s open daily from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Beyond the bigger footprint, you’ll find special touches like floor-to-ceiling windows that flood the lounge with natural light and views of the Olympic Mountains, smart finishes, and even a dedicated coffee bar where baristas will whip you up a beverage.
Read our full review of the new Seattle Centurion Lounge!
Washington, D.C.-Reagan (DCA)
More than three years after it was first announced and almost two years past its original opening date, the highly anticipated Amex lounge in D.C. is open.
Inside, the lounge has floor-to-ceiling windows that provide plenty of natural light and offer views of the airfield and the Potomac River. There’s plenty of stunning artwork inside and food curated by three award-winning chefs.
The 12,000-square-foot lounge is located in Terminal 2, past the South Security Checkpoint on the main concourse across from the entrance to the B gates. It’s open from 5 a.m. until 9 p.m. daily except for Saturdays, when it closes at 7 p.m.
Upcoming Amex Lounges
The credit card company has at least one more Centurion Lounge locations in the works in the U.S.:
- Newark (EWR): Amex is working on an 18,000-square-foot lounge in Newark’s expanded Terminal A, but it’s not supposed to open until sometime in 2026 at the earliest.
Other International Amex Lounge Locations
On top of the Centurion lounges scattered throughout airports across the United States, they also have several other lounges exclusively for Platinum cardholders across the globe.
Recently, American Express has brought these lounges under the banner of the Centurion Lounge name. You can get in with the same card you use to access other Amex lounges – though some of these international lounges have different guest policies.
- Buenos Aires, Argentina (EZE) is located in Terminal C on level 2 near gate 15. The lounge is open daily from 9 a.m. to 12 a.m.
- Delhi, India (DEL) is located in Terminal 3, near gates 27 and 28. It’s open 24 hours a day.
- Melbourne, Australia (MEL) is located in Terminal 2, down the escalators across from gate 7. It’s open daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Mexico City, Mexico (MEX) is located in International Terminal 1 by the entrance of the international security filters. The Lounge is open daily from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. There is also another Centurion location located in the International area past security on floor 2 by Gate K.
- Monterrey, Mexico (MTY) is located in Terminal A on the departure level near gate 4. There is a second Centurion Club located in Terminal B on the departure level in front of door 4. Both lounges are open from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
- Mumbai, India (BOM) is located in Terminal 2 on the third level in the domestic departures area. It’s open 24 hours a day.
- Sao Paulo, Brazil (GRU) is located in Terminal 3, after security and passport control. It’s open daily from 11 a.m. until 3 a.m.
- Stockholm, Sweden (ARN) is located in Terminal 5 between the A and F piers. It’s open from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, though it closes at 7 p.m. on Saturdays.
- Sydney, Australia (SYD) is located in Terminal 1, near gates 50-63. It’s open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
The best part about these international locations is how much easier it is to get in – especially if you want to bring a guest. Unlike others, all these lounges allow you to bring at least one guest inside for free. Many of them allow you to bring children under 16 (or 17) for free, too.
| Centurion Lounge Location | Guest Policy |
|---|---|
| Buenos Aires (EZE) | 1 Complimentary Guest & Children Under 16 |
| Delhi (DEL) | 1 Complimentary Guest & Children Under 12 |
| Hong Kong (HKG) | $50 Per Guest (or $30 for Children 2 – 17) |
| London (LHR) | $50 Per Guest (or $30 for Children 2 – 17) |
| Melbourne (MEL) | 2 Complimentary Guests or Spouse & Children Under 17 |
| Mexico City (MEX) | 2 Complimentary Guests or Immediate Family |
| Monterrey (MTY) | 2 Complimentary Guests or Immediate Family |
| Mumbai (BOM) | 1 Complimentary Guest & Children Under 12 |
| São Paulo (GRU) | 1 Complimentary Guest |
| Stockholm (ARN) | 1 Complimentary Guest |
| Sydney (SYD) | 2 Complimentary Guests or Spouse & Children Under 17 |
Read more: Which Amex Lounges Still Grant Free Guest Access?
How To Get Into Amex’s Top Lounges
These are premium airport lounges. To get in, you’ll need a premium travel credit card in your wallet.
In order get in, you need to hold *amex platinum card* or *biz platinum*.
Learn more about *amex platinum*.
Learn more about *biz platinum*
You can also get in with the *delta reserve card* or its small-business counterpart – Delta’s top-tier card. But there’s a hitch: You have to be flying Delta that day. While American Express says you must have paid for your ticket with your Reserve card too, the fine print makes clear that buying it with any U.S.-issued Amex card will do.
Learn more about the *delta reserve card*
Finally, you can get in with the American Express Centurion Card, which is an invite-only credit card reserved for Amex’s top spenders.
With all these cards that get you inside and more and more travelers adding them to their wallets, crowding has become a serious problem. Amex has repeatedly tightened up on when you can get into Centurion lounges to combat long lines and over-capacity lounges.
As of a few years back, you can only get into a visit within three hours of your originally scheduled flight departure. Luckily, this policy doesn’t apply if you’re at the airport during a layover. Without a layover, you can no longer get into the lounge upon arrival – only departing flights will qualify for a visit.
But recently, the bank has made an even more drastic changes that will make it expensive to bring a travel buddy with you into the lounge…
Prepare to Pay for Guests
Want to bring a friend or family member for free? You’re officially out of luck.
As of Feb. 1, 2023, guests now cost $50 apiece (or $30 for minors) unless you charged a whopping $75,000 to your Platinum Card in the last year. Children under two will be admitted free of charge.
Thrifty Tip: Consider adding your travel companion as an Amex Platinum authorized user – they’ll get their own lounge access, so you won’t have to pay for them to join you in the lounge.
Bottom Line
Amex Centurion Lounges are still among the best in the U.S.
While they’re more popular than ever, that’s for good reason: The food and drinks are great, there’s plenty of comfortable seating, and most have some additional amenities. Exactly what you’ll find depends on which location you walk into, but these lounges are easily among the best that you can get into with a credit card.
