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)
Apr 1, 2019, 9:40 pm
#1756
Join Date: Nov 2010
Programs: HH, Asiana club, Elevated, Skymiles, Fairmont President's Club
Posts: 42
I do read, and the original claim is that weekly travelers would have lounge access on the basis of status alone. Purchased access to AA, DL or US lounges doesn't seem relevant to the claim.
I am also not sure that flying weekly would be sufficient to earn DL Diamond or AA Concierge Key, but I do not keep track of the tier requirements. I think it is likely that many weekly flyers will have top tier status in one program, but that others will not, and both groups might find Centurion lounge access a useful adjunct to whatever lounge access they might receive from an airline program.
I am also not sure that flying weekly would be sufficient to earn DL Diamond or AA Concierge Key, but I do not keep track of the tier requirements. I think it is likely that many weekly flyers will have top tier status in one program, but that others will not, and both groups might find Centurion lounge access a useful adjunct to whatever lounge access they might receive from an airline program.
At the end is a question of preference, and there are a few dozen domestic lounges per airline (AA,UA,DL,AS) across the US compared to only a few (strategically located) Centurion.
I am not arguing against them, I am simply stating the fact that there are other options, though product quality may be lacking.
With regard of which loyalty program or lack of a flyer chooses has a lot to do with your home base, also, in case someone has status with one airline, and need to fly on a different alliance, status match is an option.
Just to be clear, I completely agree with you regarding Centurion Lounges being a benefit that we should all be able to enjoy regardless of loyalty program, status, or how many times a year someone wants to use a Centurion lounge. I believe Amex willl continue to expand their the size and number of lounges as long as it’s profitable, even from a marketing point of view it has been a success.
Last edited by ZJ3000; Apr 3, 2019 at 1:44 am Reason: Typo
Apr 1, 2019, 11:21 pm
#1757
Join Date: Nov 2010
Programs: HH, Asiana club, Elevated, Skymiles, Fairmont President's Club
Posts: 42
You are right, I do long for the days when the Centurion lounges were exactly that; a comfortable lounge in which you could enjoy a little peace and quiet before your flight. Now it's become the total opposite.
The first Centurion lounge opened in Las Vegas in 2013 and was initially pay for entry for any but Centurion Cardmembers. Here's a quote when the Las Vegas lounge first opened:
"Any eligible American Express Cardmember may purchase a one-day Access Key at the Lounge for $50. If you hold a Centurion Card from American Express, or if you received a promotional mailing with an Access Key, access to The Centurion Lounge is complimentary. Purchase of one-day Access Keys is subject to Lounge capacity."
The first Centurion lounge opened in Las Vegas in 2013 and was initially pay for entry for any but Centurion Cardmembers. Here's a quote when the Las Vegas lounge first opened:
"Any eligible American Express Cardmember may purchase a one-day Access Key at the Lounge for $50. If you hold a Centurion Card from American Express, or if you received a promotional mailing with an Access Key, access to The Centurion Lounge is complimentary. Purchase of one-day Access Keys is subject to Lounge capacity."
Amex does have an alternative model on Centurion Suites (i.e: Staple Center, Barclays center, & pop-up locations) access is complimentary, but they charge for food and drinks. I personally wouldn’t like it, but if peace and quiet is what people want that might be a solution, if it’s free food and drinks then that is a problem.
Last edited by ZJ3000; Apr 1, 2019 at 11:22 pm Reason: Typo
Apr 1, 2019, 11:48 pm
#1758
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Denver
Programs: AS, AA, UA, Hilton, Marriott, Caesars DE
Posts: 2,070
Apr 1, 2019, 11:57 pm
#1759
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,448
That is a terrible deal and I doubt there are many takers. At a conservative valuation of 1.5 cpp, that's $900 for a membership that costs $450 cash.
Beyond that, as others have noted, your basic premise - that US legacy top tiers get free domestic lounge access - is simply not correct
Beyond that, as others have noted, your basic premise - that US legacy top tiers get free domestic lounge access - is simply not correct
Apr 2, 2019, 9:50 am
#1760
Join Date: Dec 2018
Programs: $9 Fare Club
Posts: 1,478
Sorry dude if that's the case, and you need to work on your laptop, then sit at the bar - that's what I do.
Last edited by mia; Apr 2, 2019 at 9:55 am
Apr 2, 2019, 10:03 pm
#1761
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Houston, TX, USA
Programs: UA 1K, AA Lifetime Platinum, DL Platinum, Honors Diamond, Bonvoy Titanium, Hertz Platinum
Posts: 7,969
... disproportionally full of younger techie/geek-types
There is no reason why these techie-types from the Bay Area ...
There is no reason why these techie-types from the Bay Area ...
Apr 3, 2019, 1:42 am
#1762
Join Date: Nov 2010
Programs: HH, Asiana club, Elevated, Skymiles, Fairmont President's Club
Posts: 42
Apr 3, 2019, 2:10 am
#1763
Join Date: Nov 2010
Programs: HH, Asiana club, Elevated, Skymiles, Fairmont President's Club
Posts: 42
That is a terrible deal and I doubt there are many takers. At a conservative valuation of 1.5 cpp, that's $900 for a membership that costs $450 cash.
