Jan 24, 2019, 7:51 am
Last edit by: mia
Policy Changes effective March 22, 2019
Source: https://thecenturionlounge.com/info/access/
NOTE: FOR PLATINUM CARD MEMBERS ONLY
The Centurion Lounge is a day of departure lounge. We will not admit arriving Platinum Card Members with boarding passes for flights that have just landed. We will admit Platinum Card Members with layovers or connecting flights who produce proof of connecting flight.
We will not admit Platinum Card Members more than 3 hours before the departure time on the Platinum Card Member’s same-day, confirmed boarding pass. This does not apply to Platinum Card Members with a connecting flight.
We will admit children under 2 years of age free of charge, provided an accompanying parent or guardian is able to produce a “lap infant” boarding pass or proof of age
The Centurion Lounge is a day of departure lounge. We will not admit arriving Platinum Card Members with boarding passes for flights that have just landed. We will admit Platinum Card Members with layovers or connecting flights who produce proof of connecting flight.
We will not admit Platinum Card Members more than 3 hours before the departure time on the Platinum Card Member’s same-day, confirmed boarding pass. This does not apply to Platinum Card Members with a connecting flight.
We will admit children under 2 years of age free of charge, provided an accompanying parent or guardian is able to produce a “lap infant” boarding pass or proof of age
Centurion Lounge crowding (2015-2019)
Mar 19, 2015, 1:35 am
#181
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Marin County, California
Programs: Amex Centurion
Posts: 412
Makes sense that more and more frequent travelers will be getting the Platinum card in order to have regular, ongoing access to the Centurion Lounges. It's a no-brainer when you consider the value of a couple of hundred dollars in annual fee in order to obtain access to a lounge that offers comfortable amenities, plenty of quality food and alcohol worth many times that annual fee. Who wouldn't? It's an amazing deal and Amex is footing the bill!
Mar 19, 2015, 1:42 am
#182
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 8,460
If the lounge is beyond crowded, I'm not sure I would refer to the amenities as "comfortable." I don't like having to smell my neighbors.
Mar 19, 2015, 7:35 am
#183
Used to be MBS PremExec
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Saginaw, MI (MBS)
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM, Marriott Titanium w/Lifetime Plat, Hilton LIfetime ♢, National Exec, Amex Plat
Posts: 5,722
Makes sense that more and more frequent travelers will be getting the Platinum card in order to have regular, ongoing access to the Centurion Lounges. It's a no-brainer when you consider the value of a couple of hundred dollars in annual fee in order to obtain access to a lounge that offers comfortable amenities, plenty of quality food and alcohol worth many times that annual fee. Who wouldn't? It's an amazing deal and Amex is footing the bill!
SFO: 9AM-11AM on a Thursday, 6PM-7:30PM on a Sunday
LAS: twice leaving before 7AM, once around noon, once 4PM for a few minutes, and twice around 6-8PM for a short spell, varying days of the week.
It's never been THAT crowded for me--LAS has been busy, for sure, around 4PM, but I was able to get a seat by myself (not having to share a table). When I arrived SFO at 9AM it was 'hopping', certainly not PACKED. I got an awesome seat on my first walkaround. It was busier by the time I left, but I didn't see anyone standing and saw open seats at the bar and a few in the eating area.
Sure, I bet Monday AM and Thursday/Friday PMs are CRAZY, but scrap the whole access policy because of a few hours a week?
Should they just build the lounges so big that there's always empty seats and sprawling spaces? (I think that's what happened when they first opened LAS and only let in Centurions gratis...They realized these lounges weren't being very well utilized.
Mar 19, 2015, 6:24 pm
#184
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 10,904
Makes sense that more and more frequent travelers will be getting the Platinum card in order to have regular, ongoing access to the Centurion Lounges. It's a no-brainer when you consider the value of a couple of hundred dollars in annual fee in order to obtain access to a lounge that offers comfortable amenities, plenty of quality food and alcohol worth many times that annual fee. Who wouldn't? It's an amazing deal and Amex is footing the bill!
