Update: One or more card offers in this post are no longer available. Check our Hot Deals for the latest offers.
Lots of folks consider American Express Centurion Lounges to be the best lounges in the US. That’s because they offer perks like tasty buffet-style meals, premium alcoholic beverages, showers, conference spaces, and speedy Wi-Fi.
Previously, you needed a boarding pass, same-day flight, and eligible AMEX Platinum card to enter the lounge. But it looks like AMEX is testing out new restrictions at a couple Centurion Lounges. Signs posted in the Centurion Lounges in Miami and Seattle state:
- Access is limited to 2 hours prior to the scheduled departure time of your flight
- Inbound boarding passes are NOT accepted for entry
So you can’t have an extended break in these lounges. And if you’re arriving, you’re not eligible to visit.
If these rules spread to all Centurion Lounges, that could devalue the lounge access benefit you get with cards like The Platinum Card® from American Express and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express. Or, it could enhance your visit to a Centurion Lounge, because there won’t be nearly as many travelers fighting for seats!
You can find AMEX Centurion Lounges in:
- Dallas-Fort Worth
- Denver (coming soon)
- Houston Intercontinental
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles (coming soon)
- New York-La Guardia
- New York – JFK (coming soon)
- Miami
- Philadelphia
- San Francisco
- Seattle-Tacoma
Let me know what you think of this change! And check out my post on the top cards for airport lounge access.