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)
#976
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Boulder
Programs: AA Plat, CX Silver
Posts: 2,361
The CL crowding continues to be a problem because of the loss of Admirals Clubs and Presidents Clubs (now United Clubs) from the portfolio of lounges. If those were still accessible by Amex members then the CLs wouldn't see the level of crowding they do today. The only real solution is for Amex to expand the current lounges and add more.
#977
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 401
They could even do away with completely free access for everyone and make it 1 free entry pass earned for every $1,000 spent on your Plat/Cent.
#978
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
Thing is, guest access is really for the benefit of the cardholder. Not too many cardholders are going to say to a loved one or good friend, "Here's my Centurion Lounge. Great food and drink in there. Can't wait. I'll see you at the gate when it's time to board. I hope you find a place to sit."
The first CLs were already planned before Amex lost the Admirals Club. The original plan was for access to be unlimited for Cent card members and Plats would have a limited amount of visits per year. The access for Plats became unlimited when Amex then lost the Admirals Club.
#979
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Berkeley, CA USA
Programs: Piggly Wiggly "Shop the Pig!" Preferred Shopper
Posts: 56,898
Doesn't seem fair to say to a guy who hardly ever visits the lounge that he can't bring in his wife and kid today because of crowding. Meanwhile, 75x per year road warrior heads right in.
#980
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: anywhere and everywhere
Programs: UA GS, AS MVP 100K, DL Diamond, Marriot Lifetime Titanium, AmEx Centurion
Posts: 5,504
Maybe sell family add-ons for cardholders? Extra $100/200 per year for an extra family member
#981
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: AA, DL, Avis, Enterprise, National, IHG, HH, SPG/MR
Posts: 1,852
It does not make sense to allow people in for free when it means someone who has actually paid for the benefit of access has to endure overcrowding. Let those currently getting in for free pay for that benefit.
#982
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Berkeley, CA USA
Programs: Piggly Wiggly "Shop the Pig!" Preferred Shopper
Posts: 56,898
#983
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: NB, Canada
Programs: Fairmont, Amex MR, Marriott
Posts: 2,531
Would reward their customers who make them more money, weed out those who are just paying a few hundred dollars for a lounge pass.
#984
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 401
I think a new suit is worth 12 passes.
#985
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Berkeley, CA USA
Programs: Piggly Wiggly "Shop the Pig!" Preferred Shopper
Posts: 56,898
That makes the most sense to me from Amex's perspective, and it strikes me as a fair deal to cardholders. A certain number of visits are included with the card (you, guests -- use them however you like). The more spend on the card, the more passes you get. Directly tie the hard costs of the lounge with the hard revenue of spending on the card.
#986
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 156
The amount of expansions they've announced recently make me think Amex's perspective is bigger is better. Is there any data around about how many cents/plats/day pass's access each lounge?
#987
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Berkeley, CA USA
Programs: Piggly Wiggly "Shop the Pig!" Preferred Shopper
Posts: 56,898
FWIW, I very rarely see any Cents seated in the three tables reserved for them at SFO.
#988
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: BOS
Programs: B6/Mosaic/AF/VX/AS Gold Hertz PC HH Dia. AMEX Plat SPG/Marr Gold Nat. EE FPC Plat
Posts: 833
A shout out to the staff there who have been stellar IME. ^
#989
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Truth or Consequences, NM
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott Titanium, Hertz President's Circle, UA Silver, Mobile Passport Unobtanium
Posts: 6,187
Writing this from IAH Centurion Lounge at 07:00 a.m. Three other customers and me.
#990