I fly SFO-LAS about 10-15 round trips per year. So I have lots of chances to use the lounge.
The problem is, in SFO, it's in the wrong terminal. Having to clear security an extra time makes it more hassle than it's worth. I'd rather pay to use the VS lounge (I always fly VX).
On the return trip, it's in the right terminal, but... who cares? I'm never going to get to the airport early in LAS. If I want a free meal and drinks I'll get them at the casino before I leave. The traffic there is never bad so getting to the airport early is pointless. I suppose that it would be useful if I ever had a lengthy delay, but that is so rare that I'd rather just pay the $50 for each use. Once I almost used it when my flight was delayed, but it turned out that the previous flight was departing at the same time as my original flight was scheduled to leave, and I got on that through standby. If there had been no F seats available, my plan was to wait for my original flight and finally check out the lounge, but it didn't happen.
If I routinely had connections in LAS, then I could see myself wanting to use the lounge frequently, but, as it is, I don't see it being worth a $450 annual fee. I will probably eventually make it over there, but I certainly won't use it 9x per year. Maybe once a year?
Mar 20, 2015, 5:18 am
#185
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
The first Centurion lounge opened in Las Vegas in 2013 and was initially pay for entry for any but Centurion Cardmembers. Here's a quote when the Las Vegas lounge first opened:
"Any eligible American Express Cardmember may purchase a one-day Access Key at the Lounge for $50.
"Any eligible American Express Cardmember may purchase a one-day Access Key at the Lounge for $50.
Mar 20, 2015, 3:18 pm
#187
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
more of a marketing thing?
Mar 22, 2015, 6:36 am
#188
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,860
The card is a bit weak for me. $200 airline credit and the GoGo passes make this a tolerable card though. I already exceed the statuses offered by this card. So National+SPG does nothing for me.
I don't have diamond status from Hilton, so that is about the only thing I would benefit from per se. I basically think of the amex lounges as icing on top. Because I am not at the 4 airports with these clubs nearly enough to say I get a valuable return out of them. I had an engagement in Vegas and some long layovers in Dallas, which allowed me to use the club way more than I would have otherwise expected.
I don't have diamond status from Hilton, so that is about the only thing I would benefit from per se. I basically think of the amex lounges as icing on top. Because I am not at the 4 airports with these clubs nearly enough to say I get a valuable return out of them. I had an engagement in Vegas and some long layovers in Dallas, which allowed me to use the club way more than I would have otherwise expected.
Thank you for so eloquently putting it. This is EXACTLY my motivation in getting the plat card. By the time you figure the $200 UA statement credit, the net $250 charge is more than worth it...As long as it stays status quo on entry rules. (I gotta say, I'm also really enjoying the Exec status at National Car, and will also find some value in Starwood Gold).
Granted, since getting the Plat card in January, I've only been to SFO (twice) and LAS (6 times)...
SFO: 9AM-11AM on a Thursday, 6PM-7:30PM on a Sunday
LAS: twice leaving before 7AM, once around noon, once 4PM for a few minutes, and twice around 6-8PM for a short spell, varying days of the week.
It's never been THAT crowded for me--LAS has been busy, for sure, around 4PM, but I was able to get a seat by myself (not having to share a table). When I arrived SFO at 9AM it was 'hopping', certainly not PACKED. I got an awesome seat on my first walkaround. It was busier by the time I left, but I didn't see anyone standing and saw open seats at the bar and a few in the eating area.
Sure, I bet Monday AM and Thursday/Friday PMs are CRAZY, but scrap the whole access policy because of a few hours a week?
Should they just build the lounges so big that there's always empty seats and sprawling spaces? (I think that's what happened when they first opened LAS and only let in Centurions gratis...They realized these lounges weren't being very well utilized.
