JDiver

Indeed, there is an American Express Platinum Centurión lounge at MEX - it is in Terminal 1 out by the AA / AS etc. 30's gates, and more convenient than the other lounges (e.g. AA Admirals Club) for departures on various airlines. Iirc, it's pretty well marked (perhaps Gate 32) with a lift to the actual lounge.

The www.thecenturionlounge site is awesomely out of date. American Express Centurion lounges exist at
The MEX lounge has existed "forever" (albeit not in the same location), and I've used the EZE lounge many times.

sw3

Hi,

Yes it is very out of date! Actually there are 4 3 American Express lounges at MEX:

• T1 landside between gates 8 and F1
• T1 besides gate 32
• T1 between gates 17 and 18 (national).
• T2 between the international and national gates; there's a shop below the HSBC lounge that has an elevator to the lounge. It's also possible to get to it by taking the stairs or the elevator to the level where the Aeromexico and HSBC lounges are (easily visible from the main level) and then there's another flight of stairs up. Other than "VIP lounge" or something like that, which leads to the lounge level generally, it's not well marked on signage. It's about midway between the international and national gate wings, perhaps more towards the international side.

Other American Express lounges in Mexico are:

• Monterrey (MTY) TA airside, near gate 4, down the escalator
• Monterrey (MTY) TB landside, take the elevator up from the Starbucks. This lounge has a direct exit to the same security filter that is used for connecting passengers, so there's no need to exit the lounge and go to the regular security filter
• Toluca (TLC) landside in the national arrivals area between gates 3 and 4. This lounge also has its own security filter to go airside like the MTY TB lounge, but it goes only to the N gates, not the I gates.

I've been to MEX T2, TLC, MTY TA and MTY TB. They're good options to relax, work or catch a refreshment, but they're very different to the DFW and LAS lounges which I've also been to, so don't expect the same thing at least in these. Also, DFW/LAS have free everything but this is not the case in the Mexican ones I've been to, where there are some complimentary items but others have a cost (must be purchased with the AmEx card). The menu of complimentary and paid items varies from one lounge to another. Non-alcoholic drinks and light snacks are free.

The MEX T2 lounge has a main area but there are also additional areas for Platinum and Centurion cardholders.

The MTY TB lounge is very small and can get crowded easily.

It looks like the lounge at MEX T1 national gates 17/18 is new. It's listed in the Mexican website and judging from the photos the decor, furniture and main entrance have a look that is very much like the DFW and LAS lounges, including the living wall.

There was a lounge in Guadalajara (GDL) but it closed two months ago.

Firestorm1

I have an international flight from ORD to TIJ with a 1h 27m layover in Mex. Do I go through customs in MEX or TIJ? I'm worried if I have to go through customs in MEX that I won't have enough time to make the TIJ flight.

gglave

Thanks.

Is there a bag drop after I clear customs, or do I have to track down Air Canada to re-check my bags for the second leg?

gglave

Just passed through MEX early this morning, so I thought I'd post back on my experiences.

- In BOG, AV would not even tag my bag through to YVR. Would only tag it to MEX.

- So procedure was, as others have said:

a) Arrive MEX
b) Clear immigration (with no option on form for 'transit' so I picked 'other')
c) Pick up bags
d) Clear customs (my bags were searched)
e) Make your way upstairs to departures
f) Queue to check-in for next flight
g) Get boarding pass, drop bags
h) Head through security
i) Head to gate

We had a three-hour connection so we were fine. I certainly wouldn't attempt it with anything less than a two-hour connection.

flugvergnugen

Unfortunately, as of July 2014, this is now shuttered.

JDiver

Ouch! Many of us will miss this lounge!

gglave's experience reflects Mexico's particular concern with South American transferring passengers and drugs interdiction; Mexican customs are especially rigorous for these passengers.

sw3

That must be relatively recent... but yes, it is no longer listed in the Mexican plat web. I've just called Amex to ask if it's closed definitely or temporarily (for renovation or relocation) and I was told that it was closed definitely. So the Amex lounges that currently operate at MEX are:

• T1 International - F1 landside
• T1 National - 17 and 18
• T2 - airside mezzanine level

T1 national gates 17/18 is new. The Amex MX plat web had some photos supposedly of it when I wrote my previous post but the photos have been changed since. One of these photos is at http://www.elfinanciero.com.mx/after...-de-volar.html and another one (same place, different angle) at http://www.amexweb.mx/detallePromoci...5324&preview=1

PresRDC

If I want to be airside at MEX Terminal 1 by 11 am (checked-in, through security and immigration), what time do I need to arrive at the terminal? I will be flying AA in J. Is there any priority security/passport control?

This would be on a Thursday.

Thanks!

Section 107

When using elite check-in lines at T1 or T2 with several different airlines it has never taken me more than an hour to check in and get through security and immigration. I always plan on two hours though. I dont recall any priority lines for security at T1 but its been a year since I last used T1.

AA recommends 3 hours prior http://www.aa.com/i18n/travelInforma...rivalTimes.jsp

flugvergnugen

Personally, I'd arrive at 10:45 . Arriving at 10:30 should give you plenty of time, if you can use the priority check-in line. There is no emigration control if you are a non-resident foreign national, and there also is no priority security. However, there are 2 separate checkpoints; the one that is to the left up a slight ramp as you're exiting the check-in area is IME usually less crowded and also much closer to the Admiral's club.

1k650

How much time is needed for international to international connections at MEX? My inbound flight arrives 1918 (UA 821 from SFO) and outbound is LH 499 leaving at 2040, both from the same terminal. Do I have to go through customs / security again?

Thanks.

gglave

Yes - See my post from above about Intl - Intl AV=>AC:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/23004322-post65.html

Immigration -> Customs -> Security. You may have to check in at LH again as well.

itchyfeet123

I'm considering the following options for connecting in MEX from the US to ZCL. Any advice?

Aeromar to Aeromexico, 1:16 connection, separate tickets
Aeromar to Aeromexico, 1:50 connection, separate tickets
AA to Aeromexico, 2:50 connection, separate tickets
Delta to Aeromexico, 3:58 min connection, one ticket
Delta to Aeromexico, 1:29 connection, one ticket.

In all but the second option, the Aeromexico flight is the last of the day. Are those <2hr connections reasonable?

Kwang su

Hello,

I have a connecting flight at MEX airport (International to International). Do I need to go immigration desk and pick up the baggage, cleared for customs? [same as USA]

I might choose from Houston to MEX(AM or UA), then going to CM airline to Panama city. In this case, even if I need to change for terminal or not, do I have to clear for immigration, customs?