In another bid to alleviate chronic overcrowding, American Express will further limit access to its Centurion Lounges.
Until now, access has been complimentary for Platinum and Centurion cardholders. Other American Express cardholders could pay $50/person for access. Starting on October 2, 2017, non-Platinum and Centurion cardmembers will no longer be able to purchase access.
Here’s the full announcement via the Points Guy,
As part of an ongoing commitment to giving Card Members the best experience while in the lounges, American Express is actually making changes to its Centurion Lounge access policy. Starting Monday, October 2, access to the Centurion Lounges will be an exclusive benefit for our premium customers – Platinum Card and Centurion Members. Other American Express Card Members will no longer be able to purchase day passes for the lounges.
The guest policy for Platinum Card and Centurion Members remains the same. Platinum Card Members can enter any Centurion Lounge with up to two guests, and Centurion Members may enter with up to two guests or immediate family at no additional charge. Platinum and Centurion Card Members can continue to purchase day passes for any additional guests.
We understand having a place to relax and recharge in the airport is essential to our Card Members, and we continue to evaluate ways to address any crowding concerns and provide a best in class experience for our Card Members.
For this reason, we are continuously exploring opportunities to expand upon our Centurion Lounge offerings to accommodate more Card Members, including the introduction of new locations, such as the upcoming Hong Kong and Philadelphia locations, and the expansion of our existing spaces, as we plan to do in Dallas.
I Don’t Think This Will Help…
Over the years I’ve seen dozens of people without Platinum or Black cards attempt to access Centurion Lounges only too be told access would be $50. Not once, even once, have I ever seen anyone pay for access. If you drink enough alcohol it is actually a very good deal, but I don’t think many people pay up.
The culprit is too many Platinum cardholders, but there is no solution for that. American Express already limited cardholders to two guests. Further limiting cardholders to one guest will result in a backlash that will do more harm than help (in my opinion).
So maybe this will keep a few people out, but the chronic overcrowding problem will remain.
> Read More: A Warning to American Express
(H/T: Tiffany at One Mile at a Time)
I never have a problem with the centurion lounges, but I like how it’s more exclusive for Platinum/centurion member now
Very simple: only the cardholder should have access. Want access? Get the card. Two guests is simply too much. When you buy a ticket for any event are you allowed to bring guests?
I completely agree! The card should only allow the card member. I recently called Amex on 22 September to complain about the ridiculous overcrowding and explained that the lounges are no benefit when they allow to many guests to enter. You want access, pay for the card!
I say go down to one guest per cardholder for Plats. It comes down to what kind of traveler AMEX wants to cater to. Single business travelers will not mind the restriction and stand to benefit most from smaller crowds. My guess is that they are AMEX’s better customers in terms of monthly card spend as well.
The problem is too many card “holders”, not too many actual users. How many bloggers on BA and elsewhere pimp this card like it’s a gym membership, and openly admitting it’s not really worth putting spend on. If you start allowing only actual users of the card to get in free, the rest will drop like flies. Of course that’s a very fine line for AMEX to walk, not sure how their financials work out and if they can afford to suddenly lose deadbeat abusers who only pay the annual fee and rely strictly on high spenders.
Simple solution: X tokens/visits per year. If you are a solo traveller spread them out. Or blow them out on a single visit with family & friends, then you are done for the year. Exactly like US Bank gives me 12 GoGo passes per year.
Actually I saw two people in Houston this April (in matter of three minutes ) come in with regular Amex cards and pay 50$. I was surprised. Really surprised.
I paid once and expensed it. It was so overcrowded, if it was my own money I’d have asked for a refund.
I’ve seen people buying access many times and also have friends who do so. I’ve complained to AMEX on a couple of occasions that they need to cut that program because of over crowding. You want access, get the card. I applaud this change!
Great & very informative artical.
Does this include Amex Platinum Reserved card?