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)
Jun 19, 2017, 7:31 pm
#856
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Marin County, California
Programs: Amex Centurion
Posts: 412
Los Angeles, Santa Ana, Burbank, Ontario, Fresno, Palm Springs, Redding, Sacramento, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Reno and Las Vegas.
For those destinations tomorrow (6/20), United has 74 non-stop departures from SFO and an equal number of arrivals.
Last edited by TravelStar; Jun 19, 2017 at 7:33 pm Reason: typo
Jun 19, 2017, 8:43 pm
#857
Join Date: Apr 2014
Programs: Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat
Posts: 182
It's pretty amazing how many places you can get to from SFO on a one hour flight.
Last edited by Katlor; Jun 24, 2017 at 8:40 pm Reason: typo
Jun 19, 2017, 9:08 pm
#858
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Berkeley, CA USA
Programs: Piggly Wiggly "Shop the Pig!" Preferred Shopper
Posts: 57,075
Jun 19, 2017, 10:21 pm
#859
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
Programs: United 1K, JAL Sapphire, SPG Lifetime Platinum, National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 42,203
I think Amex is really over thinking the solution to cut down on crowding. It's really simple:
1. primary cardholders and immediate family defined as spouse and up to two children or other family members traveling together - during peak times when seating is on waitlist, no additional guests beyond spouse and two children without a fee, family or not
2. no more corporate supplemental cardholders - no entry to the lounge at all - this should kill off overcrowding in places like SFO just by itself
3. supplemental personal cardholders (i.e., family member with supplemental card) can enter, but no guests (avoids guest pyramiding with primary cardholder)
1. primary cardholders and immediate family defined as spouse and up to two children or other family members traveling together - during peak times when seating is on waitlist, no additional guests beyond spouse and two children without a fee, family or not
2. no more corporate supplemental cardholders - no entry to the lounge at all - this should kill off overcrowding in places like SFO just by itself
3. supplemental personal cardholders (i.e., family member with supplemental card) can enter, but no guests (avoids guest pyramiding with primary cardholder)
Jun 19, 2017, 10:25 pm
#860
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 4,217
I was at SFO earlier tonight and got a seat. But it was busy throughout my visit and most, if not all, seats were taken.
Jun 20, 2017, 3:12 am
#861
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: ATL
Posts: 802
I think Amex is really over thinking the solution to cut down on crowding. It's really simple:
1. primary cardholders and immediate family defined as spouse and up to two children or other family members traveling together - during peak times when seating is on waitlist, no additional guests beyond spouse and two children without a fee, family or not
2. no more corporate supplemental cardholders - no entry to the lounge at all - this should kill off overcrowding in places like SFO just by itself
3. supplemental personal cardholders (i.e., family member with supplemental card) can enter, but no guests (avoids guest pyramiding with primary cardholder)
1. primary cardholders and immediate family defined as spouse and up to two children or other family members traveling together - during peak times when seating is on waitlist, no additional guests beyond spouse and two children without a fee, family or not
2. no more corporate supplemental cardholders - no entry to the lounge at all - this should kill off overcrowding in places like SFO just by itself
3. supplemental personal cardholders (i.e., family member with supplemental card) can enter, but no guests (avoids guest pyramiding with primary cardholder)
Jun 20, 2017, 5:41 am
#862
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: AUS
Programs: BAEC Gold, AA PPro, Hyatt Globalist, Amex Plat
Posts: 7,041
I think Amex is really over thinking the solution to cut down on crowding. It's really simple:
1. primary cardholders and immediate family defined as spouse and up to two children or other family members traveling together - during peak times when seating is on waitlist, no additional guests beyond spouse and two children without a fee, family or not
2. no more corporate supplemental cardholders - no entry to the lounge at all - this should kill off overcrowding in places like SFO just by itself
3. supplemental personal cardholders (i.e., family member with supplemental card) can enter, but no guests (avoids guest pyramiding with primary cardholder)
1. primary cardholders and immediate family defined as spouse and up to two children or other family members traveling together - during peak times when seating is on waitlist, no additional guests beyond spouse and two children without a fee, family or not
2. no more corporate supplemental cardholders - no entry to the lounge at all - this should kill off overcrowding in places like SFO just by itself
3. supplemental personal cardholders (i.e., family member with supplemental card) can enter, but no guests (avoids guest pyramiding with primary cardholder)
Regards
Jun 20, 2017, 6:30 am
#863
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Charlotte, NC, USA | CLT, formerly LHR & AMS (with just a bit of PSP)
Programs: BAEC Gold, Hilton Diamond, BonVoy Titanium, (soon former) Caesars7*, (former) Wynn Black, HR "Icon"
Posts: 8,172
Alternatively, every cardholder gets x-guests per year (like guest credits), and they can use the credits for guests as they see fit; but once they use up the "guest credits" they are done until the next calendar year. (of course, this is just an incentive for people to get supplementary cards, but those still have a cost/trouble relationship)
I know a lot of lounges restrict "guests" if they are at capacity. For example, someone the other day was saying that an Air France Lounge (at IAD, I believe) was restricting Priority Pass Members due to capacity issues. (I know, this is not exactly a parallel situation, but I see no reason why guests should not be restricted if a Centurion Lounge is near capacity.)
