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One of the best perks of the Amex Platinum Card is it gives you complimentary access to the American Express Lounge Collection – an extensive lounge network of more than a thousand lounges around the world!
In this article, we’ll tell you more about the different participating brands in the Amex Lounge Collection and what you need to do in order to access them.
Read More: United Club Lounges: A Complete Guide For Beginners
(Image courtesy of Canva Pro)
What Is The American Express Lounge Collection?
The American Express Global Lounge Collection is a vast lounge network that includes several Amex-branded lounges and partner lounges, namely:
As of this writing, the Amex Lounge collection has more than 1,300 lounges across 140 countries around the world. You can use Amex’s lounge search tool to find the specific lounge that you want.
Getting Access To The Amex Global Lounge Collection
You can access other lounge brands within the Amex Global Lounge Collection using other credit cards. For example, holders of the Chase Sapphire Reserve will have access to Priority Pass Lounges, and Delta SkyMiles Reserve Cardholders will have access to Delta SkyClub Lounges.
However, if you want to have complete access to the entire Amex Lounge collection, you need to have one of the following cards below:
- The Platinum Card® from American Express
- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
- The Centurion Card from American Express.
These are the only cards that can give you full access; by far, no other card has that capability.
Read More: Is Loungebuddy A Great Alternative To Priority Pass?
(Image courtesty of Lufthansa)
The Centurion Lounge
Centurion Lounges, in our opinion, are the best lounges in the Amex Lounge collection. It offers a plethora of premium perks like chef-inspired menus, complimentary beverages, shower facilities, high-speed wifi, and lots of resting spaces.
16 Centurion Lounges are currently operating in the US:
- Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)
- Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
- Denver International Airport (DEN)
- George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), Houston
- Harry Reid International Airport (LAS), Las Vegas
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
- John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), New York
- LaGuardia Airport (LGA), New York
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
- Miami International Airport (MIA)
- Newark International Airport (EWR)
- Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
- Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)
- San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
- Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
Meanwhile, there are 11 Centurion Lounges currently operating abroad:
- Hong Kong (HKG)
- London (LHR)
- Stockholm (ARN)
- Mumbai (BOM)
- Delhi (DEL)
- Buenos Aires (EZE)
- São Paulo (GRU)
- Melbourne (MEL)
- Mexico City(MEX)
- Monterrey (MTY)
- Sydney (SYD)
Cardholders will need to present their Platinum Card, Government ID, and same-day boarding pass upon entering the lounge.
Access is only available to travelers on departing flights, so arriving passengers cannot enter unless they are on a connecting flight. Proof of your connecting flight is required.
Additionally, you can only enter the lounge three hours before their flight, but if you’re on a connecting flight, you may enter the lounge anytime.
Guest Policy
Cardholders can bring two additional guests without charge. Children under 2 years old will be admitted for free.
International American Express Lounges
Amex Platinum cardmembers won’t just get access to the exclusive Centurion Lounges but also to American Express Lounges, aka “Centurion Clubs.” These lounges are found in multiple locations around the world:
- 1 Centurion Lounge in Argentina,
- 2 American Express Lounge in Australia
- 2 American Express Lounges in India
- 6 Centurion Clubs in Mexico.
These lounges are basically a less premium version of the Centurion Lounge, but they still come with solid perks like complimentary food and drinks, free WIFI, and resting spaces. Cardmembers just need to present their Platinum card, same-day boarding pass, and a valid ID.
Guest Policy
Cardmembers can bring up to two additional guests at American Express Lounges for free.
Priority Pass
Priority Pass memberships are $99, $299, and $429 per year, but if you’re an Amex Platinum cardholder, you will be given a Priority Pass Select membership that gives you access to more than 1,300 Priority Pass lounges around the world. Access to Priority Pass restaurants is not included and is only available to Chase Sapphire cardholders.
Take note that your Priority Pass Select membership isn’t automatic. You need to enroll first by logging into your Amex account or calling the Platinum Card Service at 1-800-263-1616.
After enrollment, cardmembers must show a valid Priority Pass membership card (or digital membership card), along with a same-day boarding pass and a valid I.D.
Guest Policy
Cardholders may bring one additional guest at no charge. Additional guests will cost about $27 per guest. Rates may vary per lounge.
