Mar 9, 17, 7:11 pm
Last edit by: mia
Beginning March 30, 2017, The Centurion Lounge guest policy for Platinum Card Members will change. All Platinum Card Members will be limited to two total guests at no additional charge. One-day passes for any additional guests, including immediate family members, may be purchased.
Centurion Lounge new policy 2 guests ONLY (ends exception for immediate family).
Mar 9, 17, 5:58 pm
#76
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: SFO
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat
Posts: 755
Great move overall and par for the course, especially after all the complaints on FT about overcrowding during this past holiday season.
For those of you are complaining you can't bring your family of 5 into the lounge anymore, well it was good while it lasted. It would be a shame if a solo or pair of travelers get denied entry while others were bringing in several guests and using up the lounge capacity.
The goal is to provide as much equal benefit to everyone as possible, as I think two additional guests is indeed reasonable.
For those of you are complaining you can't bring your family of 5 into the lounge anymore, well it was good while it lasted. It would be a shame if a solo or pair of travelers get denied entry while others were bringing in several guests and using up the lounge capacity.
The goal is to provide as much equal benefit to everyone as possible, as I think two additional guests is indeed reasonable.
Mar 9, 17, 5:58 pm
#77
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, MLife Gold, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, Caesars Diamond, Amex Plat
Posts: 5,609
This is WONDERFUL news! Even on a non-peak travel day, the MIA lounge becomes a refugee camp infested with small children and college kids (with all their pillows, backpacks, etc) camped out on the floor. It was unfair to those travelling alone or with a travel companion not being able to find a place to sit and having to put up with all the obnoxious noise.
Granted they shouldn't hog the place by "camping out" but if they have a plat then they have just as much privilege as you do.
Mar 9, 17, 6:00 pm
#78
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, MLife Gold, Marriott Gold, HHonors Gold, Caesars Diamond, Amex Plat
Posts: 5,609
Great move overall and par for the course, especially after all the complaints on FT about overcrowding during this past holiday season.
For those of you are complaining you can't bring your family of 5 into the lounge anymore, well it was good while it lasted. It would be a shame if a solo or pair of travelers get denied entry while others were bringing in several guests and using up the lounge capacity.
The goal is to provide as much equal benefit to everyone as possible, as I think two additional guests is indeed reasonable.
For those of you are complaining you can't bring your family of 5 into the lounge anymore, well it was good while it lasted. It would be a shame if a solo or pair of travelers get denied entry while others were bringing in several guests and using up the lounge capacity.
The goal is to provide as much equal benefit to everyone as possible, as I think two additional guests is indeed reasonable.
Mar 9, 17, 6:08 pm
#79
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Oakland CA
Programs: UA *G, AS MVPG, Globalist
Posts: 999
Just got the news checking in at SFO. I made a frowny face, and agent said it was specifically to deal with overcrowding.
I can't totally blame them... the amex lounges beat anything else in the US by a mile, and they're frequently pretty packed. But as somebody with a growing family, I'm definitely disappointed. Won't be getting rid of the card over this, though.
I can't totally blame them... the amex lounges beat anything else in the US by a mile, and they're frequently pretty packed. But as somebody with a growing family, I'm definitely disappointed. Won't be getting rid of the card over this, though.
Mar 9, 17, 6:19 pm
#80
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: LAX, LGB, SNA
Programs: AA EXP OWE, DL DM ST+, AS MVPG, UA, BA, WN CP, Hyatt E, Ritz Plat, HH GM
Posts: 3,185
Why are you more entitled to lounge access than a college student who presumably also has a plat card since >18 doesn't qualify as included family?
Granted they shouldn't hog the place by "camping out" but if they have a plat then they have just as much privilege as you do.
Granted they shouldn't hog the place by "camping out" but if they have a plat then they have just as much privilege as you do.
Mar 9, 17, 6:37 pm
#83
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: SFO
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat
Posts: 755
Then the question becomes: how many guest passes per year is reasonable? 10? 15?
On top of that, it still doesn't solve the problem of overcrowding. Most people are going to save those passes for their holiday family trip, which also happens to be the same time that lots of other plat card holders are planning to use theirs. Then what do you do when the lounge is full and denied entry? That's why allocating guest passes won't work.
This policy at least mitigates large groups to some extent. But there is still nothing preventing you from paying for extra guests. That's the price of inconveniencing someone else who might be trying to get in and only have one guest.
On top of that, it still doesn't solve the problem of overcrowding. Most people are going to save those passes for their holiday family trip, which also happens to be the same time that lots of other plat card holders are planning to use theirs. Then what do you do when the lounge is full and denied entry? That's why allocating guest passes won't work.
This policy at least mitigates large groups to some extent. But there is still nothing preventing you from paying for extra guests. That's the price of inconveniencing someone else who might be trying to get in and only have one guest.
Mar 9, 17, 6:51 pm
#85
Join Date: Jul 2007
Programs: AA Executive Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 277
Mar 9, 17, 7:04 pm
#86
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Pacific Northwest
Programs: UA 1MM, AS MVPG, Bonvoyed Gold, Honors Dia, Hyatt Explorer, IHG Plat, ...
Posts: 14,940
"Guests: Two guests or immediate family (spouse/domestic partner + children under 18)"
http://thecenturionlounge.com
Which also has this announcement:
"Please note: Beginning March 30, 2017, The Centurion Lounge guest policy for Platinum Card Members will change. All Platinum Card Members will be limited to two total guests at no additional charge. One-day passes for any additional guests, including immediate family members, may be purchased."
Mar 9, 17, 7:05 pm
#87
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: NYC/Northern NJ
Programs: 1K - UAL, Platinum DL, Marriott, Hilton, SPG
Posts: 1,814
On different topic - passes or exception to the rule doesn't fix the overcrowded and unruly family issue. Consider Spring Break or week after semester ends or Holidays - if everyone has a family pass at the same time most business travelers want to get home you have the same jungle of people in the lounge who have never been and unable to respect other patrons. OR consider SEA - most flights leave at certain time slots during the day or evening (red eyes back East) so even three large families can cause over-crowding in the small space.
I honestly don't think the issue is overcrowding - I think the issue is someone entitled to the lounge conducts themselves in a manner not to spoil or make it undesirable for others whereas someone who is a guest (whether child, nanny, etc.) just takes too much advantage, too much noise and makes the experience miserable for others.
Mar 9, 17, 7:06 pm
#88
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AS MVP Gold 75K, UA Gold, Marriott LTT, Avis President's Club
Posts: 1,539
Mar 9, 17, 7:12 pm
#89
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Berkeley, CA USA
Programs: Piggly Wiggly "Shop the Pig!" Preferred Shopper
Posts: 55,814
Bringing in guests isn't just a nice bonus -- it's the only way cardholders can enjoy the lounge in many circumstances. Unless, that is, they say to their traveling companions: "I'm heading into this great lounge here. See you at the gate."
Mar 9, 17, 7:13 pm
#90
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend; Moderator: American Express, Capital One, Citi, Chase, Credit Card Programs, Diners Club, Signatures
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,210
