Jan 17, 2017, 2:18 pm
Centurion Lounge PHL (opened 31 Oct 2017)
Oct 23, 2017, 9:06 pm
#136
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: UA Plat MM, CM Plat, Amex Plat, Hertz CP, Hyatt Globalist, SPG Gold, Vons Club
Posts: 6,850
Oct 24, 2017, 6:43 am
#137
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,419
Yup, no question that AMEX is going for maximum "sophistication" -- I would say "over sophistication." I personally think AMEX is in an elitist urban bubble with this strategy, and delivering more sizzle than steak (talk about mixing food metaphors!), but we'll see.
Oct 24, 2017, 9:30 am
#138
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 16,871
As PHL is my home airport I’m really looking forward to the club because I miss the service and food in the old envoy club. Will be interested to see how it compares with the new redone AA club. But I too hope that they will have more basic less sophisticated food. One or two fancy or unusual items to try? Great! Everything like that? I hope not.
On a a side note, how do these clubs, which I would guess are not cheap, help Amex’s bottom line? I have the card for my business but I’m not sure I would get it just for club access. Am I in the minority?
On a a side note, how do these clubs, which I would guess are not cheap, help Amex’s bottom line? I have the card for my business but I’m not sure I would get it just for club access. Am I in the minority?
Oct 24, 2017, 10:40 am
#139
Join Date: Nov 2016
Posts: 156
As PHL is my home airport I’m really looking forward to the club because I miss the service and food in the old envoy club. Will be interested to see how it compares with the new redone AA club. But I too hope that they will have more basic less sophisticated food. One or two fancy or unusual items to try? Great! Everything like that? I hope not.
On a a side note, how do these clubs, which I would guess are not cheap, help Amex’s bottom line? I have the card for my business but I’m not sure I would get it just for club access. Am I in the minority?
On a a side note, how do these clubs, which I would guess are not cheap, help Amex’s bottom line? I have the card for my business but I’m not sure I would get it just for club access. Am I in the minority?
Oct 24, 2017, 6:05 pm
#141
Join Date: Jun 2017
Programs: United 1K, Frontier Platinum (lol), fmr Delta Platinum Medallion, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 22
Hurry up AMEX!
As PHL is my home airport I’m really looking forward to the club because I miss the service and food in the old envoy club. Will be interested to see how it compares with the new redone AA club. But I too hope that they will have more basic less sophisticated food. One or two fancy or unusual items to try? Great! Everything like that? I hope not.
On a a side note, how do these clubs, which I would guess are not cheap, help Amex’s bottom line? I have the card for my business but I’m not sure I would get it just for club access. Am I in the minority?
On a a side note, how do these clubs, which I would guess are not cheap, help Amex’s bottom line? I have the card for my business but I’m not sure I would get it just for club access. Am I in the minority?
Oct 24, 2017, 7:14 pm
#142
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 16,871
The Centurion Lounge attracts members and our $550/yr annual fees add up to thousands of dollars per cardmember over the years. Have you noticed that AMEX has been bombarding us with ads at PHL? I guess they brought this in to close the deal. Also, I totally agree with you about the food... I'd love to try some new things, but food that is upscale but appeals to a wider audience would be much better for the majority of their clientele.
Oct 24, 2017, 9:23 pm
#143
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 33
Yep- I think amex has separated itself from CSR and Prestige in-terms of unique lounges (Centurion, airspace, escape, and Sky Club). I definitely thought it was a one year ordeal when I first got the card but with all the unique lounges and amex offers, I think I get enough value from it to continue paying the AF.
Oct 25, 2017, 12:57 am
#145
Join Date: Sep 2015
Programs: AA - EXP
Posts: 33
I walked past on 23 Oct and saw the lovely sign that the lounge would be arriving soon and jobs were available. I had high hopes that I would be able to go to the new Centurion Lounge, Admirals Club had to do instead. I did call Amex, and while they did say the opening date was quite secretive and getting information, even for them, was difficult, it will be announced on the Centurion Lounge website the day that it opens.
Looking forward to hearing non-press reports about the lounge.
Looking forward to hearing non-press reports about the lounge.
Oct 25, 2017, 7:23 am
#147
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: UA Plat MM, CM Plat, Amex Plat, Hertz CP, Hyatt Globalist, SPG Gold, Vons Club
Posts: 6,850
Oct 25, 2017, 11:39 am
#148
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 24
I walked past on 23 Oct and saw the lovely sign that the lounge would be arriving soon and jobs were available. I had high hopes that I would be able to go to the new Centurion Lounge, Admirals Club had to do instead. I did call Amex, and while they did say the opening date was quite secretive and getting information, even for them, was difficult, it will be announced on the Centurion Lounge website the day that it opens.
Looking forward to hearing non-press reports about the lounge.
Looking forward to hearing non-press reports about the lounge.
Is it just possible they purposely announce so close to opening day so the club won't be inundated; gives the staff a while to get up to speed?
Oct 25, 2017, 12:31 pm
#149
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 17,419
Right, that's what I'm talking about. I just think the folks who design these lounges are out of touch with their customer base. They seem to hire urban hipsters to do this. I guarantee you that most AMEX Platinum cardholders are not this demographic. Trend-setting Israeli food? Great! Or at least great the first time I visit the lounge. But I'll probably be there 6 or 8 times in the next year. Given my experiences at their other Centurion lounges, I'm certain I'll be pining for soup and sandwiches by then. I'll probably then start scheming for a way into the Admiral's Club lounge without dropping $500 for the privilege.
Oct 25, 2017, 1:35 pm
#150
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,954
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Tangential discussion of Platinum card benefit valuation has been transferred:
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