American Express announced its plans Tuesday for a new lounge at Amsterdam (AMS) – the airport's first lounge from a credit card company and Amex's latest international location.
In a release Tuesday, Amex said the 6,000-square-foot space would be positioned between the E and F concourses at AMS. It's expected to open sometime in 2026 – an Amex representative did not provide any more details on that timeline.
Whenever it opens, it will likely be Amex's 33rd lounge in its worldwide network after the opening of Tokyo-Haneda (HND) and Salt Lake City expected later this year and a long-awaited space in Newark (EWR) in 2026. But at just 6,000 square feet, it's on the small side and will likely be packed full of travelers moving through the busy Amsterdam airport.
As always with lounge announcements, Amex promises a locally inspired experience with Dutch cuisine influences and Dutch art and design elements. Its standout feature appears to be a coffee bar, which Amex hopes will “pay homage to the drink's importance in Dutch culture.” The lounge will also feature the usual amenities travelers have come to expect from Centurion Lounges: complimentary food and drinks, workstations, and Wi-Fi.
In a release, Amex Travel President Audrey Hendley said a “large number” of American Express Card members travel through Schiphol every year, making it a logical place to add a lounge.
As the hub for Dutch flag carrier KLM – a major partner of Delta Air Lines through the SkyTeam alliance – offering American Express credit cardholders a place to lounge makes sense. American Express is Delta's credit card partner, offering the Delta SkyMiles credit cards. And the top tier *delta reserve card* offers Centurion Lounge access when you're flying Delta. Many other Delta flyers also hold the *amex platinum card* or *biz platinum*, which both give travelers Delta Sky Club® access as well.
What Are American Express Centurion Lounges Like?
American Express's signature collection of airport lounges scattered across the U.S. (with a growing collection abroad) have long been regarded as the best in the business thanks to comfortable seating, higher caliber food, and top-notch beer, wine, and cocktails – all of it free once you're in the lounge. American Express doubled down on these lounges through the pandemic, opening brand new locations and expanding several others.
But they've become popular to a fault, with long lines to get in the door and a struggle to find a seat once you're inside. That overcrowding forced Amex to begin charging cardholders for guests a few years ago. Meanwhile, Chase and Capital One are gunning for Amex's crown by building out lounge networks of their own.
All Centurion Lounges offer complimentary food and drinks, Wi-Fi, private workspaces, and comfortable furniture to unwind before your flight. While those offerings might have lost a step in recent years, it's
Much of the cuisine comes from James Beard award-winning chefs with a local connection to the city you're in. Food is served buffet-style, with different selections during breakfast, lunchtime, and dinner. Some locations like the Centurion Lounge in Philadelphia (PHL) are known for their top-notch food. But in general, you can usually count on a tasty meal – not just finger food or cold snacks.
The same is true for cocktail lists, as Amex works with some of the nation's top mixologists to curate the selections. For example, check out this outstanding cocktail list from the Las Vegas (LAS) Centurion Lounge.
How to Get into American Express Centurion Lounges
In Amsterdam or elsewhere, you'll need a premium travel credit card in your wallet to get into a Centurion Lounge.
Your best bet is to use either *amex platinum card* or *biz platinum*.
Learn more about *amex platinum*.
Learn more about *biz platinum*
You can also get in with the *delta reserve card* – Delta's top-tier card. But there's a hitch: You have to be flying Delta that day, and you must have paid for your ticket with your Reserve card.
Learn more about the *delta reserve card*
Finally, you can get in with the American Express Centurion Card, an invite-only credit card reserved for Amex’s top spenders.
Head to the lounge and simply present your Platinum, Reserve, or Centurion card along with a same-day boarding pass on any airline. There is no requirement that you purchase the flight with your Amex Platinum card. You can also now “check-in” ahead of time using the Amex app and simply show your ID and boarding pass upon arrival – or join a digital waitlist if the lounge is full.
With all these cards that get you into Centurion Lounges and more and more travelers adding them to their wallets, crowding has become a serious problem. Amex has repeatedly tightened up on when you can get into Centurion lounges to combat crowding.
For starters, you can only get into a Centurion Lounge within three hours of your originally scheduled flight departure. Luckily, this policy doesn't apply if you're at the airport during a layover. You can no longer get into the lounge upon arrival unless you have a layover – only departing flights will qualify for a visit.
And recently, the bank has made even more drastic changes that will make it expensive to bring a travel buddy with you into the lounge. For years, Amex Platinum cardholders could bring two guests into the lounge with them for free. But those days are over: Now, guests cost $50 apiece (or $30 for minors) unless you charged a whopping $75,000 to your Platinum Card in the last year. Children under two will still be admitted free of charge.
Delta Reserve cardholders do not receive any complimentary guests, either – but they never have.
Bottom Line
American Express is adding another new international location in 2026, opening in Amsterdam.
The 6,000-foot space is expected to have several Dutch design elements and a coffee bar paying homage to the region's coffee culture, too.
Lead photo courtesy of American Express
