Better late than never, right?
After plans to open last fall were delayed, the brand new American Express Centurion Lounge and Escape Lounge in Phoenix (PHX) finally opened their doors on Monday, Jan. 6. These two brand new lounges share space in Terminal 4, replacing the old and outdated The Club.
The Phoenix Centurion and Escape Lounges share a combined entrance, and both lounges are on the small side – under 5,000 square feet each. That's on par with most Escape Lounges, though it's certainly on the small side for Centurion lounges – only Seattle's (SEA) is smaller.
They're welcome additions to Phoenix's airport and to American Express's growing portfolio of Centurion Lounges. Nine are already open, including locations in Las Vegas (LAS), Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), Miami (MIA), Philadelphia (PHL), and others.
Even more are on the way in 2020, including new Centurion Lounges in Denver (DEN), Los Angeles (LAX), New York City (JFK), Charlotte (CLT), and even London-Heathrow (LHR). Unfortunately, many of those lounges seem to be suffering from the same delays as in Phoenix.
Curious what Amex Centurion lounges are all about? Read our master guide to these best-in-class airport lounges!
Phoenix Centurion Lounge
American Express says this lounge has many of the same features as its existing locations: a free cocktail menu and meals specially created for Phoenix, a few “semi-private” working areas, and help from agents with travel or card issues.
Most notably, the meals will have a Mexican flair from local chef Doug Robson, who is behind popular Phoenix spots Gallo Blanco and Otro Cafe. The Phoenix-inspired cocktail menu is from mixologist Jim Meehan.
Phoenix Escape Lounge
Right next door to the Centurion lounge, you'll find the latest Escape Lounge. It's a small but impressive collection of lounges, with locations at Minneapolis – St. Paul (MSP), Reno (RNO), Sacramento (SMF), Oakland (OAK), Hartford, Connecticut (BDL), and more.
Much like Centurion lounges, you know what to expect with Escape lounges – and this latest addition looks no different. American Express says it will offer Phoenix-inspired cocktails, local beers and wines, activity packs for kids, and a “silent digital library” – a reading spot with Bose noise-canceling headphones.
How to Get into Phoenix's Two New Lounges
There's only one credit card that will get you into both of these lounges: The Platinum Card® from American Express.
No card opens more airport lounge doors than the Amex Platinum card. And as the sole Priority Pass option disappears from PHX, that makes this credit card invaluable for Arizona-based travelers.
For starters, it will get you and two guests into all Centurion and Escape lounges for free. You also get a Priority Pass Select membership, which gets you and your guests into 1,200-plus lounges worldwide. And finally, you can access Delta Sky Clubs so long as you're flying Delta that day (and pay $29 per guest).
Then there are all the other benefits in addition to lounge access, including $200 in airline credits, $200 toward Uber rides doled out in monthly stipends, $100 to cover a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application, and more.
Click Here to learn more about the Platinum Card from American Express.
Bottom Line
Centurion Lounges are some of the best in the U.S., while Escape Lounges are underrated. This two-for-one combo in Phoenix's airport is great news.
Lead photo courtesy of American Express
Are these available to Delta platinum card from American Express,holders
No, unfortunately the (non-Delta) Platinum Card from American Express is the only card that will get you into both. Starting later this month, Delta Reserve cardholders will be able to get into Centurion Lounges when flying Delta that day – but not Escape Lounges. We still think the (non-Delta) Platinum card is the best option for most travelers looking to get lounge access.