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The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Guides
Everything you need to know about Amex Centurion Lounge access
Katie Genter is a digital nomad who has traveled full time since June 2017. She writes and edits stories about points and miles, and loyalty programs, often letting her personal experiences color these stories.
May 12, 2026 • 10 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
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Quick summary
Centurion Lounges are premium airport lounges located in major U.S. and international airports, offering amenities like food, drinks and workspaces.
Access is available to select cardholders who meet specific eligibility requirements, including presenting a valid card, government-issued ID and same-day boarding pass.
Guest policies are strict, with complimentary access typically limited to children under 2, though some cardholders can earn guest privileges by meeting a high annual spending threshold.
New restrictions take effect July 8, limiting lounge access for layovers to within five hours of a departing connecting flight and requiring guests to be on the same flight as the cardholder.
What to consider
Most U.S. locations only permit entry within three hours of departure, with exceptions for layovers and connecting flights under certain conditions.
Guest fees apply for most visitors unless the cardholder meets a significant annual spending requirement, and international lounges may have different guest policies or fees.
Some lounges have unique concepts, such as 'Sidecar by the Centurion Lounge,' and upcoming locations are planned in several major airports.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed breakdown of each lounge's location, evolving access rules and tips for maximizing lounge visits based on travel patterns and guest needs.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
If I'm honest, Centurion Lounge access is the primary reason I've kept The Business Platinum Card® from American Express and my husband has kept his American Express Platinum Card®. We frequently fly through airports with Centurion Lounges and enjoy stopping in for a drink and a meal before departure or getting work done for a few hours during a layover.
American Express continues to open new Centurion Lounges and has changed its access policies several times since opening its first lounge. I'll discuss what you should know about Amex Centurion Lounge access in this article.
Where are Centurion Lounges?
Here's a list of the U.S. airports that currently have Amex Centurion Lounges and where you'll find each lounge:
Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT): At the intersection of concourses D and E
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW): In Terminal D, across from Gate D12
Denver International Airport (DEN): In Concourse C, near Gate C46
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in Houston: Via the elevator located in the Duty Free Shop near Gate D12
Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas: In Concourse D, opposite Gate D1
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York: In Terminal 4, beyond the security checkpoints and to the left of the escalators that take passengers downstairs to the gate level
LaGuardia Airport (LGA) in New York: In Terminal B, before the Eastern Concourse pedestrian bridge
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX): In the Tom Bradley International Terminal, before the bridge to the Great Hall
Miami International Airport (MIA): In Concourse D, near Gate D12
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL): In Terminal A West, near Gate A14
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX): In Terminal 4, across from Gate B22
San Francisco International Airport (SFO): In Terminal 2, Concourse D, right after the security checkpoint (this location is temporary; the permanent location in Terminal 3 should reopen in 2027)
Delta Reserve and Reserve Business cardmembers only get Centurion Lounge access when flying on a same-day Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight booked with a U.S.-issued American Express charge or credit card.
The information for the Corporate Platinum and Centurion cards has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Centurion Lounge at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
Here's a look at the welcome offers on some of the cards that offer Centurion Lounge access:
American Express Platinum Card($895 annual fee; see ): Find out your offer and see if you are eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $12,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.
The Business Platinum Card from American Express($895 annual fee; see ): Find out your offer and see if you're eligible for as high as 300,000 bonus points after spending $20,000 on purchases in the first three months of card membership. Welcome offers vary, and you may not be eligible for an offer.
Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card($650 annual fee; see ): Earn two domestic round-trip Delta Comfort Flight Certificates (valid for travel to the U.S. 48, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands) and 50,000 bonus miles after spending $10,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership. A 21+ day advance purchase is required; up to $80 per person in taxes and fees apply. Other restrictions apply.
At the Centurion Lounge check-in desk, you must show the following:
A valid card
A same-day boarding pass
A physical government-issued ID
For example, when I visited the Centurion Lounge in Atlanta, I handed over my Business Platinum Card and driver's license before holding up my mobile boarding pass for the agent to scan.
