Skip to content

A Sneak Peek at the New Amex Centurion Lounge in Houston

June 23, 2016
4 min read
IAH centurion lounge
A Sneak Peek at the New Amex Centurion Lounge in Houston
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.

Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.

Update: We just heard from Amex that the lounge will be opening TOMORROW, June 24, at 5:30am. If you're passing through IAH, be sure to check it out!

Last year, American Express announced that its seventh Centurion Lounge location would be at Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). There wasn't a specific date set for opening, but we now know that the 8,500-square-foot lounge will be opening sometime soon. So near in the future, in fact, that the Amex team celebrated its latest airport lounge with a sneak peek event last night.

The new Centurion Lounge is located within Terminal D of IAH and comes with all the amenities frequent flyers have come to love about the Centurion Lounge network. Terminal D is currently serviced by AeroMexico, Air China, AirFrance, Air New Zealand, ANA, Avianca, British Airways, Emirates, EVA Air, KLM, Korean Air, Lufthansa, Qatar, Singapore and Turkish, among a few smaller airlines, and it's a short walk from the United gates.

The posh entryway to the new Centurion Lounge at Houston features the lounge's iconic blue doors. The lounge will be open from 5:30am to 9:00pm every day and will feature high-speed Wi-Fi.

The entryway of the new Centurion Lounge. Photo Credit: American Express.

There are noise-buffering workspaces, such as this area below. Throughout the lounge, you'll also find plenty of power outlets, a private shower, a family room and tranquility areas.

The work area at IAH's Centurion Lounge. Photo Credit: American Express.

You'll also find the typical Centurion Lounge dining area and full bar. Like all Centurion Lounges, the full bar is complimentary and the food is constantly restocked throughout the day.

The bar and dining area has a good amount of room to eat and drink. Photo Credit: American Express.

There's also an art installation by local artist Patrick Renner. The piece is inspired by the city's Trumpet Flower sculpture, which adds to the local feel of the Houston Centurion Lounge.

Patrick Renner's art installation in the lounge. Photo Credit: Michelle Watson/Catchlight Group for American Express.

Amex partnered with Justin Yu, a James Beard Award winner, to create a menu of locally inspired but globally influenced dishes — again, making this a locally inspired lounge within IAH.

Daily Newsletter
Reward your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter
Join over 700,000 readers for breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive deals from TPG’s experts
Chef Justin Yu is creating a rotating menu for the IAH lounge. Photo Credit: Michelle Watson/Catchlight Group for American Express.

Yu's menu will rotate regularly — taking advantage of the variety and seasonality of local Houston favorites.

There'll be a wide range of food options for those who go to the lounge. Photo Credit: Michelle Watson/Catchlight Group for American Express.

Examples of food options include griddled johnnycakes with strawberry and pink peppercorn jam, thickened cream and honey, and desserts such as black pepper panna cotta with vanilla poached stone fruits.

Dishes will rotate, based on the season and local favorites. Photo Credit: Michelle Watson/Catchlight Group for American Express.

Although we don't have a firm opening date for you, we'll be sure to let you know as soon as we hear. As a reminder, access to all domestic Centurion Lounges is complimentary if you have an American Express Centurion Card, American Express Platinum Card or Business Platinum Card. Other Amex cardholders can access the lounge with a $50 co-pay. Stay tuned for more TPG coverage from the new Centurion Lounge at IAH.

TPG featured card

Rewards rate
5X milesEarn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
2X milesEarn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
Intro offer
Open Intro bonus
Enjoy a $250 travel credit & earn 75K bonus miles
Annual fee
$95
Regular APR
19.49% - 28.49% (Variable)
Recommended credit
Open Credit score description
670-850Excellent, Good

Pros

  • Stellar welcome offer of 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, a $250 Capital One Travel credit to use in your first cardholder year upon account opening.
  • You'll earn 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, which means you won't have to worry about memorizing bonus categories
  • Rewards are versatile and can be redeemed for a statement credit or transferred to Capital One’s transfer partners

Cons

  • Highest bonus-earning categories only on travel booked via Capital One Travel
  • LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Enjoy $250 to use on Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening - that’s equal to $1,000 in travel
  • Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
  • Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
  • Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
  • Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
  • Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
  • Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
  • Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
  • Top rated mobile app