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 Members 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 Members 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)
#2056
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 16,871
I don’t favor an increase and can’t imagine how big it would need to be to have any meaningful impact on the issue.
All blame rests with Amex as they sure should have known this before the first club was opened. While the 3 hour rule sounds reasonable I have yet to see it have any serious impact on crowding.
As it stands now, during peak hours we use the club for a quick meal & drink then move on to less crowded airline clubs for the wait.
All blame rests with Amex as they sure should have known this before the first club was opened. While the 3 hour rule sounds reasonable I have yet to see it have any serious impact on crowding.
As it stands now, during peak hours we use the club for a quick meal & drink then move on to less crowded airline clubs for the wait.
#2057
Moderator: Hyatt; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: WAS
Programs: :rolleyes:, DL DM, Mlife Plat, Caesars Diam, Marriott Tit, UA Gold, Hyatt Glob, invol FT beta tester
Posts: 18,819
I wouldn't be optimistic either. It seems to me that from a business standpoint the optimal price point is the one where everyone is annoyed by the level of crowding, but not annoyed enough to drop their memberships -- with more crowding they'll lose customers, but with less crowding they're leaving revenue on the table.
Sure, there could have a product that actually provides a truly exclusive experience (as opposed to being marketed as an exclusive experience) but that doesn't seem to be the part of the curve that they're targeting.
Sure, there could have a product that actually provides a truly exclusive experience (as opposed to being marketed as an exclusive experience) but that doesn't seem to be the part of the curve that they're targeting.
#2058
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: San Francisco, California
Programs: Amex Centurion, United Global Services
Posts: 843
I like how the article essentially says that when Chase took away customers because of their rich benefit offering, amex responded by spending more money on marketing, not creating new and popular benefits.
So it's not like they stepped up, they just marketed harder in response.
So it's not like they stepped up, they just marketed harder in response.
#2059
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend; Moderator: American Express, Capital One, Citi, Chase, Credit Card Programs, Diners Club, Signatures
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,878
#2060
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: AUS
Programs: BAEC Gold, AA PPro, Hyatt Globalist, Amex Plat
Posts: 6,983
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/artic...apphire-attack
Amex says Platinum card accounts increased 60% after they refreshed the card. At the end of the day, crowding will not subside given the popularity of the card and higher travel demand generally
Amex says Platinum card accounts increased 60% after they refreshed the card. At the end of the day, crowding will not subside given the popularity of the card and higher travel demand generally
The only way crowding goes down is if card members have to pay a substantial annual fee, and I mean an actual annual fee, not an "effective" annual fee reduced by countless credits that offset the fee. This is simple supply and demand. Because of all the various airline credits, Ubers credits, Saks credits, Charles Schwab credits, etc. there are many people that are able/willing to carry this card, but they would not be able to do so if they truly had to pay an actual, un-subsidized annual fee of $550.
This used to be a somewhat exclusive/affluent card, but now it's just become a mass market card.
When everyone is special, nobody is special...
Regards
#2061
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
Ummm... of course crowding won't subside. Think about it, this very thread started 4 years ago and crowding only gets worse. Anyone in this forum that believes crowding of Cent Lounges will get fixed "someday" likely also believes wishes can be ponies.
The only way crowding goes down is if card members have to pay a substantial annual fee, and I mean an actual annual fee, not an "effective" annual fee reduced by countless credits that offset the fee. This is simple supply and demand. Because of all the various airline credits, Ubers credits, Saks credits, Charles Schwab credits, etc. there are many people that are able/willing to carry this card, but they would not be able to do so if they truly had to pay an actual, un-subsidized annual fee of $550.
This used to be a somewhat exclusive/affluent card, but now it's just become a mass market card.
When everyone is special, nobody is special...
Regards
The only way crowding goes down is if card members have to pay a substantial annual fee, and I mean an actual annual fee, not an "effective" annual fee reduced by countless credits that offset the fee. This is simple supply and demand. Because of all the various airline credits, Ubers credits, Saks credits, Charles Schwab credits, etc. there are many people that are able/willing to carry this card, but they would not be able to do so if they truly had to pay an actual, un-subsidized annual fee of $550.
This used to be a somewhat exclusive/affluent card, but now it's just become a mass market card.
When everyone is special, nobody is special...
Regards
More square footage, more lounges at each airport, no more guests. Those are solutions.
#2062
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,103
Ummm... of course crowding won't subside. Think about it, this very thread started 4 years ago and crowding only gets worse. Anyone in this forum that believes crowding of Cent Lounges will get fixed "someday" likely also believes wishes can be ponies.
The only way crowding goes down is if card members have to pay a substantial annual fee, and I mean an actual annual fee, not an "effective" annual fee reduced by countless credits that offset the fee. This is simple supply and demand. Because of all the various airline credits, Ubers credits, Saks credits, Charles Schwab credits, etc. there are many people that are able/willing to carry this card, but they would not be able to do so if they truly had to pay an actual, un-subsidized annual fee of $550.