Beyond that, as others have noted, your basic premise - that US legacy top tiers get free domestic lounge access - is simply not correct
Beyond that, as others have noted, your basic premise - that US legacy top tiers get free domestic lounge access - is simply not correct
“Delta Diamond and AA concierge key status have lounge access, so does AU 1K but is limited to international connections, and AS G75k 4 passes per year.”
please describe my inaccuracy?
Currently, centurion lounge access is a bundled benefit of Platinum & Centurion card holder, and the value of that benefit varies from person to person. Amex is aggressively expanding US & international Centurion locations, I am sure access to Centurion Cardmembers only would not be feasible at only $2,500 AF unless they start offering black cards to everyone.
PS: just announced Amex bought Lounge Buddy, hopefully they better integrate lounge access management with the app.
Last edited by ZJ3000; Apr 3, 2019 at 2:16 am Reason: Typo
Apr 3, 2019, 11:33 am
#1764
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: PHL
Programs: AA ExP, Marriott Amb, National EAE, Hilton Diamond, SPG Plat (RIP), US CP (RIP)
Posts: 2,379
That those who fly weekly are able to always fly one legacy US airline or alliance therefore holding top tier in one versus mid tier in multiple airlines/alliances.
That UA 1k only take international flights. (therefore only needing lounge access for international flights)
That AS G75k acquire that status while being in an airport only 4x/year. (since they certainly won’t have complimentary access beyond that point)
Apr 3, 2019, 2:57 pm
#1765
Join Date: Nov 2010
Programs: HH, Asiana club, Elevated, Skymiles, Fairmont President's Club
Posts: 42
That everyone flying weekly on AA has CK status.
That those who fly weekly are able to always fly one legacy US airline or alliance therefore holding top tier in one versus mid tier in multiple airlines/alliances.
That UA 1k only take international flights. (therefore only needing lounge access for international flights)
That AS G75k acquire that status while being in an airport only 4x/year. (since they certainly won’t have complimentary access beyond that point)
Simple math if someone travels 2rt week x 52 and minimum accrual of 500 miles (AA,UA,DL base minimum) per trip that’s 104K EQMs a year, and that’s on Economy, substantially higher on F/J, and half of that still gets you mid tier elite status @ 52k EQMs, and of course I know you don’t get complimentary lounge access as mid tier benefit.
Last edited by ZJ3000; Apr 6, 2019 at 6:50 pm
Apr 3, 2019, 3:27 pm
#1766
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
Programs: United 1K, JAL Sapphire, SPG Lifetime Platinum, National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 42,197
That's an interesting attitude. Reading through your other posts in this thread, you that the overcrowding problem is "simple" to solve by limiting guests, family members, and removing access to AUs and especially corporate cards, which you mention several times as being particularly problematic. Also, you mention:
Yet, you need to take up space for two people so you have room for your laptop? It may be that you feel that taking up space for two people is an entitlement as a primary cardholder. Well, other people feel the same way about guests, family members, and AUs that they pay an extra annual fee for to get the included benefits.
Yet, you need to take up space for two people so you have room for your laptop? It may be that you feel that taking up space for two people is an entitlement as a primary cardholder. Well, other people feel the same way about guests, family members, and AUs that they pay an extra annual fee for to get the included benefits.
Amex Plat includes PP benefits that let me buy dinner in a number of different airport restaurants, some of them are quite decent.
Apr 5, 2019, 2:06 pm
#1767
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: FL
Programs: AA PLAT, HILTON DIAMOND, MARRIOTT LIFETIME TITANIUM
Posts: 616
Are the AmEx Centurion lounges enforcing there new rule by not allowing passengers who arrive at there final destination not to access the AmEx Centurion lounges? I am scheduled to meet with a client when I arrive into my final destination at LGA, my client is flying out of LGA, and we agreed to meet at the LGA AmEx Centurion lounge, I just hope the AmEx Centurion lounges are not enforcing this new rule. We will see.
Apr 5, 2019, 2:23 pm
#1768
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: NYC/LA
Programs: DL Plat, AA Plat Pro, Marriott Titanium, IHG Diamond Amb
Posts: 7,486
This isn’t a data point on arrival access, but I can tell you that I was at the LGA lounge the day after the new restrictions were in place and they definitely checked my departure time before admitting me.
Apr 5, 2019, 2:51 pm
#1769
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Philadelphia
Programs: Marriott Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 1,786
Are the AmEx Centurion lounges enforcing there new rule by not allowing passengers who arrive at there final destination not to access the AmEx Centurion lounges? I am scheduled to meet with a client when I arrive into my final destination at LGA, my client is flying out of LGA, and we agreed to meet at the LGA AmEx Centurion lounge, I just hope the AmEx Centurion lounges are not enforcing this new rule. We will see.
Apr 5, 2019, 2:54 pm
#1770
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: SNA
Programs: MARRIOTT TITANIUM / HILTON GOLD / UA SILVER / AMEX PLAT
Posts: 609
Are the AmEx Centurion lounges enforcing there new rule by not allowing passengers who arrive at there final destination not to access the AmEx Centurion lounges? I am scheduled to meet with a client when I arrive into my final destination at LGA, my client is flying out of LGA, and we agreed to meet at the LGA AmEx Centurion lounge, I just hope the AmEx Centurion lounges are not enforcing this new rule. We will see.