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)
Oct 3, 2017, 3:02 pm
#1006
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AS MVP Gold 75K, UA Gold, Marriott LTT, Avis President's Club
Posts: 1,539
So if you cancel your Plat, you won't get 5x on airfare. Feel free to take that to Chase if the elimination of absolutely free CL access will cause you to cancel the card.
Amex also has to pay SPG, IHG, etc for the Gold status they give you too. Yes, you probably are organically SPG Plat, but it's still money that Amex has to shell out.
With the supposed 1.3M Plat card holders worldwide, what percentage of them do you think visit a CL even once a month? Based on the threads showing excitement over a metal card, I'm willing to bet there are many times more people holding the Plat simply for the, "prestige," than simply for CL access.
Amex also has to pay SPG, IHG, etc for the Gold status they give you too. Yes, you probably are organically SPG Plat, but it's still money that Amex has to shell out.
With the supposed 1.3M Plat card holders worldwide, what percentage of them do you think visit a CL even once a month? Based on the threads showing excitement over a metal card, I'm willing to bet there are many times more people holding the Plat simply for the, "prestige," than simply for CL access.
I'm not saying the road warrior like myself isn't part of the problem. Everybody in the lounge is part of the problem
Oct 3, 2017, 3:36 pm
#1007
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 401
I wouldn't call CL access "absolutely free". Thats why I'm paying $550/yr. I also pay $450/yr for the United Club and if United limited my access for that I would also cancel.
I'm not saying the road warrior like myself isn't part of the problem. Everybody in the lounge is part of the problem
I'm not saying the road warrior like myself isn't part of the problem. Everybody in the lounge is part of the problem
They need to make a small Platinum Playpen off to the side so those without Cents can be inspired to spend more.
Oct 3, 2017, 3:49 pm
#1008
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 23
Also, the truly Centurion card holders fly private and/or have own plane.
Oct 3, 2017, 3:55 pm
#1009
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: NB, Canada
Programs: Fairmont, Amex MR, Marriott
Posts: 2,531
I put all airfare on the card for 5x and any large purchases for insurance. Otherwise, AMEX doesn't incentive me to put any other spend on the card. With that said I've spent ~28K on the Platinum to date, which isn't really a dent in the grand scheme of things but its more than a "lounge pass" card. I also spend across other AMEX cards.
Oct 3, 2017, 3:58 pm
#1010
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: NB, Canada
Programs: Fairmont, Amex MR, Marriott
Posts: 2,531
American Express is a publicly traded company. No one is really interested in the profitability of individual customers. Investors and analysts look at metrics including the number of accounts open, fee revenue, etc in addition to net income. American Express sells access to cardholders through programs such as Amex Offers, Fine Hotels and Resorts.
There are only so many seats in a lounge, and building additional capacity does cost money and has recurring costs, so having customers who just have the card to visit a lounge every Monday and Friday cannot be helpful to any metric.
And if you can convince them to spend more on the card, to get more lounge visits, it will help too.
Oct 3, 2017, 4:09 pm
#1011
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AS MVP Gold 75K, UA Gold, Marriott LTT, Avis President's Club
Posts: 1,539
Oct 3, 2017, 4:21 pm
#1012
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: YWG
Programs: Free Agent
Posts: 1,478
AMEX is hitting the right notes for us 'free agents' who can't be bothered to play the airline etc loyalty 'game'.
Oct 3, 2017, 4:56 pm
#1013
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: IAH
Programs: DL DM, Hyatt Ist-iest, Stariott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 12,789
Oct 3, 2017, 7:25 pm
#1014
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Berkeley, CA USA
Programs: Piggly Wiggly "Shop the Pig!" Preferred Shopper
Posts: 57,072
The family of four drinks more? Seriously? More than whom? Have you seen some youngsters boozing it up while they travel with their parents? Mom and Dad getting hammered as they travel with their kids?
Oct 3, 2017, 7:29 pm
#1015
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 401
The Cent just says you probably spent $250,000 (and paid it off) in one year. A PB card says you have at the very least $5-20M in assets.
Oct 3, 2017, 7:31 pm
#1016
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 401
Limited passes with additional granted with spend is a valid way to control crowding. If that were the case, I'd cancel as it doesn't work for me. I'm sure people at AMEX are thinking of way to limit access (or on the flip side, secure more space).
We'll all go in the family room
We'll all go in the family room
Oct 3, 2017, 7:45 pm
#1017
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: DL PM; IHG PlatAmb; Hilton Dia; Marriott Plat; Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 7,320
Leisure travelers are far more likely to eat and drink to excess than frequent business travelers.
The large piles of plates of uneaten food are more likely to come from a family of four than a business traveler.
Although the loudest, drunkest guests I've ever seen was a group of 8 senior citizens en route to a Viking River Cruise.
Oct 3, 2017, 8:05 pm
#1018
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AS MVP Gold 75K, UA Gold, Marriott LTT, Avis President's Club
Posts: 1,539
I'd just consolidate to my CSR where all my other travel/dining already is. While I do spend a decent amount on airfare, it isn't that much as 90% of my work flights are booked through a company portal (with few exceptions). The 5x is definitely a welcome addition, but the primary driver for me of the Platinum card is CL access. I have to pay out of pocket for all of these cards and other travel perks. So I really evaluate if its working for me or not. I don't get a comp'ed corporate card like many other business travelers.
Oct 3, 2017, 8:18 pm
#1019
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Berkeley, CA USA
Programs: Piggly Wiggly "Shop the Pig!" Preferred Shopper
Posts: 57,072
Yes, I have. Unfortunately.
Leisure travelers are far more likely to eat and drink to excess than frequent business travelers.
The large piles of plates of uneaten food are more likely to come from a family of four than a business traveler.
Although the loudest, drunkest guests I've ever seen was a group of 8 senior citizens en route to a Viking River Cruise.
Leisure travelers are far more likely to eat and drink to excess than frequent business travelers.
The large piles of plates of uneaten food are more likely to come from a family of four than a business traveler.
Although the loudest, drunkest guests I've ever seen was a group of 8 senior citizens en route to a Viking River Cruise.
Oct 3, 2017, 8:33 pm
#1020
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: US Air, UA BA LH AI DELTA MARRIOTT CHOICE SGP
Posts: 9,883
I'll keep an eye out for Mom, Dad & the kids getting wasted in the Centurion lounge. I haven't seen that many kids in the lounges, and best I can tell, neither they nor their parents were getting hammered. But I'll have my iPhone at the ready to document it, should I see it. Thanks for the tip.