Chris was a reporter at The Points Guy, where he covered the intersection of credit card rewards and travel. At TPG, he wrote a broad array of stories ranging from in-depth features and reports to trending travel news as it related to loyalty, card benefits and consumer behavior.
April 12, 2021 • 8 min read
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Quick summary
A major airport lounge network is implementing a new guest policy starting February 2023, charging $50 per guest for most visitors accompanying a cardholder.
The change aims to reduce overcrowding in lounges, which have become busier as premium travel cards grow in popularity.
Solo travelers and business flyers are expected to benefit most from the less crowded environment and improved access to amenities like seating and power outlets.
Families, especially those with young children, may be negatively impacted since children under 13 cannot be added as authorized users to avoid the guest fee.
What to consider
Authorized users on eligible accounts are exempt from the $50 per-visit guest fee, but adding an authorized user comes with its own cost.
Children under 13 cannot be added as authorized users, limiting options for families seeking to avoid guest charges.
The policy change comes with significant advance notice, but further adjustments to lounge access rules or card benefits may occur before implementation.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed look at how the new lounge guest policy specifically affects different types of travelers, including solo flyers and families.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
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Lounges can be a refuge from the hustle and bustle of a busy airport terminal. But there are times when many others have the same idea and the refuge concept gives way to yet another busy spot in the airport.
Credit cards that provide lounge access have grown in popularity in recent years, but the supply of lounge space hasn't quite developed at the same pace. The Platinum Card® from American Express and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express are two such cards, providing access to popular (and sometimes crowded) Centurion Lounges.
The result is that a lounge may not be any more relaxing or hospitable than the terminal itself. In fact, the Centurion Lounge has been getting a reputation of late -- high quality but highly trafficked.
Amex has a new plan to reduce the number of travelers in its lounges and preserve cardholder's experience. Instead of two complimentary guests, Amex has announced that starting Feb. 1, 2023, most Centurion Lounge guests who enter with a cardholder will be charged $50 each.
As a frequent solo traveler with an Amex Platinum card, here's why I'm looking forward to this new policy.
Picture this. You're navigating a congested mass of travelers in the terminal while struggling with a lack of power outlets and good Wi-Fi. Thankfully, there's a lounge that could be a respite to work, eat and freshen up before boarding a flight.
The problem? You find it to be just as crowded as the terminal below.
Lounge crowding pre-pandemic at SFO (Photo by Zach Griff/The Points Guy)
This isn't just a hypothetical example; it's what I've experienced at many airports, including those with a Centurion Lounge. The Miami Centurion location, even with its expanded footprint, suffers from this issue often. Amex is also expanding its San Francisco (SFO) lounge and building a new lounge in Seattle (SEA), which quickly outgrew its Centurion Studio space.
Whether it's an airline lounge, a Priority Pass lounge or a Centurion Lounge, I hope for these spaces to be somewhat peaceful where I can relax or stay productive -- such as this American lounge in Dallas (DFW) pictured below.
I'm grateful that my Amex Platinum card -- with Centurion Lounge access -- has been able to provide that on dozens of occasions. But when it can't, it makes me wish Amex would do more to figure out a solution.
And come 2023, they will go through with one of their most drastic measures yet.
The fact of the matter is that while I travel often, that travel is typically solo. Or, at the very least, I'm flying solo to meet friends or coworkers elsewhere.
Waiting to enter the Centurion Lounge at DFW Airport. (Photo by Chris Dong/The Points Guy)
This Centurion Lounge policy change benefits solo frequent flyers and business travelers the most. Even now, after a six-month pandemic-related closure, most locations are again operating at capacity, with many cardmembers being asked to join a waitlist for entry.
More space to spread out and work
I appreciate the thoughtful variety of seating arrangements that Amex set up in its lounges. From chaise lounge chairs to sofas to high-top stools, there is an assortment of options to choose from.
Before the pandemic, finding a simple table with an outlet was sometimes a challenge.
Pre-pandemic Centurion Lounge Hong Kong. (Photo by Zach Griff/The Points Guy)
By reducing the number of people who can access Centurion Lounges, I stand a better chance of getting access to the things that I need to do what I need to do on the road. After all, one of my biggest pain points of a terminal isn't usually the crowds; it's actually finding a flat surface where I can place my laptop and access both power and Wi-Fi.
In the occasional instance when I need to bring a guest into the lounge, paying $50 could be well worth the cost.
Centurion Lounge Miami (Photo by Zach Honig/The Points Guy)
After all, even one-time passes at more bare-bones airline lounges usually cost just as much -- if not more.
For instance, a one-time pass to any United Club is $59. From premium food to an open bar, spending a few hours at the Centurion Lounge for $50 seems valuable enough for the rare times I'll need it.
However, if others have this same idea, the crowds may return.
Keep in mind, authorized Amex Platinum card users won’t be subject to the $50 per-visit guest fee. You currently can add Platinum authorized-user cards to your primary personal Platinum account for a total fee of $195 each per year (see rates and fees). However, children younger than 13 can’t be added as authorized users, so this is a noticeable devaluation for families.
The surge in popularity of premium travel credit cards, such as the Platinum card, has meant more people eligible for lounge access than ever and Amex finally took a hard stance on its access policy.
Thankfully, we're getting a nearly two-year notice about these changes and plenty will likely change within the lounge and premium card landscape before then.
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum card, please click here.
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
