Amex Centurion Lounge: Access, Location List, Amenities

Previously, we explored some of the most well-known airport lounges — Priority Pass, Chase Sapphire Lounges, United Club, American Admirals Club, and the Alaska Airlines Lounge. Now, continuing our series on premium lounge experiences, we turn our attention to the exclusive Centurion Lounge. In this guide, you’ll learn how to access these lounges, what it costs, highlights of the most popular locations, and everything else you need to know for a first-class experience.

What Is the Centurion Lounge?

The American Express Centurion Lounge is a network of premium airport lounges that are part of the Amex Global Lounge Collection, often considered one of the most luxurious airport lounges. 

What makes Centurion Lounges special? – Centurion lounges feature chef-driven cuisine, premium cocktails, and top-shelf beverages. Access is restricted to Amex cardholders, making it a more sophisticated and less crowded experience than typical airport lounges.

For bonus points and miles lovers and frequent travelers, Centurion lounges are a favorite perk. They provide a first-class ground experience no matter which cabin you’re flying in, making layovers or pre-flight waiting that much more enjoyable. Below, we’ll explain who can access these lounges and what the rules are for guests, as not everyone can enter them.

Access Policies: Who Can Enter a Centurion Lounge?

American Express keeps Centurion Lounges exclusive – they’re only open to certain cardholders (and their guests) and cannot be accessed by paying a fee at the door​. Here’s a breakdown of the access policies, including eligible cards and the current guest rules.

What You Need to Enter the Centurion Lounge

To enter a Centurion Lounge, you must present a same-day boarding pass (for a departing or connecting flight) along with an eligible American Express card and a photo ID​. 

Unlimited Access to Centurion Lounges With Credit Cards

The following Amex cards grant Centurion Lounge access:

• Platinum Card from American Express (personal Platinum) – including co-branded versions like the Charles Schwab, Morgan Stanley, or international Platinum cards
  
• Business Platinum Card from American Express is a business version of the Platinum card.
  
• Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card (personal and business) – access is only when flying on a Delta-operated or Delta-marketed flight that day​.
  
• Centurion Card from American Express – the invitation-only “black card,” as well as the Business Centurion Card​.
  
• Corporate Platinum Card (for employees of companies with Amex corporate accounts) also grants access​.

Note: Access policies and benefits are subject to change. It’s advisable to review the most current terms and conditions on the official American Express website.​

No other cards are accepted. For example, the Amex Gold or Green cards, or other co-branded Amex cards (like the Delta Platinum card), do not provide Centurion Lounge access​. Authorized users of an eligible Platinum or Centurion card have the same lounge access privileges as the primary cardholder (they must present their own card, ID, and boarding pass)​. However, holders of the free “Companion” Platinum cards (sometimes issued as a downgraded authorized user card) are not eligible​.

American Express Cards Offering 2 Complimentary Lounge Visits Per Year

Some cards from Australia, New Zealand entitle you to 2 free visits to Centurion lounges in Sydney and Melbourne only during the calendar year. See the table below for more details:

Guest Access Rules and Fees

Guest policy: The ability to bring guests has some important restrictions as of the current policy. In general, most cardholders can bring up to two guests into a Centurion Lounge, but fees may apply:

• For Platinum Card and Business Platinum Card members, each guest (above age 2) costs $50 USD per visit, and children 2–17 years old are $30 each​. Infants under 2 are free when accompanying the cardholder.
  
• However, if a Platinum cardholder spends $75,000 or more on their card in a calendar year, Amex will waive the guest fees and allow two complimentary guests per visit​. (This spend waiver must be achieved each year to keep the free guest benefit active.)
  
• Holders of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve cards do not get free guests. Any guests will incur the same $50 adult/$30 child fee and, importantly, those guests must also be flying on a Delta flight that day in order to enter​. The Reserve cardholder themselves only have lounge access when flying Delta flights.
  
• Amex Centurion (“Black Card”) members can bring in two guests for free as a built-in benefit (no spend requirement). The same applies to Corporate Platinum cardholders – they may bring two complimentary guests at U.S. and international Centurion Lounges.

All guests must be accompanied by the eligible cardholder; you cannot send guests in separately or without the primary cardholder present.

It’s worth noting that these guest fees and policies are a relatively new change. Before 2023, Platinum cardholders could bring two free guests by default. American Express tightened the guest access rules to reduce crowding, hence the current fee/waiver system.

No Day Passes or Public Access

One important point: If you’re not an eligible Amex cardholder, you generally cannot get into a Centurion Lounge. American Express does not sell day passes or memberships to the Centurion Lounge network​. This means you can’t pay at the door for one-time entry, nor can you gain access with Priority Pass or any other lounge program – it’s exclusively a perk for the specific Amex cards listed above. 

The only way to enter without having one of those cards yourself is to accompany a cardholder as their guest under the rules described.

Rules on the Time of Visiting Lounges

Additionally, Amex now enforces some timing rules for lounge visits. You can only enter a Centurion Lounge within 3 hours of your scheduled departure time (or anytime during a layover between flights)​. If you arrive at the airport too early (more than 3 hours before your flight), the lounge may ask you to come back later. Likewise, you cannot use the lounge after landing at your final destination – if you just got off your flight and you’re at your trip’s end, access is not permitted for post-arrival relaxation​. 

These policies ensure the lounges don’t get overfilled and are available to travelers who are in the middle of their journey.

If you forgot to carry your physical Platinum/Centurion card, you can use the Amex mobile app for a digital mobile check-in to access the lounge.

Dining and Beverage Offerings

One of the highlights of the Centurion Lounge experience is the food and drink. Unlike many airline lounges that might offer just light snacks, Centurion Lounges provide full hot meals and premium beverages – all at no charge beyond your card’s annual fee. 

Curated Menus by Top Chefs

American Express partners with award-winning chefs (often local to the city or nationally renowned) to design the dining menu at each lounge. Menus change seasonally and feature a variety of dishes, from gourmet entrees to vegetarian options and desserts. For example, you might find regionally inspired cuisine – such as Tex-Mex flavors in Dallas or fresh seafood dishes in Seattle – with recipes crafted by notable chefs. Many lounges have signature dishes unique to that location. All food is prepared on-site in the lounge kitchen and replenished frequently, so you can expect fresh offerings throughout the day​.

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

If you visit in the morning, you’ll typically find a breakfast spread (think pastries, fruit, yogurt, hot items like eggs or pancakes). Later in the day, lounges transition to lunch and dinner menus which include salads, soups, and a rotation of hot mains and sides. There are usually options for various diets – vegetarian selections are standard, and items are labeled for common allergens (gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, etc.) to accommodate dietary needs. The variety and quality often far exceed what you’d get in the terminal food court, making the lounge a great place to have a meal before your flight.

Premium Open Bar

Centurion Lounges are famous for their open bar with top-shelf drinks. All lounges have a bar staffed by professional bartenders serving complimentary beer, wine, and spirits. What sets Centurion Lounges apart is the craft cocktail program – Amex hires nationally acclaimed mixologists to create unique, signature cocktails for each lounge, often incorporating local ingredients or themes. The wine list is curated by a wine expert, and the selection often includes high-quality regional and international wines. Liquor choices include premium brands – you won’t be stuck with just basic well liquor​. In short, all drinks are included, and they’re decidedly premium​.

Coffee and Beverages

In addition to alcoholic drinks, you can get specialty coffees (espresso, latte, etc.), tea, soft drinks, and juices. Many lounges have a dedicated coffee station (sometimes with a barista during peak hours). Everything, again, is free of charge.

Are the Drinks Really Free? Yes – you won’t pay a dime for any food or beverage once you’re inside the Centurion Lounge​. (Tipping the bartender or staff is not required, and many guests don’t, but it’s always appreciated for exceptional service.) The only exception might be if a lounge has some ultra-premium wine or champagne that’s explicitly marked for purchase – but generally, this is not common in Centurion Lounges. Even cocktails and top-shelf spirits are complimentary. 

Overall, the food and beverage offerings make the Centurion Lounge a destination in itself. 

Other Amenities and Perks

Beyond dining, Centurion Lounges provide a suite of amenities to enhance your travel experience:

• Comfortable Seating & Ambiance

Expect a variety of seating areas – from communal tables and work counters to cozy armchairs and semi-private nooks. The lounges are designed with stylish decor and often feature local art. 

• High-Speed Wi-Fi and Workspaces.​​

Each lounge has free high-speed Wi-Fi, plenty of power outlets and USB ports. Business travelers will find convenient places to work, such as shared desks or cubicles, equipped work areas with computers, printers, and sometimes even conference rooms.

• Family Room

Many Centurion Lounges have a soundproofed family room or kids’ play area. This is a separate space where kids can play or watch TV without disturbing other guests – a great perk for parents looking to contain toddler energy, available at lounges like Miami, Las Vegas, Charlotte, and others​.

• Shower Suites

If you have a long layover or just want to freshen up, select Centurion Lounges offer shower facilities stocked with luxury toiletries. For example, lounges at Miami, Houston, Los Angeles, and others have showers​. You can ask the front desk to reserve a shower room when you arrive.

