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The Platinum Card From American Express offers a number of excellent benefits and one of the most valuable is the lounge access. If you hold an Amex Platinum card, you can enjoy unlimited access to the Amex Centurion lounges, but is it actually worth it?
Here we’ll explore the Amex Platinum lounge access benefit in more detail to help you discover if this perk is worthwhile for you.
Amex Platinum Lounge Access: How Does It Work?
One of the perks of the Amex Platinum card is its lounge access. In addition to having a free Priority Pass Select card, you can use the Amex Global Lounge Collection. This means that you have access to over 1,400 airport lounges in 650 cities across 140 countries.
Using the Priority Pass is simple. You will need to enroll in the program and you should receive your physical card in the mail in 10 to 14 days. Once you have your card, you can present your card along with your boarding pass to enter participating lounges.
The Centurion Lounge: Exclusive, But There Are Drawbacks
The Centurion Lounge is even more exclusive and Amex Platinum customers can enjoy unlimited access. There are currently over 40 Centurion Lounges and to enter one you need to present your Platinum card along with your ID and a boarding pass showing your reservation for same day travel.
It may also be possible to use the Amex app with mobile check in rather than showing your physical card, but you may still need to show your identification and boarding pass. Bear in mind that the name on your card must match the name on your ID.
However, there are some limits to Centurion Lounge entry. Firstly, you cannot enter using a boarding pass for an arrival flight unless you have a connecting flight at the same airport. Second, you cannot enter the lounge more than three hours before your scheduled departure time.
Finally, you are not guaranteed entry to a Centurion Lounge. Depending on demand and capacity, you may be waitlisted. The lounge team will take your name and phone number and they will notify you when it is your turn.
What Can You Typically Find in an Amex Platinum Lounge?
The Amex Centurion Lounges are fairly consistent and offer some excellent food and beverage offerings. While the general offerings are similar, each lounge has its own flair thanks to their local celebrity chef. Food and drinks are complimentary in the lounge. The selection includes complimentary alcoholic drinks including beer, wine and signature cocktails, soft drinks, water and coffee.
In terms of food, breakfast is typically served around opening time with a continental breakfast and a warm breakfast approximately 30 to 60 minutes after opening. For the rest of the day, there is a lunch and dinner menu with a number of hot items, which are typically served buffet style. The menus are different at each location, but they don’t tend to have massive changes throughout the year.
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Enjoy Spa, Body Lab, And Private Workspaces
In addition to offering food and drink, each Centurion lounge tends to have unique amenities. For example, the Dallas lounge has its Exhale Spa. This offers complimentary 15 minute massages. This service is available on a first come, first served basis, but you can schedule an appointment at the front desk.
The Houston lounge has a wellness area which is in partnership with Calm, so you can enjoy Calm content and healthy beverage choices from the health and wellness cart. At JFK, there is the Equinox Body Lab, where you can choose from a variety of treatments, exercises, massages and therapies free of charge. Most lounges have shower suites, so you can freshen up before you travel.
All Centurion lounges offer private workspaces, WiFi and comfortable furniture, so you can find a spot to rest and relax. Some lounges also have other amenities such as full service bars, pool tables, tabletop games and other equipment.
How to Access the Amex Global Lounge Collection
As we touched on earlier, there are several different lounges within the Amex Global Lounge collection. These include:
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Centurion Lounge
There are a growing number of Centurion lounges at airports around the world. As we covered above, there are complimentary food and drinks, shower facilities and comfortable seating with work spaces.
As an Amex Platinum cardholder, you can enjoy unlimited access, but you will need to pay a fee if you bring a guest.
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Priority Pass Lounge
One of the perks of the Amex Platinum is the Priority Pass Select membership. This provides access to more than 1,000 lounge locations around the world. You can also bring one additional guest into many lounges without an additional charge.
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Delta Sky Club
If you’re flying Delta, you can access the Delta lounges with a same day boarding pass up to three hours before your scheduled departure.
In the Delta Sky Clubs, you can enjoy a selection of cold and hot food, complimentary bars with the option to purchase premium drinks, comfortable seating, ample workspace and in many locations shower facilities.