Plaza Premium Lounges
Plaza Premium Lounges are located at over 250+ locations and 30+ countries around the world, and Platinum Cardholders will get complimentary access to these lounges regardless of ticket class.
All you need to do is to present your Platinum Card, a valid ID, and a same-day boarding pass. Just remember that Plaza Premium Lounges operates a number of partner lounges as well, so policies may differ for every lounge. Make sure to check the Plaza Premium Lounge website first.
Guest Policy
Cardmembers may bring up to 1 guest for free. Guests will also get the same complimentary benefits and amenities that card members get.
Delta Sky Club
Delta Sky Club is Delta Airlines’ own lounge network which is found in over 200 locations. It offers a lot of benefits, such as complimentary food and drinks, shower facilities, working spaces, and high-speed WIFI.
Platinum Cardmembers can access Sky Club lounges 3 hours before departure. They must present their card, valid ID, and a same-day boarding pass.
Arriving passengers won’t have access to lounges unless they’re on a connecting flight. Additionally, passengers on connecting flights can access Sky Club lounges for more than 3 hours before their flight.
Note that Cardmembers can only access Delta Sky Clubs (Delta-branded lounges), not partner lounges.
Guest Policy
Guest access is allowed, but it comes with a fee. Cardholders can purchase guest access for a spouse or domestic partner, a child under 21, or up to two other traveling companions, for $39 per person.
Airspace Lounges
Airspace Lounge is a small but growing network of airport lounges in the U.S. It currently operates at three locations: Cleveland (CLE), New York (JFK), and San Diego (SAN).
Platinum cardmembers will have access to an Airspace airport lounge during departure and arrival. All they need to do is present their card, valid ID, and same-day boarding pass. Cardmembers must be 21 years of age to enter without a parent or guardian.
For a full list of locations, visit airspacelounge.com/locations.
Guest Policy
Cardmembers can bring up to two guests for free. The guests will also receive the same benefits and amenities as the cardmember.
Escape Lounges -The Centurion® Studio Partner
Escape Lounges are located at more than 10 locations within the U.S. and the U.K. These lounges offer fresh-made food and beverages, high-speed Wi-Fi, and relaxing space where you can unwind.
Platinum cardmembers can access U.S. lounges by presenting their Platinum card, a same-day boarding pass, and a valid ID. For UK lounges, you may present your Priority Pass Select membership card (courtesy of your Platinum card), a same-day boarding pass, and a valid ID.
Guest Policy:
Cardmembers can bring up to two guests for free at Escape Lounges. Fees for additional guests are usually priced at around $30 per guest.
Lufthansa Lounge
Amex also offers Platinum and Centurion cardmembers access to Lufthansa lounges. However, lounge access may vary depending on your ticket class.
Platinum cardmembers can access Business Class lounges regardless of ticket class, and they can access Senator Lounges if they fly Lufthansa business class.
Meanwhile, Centurion cardmembers will have access to Lufthansa First Class, Senator, and Business lounges regardless of ticket class.
Platinum and Centurion cardmembers must present their respective cards, valid IDs, and a same-day boarding pass on a Lufthansa Group flight (Lufthansa, SWISS and Austrian airlines).
Guest Policy
You can bring guests, but it’s not for free. You can check Lufthansa’s lounge policy for more details.
Executive Lounges by Swissport
Canadian Platinum cardmembers can access Executive Lounges by Swissport if they can present their card, same-day boarding pass, and valid ID.
Guest Policy
A cardmember can bring a spouse and two children under 21 or a travel companion for free.
Points Panda Tips
Adding authorized users to your Amex Platinum card comes with tons of benefits! While it does come with a fee of $175 per user, but then that user will receive the same benefits as the primary card member, including lounge access and guest privileges.
It comes in handy, especially at lounges that don’t offer free guest privileges. For example, Platinum cardmembers can’t bring guests for free at Delta Sky Clubs but if the cardmember is traveling with an authorized user, they can enter the lounge together without having to pay extra fees.
Read More: What Is The United Polaris Lounge Network?
Bottomline
Compared to the Chase Lounge and Capital One Lounge, the American Express Global Lounge Collection is one of the most extensive bank-branded lounge networks we’ve seen so far.
You rarely see a lounge network that also includes other major lounge networks like Priority Pass, Delta Sky Club, and Lufthansa lounges.
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