Lounge Review: The Centurion® Lounge by American Express (LHR)

While passing through London Heathrow (LHR) today, I had the opportunity to briefly check out the Centurion® Lounge® by American Express. I’ve never been to this location before (it’s in Terminal 3 and I rarely fly oneworld airlines). This terminal houses Virgin Atlantic, American Airlines, British Airways, Qantas, and several others. Unfortunately, I can report that US locations are not the only ones subject to overcrowding.

To reach the lounge, you need to take an elevator.

Access

Access to the Centurion® Lounge is given to customers carrying The Platinum Card® from American Express, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, The Centurion® Card, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, or the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card. Cardholders are entitled to bring two guests (or immediate family with a Centurion® Card) as long as they spend over $75,000 a year on their card. If that threshold is not hit then only the cardholder can enter for free with a fee of $50 per guest ($30 for children ages 2-17) per visit.

Anthony’s Take: The Centurion® Lounges have been some of my favorites since they opened. American Express continues to offer a great experience with restaurant-quality food and cocktails, comfortable spaces to work and relax, and other amenities that vary by location. The London location was too crowded and way too warm. They had the heat cranked up and we stayed only a short time before moving to the British Airways lounge.

Bar

When entering the main room, you’ll find the bar near the buffet. Unlike most airline lounges, all alcohol here is complimentary. This includes premium spirits and wines. American Express even has cocktail menus that vary by location.

Iced tea and lemonade

A coffee machine was nearby.

Tea and condiments were on the counter next to the coffee machine.

A second drink station was in the room closest to the restrooms.

Food

Breakfast was being served when I visited. The spread was pretty impressive with multiple hot options, cereal, yogurt parfaits, fruit, oatmeal, pastries, and more.

Oatmeal

Cereal and condiments

Fruit, yogurt, granola, and more

Cheese and yogurt parfaits

Bread and pastries

More bread

Beans, Shakshuka, hash browns, and Cinnamon Brioche French Toast

Sausage, bacon, mushrooms, and eggs

Seating

There are all sorts of seating configurations for working, socializing, and lounging. While I visited most seats were taken and the lounge eventually moved to a waitlist.

The iconic dog pictured here makes an appearance in all American Express lounges.

There is a dedicated area for Centurion® cardholders.

There are a few phone booth rooms for taking calls near the front of the lounge.

Amenities

The Centurion® Lounge at London Heathrow Airport (LHR) features showers, free Wi-Fi, and all of the food and beverages listed above.

There were several TVs throughout the lounge. I was unable to get any photos of the showers as they were all occupied during my visit.

As we left, we noticed that they had gone to a waitlist.

Overall Impression:

We spent only a short time at the Centurion® Lounge due to it being so crowded and stiflingly hot. I enjoyed the food and found it achieved the high level of service and amenities that American Express has offered since it first introduced the Centurion® Lounge concept. I just wish it had less people packed into every square inch.