The Centurion Lounge is an exclusive collection of lounges for Platinum and Centurion cardholders.
As one of the few credit card providers, American Express has its own lounges worldwide. As a Platinum or Centurion cardholder, you get access to the Centurion Lounges that American Express has to offer you.
We visited the Centurion Lounge at JFK during our trip to New York.
Access American Express Centurion Lounge
- American Express Credit Card
As a cardholder of the American Express Platinum, the Amex Centurion or the Amex Business Platinum card, you get access to the American Express Centurion Lounge. - Delta credit card
Not directly applicable to us, but the Delta Reserve or Delta Reserve Business card also gives you access when flying with Delta. - Buy access
It is not possible to buy access.
Food and drink
The food and drinks are fine. Personally, I expected more of it beforehand. The selection is similar to regular lounges, which is acceptable.
At the time we visited, the lounge was crowded, and this was also evident at the stations where food and drinks are available. All seats were taken, a lot of food was running low and the bar was busy.
Snacks, salads, meat and vegetarian options are all available. The same goes for drinks. From coffee and tea to soft drinks and spirits. In doing so, it is not unusual to be asked for your ID, but that is part of being American 😉
1850 – Speakeasy
I had to Google this as well. In the Centurion Lounge at JFK – the flagship lounge of American Express – you will find a speakeasy bar on the lower floor, hidden behind a copper wall and curtain.. The name? 1850.
1850 is the year American Express was founded. The bar is stylishly decorated and I order one of the bar’s specialities: an Espresso Martini that stylishly shows off the bar’s logo.
New: Blue Roast Centurion JFK
While visiting the lounge in January 2025, I notice that the Centurion Lounge at JFK has expanded to include Blue Roast.
At the Blue Roast coffee bar, you can order your espresso, iced coffee or other specialty coffee, smoothies or other healthy(er) dishes like Avocado Toast and Chia pudding.
Shower and toilet
Showers and toilets are also available in the lounge on a first come first served basis. Bad luck for us, then. We happily managed to use the toilets, but the showers were constantly occupied.
While not directly necessary, overcrowding does bring down the experience of a lounge visit. In my opinion, if you have to push to get a seat somewhere, it defeats the whole idea of a lounge.
Amex Centurion Lounge: frequently asked questions
How many Amex Centurion Lounges are there
There are 27 Amex Centurion Lounges worldwide. There are 13 in the United States and 14 outside. You’ll find them in Hong Kong, London and Melbourne, among others.
Buenos Aires (EZE)
Charlotte (CLT)
Dallas Fort Worth (DFW)
Delhi (DEL)
Denver (DEN)
Hong Kong (HKG)
Houston (IAH)
Las Vegas (LAS)
London (LHR)
Los Angeles (LAX)
Melbourne (MEL)
Mexico City (MEX)
Miami (MIA)
Monterrey (MTY)
Mumbai (BOM)
New York (JFK)
New York (LGA)
Philadelphia (PHL)
Phoenix (PHX)
San Francisco (SFO)
São Paulo (GRU)
Seattle (SEA)
Stockholm (ARN)
Sydney (SYD)
Where are Amex Centurion Lounges
The following airports have an Amex Centurion Lounge:
Buenos Aires (EZE)
Charlotte (CLT)
Dallas Fort Worth (DFW)
Delhi (DEL)
Denver (DEN)
Hong Kong (HKG)
Houston (IAH)
Las Vegas (LAS)
London (LHR)
Los Angeles (LAX)
Melbourne (MEL)
Mexico City (MEX)
Miami (MIA)
Mumbai (BOM)
New York (JFK)
New York (LGA)
Philadelphia (PHL)
Phoenix (PHX)
San Francisco (SFO)
São Paulo (GRU)
Seattle (SEA)
Stockholm (ARN)
Sydney (SYD)
Monterrey (MTY)
The following cities or airports will soon open a Centurion Lounge:
Atlanta (ATL)
Washington, D.C. (DCA)
Newark (EWR)
Do you have lounge access with Sky Priority?
Sky Priority does not provide you with lounge access.
