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.

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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.

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(Photo courtesy of American Express)

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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.