Check-in desk at a Centurion Lounge. ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
The name on your card, boarding pass and ID must all match. Additionally, Delta SkyMiles Reserve and Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business cardmembers can only visit Centurion Lounges in U.S. cities, Hong Kong, London and Tokyo when flying on a same-day Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight that they booked with a U.S.-issued American Express charge or credit card.
Your boarding pass must show a confirmed seat or zone assignment, meaning that standby and nonrevenue passengers are usually not eligible for Centurion Lounge access. Amex also prohibits access to airline, airport and industry employees in uniform or wearing branded apparel, company ID or airport ID badges.
Bar area at the American Express Centurion Lounge in Seattle. ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
Currently, most Centurion Lounge locations in U.S. cities, Hong Kong, London and Tokyo only allow eligible cardmembers to enter within three hours of their departing flight. However, travelers on a same-day layover or connecting itinerary are generally exempt from that restriction, allowing them to access the lounge earlier during a connection.
Travelers whose departing flight leaves after the lounge closes may also be admitted up to three hours before the lounge closes, and some international locations allow you access if you have a same-day arrival itinerary.
Beginning July 8, American Express will introduce a new restriction specifically for layovers and connecting flights. Eligible cardmembers and guests will only be able to access participating Centurion Lounges within five hours of their departing connecting flight. The new policy will affect Centurion Lounges in the U.S. and select international locations, including Hong Kong, London, Melbourne, Sydney and Tokyo.
Centurion cardmembers may be exempt from some access restrictions, so check your specific lounge access terms for full details.
Even if you have Centurion Lounge access, you usually won't be able to bring any complimentary guests, except children under 2.
However, Corporate Platinum Card members get two complimentary guests at Centurion Lounges in U.S. cities, London and Hong Kong, while Centurion members get two complimentary guests or immediate family members (spouse or domestic partner and children under 18) at no additional charge at all Centurion Lounges.
American Express Centurion Lounge in Seattle. ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
If you have guests that you must pay for, the cost is usually $50 per guest 18 and older and $30 per guest under 18. You can use any physical American Express card to pay for your guest fees, but Delta Reserve and Delta Reserve Business cardmembers can only pay for up to two guests (each of whom must be flying on a same-day Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight).
American Express Platinum Card and Business Platinum Card members can avoid paying guest fees for up to two guests per visit by spending $75,000 or more on eligible purchases with their card in a calendar year. Once you reach this threshold, you'll get complimentary guest access for the rest of the calendar year plus 13 additional months. Complimentary guest access is limited to two guests per cardmember, per visit, even if you earn this perk on multiple cards or accounts.
Starting July 8, guests of cardmembers must be traveling on the same flight as the cardmember to enter a Centurion Lounge. Previously, guests were not required to be on the same flight, which offered greater flexibility.
However, it's worth noting that some international Centurion Lounge locations have different guest policies. For example, when I visited the Centurion Lounge in Stockholm, Platinum Card members got one complimentary guest. And Centurion Lounges in Mexico City charge $70 per guest. So, double-check the guest policies for the lounge you plan to visit on the Centurion Lounge website.
Amex Centurion Lounge access can be a valuable perk of select American Express cards, including the Amex Platinum and the Amex Business Platinum.
If you frequently travel from or through one or more airports with Centurion Lounges, that may be a compelling reason to get and keep a card that provides complimentary access.
Unfortunately, you'll usually have to pay to bring even one guest to Centurion Lounges. So, this card perk is best used if you usually travel alone or with someone with a card that provides Centurion Lounge access. After all, I'd visit Centurion Lounges a lot less if I had to pay a guest fee for my husband each time.
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum Card, click . For rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum Card, click . For rates and fees of the Delta Reserve card, click . For rates and fees of the Delta Business Reserve card, click .
