Owais Crawford
American Express offers some of the best airport lounge access of any card issuer, but whether or not you can access lounges depends on the type of card you hold. The Platinum Card® from American Express offers cardholders access to more than 1,400 airport lounges through AmEx's Global Lounge Collection, including lounges in the Escape Lounges network. Cardholders can bring up to two guests into these lounges at no additional cost. Centurion Lounges, which are the most exclusive lounges available to Platinum Card and Business Platinum Card members, are just one type of lounge eligible card members can visit through the broader American Express Global Lounge Collection. To access a Centurion Lounge, cardholders need to be flying on Delta Air Lines on a ticket purchased using an AmEx card. Cardholders have access to domestic and select international Centurion Lounges.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of lounges accessible | 1,300-1,400+ |
| Number of countries with accessible lounges | 130+ |
| Guest access | Yes, up to 2 guests |
| Complimentary access | Yes, for basic and supplementary card members |
| Required documents | Platinum Card, boarding pass, government-issued ID |
| Lounge networks | Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Club lounges, Priority Pass Select lounges, Lufthansa Business Lounges, Lufthansa Senator Lounges, Escape Lounges |
| Additional perks | Complimentary food and beverages, unlimited Wi-Fi, family rooms, spa services |
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What You'll Learn
Entry requirements
American Express offers some of the best airport lounge access of any card issuer, but whether or not you have airport lounge access depends on the type of card you hold. The Platinum Card, Business Platinum Card, and Corporate Platinum Card are among the cards that offer complimentary airport lounge access.
To enter, eligible cardholders must present their valid Card, a boarding pass showing a confirmed reservation for same-day travel, and a government-issued ID. The name on the boarding pass must match the name on the Card, and the eligible flight must be booked on a US-issued American Express card. For access at select locations, cardholders must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. During a layover, cardholders may use the Escape Lounge in the connecting airport at any time.
Cardholders of The Platinum Card from American Express get access to more than 1,400 airport lounges through AmEx's Global Lounge Collection. This includes lounges in the Escape Lounges network, as well as Delta Sky Club lounges and Priority Pass Select lounges. The Business Platinum Card from American Express offers similar lounge access.
Centurion Lounges are the most exclusive lounges available to Platinum Card and Business Platinum Card members. They offer a staffed bar, meals, ample non-alcoholic drinks, high-speed Wi-Fi, and various seating options. To access a Centurion Lounge, cardholders need to be flying on Delta Air Lines on a ticket purchased using an AmEx card. Cardholders have access to domestic and select international Centurion Lounges (Hong Kong and London). Platinum Card and Business Platinum Card members may only access the Centurion Lounge within three hours of their flight's scheduled departure. Access upon arrival is not allowed unless the cardholder has a layover or connecting flight.
Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card comes with a welcome bonus of 100,000 Bonus Miles after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases in the first 6 months of card membership. Cardholders need to be flying on a same-day Delta-marketed or -operated flight to be able to access Centurion lounges. To earn an unlimited number of visits each year, the total eligible purchases on the Card must equal $75,000 or more the previous year. The Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express Card offers similar lounge access.
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card offers unlimited lounge visits to Priority Pass Select locations.
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Complimentary access for guests
American Express cardholders can enjoy complimentary access to airport lounges worldwide, along with the option of bringing guests for free or at a discounted rate. The specific terms of guest access vary according to the type of American Express card and the airport lounge in question.
Centurion Lounges
Centurion Lounges are exclusive to Platinum Card and Business Platinum Card members. They offer a range of amenities, including a staffed bar, meals, non-alcoholic drinks, high-speed Wi-Fi, and various seating options. Some lounges also provide complimentary extras such as family rooms and spa services. Cardholders can bring up to two guests at no additional charge. However, U.S. Platinum Card and Business Platinum Card members must pay a fee for guests aged 18 or older, with complimentary access only for children under two. They can, however, qualify for complimentary guest access after spending $75,000 on eligible purchases within a calendar year.
Delta Sky Club Lounges
Platinum Card, Business Platinum Card, and Centurion Card members can access Delta Sky Club lounges when flying on a Delta-operated or Delta-marketed flight. Basic Cardmembers can bring guests for $35 each.
Escape Lounges
Centurion Card, Platinum Card, Business Platinum Card, and Corporate Platinum Card members receive complimentary entry for themselves and up to two guests.
