American Express Platinum and Centurion cardholders now have access to US Airways Club airport lounges located in 13 cities. The new benefit is part of the American Express Airport Club Access Program that is a complimentary benefit of Platinum and Centurion charge cards. With the Airport Club Access Program, cardholders can also visit the airport lounges of Delta Sky Club, American Airlines Admirals Club and Continental Airlines Presidents Club if they are traveling that day on the corresponding airline. With the new US Airways Club benefit, however, eligible cardholders will be able to visit any of the 17 US Airways Club locations regardless of the airline they are flying and they can bring a spouse and children, or up to two traveling companions. US Airways Club offers complimentary Internet access and free snacks, beer, wine or non-alcoholic beverages. Newspapers and magazines, cable TV and business workstations are also available. US Airways Clubs are located in the following airports: Boston, Buffalo, Charlotte, Greensboro, Hartford/Springfield, Los Angeles (LAX), New York (LGA), Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Raleigh/Durham, Tampa and Washington, D.C. (DCA). The Platinum American Express card has a $450 annual fee and the Centurion card has a $2,500 annual fee plus a one-time joining fee of $5,000.

Bottom line: The best part of the new partnership between US Airways and American Express is that cardholders will be able to visit any US Airways Club lounge even if they aren’t flying on US Airways that day. All you have to do is show your American Express Platinum or Centurion card and a valid form of identification and you can relax and wait for your next flight in a Club lounge. Platinum and Centurion cards aren’t cheap but compared to the cost of lounge membership, which starts at around $450 or $500 for non-elites, $450 for the Platinum card is quite reasonable and now comes with access to the lounges of four major U.S. airlines.