Centurion Lounge LHR T3 (Opened 12 October 2021)
Dec 4, 2018, 10:20 pm
#1
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Centurion Lounge LHR T3 (Opened 12 October 2021)
https://www.usatoday.com/story/trave...bs/2208906002/
A 7,000-square-foot lounge will open at London’s Heathrow Airport next year, occupying a post-security location in Terminal 3.
Dec 5, 2018, 4:35 am
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That said, this is good news for LHR-departing flyers on Emirates, Delta, Virgin Atlantic, Vueling, Iran Air, PIA, MEA, Garuda, the Oneworld airlines when not using LHR T5/T4, and perhaps a rag tag bunch of others. In other words, this seems like the most sensible LHR terminal to have a Centurion lounge.
Dec 5, 2018, 4:59 am
#3
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Not sure I see the logic. 3rd party lounges are rare in the US and airline clubs are dumpy, so Centurion works as an incentive for card members. Heathrow already has higher end 3rd party lounges like Plaza Premium where access can be gained through credit cards, so Centurion's USP is diminished
Dec 5, 2018, 6:31 am
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Dec 5, 2018, 6:42 am
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“That said, this is good news for LHR-departing flyers on Emirates, Delta, Virgin Atlantic, Vueling, Iran Air, PIA, MEA, Garuda, the Oneworld airlines when not using LHR T5/T4, and perhaps a rag tag bunch of others. In other words, this seems like the most sensible LHR terminal to have a Centurion lounge.”
But T3 is where I would prefer an Amex Plat/Centurion Fast Track security screening line, at least when originating out of LHR.
Dec 5, 2018, 6:18 pm
#8
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Size doesn't seem to be the only factor. Miami is 8,000 square feet, La Guardia is 5,300. Lots of complaints about crowding at MIA, but few at LGA. Heathrow Terminal 3 is well served by other lounges, which should reduce the demand for access to any one lounge. In any event, I expect American Express had to go after a space that was available, and they have demonstrated a willingness to expand when they can (DFW, MIA, SEA).
Dec 6, 2018, 3:11 am
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Size doesn't seem to be the only factor. Miami is 8,000 square feet, La Guardia is 5,300. Lots of complaints about crowding at MIA, but few at LGA. Heathrow Terminal 3 is well served by other lounges, which should reduce the demand for access to any one lounge. In any event, I expect American Express had to go after a space that was available, and they have demonstrated a willingness to expand when they can (DFW, MIA, SEA).
LHR is a different beast than LGA. I expect that a lot of Amex Plats/Centurions entitled to use airline lounges for LHR T3 departures will start skipping the use of some of those airline lounges and default to using the Amex lounge there. At LHR T3, I probably will be one such person doing so and repeating it most weeks of the year unless and until the lounge offering is poor(er) in one or more ways than the airline lounges which I can use as an alternative.
The Amex lounge may even incentivize me to use LHR T3 more than I already do.
Dec 6, 2018, 6:54 am
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Dec 6, 2018, 7:17 am
#11
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— maybe because I assume some others will behave at times sort of like I have and will. 
More seriously, a variety of reasons including: additional/higher included guest benefit; becoming a default habit due to familiarity; using a benefit they feel has come at a personal expense; and some others.
I suspect that Priority Pass lounge use by AmexPlat/Cent drops somewhat when an Amex Centurion lounge facility of some sort is opened in the same terminal. From Amex Plats/Cents there probably is some substitution out of pre-existing lounge facilities and out of airline lounge facilities and into the Amex lounge facilities. I don’t see why LHR T3 would be an exception unless T3 Amex Centurion lounge is made more of a downmarket lounge in terms of quality and comfort — something I suspect Amex wouldn’t want to do at LHR of all places.
More seriously, a variety of reasons including: additional/higher included guest benefit; becoming a default habit due to familiarity; using a benefit they feel has come at a personal expense; and some others.
I suspect that Priority Pass lounge use by AmexPlat/Cent drops somewhat when an Amex Centurion lounge facility of some sort is opened in the same terminal. From Amex Plats/Cents there probably is some substitution out of pre-existing lounge facilities and out of airline lounge facilities and into the Amex lounge facilities. I don’t see why LHR T3 would be an exception unless T3 Amex Centurion lounge is made more of a downmarket lounge in terms of quality and comfort — something I suspect Amex wouldn’t want to do at LHR of all places.
May 13, 2019, 11:30 am
#12
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They are still saying 2019. My experience of watching lounges being built at UK airports is that you can probably add 6-9 months to that. The Aspire lounge in Gatwick South is currently six months or so behind. Until you see how tough the security rules are for the contractors on getting materials and machinery in and out on airside spots you can't begin to realise how hard it is.
Last edited by mia; May 13, 2019 at 11:41 am Reason: Moderator COPIED post to second thread.
May 14, 2019, 11:31 am
#13
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If this is anything like the HKG Centurion lounge, there will be no compelling reason to choose it over most of the other lounge choices many flyers would have. I'd certainly choose the VS Clubhouse and CX lounge over something comparable to HKG Centurion. Of course compared to the priority pass lounges (No 1 and Aspire I think?), I'm not sure, haven't been in those, Centurion could be preferred.
May 28, 2019, 7:10 pm
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Sadly, the Centurion Lounge has abandoned its original intent: an exclusive lounge for Centurion Card holders. The first lounge, I believe, opened at Las Vegas and was an exclusive oasis: offering top end drinks (I recall Johnnie Walker Blue Label being available for self-serve). The dining options were an array of dishes, freshly delivered, from the celebrity chefs of the city's finest hotels and restaurants. I am fortunate to have visited that lounge several times; before the doors were flung open to all and any Platinum Card holders. Now, the only advantage to a Centurion Card holder is complimentary champagne. Food has become a ubiquitous chicken melange of little merit. Priority Pass serves me better now. That said, most UK airline and third-party Lounges far surpass their US counterparts. I shall hope to find a recreation of that original Las Vegas Centurion Lounge arising in T3.