mia

Not specified: https://www.thecenturionlounge.com/locations/sfo/

ETA: American Express estimates that the SFO lounge should reopen by the end of 2022. (See linked article in post 170.)

Mama

You are correct, CL and Polaris are on different leagues.
CL is geared towards the general crowd, whoever has the Plat card(a coupon book card), it's not targeted for premium customers, and is not a premium lounge.

Kacee

As I understand it, the closure if for the much-needed expansion.

Though I suspect that demand will still exceed reasonable capacity.

lsquare

I'm currently at the CL. There is indeed a sign by the entrance announcing the upcoming renovation. The staff said they'll close on September 6th for dine-in.

Boraxo

You know it has jumped the shark when the closure is reported online:

https://www.sfgate.com/travel/articl...o-17415796.php

don’t get your hopes up. SFO has plenty of tech bros & DYKWIA types who can easily get AU cards for family members. if anything I would wager it will be more crowded once tech travel ramps up to Asia etc. Of course an increase in total capacity will help

iMO this is a major improvement as it meets my needs perfectly. When I visit a lounge I am typically grab and go. I was never able to use SFO due to the massive line just to get on the waiting list to enter the lounge.

emcampbe

yikes - I told my industry friend that with the lounge closure, I’m just as likely to get in now as I do when I’ve been traveling in the past, since I try not to get to the airport insanely early, and there’s always a line.

as for the grab and go….8am? Surely, this is of no help for my 7:15am flight next week. Plus, the menu seems a bit weak. May still be better to just run to Klein’s or Napa Farms, which, yes, you need to pay for, but probably much better food (which is typically the case via-a-vis the SFO CL food anyway). I almost wish Amex would just give us a voucher for the regular airport vendors (like an airline does for a controllable delay).

While I always liked the concept of the Centurion lounges, by the time I actually determined the card was worth it for me - with the refresh - I always expected the Centurion lounge was going to be one of the least useful benefits - given the lines, with my home airport as SFO. I’ve been to a couple of lounges - SFO, DEN and SEA, all once - but honestly, I get value out of the credits/offers, and mostly, since this was the card that would still get me access to Plaza Premium lounges, since I fly out of YYZ/YVR often. Now that VentureX has the Plaza Premium access also, and with the guest access policy in Feb, I’m likely to cancel next year - I usually am traveling with kids, who I can’t even add as AUs since they are both well <13, and I can continue with the VX and still have my lounge access with C1. Honestly, the loss of the Amex lounges are pretty insignificant on the level of loss - though I realize that’s YMMV depending on the travel situations of others.

Troopers

I wager it will be less crowded. I don't think traffic increase due to AU cards and Asia travels offsets decrease due to the ~2x lounge space, increased AFs and elimination of friends/colleagues.

dhuey

I was wondering how they could stay open with all of the construction work that will be necessary to expand the lounge to include the space next-door. Well, there's the answer -- they won't be open during that construction.

I look forward to the reopening. Should be a much nicer experience.

lsquare

I don't think there will be a silver bullet to this problem, but this should help make of a more pleasant experience. AMEX should have eliminated free guests a long time ago.

​​​​​​​Hopefully, they'll announce a reopening date soon. I'll be back at SFO in a couple of weeks for another trip to Singapore. I'll report back on what they're giving with the to-go package. In the meantime, I guess it's Yankee Pier and UC Rotunda for me. 🤷🏻‍♂️

Mama

I read from some article that says the SFO CL expansion work won't be finished until the end of year. So, good luck.

lsquare

I’ll survive. This is a small price to pay if the SFO CL experience is better because of it.

Kacee

I think it will still be uncomfortably crowded much of the day. The demand for lounge access at SFO is off the charts, as is the number of travelers with a Plat card.

I seem to recall prior announcements that the lounge would remain open during construction, and thinking that didn't sound feasible.

dhuey

The scene this morning. Looks like grab-and-go starts on Monday.

Boraxo

Perfect timing for me, though unlikely I will check it out as the Polaris lounge beckons on Monday.

dhuey

Ha! Yes, I think Polaris is the call there.