The Guide to AmEx Platinum Lounge Access

One of the benefits of many of the premium American Express credit cards have is lounge access at airports throughout the world.

There are actually five different types of airport lounges that you can access with your The Platinum Card® from American Express or The Business Platinum Card® from American Express.

Here's what to know for access to airport Lounges with an American Express Platinum card.

With an eligible card, you can get into the included lounges in the network. Granted, not all airports have Centurion Lounges or Priority Pass lounges.

Guests are typically welcome, but the requirements vary. Some lounges stipulate that guests pay out-of-pocket for access, while at other locales, guest access is included as a benefit.

American Express styles their airport lounge benefit as access to The American Express Global Lounge Collection.

This airport lounge access is a benefit of the following American Express cards

• The Platinum Card® from American Express

• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

Here's a closer look at what each card offers.

1. American Express Centurion Lounges

American Express currently operates more than a dozen Centurion Lounges throughout the U.S., Hong Kong and the U.K. You can access Centurion Lounges up to three hours before your departing flight.

Here are the U.S. airports with Centurion Lounge locations:

• Atlanta (ATL).

• Charlotte (CLT).

• Washington-Dulles (DCA).

• Denver (DEN).

• Dallas-Ft. Worth (DFW).

• New York-Newark (EWR). Coming in 2026 to Terminal A.

• Houston (IAH).

• New York-JFK (JFK).

• Las Vegas (LAS).

• Los Angeles (LAX).

• New York-LaGuardia (LGA).

• Miami (MIA).

• Philadelphia (PHL).

• Phoenix (PHX).

• Seattle-Tacoma (SEA).

• San Francisco (SFO).

American Express also operates 10 similar American Express-branded lounges internationally:

• Stockholm-Arlanda.

• Mumbai.

• Delhi.

• Buenos Aires-Ezeiza.

• Sao Paulo-Guarulhos.

• Melbourne.

• Mexico City (2 lounges).

• Monterrey, Mexico.

• Sydney.

• Toluca, Mexico.

Cardholders can also access the Lufthansa Lounges when flying on Lufthansa and departing from Frankfurt or Munich. Terms apply.

» Learn more: Everything you need to know about AmEx Centurion lounges

2. Priority Pass Select lounges

Another benefit of both of these AmEx cards is a Priority Pass Select membership. Priority Pass operates a network of over 1,400 airport lounges throughout the world.

One important difference between a Priority Pass Select membership from American Express as compared to memberships from other premium credit cards is American Express does not include Priority Pass benefits at airport restaurants.

If the Priority Pass airport lounge allows guests, you can bring in two guests along with you at no additional charge. Terms apply.

» Learn more: 5 tips to maximize your Priority Pass membership

3. Delta Sky Clubs

Like at the Centurion Lounges, you’ll need to show your card and boarding pass to access Delta Sky Clubs. The difference here is that your boarding pass must be for a Delta Air Lines flight.

If you’re flying on any other airline, you won’t have access to the Delta Sky Club.

At these lounges, your card will only grant access to the cardholder — you can purchase guest access for a spouse, children under 21 or up to two guests for $50 per person. Keep in mind that you can enter Delta Sky Clubs up to three hours before your departing Delta flight (unless you have a layover).

Starting Feb. 1, 2025, cardholders will be limited to just six visits per program year. Members can earn unlimited access after spending $75,000 in a program year. Unlimited access remains through Jan. 31 of the following year. Spend tracking began Jan. 1, 2024. Terms apply.

» Learn more: How to get into a Delta Sky Club

4. Escape Lounges

There are currently 12 Escape Lounges in 10 airports in the United States:

• Cincinnati.

• Greenville-Spartanburg, South Carolina.

• Hartford.

• Minneapolis-St. Paul.

• Oakland.

• Ontario, California (two locations).

• Phoenix.

• Providence.

• Reno.

• Sacramento (two locations).

You can bring up to two additional guests with you at no additional charge. Terms apply.

5. Aspire Lounge, San Diego

Formerly Airspace Lounge, the Aspire Lounge at San Diego Airport gives free access to The Platinum Card® from American Express cardholders and up to two guests.

The lounge offers complimentary light refreshments, free Wi-Fi, a full bar and even free shower facilities. Terms apply.

While both the The Platinum Card® from American Express and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express come with hefty annual fees, the airport lounge access that comes with these cards is quite a valuable benefit for a frequent traveler.