American Express plans on limiting access to its Centurion Lounges to cardholders only. Effective February 1, 2023 only cardholders of Platinum will receive complimentary access. Guests will be charged a fee of $50 per visit, however for those who spend $75,000 the prior year will be exempt from the guest fee.
For context, American Express Platinum and Centurion cardholders do not receive complimentary guest access to Delta Sky Clubs, so this change more closing aligns their policy with the current Sky Club rules. This change doesn’t affect Centurion cardholders.
Per American Express,
U.S. Basic Platinum Card Members and Additional Platinum Card Members on the account and U.S. Basic Business Platinum Card Members and Additional Platinum Card Members on the account may bring up to two (2) guests per visit into locations of The Centurion Lounge in the U.S., at Hong Kong International Airport and at London Heathrow Airport for no per-visit guest fee (“Complimentary Guest Accessâ€) through January 31, 2023.
Effective February 1, 2023, Platinum Card Members, Business Platinum Card Members and Additional Platinum Card Members on the account will be charged a $50 fee for each guest . To receive Complimentary Guest Access at these locations after January 31, 2023, the total eligible purchases on the Platinum Account must equal or exceed $75,000 between January 1, 2022 and December 31, 2022 and in each calendar year thereafter.
Bottom LineÂ
Prior to the pandemic, overcrowding was a huge challenge at Centurion Lounges, and they implemented measures to limit who could access the lounge including only allowing those with departing flights, and only allowing access three hours prior.
Unfortunately, this is a huge negative change anyway you slice it and one that I think many cardholders will be disappointed to hear. On one hand, it’s nice that American Express is announcing this change almost 2 years in advance, so there is plenty of notice, however I can’t help but feel that now’s not the time to be limiting lounge access.
As a Platinum cardholder, you can add on up to three additional cardholders for a fee of $175 annually, so if you’re looking to bring in your family, you’re essentially going to be required to make everyone an authorized user.
What are your thoughts on American Express removing Centurion Lounge guest access in the coming years? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.
Hat Tip: Doctor of Credit
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This is a deal breaker for me. Won’t be renewing my Amex Platinum card
So I’m guessing they will see more additional authorize users since its $175 for up to three if I remember correctly.
Wife and I both have one. What about children?
Good news! Centurion lounge guest are taking advantage and bring the full family, I see sometimes 6 people from the same family using the facility with the kids running all over the place! Good move Amex!
1) great move announcing a full 2 years in advance. Lets people plan accordingly.
2) families of 6 should pay more than 1 person. If you use the benefit often paying $175 a year for additional card is cheap. Most people have one for their spouse already so this wont really affect couples, only families.
3) Big spenders over $75k in a year are exempt.
Good move well in advance with options to avoid guest fee
As the kids are going to college in Charlotte and Miami, I just added the family as authorized users last month. No change for me, fortunately.
Not a deal breaker unless your a hacker, The Platinum card was set up years ago for people that had a high spend rate thus a 75K spend should not be a problem to the person that actually uses this card as it was intended NOT as a hacker.
I can not count the times on a hectic business trip walking into a lounge and finding families kids running around screaming fingers on the food thats not what those lounges were intended for. I am a father and grandfather my children from a early age knew how to act in public other than a melt down they travelled great.
So to the hackers good bye !!
Just a reply to some of the comments – current Amex Platinum card holders are only able to bring in two guests – regardless of family relationship. Only exception is children under 2 are allowed in for free. Holders of the Centurion card are allowed to bring their entire immediate family into the lounge and are not restricted to the two guest rule when doing this.