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Amex Platinum cardholders can reserve US Open lounge space, plus additional perks

Aug. 15, 2024
7 min read
CAPRI WHITELEY/THE POINTS GUY
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Editor's Note

This story is continually updated.

It's almost that time of the year: thrilling tennis matches, chilled honey deuce cocktails and some nice lounges to enjoy them in. That's right, the U.S. Open is back from Aug. 26 to Sept. 8, and if you have an American Express credit card, there are lots of benefits you can unlock.

Some U.S. Open perks, like getting a discounted checked bag at security checkpoints, are practical. Other more premium perks, such as access to a pop-up Amex Centurion Lounge, are reserved for select Amex cardholders.

To get a better sense of what you can expect as an Amex cardholder at this year's U.S. Open, let's look at each Amex cardholder benefit and what you need to know to enjoy these perks.

Targeted Amex Offer to save $10

U.S. Open on-site benefits with the Platinum Card by American Express
USOPEN.ORG

A current Amex Offer provides $10 back after spending $100 on eligible U.S. Open purchases made on-site with an eligible Amex card. To take advantage of this offer, log in to your account to check if the offer is available for your card. If it is, you can add it to your card.

Additional Amex Offers are available for enrollment through the U.S. Open app and at Amex-branded locations across the grounds, including:

  • Spend $100 or more online at La Roche-Posay and get a one-time $15 credit back.
  • Spend $2 or more with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (New York City's public transportation network) by tapping to pay and get $2 back up to two times for a total of $4.
  • Spend $50 in a single transaction at Eataly's in-store New York City locations (excluding Eataly concessions at the U.S. Open) and get a one-time $10 credit back.
AMERICANEXPRESS.COM

It's worth downloading the U.S. Open app to see all the perks available to cardholders.

Discounted bag check

If you enter the U.S. Open with bags, purses and backpacks, you will be subject to certain restrictions. Each person is allowed a maximum of one bag that can measure no larger than 16 inches by 12 inches by 12 inches.

If you have another bag that needs to be checked, your Amex card can save you some cash. That's because Amex cardholders can get $5 off one checked bag at the East and South gates.

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Loaner radios with ESPN broadcasts

American Express radio stand at the 2023 U.S. Open. CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY

Since you can't be in two places at once, you can watch one match while following the other via ESPN on a free loaner radio. While supplies last, you can also get an earpiece radio with play-by-play coverage and highlights from the U.S. Open by showing an Amex credit card at a radio kiosk. Showing your card via mobile wallet is also acceptable.

There is a limit of one radio per cardmember, and the radios will only work within the grounds of the U.S. Open. They must be returned by the end of the day.

Concessions at the American Express Shop

CAPRI WHITELEY/THE POINTS GUY

Whether you're using your mobile wallet, tapping your card or swiping your card, you can buy concessions at this checkout-free shop in the South Plaza. This year, the shop will feature exclusive Ralph Lauren-branded U.S. Open merchandise and products from small businesses in New York City.

An exclusive lounge for all Amex cardholders

Anyone with an Amex credit card (excluding American Express prepaid cards) can access this lounge on the second floor of the U.S. Open American Express Fan Experience. Entrance is free (on a first-come, first-served basis), and cardholders can bring two guests.

Inside the lounge, you can access drinks and snacks, phone chargers and air conditioning to escape the summer heat. However, the space is capacity-controlled, so it's not guaranteed there will always be room.

This year, the lounge will feature an expanded Ralph Lauren Clubhouse where you can design your own Ralph Lauren U.S. Open-branded merchandise; partake in live portrait sketches from The Artist Zac and Slew; and enjoy a prepackaged scoop of a limited-edition Van Leeuwen ice cream flavor called Match Point Mint Chip x Amex (while supplies last; offered periodically each day of the tournament), among other activations.

An ice cream truck pop-up featuring the collaboration will be available across New York City from Thursday, Aug. 15, to Saturday, Aug. 17. Fans can enjoy a complimentary scoop while supplies last.

In addition to the lounge, travelers and locals can access a 20,000-square-foot Fan Experience near the main entrance and across from Louis Armstrong Stadium. The Fan Experience is accessible for all fans and Amex cardmembers throughout U.S. Open Fan Week (from Aug. 19 to 25) and during the tournament days.

Fan Experience activations include a tennis ball customization station with a variety of preset designs and letters for initials (while supplies last); opportunities to play a Tie Break round in the new tennis video game TopSpin 2K25 and an interactive mixed-reality game called Glow Tennis; and an interactive live mural experience designed by Yay Abe.

The Centurion Suite for Platinum and Centurion cardholders

CAPRI WHITELEY/THE POINTS GUY

In addition to the lounge available to all Amex cardholders, there will be a Centurion Suite available to those with the following cards:

The information for the Centurion Card and the Business Centurion Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

As with regular Centurion Lounge locations, entrance is free, but you must show your eligible card to enter. You also need to make a reservation in advance via Resy.

If there are no available reservations at your desired time, you may add yourself to the waitlist by clicking "Notify" on Resy to receive an SMS text if a spot becomes available.

American Express The Centurion Lounge at U.S. Open

RESY.COM

Same-day, 1-hour reservations will be released daily, starting at 10:00 a.m. ET on Aug. 26 through Sept. 8, subject to availability.

The rules state that Platinum cardholders can make reservations for tables of up to two people, while Centurion cardholders may make reservations for tables of up to four people. Each reservation provides up to one hour of access to the lounge.

The Centurion Lounge's menu includes dishes such as crispy chicken with sweet chili dipping sauce and herb salad, and grilled spiced zucchini with eggplant baba ganoush and hazelnuts. The cocktail menu features espresso martinis, honey deuces and Aperol spritzes.

Last year, guests could design their own custom passport holders. This year, guests can create their dream vacation inspired by American Express Travel's 2024 Trending Destinations and style a personalized, premium travel pouch (while supplies last).

The lounge opens daily at 11 a.m. EDT.

Bottom line

American Express credit cards can provide numerous perks, including access to special areas and experiences at events like the U.S. Open.

In May, Amex launched early ticket sales for cardholders ahead of public ticket sales in June.

Once the tournament begins later this month, cardholders will enjoy benefits such as free checked bags and access to exclusive lounges.

Related reading:

Featured image by CAPRI WHITELEY/THE POINTS GUY
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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Rewards rate
4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
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1XEarn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
Intro offer
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Annual fee
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  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.