While you can’t bring a guest for free, you can purchase guest access for up to two travel companions at a cost of $39 per person.
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Escape Lounge
Escape Lounges are available throughout the U.S and these locations offer an open bar with regionally inspired drinks including craft cocktails and excellent dining inspired by local chefs.
Cardholders can bring two guests with them into the lounge free of charge, but it is also possible to purchase a day pass for $45, with a $5 discount if you purchase in advance via the Escape Lounges website.
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Aspire Lounge
Aspire currently only has two lounges in the U.S, and you can swipe your Amex card for access. The lounge offers light snacks, fresh brewed coffee, and soft drinks. This includes a selection of cookies, fruit and crudites. In some locations, there are hot food items such as noodles, chicken skewers and cooked breakfast foods.
While alcoholic beverages are not complementary, you can purchase them including beers, wine and signature cocktails.
As a Platinum cardholder, you can enter the lounge for free and bring two guests with you at no charge.
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Lufthansa Lounge
If you’re flying with the Lufthansa group, you can visit a Lufthansa Business Lounge or Senator Lounge. You’ll need to be flying from Munich or Frankfurt in any fare class for access to the Business Lounge or business class for the Senator lounge.
The participating lounges are in T2 at Munich and T1 Concourse B at Frankfurt.
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Plaza Premium
There are 50 Plaza Premium locations across the world, offering an open bar, complimentary cold and hot food, workspace and in some of the locations shower facilities. As a Platinum cardholder, you can also bring two guests with you free of charge.
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Centurion Clubs
These are international Amex lounges which require a same day boarding pass and offer complimentary drinks and food, with some offering free alcoholic beverages. You can also bring one guest with you for free.
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Does Amex Offer More Cards With Lounge Access
In addition to the Platinum card, American Express offers other cards that provide free lounge access. These include:
- Delta SkyMiles Reserve: To access Amex lounges, you need to be flying Delta or on a Delta marketed flight. You can bring up to two guests with you, but there is a $50 per person charge.
- Centurion Card: The Centurion card is invitation only and the highest tier Amex card. It offers lounge access for the cardholder and two additional guests or family members free of charge. It is also possible to purchase day passes for any additional guests at a cost of $50 each.
Amex Platinum Lounge Access vs Chase Sapphire Reserve
As the lounges owned by Chase are not yet available in the United States, we'll have to assess the Priority Pass network in comparison to the Amex Platinum Lounge Access. Here are some notable distinctions:
- Ample Lounge Access: With the Amex Platinum card, you get a broad range of lounge access options. Besides the Priority Pass network, you can enter Centurion Lounges, Delta SkyClubs, Aspire Lounges, Escape Lounges, Plaza Premium, Centurion Clubs, and Lufthansa Lounges.
- Full-Fledged Meals: Although many Priority Pass lounges provide light snacks, the Centurion Lounges offer a diverse selection of hot and cold meals. This includes a warm and continental breakfast served about 30 minutes after opening, as well as lunch and dinner menus and a buffet-style spread of hot items.
- Location-Specific Amenities: Each Centurion Lounge has its unique set of amenities. These include complimentary massages at spas, wellness centers, and the Equinox Body Lab. Some Centurion Lounges also have fully stocked bars and tabletop games.
FAQs
While it is possible to purchase day passes, the primary way to access the Amex Platinum Lounge is by holding an Amex Platinum card.
American Express tightened up the rules for lounge access in 2019. Now, lounge guests are limited to a maximum stay of three hours before their departing or connecting flight.
You can find a list of the available lounges on the American Express website.
In most cases, you can bring guests with you, but depending on the lounge and the access, you may need to pay a fee for each guest.
Like most of Amex cards, the Amex Gold card does not provide free lounge access.
You can activate your Priority Pass on the official Priority Pass website. You’ll need to enter your Amex membership number, create an account and enter a validation code.
If you have any issues with accessing the Amex Platinum lounge, you can speak to a member of the Amex team. The Amex representative should be able to assist you with most issues including if you don’t have your Amex card with you.
