American Express Platinum and Centurion cardholders will no longer receive complimentary access to American Airlines and US Airways airport lounges effective March 22, 2014. Complimentary US Airways Platinum Preferred elite status offered to American Express Centurion cardholders (available by invitation only) will also be removed as a card benefit on that date. Centurion members who renew their status by March 22, 2014 will continue to receive status benefits through February 2015. Centurion members will continue to receive Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Gold and Delta SkyMiles Platinum Medallion status.

Some eligible American Express cardholders were sent an email offering them a consolation gift of $200 in statement credits toward American Airlines and US Airways incidental fees charged to their card between March 22 and Dec. 31, 2014. The offer appeared to be targeted and not everyone received the statement credit offer.

Bottom line: American Express cardholders have been able to access American Airlines Admirals Club lounges since 2007 and in 2010, cardholders were given access to US Airways Club lounges regardless of which carrier you were flying on. Now, lounge access with these two airlines is going away and American Express Platinum and Centurion cardholders will only have access to Delta Sky Club lounges when flying on Delta, Centurion lounges (currently only open in Las Vegas and Dallas with additional locations coming soon), Airspace lounges and Priority Pass Select lounges at over 600 participating airport lounges. Airline lounge entry fees can also be reimbursed with the Platinum $200 annual airline rebate. American Airlines travelers who want lounge access as a card benefit can sign up for the $450 annual fee Citi Executive credit card which offers lounge access; priority check-in, security screening and boarding; first checked bag free and the ability to earn elite qualifying miles.