We’ve all been through it. Slogging through an airport for a holiday, a business trip or simply for pleasure. You make it through the traffic on the way; then after that, you make it through the depression era “bread line” which is security, feeling, somehow each time, like you’ve just repeated the worst one night stand of your life; then after that, you struggle with finding something to eat (and a much needed something to drink) and wonder what you’re going to do and where you’re going to plug in for the next 90 minutes.
The Centurion® Lounge is part of the journey
Those next 90 minutes – which could determine the quality of the rest of your day – are where the beauty of the airport lounge comes in. The prospect of spending my idle time in the airport lounge makes me want to get to the airport like octogenarian early. T.S. Eliot said: “The journey, not the arrival matters”, which has had me wondering if the lounge is one, or both.
The Centurion Lounge (American Express) is among my favorites. Offered in a slew of major airports: Sea-Tac, New York LGA (JFK is slated to open in 2020 or 2021), Vegas, Hong Kong, Houston, LA, SFO, Miami and more, it has just the amenities you need (wi-fi, workspaces & personal charging areas, shower suites), and just as importantly, the ones you want (premium bar, healthy and delicious food, spas, mags & newspapers, intimate areas for TV watching).
Menus in some of the lounges are courtesy of award-winning chefs (such as LGA where Cédric Vongerichten, one of Zagat’s top 30 under 30, serves as executive chef). Drink menus also come courtesy of some of the top mixologists in the world. For example, in LAX, you can enjoy specialty cocktails developed by Jim Meehan, or explore wines handpicked by the renowned Anthony Giglio. In other lounges the limited edition prints that adorn the walls, adding to each lounge’s distinctive vibe, come courtesy of Rock Paper Photo (some of these are also available for purchase for AMEX card holders).
A shout out goes to the professional and eminently capable staff at the Centurion lounges who in my opinion all deserve a raise. Forgive me, but after paying jacked up prices for mediocre food, beer and stuffing myself and things in between hard wire-framed chairs, a “grant” for semi-private access to the best and friendliest service an airport has to offer (not to mention your peace of mind) seems like par. Especially when a mixologist is in charge of your drink.
AMEX Centurion® Lounge access
Centurion lounge access is restricted to Platinum (including business), Delta Reserve, Delta Business Reserve or Centurion card holders. Other versions of the Platinum card (international and investment cards like Schwab) also have access.
Those eligible for the Centurion Lounge are also eligible for the international American Express lounges which are located in the following cities:
- Sydney, Australia
- Melbourne, Australia
- Mumbai, India
- Delhi, India
- Stockholm, Sweden
- Buenos Aires, Argentina
- São Paulo, Brazil
- Mexico City, Mexico (3)
- Monterrey, Mexico (2)
- Toluca, Mexico
*Please note: Due to the spread of COVID-19 all Centurion Lounge locations are closed as of Saturday, March 21, 2020. American Express will provide notice when locations reopen.
