Points Scrounger

Since the $200 is per calendar year, isn't it actually a net annual fee of $50?

TMM1982

So a more relevant question, does AMEX even care about the crowding issue?

TravelStar

Does American Express care about the crowding of Centurion lounges? Not Really. Does American Express care if the couple of thousand or so Platinum Cardmembers who use the lounges on a weekly (or more) basis cancel their cards if they are not allowed unlimited access? No, Amex loses money with them.
What American Express is looking at is the PERCEIVED value of the lounges by the million of Platinum Cardmembers who use the lounges not at all or on an occasional basis.
I am certain Amex is conducting research of these Cardmembers to determine their perceived value of the Centurion lounges.

TMM1982

But if the Centurion lounges are so crowded as people claim, then clearly the Cent and Plat cardholders are deriving a great deal of value from the lounges. You can't really have one without the other.

jsk1973

Unless you switch Platinum versions every year, you only get the "extra" $200 one time, so the effective annual fee is $250 per year after your first year as a Plat cardholder.

dhuey

Is there really going to be a problem in need of a solution? The SFO lounge is airside for 40% of the gates, and walkable from unconnected terminals for those willing to go through security an extra time.

At LAX, there is less airside connectivity, and very few people would walk over from an unconnected terminal.

Points Scrounger

I was talking with the concierge at the Vegas club last week, mentioning that I had only been to Seattle before, which I thought smaller but just as overall nice in atmosphere. She had wanted to emphasize that because of CES they had pulled out some of the more comfortable furniture, couches and the like, from their lounge to put in the small black tables and (frankly uncomfortable) folding chairs to stem any temporary overcrowding.

Handcake

As a Canadian Amex Plat holder, I also get the PP card which allows guest. The reason I like to use the Cent Lounge is I can bring my wife AND kid inside plus myself. Otherwise, I can use another lounge that takes PP and just bring my kid inside with me.

You are right, they are usually packed depending on what time you get there. I use the Cent Lounge 1-2 times a year though, so if they canceled that perk, it most likely wouldn't affect me much. The PP card though I use around 20+ times a year with guest, and that's the biggest reason I keep this card.

As others have stated though, Amex needs to be adding another perk to the Plat card. I have been waiting 2 years since they took away the last benefit...hopefully 2016 has something new in store?

Single_Flyer

I was just at the LAS lounge today; I saw the black chairs and tables; but didn't connect it with CES. I do feel like they need more seating at this location, but the black chairs/tables seem like a temporary fix.

wesheltonj

Was at DFW Thus between 4:15 and 5 PM, it was crowded but not packed, still places to sit, one open reserved table. I guess some folks think no one should be inside but them or otherwise its too crowded. Some of you get to get a ******* life and stop complaining, you don't have it was good at AA, AS, DL or UA or lounges.

RichardMannion

I've definitely noticed the lounges get busier, DFW was very busy last time I was there but fortunately they have the reserved tables for Centurion customers now. Though that didn't stop the server looking at me and informing me that the table was reserved and only for Centurion customers. They then noticed the tag on my bag and asked me if I'd like the whisky or the glass of Veuve.

I did see someone throwing a hissy fit at SEA because they couldn't pay to get in like the other Centurion lounges. I've seen SEA busy, but not rammed so I'd say the access policy is working well there. Really like the staff there and they are always friendly and super helpful. Apparently the ratio of Centurions they see there to Platinum is less than 1 in 100.

sdix

They learned from last year when it was a complete zoo. Original furniture was supposed to go back in today. I was there Saturday. DL check in area was a nightmare but the lounge was actually quite peaceful. Probably the calm before the storm of 100K or so people leaving Vegas

DCEsquire

Woah, that's news to me. Behold, you are spot on!. "The Centurion Studio does not sell one-day passes. Other American Express® Cards are not eligible for entry. "

Troopers

Heard similar will occur at SFO for Superbowl.

runb4fun

The amount of people who want their own plat card to be nerfed for the sake of making Centurion lounges less crowed is too high in this thread. If only I had a penny for every time I read the following in this thread "they should remove the $200 airline credit and make Plat a true $450 card"....