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)
Dec 25, 2019, 10:59 pm
#2131
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,459
Without Pre and Clear, it's a different story, so if you don't have those your comments make sense.
Dec 26, 2019, 6:24 am
#2132
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Paris & Scotland (Laird), "Suite on the World"
Programs: Hertz platinum, Bonvoy titanium , Delta flying colonel/platinum/MM, retired old men board member
Posts: 592
Agreed. Landing from a domestic flight and going to a lounge, instead of leaving the airport and going where you are going, is weird. No lounge in the US is nice enough to warrant extending your time at the destination airport.
Now, if you could spend time in the Lufthansa first class terminal in Frankfurt on arrival...
Now, if you could spend time in the Lufthansa first class terminal in Frankfurt on arrival...
Dec 26, 2019, 7:14 am
#2133
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
You're overstating how much time it takes. I typically arrive SFO 60 minutes prior to departure for domestic, and before UA changed access rules would drop by UC for a cup of coffee and to download video (200 mbps down) prior to AS departure.
Without Pre and Clear, it's a different story, so if you don't have those your comments make sense.
Without Pre and Clear, it's a different story, so if you don't have those your comments make sense.
Dec 26, 2019, 8:11 am
#2134
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 6,752
While I understand the rationale completely, I have an unusual fear of being late (not just for flights, but for anything) and just prefer to arrive earlier. Moreover, when it comes to this flying business, I'm an amateur compared to the rest of you and really wouldn't have much idea how to handle missing a flight, aside from just paying the current price for the next one.
Dec 26, 2019, 1:07 pm
#2135
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: UA 1K and PP, AA PPro (3MM, former CK), Marriott Ambassador and LTT, Uber One
Posts: 1,348
While I get your point, and I do normally leave the airport right away, there are situations in which it is nice to be able to stop in to a lounge upon arrival for a quick bite or drink, or even just a somewhat quiet/sane place with access to plugs to quickly recharge, catch up on email, etc. This occasionally applies even when I'm headed to my hotel, but is more likely to apply when heading to a work location. And although I try to avoid redeyes whenever possible, after arriving on a redeye I can certainly see how having a place to freshen up would be nice...perhaps even if headed home!
Dec 26, 2019, 1:42 pm
#2136
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: RDU
Programs: DL(PM), UA(Silver), AA(EXP) Marriott(Ti), HH(Gold), Hertz(PC)
Posts: 2,669
Dec 26, 2019, 2:27 pm
#2137
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,956
Miami and Dallas have Spa facilities.
https://thecenturionlounge.com/ > Choose a location > Explore all Amenities.
https://thecenturionlounge.com/ > Choose a location > Explore all Amenities.
Dec 26, 2019, 3:32 pm
#2138
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Paris & Scotland (Laird), "Suite on the World"
Programs: Hertz platinum, Bonvoy titanium , Delta flying colonel/platinum/MM, retired old men board member
Posts: 592
I’m not saying I don’t believe that it can easily be done. I’ve done it a few times albeit on transfers with sizable layovers. I’m saying I don’t personally see the point in arriving at the airport 60 minutes before departure to go sit in the lounge for a maximum of about 20 minutes or so before boarding begins which is usually T-35 or so. If it were me I would probably just arrive at the airport 35-40 minutes before departure and walk straight onto the plane.
Dec 26, 2019, 3:44 pm
#2139
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: PHL
Programs: AA ExP, Marriott Amb, National EAE, Hilton Diamond, SPG Plat (RIP), US CP (RIP)
Posts: 2,379
Not weird at all. I may have a call scheduled that I don’t want to take from a moving car, and due to WX delays I won’t make it to the office or hotel in time. Or waiting on a colleague who is on a different flight with whom I’m sharing a rental car. Or just looking for a clean bathroom.
Dec 26, 2019, 4:15 pm
#2140
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: LAS ORD
Programs: AA Pro (mostly B6) OZ♦ (flying BR/UA), BA Silver Hyatt LT, Wynn Black, Cosmo Plat, Mlife Noir
Posts: 5,992
Two points here:
- Having a good lounge at origin airport greatly mitigates arriving early. I won't arrive early to use a good lounge, but having a good lounge makes it much more pleasant to arrive early and so I'm happier planning on a big buffer to avoid missing flights.
- There are many reasons to use a lounge on arrival, as pointed out by others. Another reason is if you know your hotel room isn't ready (or if you don't have one at all). This is the one big drawback of using foreign carrier *G status to access domestic *A lounges, since there's no access on arrival.
Dec 27, 2019, 9:15 am
#2141
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,331
Agreed. Landing from a domestic flight and going to a lounge, instead of leaving the airport and going where you are going, is weird. No lounge in the US is nice enough to warrant extending your time at the destination airport.
Now, if you could spend time in the Lufthansa first class terminal in Frankfurt on arrival...
Now, if you could spend time in the Lufthansa first class terminal in Frankfurt on arrival...
I’m not saying I don’t believe that it can easily be done. I’ve done it a few times albeit on transfers with sizable layovers. I’m saying I don’t personally see the point in arriving at the airport 60 minutes before departure to go sit in the lounge for a maximum of about 20 minutes or so before boarding begins which is usually T-35 or so. If it were me I would probably just arrive at the airport 35-40 minutes before departure and walk straight onto the plane.
Dec 27, 2019, 5:48 pm
#2142
Join Date: May 2005
Location: TUS
Programs: AA Plat, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 552
Visited the PHL Centurion Lounge from 3:45-4:45pm on Fri 12/27. When I arrived, there was no wait to enter and a fair selection of available seating. When I departed, there were a dozen people in line to enter and no seats available in the lounge; admitted guests were standing along the walls waiting for seated folks to leave.
Dec 27, 2019, 5:49 pm
#2143
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
Visited the PHL Centurion Lounge from 3:45-4:45pm on Fri 12/27. When I arrived, there was no wait to enter and a fair selection of available seating. When I departed, there were a dozen people in line to enter and no seats available in the lounge; admitted guests were standing along the walls waiting for seated folks to leave.
Dec 31, 2019, 2:22 pm
#2144
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
Agreed. Landing from a domestic flight and going to a lounge, instead of leaving the airport and going where you are going, is weird. No lounge in the US is nice enough to warrant extending your time at the destination airport.
Now, if you could spend time in the Lufthansa first class terminal in Frankfurt on arrival...
Now, if you could spend time in the Lufthansa first class terminal in Frankfurt on arrival...
Dec 31, 2019, 2:24 pm
#2145
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
I will quite often use lounges on arrival to shower/refresh/eat before heading onward. With that said, Amex doesn't let people do that anymore anyway so for me it was just a bit odd that people actually get to SFO (or any airport) in advance and choose to go to the UA side just to visit the Centurion Lounge as opposed to just getting there at boarding and getting on the plane. I suppose if traffic is a concern and you're left with extra time then that makes more sense.