Centurion and Platinum access to Escape Lounges (aka Centurion Studio)
May 30, 2019, 12:51 pm
#91
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: SFO
Posts: 3,881
I have entered on arrival numerous times.
May 31, 2019, 10:03 am
#92
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Location: Miami, Mpls & London
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Jun 1, 2019, 8:20 am
#93
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Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
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I can verify that SMF A is open. They told me that they opened on Monday (Memerial Day). I wasn't able to stay long enough to check out the F&B, but it looked spacious (empty) yesterday evening, with a variety of types of seating areas. It's located on your left near the start of the A gates and seems hard to miss.
Jul 1, 2021, 9:57 am
#95
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: JFK/LGA/BDL
Posts: 419
Not sure how recent (or significant) this is, but I just caught on LoungeBuddy that all Escape Lounges have been rebranded as "Escape Lounges - The Centurion Studio Partner". They also now appear directly on the Centurion Lounge website itself (scroll down to Global Lounge Collection map and you can toggle between Centurion Lounges and Escape Lounges)
This is slightly reassuring for me because the Escape Lounge at my nearby alternative airport is a bit nicer than most standard Priority Pass lounges, so it is good to see it tucked a little bit further under the Amex wing.
This is slightly reassuring for me because the Escape Lounge at my nearby alternative airport is a bit nicer than most standard Priority Pass lounges, so it is good to see it tucked a little bit further under the Amex wing.
Last edited by imnotalawyer; Jul 1, 2021 at 12:29 pm
Jul 1, 2021, 12:39 pm
#96
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: JFK/LGA/BDL
Posts: 419
I also caught that the Food & Drink portion of the Escape Lounges page has been updated to include a blurb on "Exclusive AMEX Perks"
So I wonder how premium those will be?
Platinum and Centurion Card Members at Escape Lounges - The Centurion® Studio Partner, enjoy access to an exclusive menu of premium snacks, wine and liquors in addition to the full food and bar menu available to all guests.
So I wonder how premium those will be?
Jul 1, 2021, 1:27 pm
#97
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: SAN, BOS
Programs: AS MVPG100K, BAEC Gold, Hilton Diamond, Bonvoy Plat,
Posts: 2,282
I also caught that the Food & Drink portion of the Escape Lounges page has been updated to include a blurb on "Exclusive AMEX Perks"
So I wonder how premium those will be?
So I wonder how premium those will be?
If I were to guess the pandemic caused these lounges to come calling Amex for liquidity and Amex bargained for better amenities and branding in exchange
Jul 1, 2021, 2:07 pm
#98
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: JFK/LGA/BDL
Posts: 419
TPG published an article on this change
https://thepointsguy.com/news/amex-c...ork-expansion/
They did note that for the Escape Lounges...
So that's encouraging.
Also of note here, it looks like the spare parts International Centurions (the non-Lounge variants) will all be upgraded to "Centurion Lounge" branding. It seems that they will mostly be receiving cosmetic improvements but the article hints at a standardizing of food/beverage offerings too.
https://thepointsguy.com/news/amex-c...ork-expansion/
They did note that for the Escape Lounges...
However, there will be a wider selection of complimentary cocktails, spirits, wine and premium snacks (in addition to the full menu and bar available). Day passes will continue to be sold to those ineligible for entry based on their Amex card.
So that's encouraging.
Also of note here, it looks like the spare parts International Centurions (the non-Lounge variants) will all be upgraded to "Centurion Lounge" branding. It seems that they will mostly be receiving cosmetic improvements but the article hints at a standardizing of food/beverage offerings too.
Jul 1, 2021, 3:00 pm
#99
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: SAN, BOS
Programs: AS MVPG100K, BAEC Gold, Hilton Diamond, Bonvoy Plat,
Posts: 2,282
TPG published an article on this change
https://thepointsguy.com/news/amex-c...ork-expansion/
They did note that for the Escape Lounges...
So that's encouraging.
Also of note here, it looks like the spare parts International Centurions (the non-Lounge variants) will all be upgraded to "Centurion Lounge" branding. It seems that they will mostly be receiving cosmetic improvements but the article hints at a standardizing of food/beverage offerings too.
https://thepointsguy.com/news/amex-c...ork-expansion/
They did note that for the Escape Lounges...
So that's encouraging.
Also of note here, it looks like the spare parts International Centurions (the non-Lounge variants) will all be upgraded to "Centurion Lounge" branding. It seems that they will mostly be receiving cosmetic improvements but the article hints at a standardizing of food/beverage offerings too.
