Amex to significantly expand San Francisco Centurion Lounge
Bay Area flyers, rejoice.
American Express plans to significantly expand and refresh its Centurion Lounge in the San Francisco airport (SFO).
This is welcome news for anyone who's passed through SFO in recent years. Located in Terminal 3, the Centurion Lounge is often one of the most crowded in the entire network.
A spokesperson confirmed to TPG that the lounge will nearly double in size. Once complete, the new space will measure nearly 16,000 square-feet, making it one of the largest Centurion Lounges in the network.
As part of the expansion, Amex will launch a new menu curated by Executive Chef Rabi Kapur.
Unfortunately, the issuer didn't have further details to share, like when the construction would be complete. However, it did confirm that the lounge will remain in Terminal 3, home to United's SFO operations.
In the years leading up to the pandemic, the San Francisco outpost was always packed. Considering how many Platinum Card® from American Express cardmembers travel through this mega-hub, there were often waitlists to enter. If you did manage to get in, finding a seat was a challenge in and of itself.
Related: Amex reveals Centurion Lounge reopening dates and more
In fact, when I recently reviewed the space in February, I arrived at the lounge just as it opened at around 5 a.m. By 7 a.m., the dining area was standing-room-only.
Amex recently reopened the existing SFO location on Oct. 12, following a nearly six-month closure. As part of the reopening, Amex introduced the Centurion Lounge Commitment, requiring all guests to wear face coverings. Additionally, all surfaces are getting deep cleaned more frequently and the bar and buffet are no longer self-serve.
And, Amex has lowered the number of people it lets in the doors to promote physical distancing. In recent days, TPG has heard from readers that even in the midst of the pandemic, this lounge is filling up to its capacity maximum.
Thankfully, help is on the way. Fingers crossed that the expansion will happen sooner rather than later.
Despite the pandemic, Amex is doubling down on its Centurion Lounge network. The issuer has opened four new locations in 2020: Charlotte, Los Angeles, New York-JFK and Phoenix. Additionally, the issuer is building a brand-new location in LaGuardia's Terminal B. Plus, the Las Vegas outpost is undergoing a much-needed renovation and expansion as well.
Related: Maximizing benefits with the Amex Platinum Card
But that's not all.
Amex still plans to open two new outposts by the end of the year, one in Denver and the other in London's Heathrow Airport. As such, there's truly no better time to be a Platinum cardmember.
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Why We Chose It
Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
- Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
- Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
- First checked bag free
Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
- SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
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- Terms Apply.
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Rewards Rate
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles50,000 Bonus MilesAnnual Fee
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Credit ranges are a variation of FICO© Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.670-850Excellent/Good
Why We Chose It
Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
- Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
- Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
- First checked bag free
Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
- SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees