Amex plans massive, brand-new Centurion Lounge in Seattle
This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page.
Though all American Express Centurion Lounges are currently shuttered due to the coronavirus pandemic, the issuer has been working behind-the-scenes to greatly improve its network of 12 lounges.
The latest development, as flagged by One Mile at a Time, is that Amex is planning a brand-new Centurion Lounge location in Seattle. One of the topics on the Port of Seattle’s next meeting is the Amex proposal to relocate the Centurion Lounge in the Seattle Tacoma International Airport (SEA).
When it opened, the American Express Centurion Lounge in Seattle was the smallest location. It wasn’t even called a lounge, but rather a “Studio.” And it was consistently crowded.
For more travel tips and news, sign up for our daily newsletter.
However, things have since changed. In 2017, Amex found a little more space and expanded the Studio to 4,500 square feet. Though still on the small side, it now welcomes more cardmembers. Nonetheless, the lounge still feels like a studio since it only offers the bare necessities — and suffers from overcrowding.
Based on the plans, American Express intends to abandon the current location and build out a new space on the upper level of the Central Terminal area. The 10-year lease would cost Amex about $3 million per year for the first five years (with adjustments thereafter), and about $16.5 million to actually build.
The proposed new lounge would span roughly 13,700 square feet, representing a 200% increase from the current location. While the current lounge lacks even the most basic amenities like plentiful and clean restrooms, the new lounge mockup includes large restrooms, multiple conference rooms, phone booths and at least one shower. Sadly, there’s no spa included in the rendering of the new space.
Per Amex, “We are working closely with the Port of Seattle to explore options for a new, expanded location for our Centurion Lounge at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport within the Central Terminal.” I’m really hopeful that this proposal gets approved on Tuesday and Amex moves forward with building the new location.
Related: Amex reveals updated opening dates for new Centurion Lounges
The new SEA location joins three other lounges under construction in Denver (DEN), London Heathrow (LHR) and New York-JFK. The latter two were scheduled to open in the first half of 2020, but the coronavirus has delayed the opening until the second half of the year.
Additionally, TPG was the first to exclusively report that the issuer is renovating its first-ever Centurion Lounge in Las Vegas, expanding the space by 50%. That project should be complete in 2021.
Likewise, Amex plans to unveil a brand-new location in New York’s LaGuardia Airport to coincide with the opening of the new Central Terminal B. This new LGA location will open shortly and will be located post-security, and accessible to all flyers on Air Canada, American Airlines, Southwest and United.
Related: The ultimate guide to American Express Centurion Lounges
Along with the new lounge openings and expansions coming to the Centurion Lounge network, Amex has sweetened the deal for would-be travelers currently stuck at home. The updates to The Platinum Card® from American Express include added credits for streaming and wireless telephone carriers through December 31, 2020. And then, once travel resumes, Platinum cardholders can once again enjoy the Centurion Lounge, especially since the network will be bigger and better than before.
Featured photo of the Centurion Lounge in Los Angeles by Zach Griff/The Points Guy
WELCOME OFFER: 60,000 Points
TPG'S BONUS VALUATION*: $1,200
CARD HIGHLIGHTS: 2X points on all travel and dining, points transferrable to over a dozen travel partners
*Bonus value is an estimated value calculated by TPG and not the card issuer. View our latest valuations here.
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- 2X points on travel and dining at restaurants worldwide & 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
- Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel
- Get unlimited deliveries with a $0 delivery fee and reduced service fees on orders over $12 for a minimum of one year on qualifying food purchases with DashPass, DoorDash's subscription service. Activate by 12/31/21.
- Earn 5X points on Lyft rides through March 2022. That’s 3X points in addition to the 2X points you already earn on travel.
Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.