Overcrowding has become the biggest knock on Amex’s Centurion Lounges. Long lines and packed seating make these once-exclusive lounges feel anything but. Last summer, we explored how Amex has let the lounge experience slip.

Amex began testing a digital waitlist last fall as a partial fix, letting travelers queue up via the Amex app instead of standing in line at the door. Now, that feature is being expanded – and upgraded – as part of American Express’ first-ever Amex Travel App. The issuer announced Monday that the new app will debut Thursday, Sept. 18, on iOS devices, with an Android launch to follow in the coming weeks.

Beyond helping you get into the lounge, the app also pulls together tools to plan and book trips, track card benefits, and even log your past adventures in a new digital “passport.”

 

See estimated wait times and join the Centurion Lounge waitlist right from your phone. Image courtesy of American Express.
See estimated wait times and join the Centurion Lounge waitlist from your phone, image courtesy of American Express.

 

What the New Amex Travel App Can Do

    • Lounge waitlists with estimated times: If a Centurion Lounge is full, members can now join a digital waitlist and see estimated wait times. When space opens up, they’ll get a notification with a limited window to scan in.
    • Destination inspiration: Curated guides and tailored content help travelers discover new getaways.
    • Smart planning tools: Build and save trip details in one place instead of juggling multiple websites.
    • Seamless booking: Quickly reserve flights, hotels, and car rentals via Amex Travel through the app.
    • Coming soon: Personalized hotel recommendations and embedded card benefit tracking are set to roll out in future updates.

Amex says more features will be added to the app over time, aiming to make it a one-stop hub for planning and managing every part of a trip.

“Travelers told us they often find booking and planning stressful, so we built an app to make the process simpler and more rewarding,” said Audrey Hendley, President of American Express Travel. “The Amex Travel App brings together everything cardmembers need for inspiration, booking, and accessing their benefits in one place.”

The new app also builds on Amex’s recent expansion of its premium hotel offerings. Just last month, the company added more than 400 properties to its Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection programs, bringing the portfolio to over 3,100 hotels across 114 countries.

And the timing matters: Amex is also preparing to debut refreshed versions of the Platinum and Business Platinum cards later this week, underscoring its strategy to make premium travel less about the card in your wallet and more about a membership with its own app, perks, and a digital ecosystem.

 

Introducing Amex Passport

Alongside the new travel app, Amex also unveiled Amex Passport. Passport turns past trips into shareable digital collectibles – essentially a visual logbook that cardmembers can showcase and use as inspiration for future adventures.

 

Amex Travel app wish list
Keep a digital record of past trips or create wishlists for future adventures. Image courtesy of American Express.

 

Bottom Line

It might not reduce crowding, but Amex is making it easier to join the queue – and gauge the wait time – with its upcoming app. Paired with other tech features and long-awaited Platinum refreshes, it’s clear Amex is investing heavily in making its travel ecosystem more seamless. 

The new app will debut on iOS devices on Thursday, Sept. 18, with an Android launch to follow in the coming weeks.