American Express cardmembers are offered airport lounge access as part of their card membership. All American Express cardmembers with a valid American Express credit or charge card are eligible to visit American Express’ own Centurion Lounges, with Platinum and Centurion cardmembers getting free access and other cardmembers able to purchase one-day access for $50 when showing your same-day airline ticket on any carrier along with your credit card and I.D. Currently, there are only two Centurion Lounges, one in Las Vegas (LAS) and one in Dallas/Ft. Worth (DFW) but others are planned including New York (LGA), Miami and San Francisco. Centurion Lounge access includes gourmet buffet and snacks, premium bar and more – and access is free for members’ children under 18. To read more about Centurion Lounges, visit http://thecenturionlounge.com
AMEX cardmembers also receive Priority Pass Select memberships that offer international lounge access and access to Alaska Airlines lounges in the U.S. (but not American or US Airways as of March or Delta as of May). To read more about Priority Pass Select, visit http://www.prioritypass.com/select There are 700 lounges, 400 cities and 120 countries featured with a Priority Pass Select.
Cardmembers can access Airspace lounges with Platinum and Centurion cardmembers getting free access along with up to two guests and other cardmembers are offered one-day passes starting at only $20 (the cost can fluctuate depending on how busy the lounge is). To read more about Airspace lounges, visit http://www.airspacelounge.com Currently there are Airspace lounges at Cleveleand (CLE), Baltimore/Washington (BWI), New York (JFK) and a newly opened lounge at San Diego (SAN).
Bottom line: Even though lounge access via a Platinum or Centurion American Express card has seen a reduction recently with American, US Airways and Delta lounges falling by the wayside, this membership benefit is still worth considering owning an American Express card, especially if you do not get lounge access as an elite member in a frequent flyer program.