Jul 1, 2021, 11:34 pm
#100
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP, Hyatt Glob, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, Total Wine & More Reserve
Posts: 4,531
IIRC, they always had a bit higher end brand liquor for purchase pre pandemic, and snacks like Macaroons for purchase in addition to the regular (quite good) food selections.
If I were to guess the pandemic caused these lounges to come calling Amex for liquidity and Amex bargained for better amenities and branding in exchange
If I were to guess the pandemic caused these lounges to come calling Amex for liquidity and Amex bargained for better amenities and branding in exchange
Jul 1, 2021, 11:57 pm
#101
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Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Pacific Northwest
Programs: UA Gold 1MM, AS 75k, AA Plat, Bonvoyed Gold, Honors Dia, Hyatt Explorer, IHG Plat, ...
Posts: 16,859
Got to the PHX Escape lounge a bit after 5 pm today (aka when the CL is closed). They had a waitlist going. The initial estimate was 40 min wait, ans I got the notification that I could enter after 72 mins, I declined since it was only 10 mins before boarding at that point. Should have gone to the AA lounge, but my gate was near the CL/Escape lounges,
Jul 5, 2021, 1:47 pm
#103
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Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
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As mentioned, Escape lounges will soon be branded Centurion Studios. The small Centurion Lounge at SEA was originally a Centurion Studio, but American Express made no further use of the brand until now. This is mentioned in the new offer terms of the refreshed Platinum card. This benefit also extends to Skymiles Reserve cardholders when flying on a Delta ticket purchased with an American Express card.
Some discussion here:
Escape lounges to become Centurion Studios?
Escape Lounges – The Centurion® Studio Partner
This benefit is available to Platinum Cards. Additional Gold Cards and Additional Green Cards on your Platinum Card account are not eligible for complimentary access. Card Members receive complimentary access to any US location of the Escape Lounges. Card Member must present his or her valid Card, a boarding pass showing a confirmed reservation for same-day travel on any carrier and government-issued I.D. In some cases, Card Member must be 21 years of age to enter without a parent or guardian. Card Members may bring either (i) up to two guests or (ii) immediate family members, which are spouse or domestic partner and all children under the age of 18, as complimentary guests. Delta SkyMiles® Reserve and Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business Basic and Additional Card Members receive complimentary access to all Escape Lounge locations when flying on a same-day Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight. The eligible flight must be booked on a U.S. issued American Express credit card and Card Members may bring up to two guests at a per-visit rate equal to the guest fee of the respective Escape Lounge location. Card Member must adhere to all house rules of participating lounges. Card Members and his or her guests will receive all of the complimentary benefits and amenities afforded to the Escape Lounge customers, as well as access to purchase non-complimentary items. Some product features may be subject to additional charges. Escape Lounge locations are subject to change.
This benefit is available to Platinum Cards. Additional Gold Cards and Additional Green Cards on your Platinum Card account are not eligible for complimentary access. Card Members receive complimentary access to any US location of the Escape Lounges. Card Member must present his or her valid Card, a boarding pass showing a confirmed reservation for same-day travel on any carrier and government-issued I.D. In some cases, Card Member must be 21 years of age to enter without a parent or guardian. Card Members may bring either (i) up to two guests or (ii) immediate family members, which are spouse or domestic partner and all children under the age of 18, as complimentary guests. Delta SkyMiles® Reserve and Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business Basic and Additional Card Members receive complimentary access to all Escape Lounge locations when flying on a same-day Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight. The eligible flight must be booked on a U.S. issued American Express credit card and Card Members may bring up to two guests at a per-visit rate equal to the guest fee of the respective Escape Lounge location. Card Member must adhere to all house rules of participating lounges. Card Members and his or her guests will receive all of the complimentary benefits and amenities afforded to the Escape Lounge customers, as well as access to purchase non-complimentary items. Some product features may be subject to additional charges. Escape Lounge locations are subject to change.
Some discussion here:
Escape lounges to become Centurion Studios?
Jul 5, 2021, 1:58 pm
#104
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Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
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I received an email from AmEx about this several days ago. I'd expect the smaller Centurion lounges to be rebranded.
However, the bigger problem is that guest privileges are too generous: It's ridiculous for an AmEx Plat cardmember (especially with their higher annual fee) not to be able to enter because others are bringing their entire families.
However, the bigger problem is that guest privileges are too generous: It's ridiculous for an AmEx Plat cardmember (especially with their higher annual fee) not to be able to enter because others are bringing their entire families.
Jul 5, 2021, 4:34 pm
#105
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: NYC/LA
Programs: DL Plat, AA Plat Pro, Marriott Titanium, IHG Diamond Amb
Posts: 7,489
They also aren’t on the list of Escape lounges that now appears on the Centurion Lounge site. Perhaps another lounge operator will end up taking over the spaces?