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)
May 7, 2017, 2:49 pm
#796
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Denver, CO
Programs: UA 1K 25 years/2MM, Honors LT Diamond, AVIS & Hertz Prez Club
Posts: 4,753
I have to agree with this. It was absolutely insane on Thursday. While waiting for the shower I sat by the reception desk. I saw a couple people come in with six folks (two cardholders) and a couple of rather entitled guys who flashed their card and tried to just waltz in with two guests each. They were "inconvenienced" being asked for ID and boarding passes. Not sure if part of this is the Bay Area culture with all the tech workers or it happens network wide.
May 8, 2017, 10:24 pm
#797
Suspended
Join Date: May 2017
Location: SFO
Posts: 2
The simplest and fastest way to help the overcrowding issue is to limit entry for each person on a given year. 20-30 times a year would probably be more than fair since I'm sure 90% of Amex plat holders use less than that. This would force more people to visit other lounges that they more than likely also have access to or otherwise pay the usual $50 entry fee once they go over the limit. I'm based out of SFO and I've only used the lounge twice this year and it's not fair for infrequent travelers like myself to not be able to find a seat.
May 8, 2017, 11:32 pm
#798
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 63
The simplest and fastest way to help the overcrowding issue is to limit entry for each person on a given year. 20-30 times a year would probably be more than fair since I'm sure 90% of Amex plat holders use less than that. This would force more people to visit other lounges that they more than likely also have access to or otherwise pay the usual $50 entry fee once they go over the limit. I'm based out of SFO and I've only used the lounge twice this year and it's not fair for infrequent travelers like myself to not be able to find a seat.
May 9, 2017, 12:06 pm
#799
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Berkeley, CA USA
Programs: Piggly Wiggly "Shop the Pig!" Preferred Shopper
Posts: 57,078
An alternative solution IMHO would be limiting the number of guests to one and paying an additional fee to bring more than one or offering a discounted admission for those bringing more than 1 guest. Or perhaps even set it to no guests at all and just charge a set rate for cardholders wishing to bring guests.
May 16, 2017, 6:16 am
#800
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: HKG • Ex SFO, NYC
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP; Marriott Amb; Hyatt Globalist; Shangri-la Diamond; IHG SpireAmb; Hilton D; Accor G
Posts: 3,319
Distinguishing cardholders and guests is an indirect way to address the problem: the number of persons in the lounge. I think at some point Amex is going to realize that it must tackle the problem directly -- limiting the number of free lounge visits per year. Visit alone or with guests (doesn't matter). You only get so many passes, though. Maybe reward big spenders with more passes.
May 16, 2017, 9:14 am
#801
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: Continental Onepass, Hilton, Marriott, USAir and now UA
Posts: 6,442
Thus, building bigger facilities really will not solve the problem. Limiting the number of guests will.
If Amex wishes, it could supply a certain amount of credit to each account which could be used for guest admissions (for example, a $200/yr credit which would be applied to guest admission cost). Then Amex could limit the number of free guests per card to 1 and you pay after that, using the credit until it is used up.
As far as I am concerned, as long as the lounges remain as crowded as they are, I will tend to avoid them. I do have alternatives.
May 16, 2017, 11:03 am
#802
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Berkeley, CA USA
Programs: Piggly Wiggly "Shop the Pig!" Preferred Shopper
Posts: 57,078
You're not buying a lounge membership with the Platinum card. Access to lounges is among the card's benefits. You might like unlimited access to Centurion Lounges -- lots of people seem to like that. Hence the overcrowding.
May 16, 2017, 11:16 am
#803
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
Distinguishing cardholders and guests is an indirect way to address the problem: the number of persons in the lounge. I think at some point Amex is going to realize that it must tackle the problem directly -- limiting the number of free lounge visits per year. Visit alone or with guests (doesn't matter). You only get so many passes, though. Maybe reward big spenders with more passes.
May 16, 2017, 11:24 am
#804
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Berkeley, CA USA
Programs: Piggly Wiggly "Shop the Pig!" Preferred Shopper
Posts: 57,078
Road warrior cardholders who practically live in the lounge are no less a part of the problem than someone who visits half as often, but with a guest each time, or someone who visits a third as often, but with two guests each time. Human in lounge = human in lounge = human in lounge.
May 17, 2017, 6:46 am
#805
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: AUS
Programs: BAEC Gold, AA PPro, Hyatt Globalist, Amex Plat
Posts: 7,043
Regards
May 23, 2017, 1:34 pm
#806
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: San Francisco Bay Area, Las Vegas
Programs: Global Entry/TSA PreCheck
Posts: 154
Arrived at the Centurion Lounge in Las Vegas right around noon. It's about 90-95% full. Unfortunately, the place I normally sit is occupied. Fortunately, a table in the dining area opened up right as I arrived, so I have a place to eat.
May 23, 2017, 4:39 pm
#807
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 4,219
SFO Friday night around 10pm was surprisingly busy. Was able to get a seat but didn't stay long.
May 24, 2017, 5:53 am
#808
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
May 24, 2017, 6:30 am
#809
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: AUS
Programs: BAEC Gold, AA PPro, Hyatt Globalist, Amex Plat
Posts: 7,043
Regards
May 24, 2017, 6:43 am
#810
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Newton Centre, MA, USA
Programs: DL 2MM Gold, AA Plat Pro; Hilton Lifetime Diamond, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium (via SPG), IHG Plat
Posts: 2,192