Amex delays opening of Denver, London Centurion Lounges
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
2020 has been a big year for the American Express Centurion Lounge network.
Despite the pandemic, the issuer forged ahead with investment in its top-tier airport lounge network and opened four new lounges, with plans for even more.
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However, we've learned that two openings that were slated for this year in Denver (DEN) and London Heathrow (LHR) have been delayed.
American Express confirmed to TPG in a statement that the opening of both will slide to 2021, saying "Due to these unprecedented times, our lounge openings at Denver International Airport (DEN) and Heathrow Airport (LHR) are experiencing delays. We will continue to work closely with our airport partners and look forward to opening in 2021. We will share more information soon, so stay tuned!"
The Denver lounge has been delayed multiple times. Once it opens, it'll be located in Terminal C (primarily serving Southwest Airlines) and will hold the title of the second-largest Centurion Lounge at 14,650 square feet.
Related: Who should get the Platinum Card® from American Express?
On a recent visit through the airport, I noticed that the construction was definitely progressing, so it's certainly a bummer for those who were excited to check out the Denver location this ski season.
The Heathrow location in Terminal 3 will be the issuer's second international location. (The first is in Hong Kong.) At just about 7,000 square feet, the relatively small space will feature showers, private workstations and other amenities.
Still, with four new lounges this year, Platinum and Centurion cardmembers have plenty of exclusive spaces waiting for them when they're ready to take to the skies again.
It all started back in January with the opening of a new lounge in Phoenix (PHX). Within weeks, Amex unveiled two other new locations — one in Charlotte (CLT) and another in Los Angeles (LAX).
And then the pandemic hit, abruptly shutting down all 13 locations. As the lounges reopened, Amex also opened its largest location to date, in New York's JFK airport.
Next year is also shaping up to be a blockbuster year for the Centurion Lounge network.
In addition to the two new outposts, Amex plans to open a new space at New York's LaGuardia Airport (LGA). This one will be located post-security in the brand-new Terminal B Departures and Arrivals Hall — a marked improvement from the previous LGA lounge.
The Las Vegas space is getting overhauled as well. Slated to open in 2021, the expanded lounge will grow by about 50%. With a new design, it'll offer additional multipurpose rooms, new private telephone booths, workspace areas and a refreshed reception area.
Related: The ultimate guide to American Express Centurion Lounges
Earlier this month, Amex announced that its San Francisco location (SFO) will also receive a significant expansion. With more than 1,200 daily visitors (pre-pandemic, of course), the current space was subject to significant overcrowding. We don't yet know when the new SFO space will open, but our fingers are crossed for it to be soon.
In recent months, Amex has sweetened the deal for cardholders currently stuck at home. The issuer added credits for streaming and wireless telephone carriers for the rest of the year for all holders of The Platinum Card® from American Express. Plus, the issuer has introduced limited-time offers for those looking to book trips through Amex Travel.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 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. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
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- No foreign transaction fees
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Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 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.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
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- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
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- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.