The Guide to AmEx Platinum Lounge Access

AmEx Platinum cardholders get access to five different kinds of lounges. Terms apply.

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Updated · 2 min read
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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.

How AmEx Platinum lounge access works

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.

🤓Nerdy Tip

Unlike access to the Centurion Lounges, which simply require you to show your card, access to Priority Pass lounges requires a separate enrollment in the Priority Pass program.

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 cards with airport lounge access

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

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

How the cards compare
The Platinum Card® from American Express
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Apply now

on American Express' website

Rates & Fees
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Apply now

on American Express' website

Rates & Fees
Annual Fee
$695
$695
Welcome Offer

Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms Apply.

Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Terms Apply.

Still not sure?
🎁 Why December is Best to Get This Card
New cardholders get a big bonus + credits toward holiday spending and travel.

AmEx Platinum lounge access types

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:

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.

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.

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 10 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.

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.

How access to airport lounges with American Express Platinum works recapped

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.

To view rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, see this page.
To view rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, see this page.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024:

Airport Lounge Cards from our Partners
Citibank Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite™ MasterCard® Credit Card

on Citibank's application

Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
4.6
NerdWallet Rating
Rewards rate

1x

Earn 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible AAdvantage® mile earned from purchases.

Miles

Intro offer

70,000

Earn 70,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $7,000 within the first 3 months of account opening.

Miles
Chase Sapphire Reserve Credit Card

on Chase's website

Chase Sapphire Reserve®
5.0
NerdWallet Rating
Rewards rate

1x-10x

Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

Points

Intro offer

60,000

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Points
See more Airport Lounge cards
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