Lufthansa Lounges
Platinum Card members can access Lufthansa Business Lounges and Lufthansa Senator lounges when flying business class. Cardholders can bring one complimentary guest.
Priority Pass Lounges
Platinum Card members are entitled to complimentary access to Priority Pass lounges outside India. Lounge access within India is payable at a rate of $35 per Cardmember/Guest per visit. Platinum Travel Credit Card members can enjoy eight complimentary visits per year (limited to two visits per quarter) to airport lounges across India. Cardmembers can bring guests by paying a fee chargeable at the walk-in rate.
American Express Lounges in India
Platinum Card members can access American Express Lounges in Delhi and Mumbai. Cardholders can bring one complimentary guest.
The Global Lounge Collection
American Express Platinum Card members can bring up to two companions as complimentary guests per visit.
Gold Card Priority Pass Membership
Gold Cardmembers can enjoy four complimentary lounge visits every year. Additional visits for guests can be purchased at the prevailing rate.
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Lounge amenities
At Lufthansa Business Lounges, cardholders can enjoy complimentary food and beverages, unlimited Wi-Fi, and exclusive settings to relax or work. Similarly, Delta Sky Club lounges offer complimentary access to food and beverages, but it is unclear whether Wi-Fi is provided.
Cardholders of eligible American Express cards can also access Priority Pass lounges, which are located outside India. Priority Pass lounges offer food, beverages, and Wi-Fi, but it is unclear whether these amenities differ from country to country. In India, American Express cardholders can access domestic airport lounges with their Platinum Reserve Credit Card, which provides similar amenities to Priority Pass lounges.
American Express cardholders can also access the Centurion Club, which is located on the 55th floor of New York City's One Vanderbilt building. The Centurion Club is more similar to an upscale restaurant, where Centurion Members can bring up to five guests for confirmed dining reservations or three guests as walk-ins.
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Lounge locations
Platinum Card
Platinum Card members have unlimited complimentary access to The Global Lounge Collection®, which includes over 1400 lounges across 130+ countries. Some of the lounges in this collection include:
- Boston Logan International Airport
- London Heathrow Airport
- Hong Kong International Airport
- Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport
- Frankfurt Airport
- Delhi and Mumbai (until September 1, 2023)
Platinum Card members can also access Lufthansa Business Lounges and Lufthansa Senator lounges at Munich (T2 Satellite) and Frankfurt (T1 Concourse B) airports when flying business class.
Platinum Reserve Credit Card
Platinum Reserve Credit Card members are entitled to a complimentary membership in Priority Pass™, which provides access to lounges across select locations in India. Cardholders receive 8 complimentary visits per year (limited to 2 visits per quarter).
Platinum Corporate Card
Platinum Corporate Card members can access lounges within the American Express Global Lounge Collection.
Preferred Rewards Gold Card (UK)
Preferred Rewards Gold Card members in the UK can access Priority Pass lounges. They are entitled to four complimentary lounge visits each year.
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Cards with lounge access
Credit cards with airport lounge access are typically premium frequent flyer and rewards credit cards. These cards usually come with high annual fees and high purchase rates. However, they can pay for themselves if you use a lounge a few times per year.
Some of the credit cards that offer airport lounge access include:
- American Express Platinum Card: Card Members can enjoy access to over 1,400 airport lounges globally, including Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs, Lufthansa Lounges, and Priority Pass lounges. The card has a steep annual fee of $695 and a minimum income requirement of $100,000.
- Citi Prestige Card: This premium card offers unlimited free airport lounge access at eligible locations. It has a high annual fee of $700 and a minimum income requirement of $150,000.
- Chase Sapphire Reserve: This card is known for offering good Priority Pass access.
- The New United Explorer Card: This card offers a good introduction to the lounge life.
It is important to note that each lounge network has different access requirements and guest policies. For example, Centurion Lounges are only accessible within three hours of a flight's scheduled departure, and access upon arrival is not allowed unless you have a connecting flight. Additionally, some lounges may have their own rules, like additional access rules and guest fees.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need to present your valid Platinum Card, a government-issued ID, and a same-day boarding pass.
Yes, you can bring up to two guests at no additional charge.
The Platinum Card, the Business Platinum Card, the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card, and the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card offer airport lounge access.
