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)
Jan 27, 2019, 8:50 pm
#1561
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I agree with the rule change. I've used the SFO lounge a few times on arrival, but those visits were of marginal utility. I could have simply gone directly home rather that stop in the lounge. The real value for the lounges to me is before departure and when connecting.
Jan 28, 2019, 8:32 am
#1562
Join Date: Jan 2000
Posts: 3,026
For Amex, if the overcrowding issue doesn't improve with this recent change, this is worthy of consideration, in my view.
Regarding Centurion members, most I know would rather just find a table on their own, get their drink of choice, with little fanfare/fuss and just be left alone. Not to suggest it's never happened, but I can't ever recall a Centurion member ever making any kind of scene in the lounges.
Regarding Centurion members, most I know would rather just find a table on their own, get their drink of choice, with little fanfare/fuss and just be left alone. Not to suggest it's never happened, but I can't ever recall a Centurion member ever making any kind of scene in the lounges.
Jan 30, 2019, 3:54 pm
#1563
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The one place I'll really miss the arrival access is at LGA. Because the Club is outside security it's a nice place to stop to check emails, charge devices, grab a bite/drink before braving traffic into the city.
Though with it slated to move after the terminal is rebuilt it'll soon become less of an issue.
Though with it slated to move after the terminal is rebuilt it'll soon become less of an issue.
Jan 30, 2019, 5:03 pm
#1564
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Same. LGA was the only one I used on arrival with any regularity, especially convenient since if you're flying United or Southwest you almost walk right past (well under it, I suppose) to get to bus/Uber.
Jan 30, 2019, 5:49 pm
#1565
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: YUL
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Posts: 5,691
When did the arrival restriction come into effect? Wiki says “January,” but I definitely walked into the LAS lounge for some lunch in the 2nd week of January. Is this a network-wide, confirmed change?
Jan 30, 2019, 6:17 pm
#1566
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The Wikipost is inaccurate. The access restrictions have been in place during peak times at several lounges since at least December 2018. In January 2019 it was reported that the restrictions will become permanent at all locations, in March.
Last edited by mia; Jan 30, 2019 at 6:31 pm
Jan 31, 2019, 8:08 pm
#1567
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: ORD
Programs: United Plat 2MM, Hilton Gold
Posts: 2,727
Wow.
SFO is 100% full now. A nice lady walked the lounge with me looking for a spot, but none was to be had. But what I found flabbergasting was American Express' response to my complaint. It's "subject to availability". I expected something a lot more apologetic and a lot less legalistic.
SFO is 100% full now. A nice lady walked the lounge with me looking for a spot, but none was to be had. But what I found flabbergasting was American Express' response to my complaint. It's "subject to availability". I expected something a lot more apologetic and a lot less legalistic.
Jan 31, 2019, 9:12 pm
#1568
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Miami, Florida
Programs: AA ExPlat, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Spire, Hilton Gold
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You wanted an apology from Amex because a lot of other people happened to be at SFO tonight?
Jan 31, 2019, 9:58 pm
#1569
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SFO is 100% full now. A nice lady walked the lounge with me looking for a spot, but none was to be had. But what I found flabbergasting was American Express' response to my complaint. It's "subject to availability". I expected something a lot more apologetic and a lot less legalistic.
Jan 31, 2019, 11:21 pm
#1570
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Feb 1, 2019, 12:42 am
#1571
Join Date: Jul 2011
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The lounge is full because Amex has so many Centurion or Platinum cardholders (or people paying the daily rate) at SFO. No matter what the breakdown is, that's a lot of revenue coming in for Amex at SFO. If the lounge is this full, they can afford to open another lounge.
Feb 1, 2019, 7:00 am
#1572
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Also, American Express cannot open another lounge just because it chooses, the space has to be available. American Express has demonstrated a willingness to expand when the space is there: SEA, DFW and MIA have all been enlarged.
Nonetheless, cardholder attrition is one way that crowding will be reduced, and if the lounge you use most often is frequently crowded at the times you need access, you should take your business to a provider that better meets your needs.
Feb 1, 2019, 8:46 am
#1573
Join Date: Jul 2011
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The problem is that the lounges are full at peak periods, but revenue is more closely aligned with average utilization. This isn't a completely typical situation, because American Express is not primarily in the lounge business, and their revenue is tied to factors that are independent of lounge utilization.
Also, American Express cannot open another lounge just because it chooses, the space has to be available. American Express has demonstrated a willingness to expand when the space is there: SEA, DFW and MIA have all been enlarged.
Nonetheless, cardholder attrition is one way that crowding will be reduced, and if the lounge you use most often is frequently crowded at the times you need access, you should take your business to a provider that better meets your needs.
Also, American Express cannot open another lounge just because it chooses, the space has to be available. American Express has demonstrated a willingness to expand when the space is there: SEA, DFW and MIA have all been enlarged.
Nonetheless, cardholder attrition is one way that crowding will be reduced, and if the lounge you use most often is frequently crowded at the times you need access, you should take your business to a provider that better meets your needs.
As for Amex and the Centurion lounge at SFO, they already found a way to get me to stop using the Centurion as an arrivals lounge last year: two restaurants in Terminal 3 were added to Priority Pass. So instead of grabbing a bite to eat in the lounge after arriving on a domestic flight, I'll simply grab an order to go at either SF Giants Clubhouse or Yankee Pier.
Last edited by STS-134; Feb 1, 2019 at 8:53 am
Feb 1, 2019, 11:20 am
#1574
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: ORD
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Exactly so.
As my travel shifts more towards SFO and less towards LGA, the value proposition becomes weaker. When their response is essentially "technically, we don't have to deliver what we promised" the value proposition again becomes weaker. While it hasn't caused me to call and cancel - yet - it is making me investigate the alternatives a little more.
As my travel shifts more towards SFO and less towards LGA, the value proposition becomes weaker. When their response is essentially "technically, we don't have to deliver what we promised" the value proposition again becomes weaker. While it hasn't caused me to call and cancel - yet - it is making me investigate the alternatives a little more.
Feb 1, 2019, 11:28 am
#1575
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When did Amex promise you a table at the SFO Centurion?