This used to be a somewhat exclusive/affluent card, but now it's just become a mass market card.
When everyone is special, nobody is special...
Regards
The only way crowding goes down is if card members have to pay a substantial annual fee, and I mean an actual annual fee, not an "effective" annual fee reduced by countless credits that offset the fee. This is simple supply and demand. Because of all the various airline credits, Ubers credits, Saks credits, Charles Schwab credits, etc. there are many people that are able/willing to carry this card, but they would not be able to do so if they truly had to pay an actual, un-subsidized annual fee of $550.
This used to be a somewhat exclusive/affluent card, but now it's just become a mass market card.
When everyone is special, nobody is special...
Regards
Even if the card included no credits for Uber, airline fees, Saks and other selected spending offers giving a rebate in cash/points, my bet is the airport-related travel benefits heaviest users would still be packing the lounges under the current circumstances. Unless and until a major recession hits, the lounges will probably continue to often be packed .... even if the card fee were to be bumped up a couple hundred dollars.
#2063
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend; Moderator: American Express, Capital One, Citi, Chase, Credit Card Programs, Diners Club, Signatures
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,878
Indeed, but it's only valid when flying that airline (and perhaps some partners). Lounge crowding is universal. It's not a problem that American Express created, nor one that that it can solve.
Crowding IS demand exceeding supply, and that's ideal. American Express has just doubled the annual fee for the USA-issued Centurion cards. This creates marketing space to raise the Platinum fee to ~$1,200 -or- to insert a card at that price point and restrict lounge access for Platinum.
Crowding IS demand exceeding supply, and that's ideal. American Express has just doubled the annual fee for the USA-issued Centurion cards. This creates marketing space to raise the Platinum fee to ~$1,200 -or- to insert a card at that price point and restrict lounge access for Platinum.
#2064
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: NC
Posts: 117
Was at SEA 4hrs before my flight yesterday and was reminded of the 3hr rule when trying to access the Centurion lounge, which didn't look too busy at the time. The front desk attendent suggested I try the Delta lounge and come back in an hour. I reminded him of the irony of not being able to use an Amex product at a Centurion lounge but being able to use it at a 3rd party lounge instead. Would have been nice for him to exercise some discression, especially since the lounge wasn't full.
#2065
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,165
Was at SEA 4hrs before my flight yesterday and was reminded of the 3hr rule when trying to access the Centurion lounge, which didn't look too busy at the time. The front desk attendent suggested I try the Delta lounge and come back in an hour. I reminded him of the irony of not being able to use an Amex product at a Centurion lounge but being able to use it at a 3rd party lounge instead. Would have been nice for him to exercise some discression, especially since the lounge wasn't full.
#2066
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: NC
Posts: 117
Yep, That's what I was expecting, a call to the CEO, a different set of rules, and a special area set up for me in the lounge. Or maybe, I was just expressing my displeasure at the 3hr rule?
#2067
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
Indeed, but it's only valid when flying that airline (and perhaps some partners). Lounge crowding is universal. It's not a problem that American Express created, nor one that that it can solve.
Crowding IS demand exceeding supply, and that's ideal. American Express has just doubled the annual fee for the USA-issued Centurion cards. This creates marketing space to raise the Platinum fee to ~$1,200 -or- to insert a card at that price point and restrict lounge access for Platinum.
Crowding IS demand exceeding supply, and that's ideal. American Express has just doubled the annual fee for the USA-issued Centurion cards. This creates marketing space to raise the Platinum fee to ~$1,200 -or- to insert a card at that price point and restrict lounge access for Platinum.
#2068
Join Date: May 2011
Location: NYC (LGA, JFK), CT
Programs: Delta Platinum, American Gold, JetBlue Mosaic 4, Marriott Platinum, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond,
Posts: 4,861
The Centurion Lounge is basically a lounge for AA and UA customers being that Amex lost lounge access with AA and CO. With an AF of $1200, one would be better off buying an Admirals Club or United Club membership and getting a Chase Sapphire Preferred card and still have money left over. The Amex Plat just doesn't bring $1200 worth of benefits to the table. The card is arguably considerably worse than it was a decade ago.
#2069
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 16,871
Not pushing for a increase but IAP alone brings me well over $1K worth of benefits per year.
#2070
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: Hilton Diamond, IHG Spire Ambassador, Global Entry
Posts: 2,744
The writing on the wall for me says an AF increase is on the way. Centurion being doubled, lounges crowded, growth up. But I think doubling the Platinum's AF is suicide to that product. Sure there is a small subset that will tell you they're keeping it, but that destroys the upscale millennial business UNLESS the goal is to push them into the Gold instead. Maybe there's a reason the cards have some overlapping features.