Are you tired of the gate seat? Get an accessible luxury experience in the AMEX Centurion
lounge instead.
Airline lounges are marketed as a reprieve from the bustle and hustle of the modern travel experience. However, airline lounges have been around for a long time. The first airline lounge was opened by American Airlines (AA) ON December 2, 1939 at New York LaGuardia Airport (LGA). AA executives thought passengers should have a place to relax pre-departure and upon arrival at their destination. This was the airline’s first Flagship Club. The lounge featured a full bar and meal service.
Since then, other airlines added lounges to their offerings: British Airways’ The Concorde Room; Lufthansa’s dedicated terminal for first class passengers at Frankfurt International Airport; and now even third-party companies like Plaza Premium provide lounge services.
We will evaluate one of these third-party offerings, American Express’ Centurion Lounges.
American Express (AMEX) launched the first Centurion Lounge at McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas in late 2013. AMEX aims to deliver a high-quality airport lounge experience in the United States.
You can find Centurion Lounges in the following locations now or soon:
• Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)
• Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
• Denver International Airport (DEN)
• George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), Houston
• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Georgia [Scheduled to Open in 2023]
• John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), New York
• LaGuardia Airport (LGA), New York
• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
• Harry Reid International Airport (LAS), Las Vegas
• Miami International Airport (MIA)
• Newark International Airport (EWR), New Jersey [Scheduled to open August 2023]
• Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
• Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
• Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) [Scheduled To Open 2022]
• Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
For this article, we will focus on the Centurion lounge at JFK. The John F. Kennedy International Airport needs little introduction. The airport is one of the planet’s most active airports, containing 33 international and domestic airlines.
Approximately two million passengers travel through JFK Airport per month. One reason JFK is a popular choice for travel is its lounge offerings.
Whether traveling for play, school, or work, avoiding the sardine shuffle at the airport is the key to a more pleasurable air travel experience. One way to do so is by lounging in American Express’ Centurion Lounge at JFK airport.
The John F. Kennedy airport Centurion Lounge is a marvel of luxury architecture. An expansive and unique design distinguishes the space.
According to the press release announcing the lounge’s opening:
“Our flagship Centurion Lounge at JFK is our fourth location to open in 2020 and reiterates our commitment to backing our Card Members whenever they may be ready to travel, while striving for a safe environment for all,” said Alexander Lee, Vice President of Travel Experiences and Benefits. “Like many of our customers we are proud to call New York City our home, and we are thrilled to have another lounge in our backyard. This new lounge will span two incredible floors and host a variety of amenities that bring New York City culture to life, plus floor-to-ceiling windows that offer sweeping views.”
• Fifteen thousand square feet across two floors with private spaces
• Multipurpose room for families
• Workspace with a boardroom-style table
• Several small phone rooms and cubbies
• Therapies, treatments, exercises, and (coming soon) massages for free at the Equinox Body Lab
• A speakeasy
• A second bar serving beer, wine, and cocktails
• A small snack bar
• Drink station on each floor, with coffee and espresso machines at each.
• A main bar upstairs offering full meals
A personal tour of the lounge complements these features. A visit to the Centurion Lounge is genuinely a luxury pre-travel experience.
American Express launched its first Centurion Lounge in the Fall of 2013. The concept is to provide a high-end airport lounge experience at airports across the United States.
How it Works
The Card Member will have to present their valid Card, same-day boarding pass, and a government-issued I.D. for lounge access.
Passengers holding standby tickets and non-revenue standby passengers are not eligible to use the lounge unless they have received a boarding pass showing a confirmed seat or zone assignment.
Platinum Card® Members may enter with up to two guests at no additional charge. Guest access policies may vary internationally by location and are subject to change.
A Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Card Member may bring up to two guests at a per-visit rate of $50 per person traveling on a same-day Delta marketed or Delta-operated flight. Centurion Members may enter with up to two guests or immediate family at no additional charge.
How you can get started
You will need to have one of the following to access any Centurion lounge, including the one at JKF airport.
• Platinum Card® Members
• Business Platinum Card® Members
• Corporate Platinum Card® Members
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Card Members
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business Card Members
• Centurion® Members
You can learn more at thecenturionlounge.com. Visiting a Centurion lounge is up to meeting one of the requirements above (card membership or Centurion member) and your trip plans. Whether you should visit is dependent on your availability and desire to experience a high-end lounge.
