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Amex Centurion Lounge reopen

Nearly All Amex Centurion Lounges Have Now Reopened

Avatar for Kyle Potter Kyle Potter -
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American Express shuttered all its wildly popular Centurion lounges way back in March. Now, almost all Centurion Lounges are open once again.

The first few American Express Centurion Lounges opened in Philadelphia (PHL) and Seattle (SEA) in early October. Slowly but surely over the ensuing weeks, more have opened their doors from San Francisco (SFO) to Charlotte (CLT). On Monday, Nov. 23, the relatively new Phoenix (PHX) Centurion lounge reopened. And by Monday, Dec. 7, the Las Vegas (LAS) Centurion location had opened its doors again amid some ongoing renovations.

That leaves just one U.S. location that hasn't opened back up: New York City-LaGuardia (LGA). The lounge is relocating to a much larger space in the airport, and American Express has said it won't reopen until sometime in 2021.

But that's still not all. In the midst of the pandemic, American Express also finally opened its brand-new lounge in New York City (JFK). Announced way back in early 2018, it's Amex's largest Centurion Lounge, spanning two floors and 15,000 square feet. The lounge in JFK's Terminal 4 even has a speakeasy-style bar, dubbed “1850.”

 

jfk centurion lounge

 

The JFK location is the fourth new Amex Centurion Lounge to open in 2020 alone, after Phoenix (PHX), Charlotte (CLT), and Los Angeles (LAX).

Centurion Lounges are easily some of the best airport lounges you can find in the U.S. Getting into any of these lounges is one of the best parts of holding The Platinum Card® from American Express. You can treat yourself to top-notch cocktails or wine, great meals, and a snazzy (if somewhat overcrowded) setting.

 

amex centurion lounges reopen

 

As these popular lounges reopen their doors, just what you'll find inside these lounges will change, too.

  • Amex is launching a new mobile-check in process for Centurion Lounges through the Amex smartphone app – though you'll still need to show your Platinum Card and boarding pass at reception.
  • American Express says they will limit capacity with socially distanced seating inside.
  • Face masks will be mandatory inside all Centurion lounges.
  • Buffets are out – Amex says pre-portioned plates will be available.
  • Wine lists remain unchanged, but Amex says it will serve a “shorter cocktail menu”
  • Many Centurion Lounges are equipped with showers, but they will remain closed.

 

Amex Centurion Lounges reopen

 

American Express Centurion Lounge Reopening Dates

To date, all but two of 13 worldwide Centurion Lounge locations have reopened.

  • Charlotte (CLT): Reopened Oct. 12, 2020.
  • Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW): Reopened Oct. 21, 2020.
  • Hong Kong (HKG): No opening date.
  • Houston-Intercontinental (IAH): Reopened Oct. 19, 2020.
  • Las Vegas (LAS): Reopened Dec. 7, 2020.
  • Los Angeles (LAX): Reopened Nov. 2 for grab-and-go food and drinks.
  • Miami (MIA): Reopened Oct. 26, 2020.
  • New York City-JFK (JFK): Opened Oct. 9, 2020.
  • New York City-LaGuardia (LGA): No opening date.
  • Philadelphia (PHL): Reopened Oct. 5, 2020
  • Phoenix (PHX): Nov. 23, 2020
  • Seattle (SEA): Reopened Oct. 5, 2020
  • San Francisco (SFO): Reopened Oct. 12, 2020.

And there's also no final word on when other new locations in the works may open. American Express is still planning to open Centurion lounges in Denver (DEN) and London-Heathrow (LHR), but not until sometime in 2021.

Meanwhile, the LaGuardia location is getting a significant facelift – and even changing spaces. American Express says it will move to a new location behind airport security, doubling in size with new workspaces, a family room, and views of New York City.

While the Las Vegas lounge has reopened, a major expansion is also underway. American Express says the Vegas lounge may close periodically as they expand the space.

 

amex centurion lounges reopen

 

Bottom Line

It's a start. While travel numbers are way down – and will likely stay that way for a while – it's nice to see that American Express reopened nearly all of its Centurion Lounge locations. Stay tuned for future reopening announcements!

Photos courtesy of American Express

Avatar for Kyle Potter

Kyle Potter

Kyle Potter is the executive editor of Thrifty Traveler, covering everything from aviation news to travel deals to in-depth guides on using airline miles. A professional journalist, he joined the company in November 2018 after five years covering state and national politics for The Associated Press and working at several newspapers across the country.
 
He typically flies more than 100,000 miles a year and has visited 25 countries, but his passion is helping others understand the confusing world of travel, airlines, and points and miles.

He's also been featured as a travel expert in The New York Times, the Washington Post, ABC News, National Public Radio, Axios, PBS NewsHour, several podcasts, and many local TV stations across the country.
 
Got a story idea or a tip? Email him at kyle (at) thriftytraveler (dot) com

Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.

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