Amex opens new wellness area in the Houston Centurion Lounge
The American Express Centurion Lounge in Houston is getting an amenity boost.
The issuer is opening a new wellness area inside the 8,500-square-foot lounge on Tuesday that's designed in partnership with leading mental wellness brand Calm.
The dedicated wellness space in the IAH Lounge will include complimentary access to Calm content, which includes meditation and other sessions focused on sleep and relaxation.
In addition to free access to the Calm content, the new area is stocked with a health and wellness cart that features a wide variety of healthy beverage options, including hot flavored teas, coconut water, blended juices, immune booster drinks and more.
The wellness room is also outfitted with lounge chairs, complimentary neck warmers and design details inspired by the ocean.
Amex's Houston lounge is on the small side and previously didn't offer much in the way of amenities. Unlike some of the issuer's outposts that feature spas and fitness rooms, the Houston location only had a family room on offer.
Now, the lounge is upping the game with a wellness area that's sure to be a hit with those looking to escape from the hustle and bustle of the airport. (However, families may be disappointed to hear that Amex is repurposing the play area for the Calm wellness room.)
You'll find the Amex Centurion Lounge in Terminal D at Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). The lounge is open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Adding a new wellness area to the Houston location is the issuer's latest enhancement to the Centurion Lounge network. Amex has continued to build out its network in recent years, opening new locations in New York-JFK and LaGuardia, London Heathrow and Denver during the pandemic, as well as an expanded outpost in Las Vegas.
Amex is also working to open new locations in Washington Reagan National, Newark and Atlanta, as well as renovated spaces in San Francisco and Seattle.
Amex's investment comes as the credit card lounge wars heat up.
Last year, Capital One opened its first branded airport lounge in Dallas/Fort Worth, with plans to open new locations in Denver and Washington Dulles later this year. Chase is also getting in the lounge game with its first tranche of lounges opening later this year in Boston, LaGuardia and Hong Kong.
Nevertheless, Amex has a nearly 10-year start over its competitors — and it's continuing to improve its existing locations as well.
TPG featured card
at Bilt's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 1X | Choose to earn up to 1X points on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee |
| 2X | Earn 2X points + the option to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday purchases |
Pros
- Choice to earn up to 1 Bilt Point per dollar spent on rent and mortgage payments
- Elevated everyday earnings with both Bilt Points and the option to earn Bilt Cash
- $400 Bilt Travel Portal hotel credit per year (up to $200 biannually)
- $200 Bilt Cash annually
- Priority Pass membership
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- Moderate annual fee
- Designed primarily for members seeking a premium, all-in-one card
- Earn points on housing with no transaction fee
- Choose to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday spend. Use Bilt Cash to unlock point earnings on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee, up to 1X.
- 2X points on everyday spend
- $400 Bilt Travel Hotel credit. Applied twice a year, as $200 statement credits, for qualifying Bilt Travel Portal hotel bookings.
- $200 Bilt Cash (awarded annually). At the end of each calendar year, any Bilt Cash balance over $100 will expire.
- Welcome bonus (subject to approval): 50,000 Bilt Points + Gold Status after spending $4,000 on everyday purchases in the first 90 days + $300 of Bilt Cash.
- Priority Pass ($469/year value). See Guide to Benefits.
- Bilt Point redemptions include airlines, hotels, future rent and mortgage payments, Lyft rides, statement credits, student loan balances, a down payment on a home, and more.