Perhaps, the only exception to the Platinum-Guest rule is Centurion Cardholders. But, that's such a small subset I highly doubt it would have a huge impact (perhaps I am wrong).
I know Delta SkyClubs effectively cut down on crowds (families, extra guests) by requiring a payment for all guests when using an AMEX Platinum card or SkyClub base membership for admission. And I also know Delta counts kids as guests, on a per kid basis.
Last edited by baccarat_king; Jun 20, 2017 at 6:31 am Reason: grammar
Jun 20, 2017, 7:04 am
#864
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: AA, DL, Avis, Enterprise, National, IHG, HH, SPG/MR
Posts: 1,852
... make it even simpler then. No guests, period. If you want access, pay for it. Stop freeloading.
Jun 20, 2017, 7:19 am
#865
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,955
Why does anyone assume that American Express sees lounging crowding as a problem to be solved? It's not a problem, it's an indication that demand exceeds capacity. It allows American Express to increase prices. They have done this, but it doesn't apply to existing cardholders until September, which means we won't see any reduction in lounge visits this summer -unless- the new rules for family guests have an effect.
Jun 20, 2017, 7:24 am
#866
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Charlotte, NC, USA | CLT, formerly LHR & AMS (with just a bit of PSP)
Programs: BAEC Gold, Hilton Diamond, BonVoy Titanium, (soon former) Caesars7*, (former) Wynn Black, HR "Icon"
Posts: 8,172
Why does anyone assume that American Express sees lounging crowding as a problem to be solved? It's not a problem, it's an indication that demand exceeds capacity. It allows American Express to increase prices. They have done this, but it doesn't apply to existing cardholders until September, which means we won't see any reduction in lounge visits this summer -unless- the new rules for family guests have an effect.
Jun 20, 2017, 9:13 am
#867
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: AA, DL, Avis, Enterprise, National, IHG, HH, SPG/MR
Posts: 1,852
Why should those who travel solo have to subsidize access for the Griswold family vacation? Alternatively, if those who entered without guests received additional benefits, that would be acceptable as well.
Jun 20, 2017, 10:19 am
#868
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2012
Location: MCO
Programs: AA, B6, DL, EK, EY, QR, SQ, UA, Amex Plat, Marriott Tit, HHonors Gold
Posts: 12,809
When you get something for nothing, it's called freeloading. If these "guests" want access... let them pay for it.
Why should those who travel solo have to subsidize access for the Griswold family vacation? Alternatively, if those who entered without guests received additional benefits, that would be acceptable as well.
Why should those who travel solo have to subsidize access for the Griswold family vacation? Alternatively, if those who entered without guests received additional benefits, that would be acceptable as well.
Jun 20, 2017, 10:20 am
#869
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Pacific Northwest
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, AS 75k, AA Plat, Bonvoyed Gold, Honors Dia, Hyatt Explorer, IHG Plat, ...
Posts: 16,846
When you get something for nothing, it's called freeloading. If these "guests" want access... let them pay for it.
Why should those who travel solo have to subsidize access for the Griswold family vacation? Alternatively, if those who entered without guests received additional benefits, that would be acceptable as well.
Why should those who travel solo have to subsidize access for the Griswold family vacation? Alternatively, if those who entered without guests received additional benefits, that would be acceptable as well.
Most cards have a bunch of benefits I use and another bunch of benefits that I pay for and don't use. I thus always "subsidize" someone who is using a benefit that I don't. I guess one difference here is that someone else utilizing the guest benefit is potentially impacting my own "enjoyment" of the lounge benefit.
Jun 20, 2017, 11:10 am
#870
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: AUS
Programs: BAEC Gold, AA PPro, Hyatt Globalist, Amex Plat
Posts: 7,041
