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 20, 2017, 9:04 am
#1126
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 1,039
Anybody have experience with getting a drink or meal refunded from AMEX if they tried to go to a lounge & it was too packed to enter then went elsewhere to eat/drink?
Oct 20, 2017, 12:21 pm
#1127
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: LAX/JFK/SFO
Programs: Amex Plat, Hyatt, IHG cards
Posts: 120
What other reason to sign up is there other than the lounges? With Amex's nonexistant travel insurance products and zero bonus spend… what other possible reason is there to have the Plat other than as a shiny metal status symbol.
The Centurion lounges are the only reason I even have the Plat (both business and personal)… otherwise Citi has a much stronger product with the Prestige and the CSR has made a much bigger splash with the CSR. What both of those lack are premium lounges.
The Centurion lounges are the only reason I even have the Plat (both business and personal)… otherwise Citi has a much stronger product with the Prestige and the CSR has made a much bigger splash with the CSR. What both of those lack are premium lounges.
The lack of trip cancellation and delay insurance certainly does discourage me from booking with my Platinum. That said, I do like it that the emergency evacuation coverage is valid even if I don't pay for a trip with Platinum.
Oct 20, 2017, 12:40 pm
#1128
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 600
But go ahead and keep thinking that it's simply a "status symbol." I will pocket those real dollars.
Oct 20, 2017, 12:55 pm
#1129
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,955
Oct 20, 2017, 1:06 pm
#1130
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: IAH
Programs: DL DM, Hyatt Ist-iest, Stariott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 12,790
Super crowded at IAH this afternoon. 
About half the tables in the dining area are empty and cleaned off. A full 2 people plus me sitting at the bar. Plenty of chairs in the rest of the lounge. G&T in hand, it's a great way to bang out some e-mails on a Friday afternoon.
About half the tables in the dining area are empty and cleaned off. A full 2 people plus me sitting at the bar. Plenty of chairs in the rest of the lounge. G&T in hand, it's a great way to bang out some e-mails on a Friday afternoon.
Oct 20, 2017, 1:16 pm
#1131
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Berkeley, CA USA
Programs: Piggly Wiggly "Shop the Pig!" Preferred Shopper
Posts: 57,075
Oct 20, 2017, 1:25 pm
#1132
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: AA, DL, Avis, Enterprise, National, IHG, HH, SPG/MR
Posts: 1,852
Oct 20, 2017, 1:41 pm
#1133
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
Does having both give you 2+2=4 guests? If so, I can see the appeal. If not, why not just drop the personal one?
The lack of trip cancellation and delay insurance certainly does discourage me from booking with my Platinum. That said, I do like it that the emergency evacuation coverage is valid even if I don't pay for a trip with Platinum.
The lack of trip cancellation and delay insurance certainly does discourage me from booking with my Platinum. That said, I do like it that the emergency evacuation coverage is valid even if I don't pay for a trip with Platinum.
And no, I don't believe having both cards gets you more guests, not that I've ever tried.
Oct 20, 2017, 1:43 pm
#1134
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
As far as the IAP, I also have never been able to make use of it… even though I routinely fly international paid J and F. The terms are too restrictive, I'm pretty IIRC
Oct 20, 2017, 1:45 pm
#1135
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
I'd love to get benefits from FHR… I'm constantly in hotels. (SPG Plat100 + Hyatt Globalist), but I can't seem to easily find deals there where I don't end up paying significantly more than going through Citi 4NF and the cheaper base rates.
Oct 20, 2017, 2:05 pm
#1136
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Berkeley, CA USA
Programs: Piggly Wiggly "Shop the Pig!" Preferred Shopper
Posts: 57,075
It's been hit-and-miss with me on that. Roughly half the time FH&R ends up being a much better deal than anything else I can find. But like you, I've often seen better deals via AAA, the hotel's website, or some other angle.
Oct 20, 2017, 3:06 pm
#1137
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 600
USA International Airline Program (IAP) relaunched as discount benefit (2017).
Oct 25, 2017, 9:46 am
#1138
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,955
I think we now have enough data to conclude that American Express is not likely to adopt any radical access restrictions, but rather they will address crowding through expanding the lounges. Seattle has already been enlarged, Dallas will be moved to a larger space, and Miami will be enlarged. This makes more sense for their business model than turning away Platinum cardholders or their guests.
Centurion lounges is a feature that Chase and Citi apparently do not have the budget to match, and I would expect to see gradual expansion of the network as favorably priced spaces becomes available.
Centurion lounges is a feature that Chase and Citi apparently do not have the budget to match, and I would expect to see gradual expansion of the network as favorably priced spaces becomes available.
Oct 25, 2017, 10:05 am
#1139
Join Date: Mar 2017
Programs: HHonors, TrueBlue, Delta SkyMiles, Hyatt Discoverist, Starwood Preferred Guest, American Airlines.
Posts: 2,035
If the largest bank in the U.S doesn't have the budget to build a competing lounge network with a relatively small bank [Centurion] with credit cards as their main business along with very few loans and savings accounts, then there's a problem.
Oct 25, 2017, 2:37 pm
#1140
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Boulder
Programs: AA Plat, CX Silver
Posts: 2,361
I disagree, I'm one to believe Chase and Citi have more money to spend than AMEX does at the moment. Both have more product offerings and cards that are just as good, if not better than what AMEX offers. Perhaps Chase doesn't see building their own lounges and selling their use to their customers as a significant business advantage at the moment.
If the largest bank in the U.S doesn't have the budget to build a competing lounge network with a relatively small bank [Centurion] with credit cards as their main business along with very few loans and savings accounts, then there's a problem.
If the largest bank in the U.S doesn't have the budget to build a competing lounge network with a relatively small bank [Centurion] with credit cards as their main business along with very few loans and savings accounts, then there's a problem.
Amex has basically *one* business.
(I wonder if Amex considers the cost of the Centurion Lounges to be customer acquisition cost or cost of goods sold)