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)
Aug 4, 2016, 1:21 pm
#571
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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
Those that complain about the SEA overcrowding, I'm wondering why do you not just use your PP and go to the Alaska Airlines Board Room? SEA Centurion Lounge is not a full service food location, and likely is on par with the Alaska Airlines lounge at that point. Based on the photos I see, you get some drinks and cold snacks and that's about it.
You can also go to the Delta lounge, which also has actual food (meals) and drinks.
I'm just posing a question here, I've never been to any of the lounges I've mentioned.
You can also go to the Delta lounge, which also has actual food (meals) and drinks.
I'm just posing a question here, I've never been to any of the lounges I've mentioned.
Aug 4, 2016, 2:23 pm
#574
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,952
Earlier discussions of possible solutions have included:
If you had an opportunity to speak with someone with decision making authority, which solution(s) would you advocate -and- why? (There are probably others that I have forgotten.)
I see that in the time it took me to compose this list you have selected #1.
- Eliminating or reducing the number of guests that can accompany a cardholder.
- Eliminating guests during peak periods.
- Capping the number of free visits per year.
- Eliminating lounge access as a Supplementary Card benefit.
- Limiting the duration of lounge visits.
- Increasing the number of lounges (to reduce crowding caused by passengers choosing to make connections at a specific airport.)
- Raising the effective annual fee of the Platinum Card from $250 to reduce the number of cardholders.
If you had an opportunity to speak with someone with decision making authority, which solution(s) would you advocate -and- why? (There are probably others that I have forgotten.)
I see that in the time it took me to compose this list you have selected #1.
Last edited by mia; Aug 4, 2016 at 8:29 pm
Aug 4, 2016, 2:29 pm
#575
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Join Date: Apr 2000
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Nothing will change until the elephant in the room is acknowledged: the lounges were sized for the original concept of paid admission for all except Centurion holders. Amex chose not to go to that model when the "trial period" ended. Hence, the current mess.
Aug 4, 2016, 2:30 pm
#576
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: BOS
Programs: Hyatt Glob/UA Gold
Posts: 612
I don't think you can block kids or extended families, but at least make it financially painful- most folks, including myself when I travelled with my kids, would probably skip it. Or they'd get cards for their kids and then Amex could afford to build more/bigger lounges.
Aug 4, 2016, 2:42 pm
#577
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Ding-Ding-Ding-Ding!
Aug 4, 2016, 2:47 pm
#578
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: San Francisco
Programs: Amex MR, SPG Gold, HHonors Gold, AS MVP
Posts: 518
I don't think that's true except possibly for LAS and DFW. All of the other lounges were designed and built after the decision was made to let Platinums in gratis.
Aug 4, 2016, 2:51 pm
#579
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: SFO
Posts: 3,878
But, would this result in lounge under utilization, closing of a meaningful number of platinum accounts, and then ultimately the closing of the lounges?
Aug 4, 2016, 2:55 pm
#580
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,952
Let's suppose that American Express eliminated free Centurion Lounge access for Platinum cardholders, and then offered to allow us to redeem our $200 airline fee reimbursement benefit for a membership with the same access as now, Would you do it?
Aug 4, 2016, 2:56 pm
#581
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Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: Seat 1A, Juice pretty much everywhere, Mucci des Coins Exotiques
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It is a bad situation either way. The lounge overcrowding reflects very poorly on Amex right now. They need to come up with a solution. We've discussed different options in this thread, but of course we don't count for anything except spreading awareness of the problem to readers of this thread.
Aug 4, 2016, 2:58 pm
#582
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: SFO
Posts: 3,878
Assuming $25pp per visit and less than 2 hours in lounge, no.
Aug 4, 2016, 3:12 pm
#583
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: DCA, LEX
Programs: DL Platinum, Marriott Platinum, Caesars Diamond, K Fund
Posts: 375
If AMEX would greatly increase the coverage yes. For full disclosure I'm a DC resident and fly DL, so the only lounge that I really use is LAS.
Aug 4, 2016, 3:14 pm
#584
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: DCA, LEX
Programs: DL Platinum, Marriott Platinum, Caesars Diamond, K Fund
Posts: 375
My buddy and I arrived at ~noon, had no problem getting a table and there were open ones.
I left around 1:15 and it was still open, and there was deff a bar stool that I left.
Aug 4, 2016, 3:15 pm
#585
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: SFO
Posts: 3,878
It is a bad situation either way. The lounge overcrowding reflects very poorly on Amex right now. They need to come up with a solution. We've discussed different options in this thread, but of course we don't count for anything except spreading awareness of the problem to readers of this thread.