Granted, since getting the Plat card in January, I've only been to SFO (twice) and LAS (6 times)...
SFO: 9AM-11AM on a Thursday, 6PM-7:30PM on a Sunday
LAS: twice leaving before 7AM, once around noon, once 4PM for a few minutes, and twice around 6-8PM for a short spell, varying days of the week.
It's never been THAT crowded for me--LAS has been busy, for sure, around 4PM, but I was able to get a seat by myself (not having to share a table). When I arrived SFO at 9AM it was 'hopping', certainly not PACKED. I got an awesome seat on my first walkaround. It was busier by the time I left, but I didn't see anyone standing and saw open seats at the bar and a few in the eating area.
Sure, I bet Monday AM and Thursday/Friday PMs are CRAZY, but scrap the whole access policy because of a few hours a week?
Should they just build the lounges so big that there's always empty seats and sprawling spaces? (I think that's what happened when they first opened LAS and only let in Centurions gratis...They realized these lounges weren't being very well utilized.
Mar 22, 2015, 4:50 pm
#189
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Cockeysville, MD
Programs: Marriott Rewards Lifetime Titanium, Amex Plat, Hertz Gold 5*, National Exec, AA Plat
Posts: 9,467
I had to laugh at a text from my wife today. First time using a Centurion lounge (DFW). Message was: Very nice lounge, but a bit crowded... I immediately thought of this thread.
Nov 25, 2015, 12:29 pm
#190
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Marin County, California
Programs: Amex Centurion
Posts: 412
Seems like every Centurion lounge thread topic lately is about how crowding is getting worse.
Nov 25, 2015, 2:08 pm
#192
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,860
MIA was a bit crazy yesterday, and on the 21st. People were obviously scrambling to find seats. The club was handling the capacity quite well though. Plenty of food, drinks, timely service, etc.
DFW is kind of slowed down if you ask me. Not everyone wants to hike over to D.
I will see SEA next week
DFW is kind of slowed down if you ask me. Not everyone wants to hike over to D.
I will see SEA next week
Nov 25, 2015, 2:12 pm
#193
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Houston
Programs: UA GS 2.6MM & Lifetime UC, Qantas Platinum, Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Platinum, HawaiianMiles
Posts: 8,694
Nov 27, 2015, 8:05 pm
#194
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: San Francisco, California
Programs: Amex Centurion, United Global Services
Posts: 847
Been in SFO lounge a few times over the last few weeks and various times of the day and it's ranged from busy to absolutely packed.
Last time I was in a week ago I was taken aback at how many young children were there running wild. One little boy kept running back behind the bar grabbing things and screaming. While bartender was a good sport the parents didn't seem to do much to reel him in and he kept running back grabbing stuff while there was a line of people waiting for drinks.
There were also a lot of young-ish dudes there. I work in tech and live in SF so I know the tech demographic and this wasn't it, these were college-age dudes traveling together in party mode, probably with AU cards from the parents.
I hate to be a snob but maybe giving ever cardholder 5 free passes a year would find a balance between access and crowding.
Last time I was in a week ago I was taken aback at how many young children were there running wild. One little boy kept running back behind the bar grabbing things and screaming. While bartender was a good sport the parents didn't seem to do much to reel him in and he kept running back grabbing stuff while there was a line of people waiting for drinks.
There were also a lot of young-ish dudes there. I work in tech and live in SF so I know the tech demographic and this wasn't it, these were college-age dudes traveling together in party mode, probably with AU cards from the parents.
I hate to be a snob but maybe giving ever cardholder 5 free passes a year would find a balance between access and crowding.
Last edited by DMSFCA; Nov 27, 2015 at 8:10 pm
Nov 28, 2015, 12:38 am
#195
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Marin County, California
Programs: Amex Centurion
Posts: 412
I'm with you on that. I think 5 passes per year, per Amex Cardmember would make things more civilized. After that, admission can be purchased at $50 per visit. It seems like Amex has to get a handle on this.