Where will the AMEX Centurion lounge be located?
 

Noticed on the BAT blog today that an AMEX lounge is coming to SFO. Anyone have an idea where they will find space for this? Would it be in the non-secure area? Where is there enough open space for a new lounge?

http://thebat-sf.com/2013/10/21/two-...es-coming-sfo/

It's in Terminal 3, upstairs, across from gate 74. Supposed to be airside, I guess they're constructing walls and a staircase to separate it from landside.

I have amex plat business
 

And I was invited to the Amex lounge in LAS. Hoping SFO is the same. It was AWESOME!

dallas too? dont recall discussion of that. but there was discussion of LAS cent lounge now being open to plat as well, as squeakr mentioned

Dallas is certainly open to AmEx Platinum holders.
From (http://thecenturionlounge.com/location/DFW/about)
"Card Members with a valid American Express® Credit or Charge Card are eligible to visit The Centurion Lounge with the purchase of a one-day pass for $50. If you have a Platinum® or Centurion® Card from American Express access to The Centurion Lounge is complimentary."

i used the lounge on 11/25 with amex plt

I didn't realize there was an upstairs airside in T3.

BTW, I would consider this to be a very nice benefit for AmEx Plat if this really happens airside T3 at SFO.

On the UA board several folks think it'll be landside. So not really clear right now.

Without construction, there really isn't. Some sort of construction is going on - a few months ago, I had a very long VX delay so I decided to take a walking loop around the airport, part of which was upstairs in T3.

As someone who does not fly UA, I hope it will be landside.

I could see it being landslide, as it's not easy for people flying out of other terminals to access it. Since it's not associated with a particular airline, putting it airside in Term 3 would offer less access and less incentive for people to carry the card.

Drawbacks either way. Landside means you either leave the lounge earlier than you'd like to be sure you get through security on time, or you roll the dice. Airside makes it more hassle than it's worth if you're flying out of a different terminal.

I think airside T3 is the best option. That's airside access for about 40% of the gates at SFO (T3E, T3F and International-G). I notice that the Centurion Lounges at LAS and DFW are airside.

I also think airside is the better option. Even if it's landside, I doubt it would get heavy use from folks flying out of T1/T2/A. Seems like a lot of hassle to switch terminals unless you have time to kill and don't mind a lot of moving around. And if such passenger is willing to go through all that, he or she may also be willing to clear security an extra time.

In addition, airside is actually more convenient for T3/G connecting passengers in SFO who are already airside but never landside. So airside has other benefits beyond those you note.

That said, the best option is LH FCT style: airside AND landside. But that would require CAS setting up shop in the lounge. :D

I never connect at SFO, so AmEx should not factor in connecting passengers' convenience. They should focus on me and me alone. I say airside T3.

But seriously, you're absolutely right. Indeed, connecting passengers might be using this lounge about as much as us locals and those visiting here. Those connecting to Asia, Australia, NZ and Hawaii usually need to be on the safe side in giving themselves a time gap between scheduled arrival and departure times. If they miss the connecting flight, they might be stuck at SFO for a day or more.

If such connecting passengers arrive roughly on-time, they'll have some time to kill at SFO. This lounge would be great for that. Airside T3 means airside access to about 40% of the gates, but I'm guessing a majority of the connections -- and nearly all of the long-haul connections.