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The first American Express Centurion® Lounge opened in 2013 in Las Vegas (full review here). Since then, the credit card issuer has launched 13 lounges in the US with new locations in Reagan National Airport (DCA) and Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) coming in 2024 (and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) opening in 2026, as reported earlier today).
When American Express came on the scene with the Centurion® Lounges, they were something different with high-end amenities like spa treatments, locally-inspired gourmet food, premium spirits and wines, and more. The lounges have become insanely popular with long wait times and crowding becoming an issue at some locations. Competitors like Chase and Capital One have launched their own lounges (my review of the Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club at Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) is here). But, currently each of them only has one location.
Each lounge has something slightly different. Partnerships include an Equinox Body Lab at New York City’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), as well as Exhale Spas at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), and Miami International Airport (MIA). Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) has the first full-service coffee bar serving our American Express’ “Blue Roast by American Express,” and the San Francisco International Airport (SFO) lounge offers flights of regional wines.
American Express has been in the travel business for over 100 years and these lounges truly offer travelers a great place to relax, dine, and work before a flight.
Anthony’s Take: I’m always excited when I see the living plant walls leading into the Centurion® Lounges. I have spent countless hours in them and as they continue to expand, I look to spend many more.
Anthony’s Credit Card Pick: I love the lounges where The Platinum Card® from American Express grants me access. It has had a prominent place in my wallet for many years now. While it does have an annual fee of $695, it provides many travel benefits and will always be my go-to for lounge access (both Delta Sky Clubs® and Centurion® Lounges) and booking airfare from the airlines to earn 5x points (up to $500,000 per calendar year). Learn more. Rates & Fees. Terms apply.
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1 comment
The article mentions that Capital One and Chase now have an airport lounge, but the bigger impact is that traditional airline-operated lounges in the USA had to up their game. Now that an Admiral’s Club has more than cheese cubes, people actually want to go to lounges, and the general problem at every lounge has become overcrowding.