stimpy

There's a new benefit for New Yorkers and visitors here. We have a new club in Manhattan, only for Centurion members.

Centurion New York
Introducing a new luxury space spanning the 55th floor of One Vanderbilt in Midtown Manhattan, designed to bring Centurion Membership to life. Open daily, enjoy premier hospitality, inspired casual and fine dining, and exclusive programming.

Starts in March.

BeantownFlyer

I thought the announcement was quite vague! It actually doesn’t say Centurion members only if you read the small print, but I hope that’s the case. Wish there was some more info on menus, pricing (and options aside from restaurant/bar, since the one thing that seems to be clear is nothing is complimentary.

Amex was very secretive about this - I googled the 55th floor and their original lease was announced as with an undisclosed financial services company!

stimpy

Not to mention we have to re-up with $5K to use this benefit.

imnotalawyer

Given its proximity to Grand Central (and just being in midtown in general), I would expect that to be the case. Otherwise, if open to Platinum cardmembers, it would be a madhouse with tourist foot traffic.

For any fellow street urchins who want to press their face up against the glass... here is some detail on the units.

I will be very curious to see what comes of this.

Latkesanddimsum

I am very curious too and it could be a great alternative to other private clubs and a good perk to sort of make up for the benefit devaluation over the last few years. I’d love to see more specifics on the dining options as well, having had pretty good luck at the airport lounges where the dedicated Centurion sections were great. See you all there!

PlatHunter

I think this is going to be similar to the centurion lounges where at first it was only for centurion members but since it was so empty AMEX opened it up to plats. I will try to get the most use of it as soon as it opens just in case it does get opened up to more cardholders. I'm also curious as to what the guest policy is.

BeantownFlyer

Just to refresh everyone’s memories - when the first airport lounge opened in March 2013 it was open to Centurion for free - and any other AMEX cardholder could pay $50 to enter. It didn’t take long for that to change - within 6 months platinum also had free access. However I think that was probably always planned - as access to AA and US clubs went away and the centurion lounges were touted as a replacement.

Visconti

Near the LIRR to JFK? If so, then I'd find it quite useful. I mean, would have been better before we closed shop in NYC, but I suppose I'll still have to be there at least once per quarter. I wonder if Amex will expand this to other cities if this location proves popular and successful.

moe8555

This could be a really innovative way to attract signups by people who may not travel as much and were on the fence about getting the card. Assuming they do ultimately expand access to Platinums and set aside an area for Centurions, as with the Centurion lounges. It would also mesh quite well with the "lifestyle" metamorphosis. And securing space in major cities around the world should be way easier than valuable space at airports. But I wonder if it would turn into a WeWork kind of thing?

It's definitely something I would take advantage of if one were to open in the city nearest to me...

mia

American Express operated some city center clubs decades ago. I will try to find some information about them.

Currently, there is a Centurion Haus at Raffles Hotel in Singapore: https://milelion.com/2022/09/18/cent...turion-lounge/

imnotalawyer

https://reddit.com/r/amex/comments/1...i4b/?context=1

I generally dislike spreading unverified info, but I figured this still might be worth sharing. A user on reddit did some poking around and apparently there will be limited access for Platinum card members.

If Platinum members will have limited access, I don't think I will be banging down the door to snag a reservation, as there are still plenty of world class restaurants in NYC. However, this is still a really neat product development for amex and one that I hope Centurion members can enjoy.

Visconti LIRR trains depart from Penn Station and MTA trains depart from Grand Central, but it is pretty easy to get to JFK from either one. Penn takes the cake because departing from Grand Central requires one additional transfer, but nothing complex. Penn and Grand Central are also fairly close to one another... maybe about a mile walk? Getting to LGA is a little tougher via public transport because you ultimately need to rely on a bus for the last leg.

Adelphos

I doubt Platinum cardholders will be given full access given the huge amount of Platinum cardholders in the area.

Great concept. I’m a member of the Yale Club next door so I don’t think I would use this very much even if I had access, but it is a great perk

imnotalawyer

https://thepointsguy.com/news/americ...club-new-york/

TPG reporting that not only will this be open to Platinum Cardmembers, but also to the general public.

olouie

Well that’s really strange.

scubadu

In what way, specifically?

The OP claimed, in their original post, that this was "only for Centurion members" but they provided absolutely no source to confirm that (rather they seemed to draw a conclusion that the text didn't necessarily support). The wording they included was, "Introducing a new luxury space spanning the 55th floor of One Vanderbilt in Midtown Manhattan, designed to bring Centurion Membership to life" which is language that in no way precludes allowing others in the lounge. Bringing "Centurion Membership to life" doesn't mean that they could not allow others access as well.

Regards