• Spa and Wellness

A few locations include spa services or wellness rooms. The Dallas–Fort Worth (DFW) lounge features a spa with complimentary mini treatments like 15-minute massages or facials. The Miami lounge has had spa services (in partnership with Exhale) as well. At Houston (IAH), there’s a wellness room in partnership with the meditation app Calm – a quiet space for stretching, meditation, or just calming down. The New York JFK lounge introduced an Equinox Body Lab, offering guided relaxation and stretching equipment​. Not every lounge has these extras.

• Entertainment and Extras

Some lounges have unique extras: Denver’s lounge has a game room, JFK has a hidden speakeasy bar, and San Francisco offers a dedicated wine tasting area with Napa Valley wines on rotation​.

In summary, the Centurion Lounge amenities go well beyond free snacks. They are designed to make your airport time more productive and pleasant, whether that means relaxing with a spa treatment, enjoying a gourmet meal, or getting some work done in a quiet corner.

Centurion Lounge Locations and Hours

As of 2025, American Express operates Centurion Lounges in numerous airports around the world. Below is an updated list of all Centurion Lounge locations worldwide (with airport code, terminal location, and typical hours of operation). We’ve grouped them by region for clarity. Keep in mind that hours can occasionally change, so it’s wise to double-check before your trip, but these are the publicly listed operating hours for each lounge:

United States Centurion Lounge Locations

• Atlanta (ATL) – Concourse E, near Gate E11. Hours: 6:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. daily​. (Features locally inspired Southern cuisine, a bourbon bar, shower suites, and a multi-purpose quiet room.)
  
• Charlotte (CLT) – Between Concourses D & E (Mezzanine Level). Hours: 5:30 a.m. – 10:30 p.m. daily​. (Features Southern-style dishes, a family room, premium bar, and showers.)
  
• Dallas–Fort Worth (DFW) – Terminal D, near Gate D12. Hours: 5:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. daily​. (Features fresh seasonal cuisine, a spa with complimentary treatments, a family room, shower suites, and a conference space.)
  
• Denver (DEN) – Concourse C, Mezzanine (near Gate C46). Hours: 5:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. daily. (Features an Italian-inspired menu, a craft beer bar, game room, and shower suites. Note: Accessible to all concourses via train.)
  
• Houston (IAH) – Terminal D (access via elevators near Gate D12). Hours: 6:00 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. daily. (Features locally inspired Texan cuisine, a family room, premium bar, shower suites, and a wellness room by Calm for relaxation.)
  
• Las Vegas (LAS) – Concourse D, opposite Gate D1. Hours: 5:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. daily​. (This was the first Centurion Lounge; features a Vegas chef’s menu, family room, premium bar, and shower suites.)
  
• Los Angeles (LAX) – Tom Bradley International Terminal (Level 2). Hours: 6:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. daily​. (Features locally inspired L.A. cuisine, a cocktail bar, family room, spa treatments, and shower suites. Located in the international terminal but accessible to all passengers post-security via shuttle or walkway.)
  
• Miami (MIA) – Concourse D, 4th Floor (near Gate D12). Hours: 5:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. daily​ (Features Latin and Caribbean-inspired cuisine by Chef Michelle Bernstein, a coffee bar, family room, premium bar, shower suites, and a spa.)
  
• New York – JFK (NYC JFK Airport) – Terminal 4, Level 4. Hours: 5:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. daily. (The largest Centurion Lounge at ~15,000 sq ft, spanning two levels. Features unique themed rooms reflecting NYC history, an Equinox Body Lab, a speakeasy-style bar, a coffee bar, family room, and shower suites.)
  
• New York – LaGuardia (LGA) – Terminal B, 4th Floor (near the food court area). Hours: 5:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. (Sunday–Friday); 5:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. on Saturdays. (Features fresh seasonal fare, a full bar, and shower suites. One of the newer lounges, opened after LGA’s terminal redevelopment.)
  
• Philadelphia (PHL) – Terminal A West, near Gate A14. Hours: 5:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. daily​. (Features Israeli-inspired cuisine by Chef Michael Solomonov, a premium bar, and shower suites.)
  
• Phoenix (PHX) – Phoenix Sky Harbor, Terminal 4 (upper level, near Gate B22). Hours: 6:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. daily​. (Features locally inspired Southwest cuisine, a premium bar, and shower suites.)
  
• San Francisco (SFO) – Terminal 3, near Gate F1/F2 (just past security). Hours: 5:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. daily​. (Features Bay Area cuisine by Chef Ravi Kapur, a wine tasting area with Napa wines, a family room, and shower suites. Note: Accessible for United flyers in T3 and via connector from International Terminal G.)
  
• Seattle–Tacoma (SEA) – Central Terminal, Mezzanine Level. Hours: 5:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. daily. (This lounge, expanded in 2023, features Pacific Northwest-inspired snacks and light meals, a premium bar, and shower suites. Smaller than other locations, but much improved from the former “Centurion Studio” concept.)
  
• Washington, D.C. – Reagan National (DCA) – Terminal 2 (National Hall, near Concourse B, post-security South Pier). Hours: 5:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. (Sunday–Friday); 5:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. on Saturdays​. (Opened July 2024, it’s nearly 12,000 sq ft with design elements celebrating D.C.’s history. Features a mix of popular dishes from other Centurion Lounge chefs, a full bar with D.C.-inspired cocktails, and great views of the airfield and Potomac River.)
  

As of early 2025, Chicago O’Hare (ORD) notably does not have a Centurion Lounge. 

International Centurion Lounge Locations

Outside the U.S., American Express has a number of Centurion Lounges (sometimes just called American Express lounges). Access rules abroad are generally the same – Platinum and Centurion cardholders (including international versions of Platinum) get access. Here are the international locations:

• Buenos Aires, Argentina (EZE – Ezeiza Intl Airport) – Terminal B, Level 2 (access via stairs by Gate 15). Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m. (midnight) daily​.
  
• Delhi, India (DEL – Indira Gandhi Intl) – Terminal 3, near Gate 27/28. Hours: 24/7 (open round-the-clock)​.
  
• Hong Kong (HKG) – Terminal 1, Level 7 (near Gate 60, take escalator up). Hours: 7:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m. daily. (Features locally inspired Hong Kong cuisine, a premium bar, and shower suites. Note: subject to local capacity restrictions.)
  
• London, UK (LHR – Heathrow) – Terminal 3, Area A, Level 2. Hours: 5:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. daily​. (Features a British-inspired menu, tea cart service, premium bar, a private wellness room, and shower suites. Opened in 2021, this is Amex’s first lounge in Europe.)
  
• Melbourne, Australia (MEL) – Terminal 2 (International Departures). Hours: 6:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. daily​.
  
• Mexico City, Mexico (MEX) – Three lounges (These Mexico City lounges are sometimes referred to as “Centurion Clubs.” They offer similar amenities – comfortable seating, refreshments, etc., though they may be a bit smaller in scale than U.S. Centurion Lounges.):
  
  • Terminal 1 (International), near Gate 8 / F1. Hours: 5:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m..
    
  • Terminal 1 (Domestic), near Gates 17–18. Hours: 5:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.​.
    
  • Terminal 2 (International), mezzanine after security. Hours: 5:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.
• Monterrey, Mexico (MTY) – Two lounges:
  
  • Terminal A, near Gate 4. Hours: 5:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.​.
    
  • Terminal B, near food court by Gate 4. Hours: 5:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.​.
    
• Mumbai, India (BOM) – Terminal 2 (Domestic Departures area). Hours: 24/7 (open 24 hours)​.
  
• São Paulo, Brazil (GRU – Guarulhos Intl) – Terminal 3 (International). Hours: 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 a.m. daily​.
  
• Stockholm, Sweden (ARN) – Terminal 5, Pier F (after security). Hours: 5:00 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. daily​.
  
• Sydney, Australia (SYD) – Terminal 1 (International, near Gates 50–63). Hours: 6:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. daily​.
  

Note that in some countries (like Mexico and Australia), the lounges might not carry the “Centurion” name on the door, but are still Amex lounges accessible with your card. For example, Sydney and Melbourne are often just called the “American Express Lounge,” but for all practical purposes, they function as Centurion Lounges for eligible members.

Upcoming Locations

The Centurion Lounge network is still growing. American Express has confirmed a few new lounges that are coming soon in the next couple of years:

• Tokyo, Japan (Haneda – HND) – Announced to open in 2025 – this will be the first Centurion Lounge in Asia outside of Hong Kong​
• Salt Lake City, UT (SLC) – Announced for 2025 at the new SLC Airport​
• Newark, NJ (EWR) – A Centurion Lounge at Newark Liberty Airport Terminal A is slated to open in 2026
• Boston, MA (BOS) – Announced for 2027 at Logan Airport​

Final Thoughts

The Centurion Lounge is a special benefit for American Express Platinum and Centurion cardholders, which is especially appreciated by frequent travelers. The lounges are located throughout the United States and around the world and can significantly improve your pre-flight routine. Safe travels and enjoy your stay!