Another Big Airport Lounge Policy Change! Are You Affected?

Signing up for credit cards through partner links earns us a commission. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Here’s our full advertising policy: How we make money.

I told you AMEX tightened their Centurion Lounge guest policies earlier this year.  And now, AMEX has made another big change!

Folks are reporting that starting today, October 2, 2017, you will no longer be able to buy AMEX Centurion Lounge day passes!  So if you don’t have an AMEX credit card granting you access to the Centurion Lounges, you will NOT be allowed in.

No More AMEX Centurion Lounge Day Passes

Link:   AMEX Centurion Lounge

Before today, anyone with an AMEX credit card could purchase a day pass into any AMEX Centurion Lounge for $50 per person.  But to the imaginable delight of folks with Centurion Lounge access from credit cards, this will no longer be an option!

I noticed this crowding problem when I reviewed the Centurion Lounge in San Francisco.  There were barely any available seats at all!

So AMEX is doing this to prevent crowding in their lounges, and to give folks with their premium credit cards a better experience.  If you have a credit card that grants Centurion Lounge access, you’re probably happy to hear this!  But if you do NOT, your lounge options just got smaller.

There are only a few cards that will give you access to Centurion Lounges:

• The Platinum Card® from American Express
• The Platinum Card® from American Express Exclusively for Mercedes-Benz
• The Business Platinum® Card from American Express
• American Express Centurion Card (invitation only)

With these cards, the lounge policies will remain the same.  You can bring 2 guests with these cards.  And you can purchase day passes for more guests if you like.

Bottom Line

For folks who don’t have AMEX Platinum credit cards, you can no longer buy access to AMEX Centurion Lounges for $50 per day.

This may be disappoints news for some.  But why buy access, when you can apply for cards that give you access for free? 😉

How do you feel about this policy change?

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

APPLY NOW

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $750 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.

• Enjoy new benefits such as a $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3X points on dining and 2X points on all other travel purchases, plus more.

• Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.

• With Pay Yourself Back℠, your points are worth 25% more during the current offer when you redeem them for statement credits against existing purchases in select, rotating categories.

• Get unlimited deliveries with a $0 delivery fee and reduced service fees on eligible orders over $12 for a minimum of one year with DashPass, DoorDash’s subscription service. Activate by 12/31/21.

• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.

• Get up to $60 back on an eligible Peloton Digital or All-Access Membership through 12/31/2021, and get full access to their workout library through the Peloton app, including cardio, running, strength, yoga, and more. Take classes using a phone, tablet, or TV. No fitness equipment is required.

Intro APR on purchases

N/A

Regular APR

15.99%-22.99% Variable

Annual Fee

$95

Balance Transfer Fee

Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.

Rates & Fees

Annual Fee $95

Other

Credit Needed Excellent / Good

Issuer Chase

Card Type Visa

MORE INFO