How to Get into an AmEx Centurion Lounge Before Your Flight

What if your credit card could unlock a private airport oasis with craft cocktails, chef-prepared meals and a place to truly relax before your flight?

If you carry the right American Express card, that’s not a fantasy — it’s your pre-boarding reality. Centurion Lounges are some of the most luxurious spaces in U.S. airports, and they’re available only to select AmEx cardholders. From the delightfully British tea cart at the London (LHR) Centurion Lounge to a Napa-inspired, wine-tasting area at the San Francisco (SFO) Centurion Lounge, these lounges are a serious upgrade from waiting at the gate. Here's exactly how to get in.

To enter a Centurion Lounge, you must hold one of the eligible American Express cards listed below. Once at the airport, you can check in at the lounge by either:

• Showing your eligible AmEx card, government-issued ID and same-day boarding pass.

• Using the AmEx app to check in and generate a QR code for contactless entry — a good option if you don't carry your physical card with you. You'll still need to show government-issued ID and a same-day boarding pass.

Six American Express cards currently grant access to Centurion Lounges, but each has unique policies and perks.

The Platinum Card® from American Express

Annual fee: $695 (see rates and fees). Terms apply.

Access: Complimentary unlimited access to those who hold The Platinum Card® from American Express, granted they have a same-day boarding pass and are arriving within three hours of their departing flight.

Up to two guests may accompany the cardholder at no additional cost if the cardholder has spent $75,000 in the prior calendar year. Otherwise, guests are $50 each.

Other card perks include: an airline fee credit, a monthly Uber credit, monthly digital entertainment credit on eligible services and a Walmart+ credit.

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

Annual fee: $695 (see rates and fees). Terms apply.

Access: Complimentary access with a same-day boarding pass, if arriving within three hours of the departing flight.

The same guest rules apply as the personal version of The Platinum Card® from American Express.

Other card perks include: Statement credits, such as a $400 annual Dell credit, $199 Clear credit, $360 Indeed credit ($90 per quarter) and a $200 annual airline fee credit (see rates and fees). There's also Hilton Honors Gold status and Marriott Bonvoy Gold elite status. Terms apply. Enrollment required.

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card

Annual fee: $650 (see rates and fees). Terms apply.

Access: Complimentary access if you're flying a same-day Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight paid for on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. You're also only allowed access at specific locations, including domestic lounges, Hong Kong and London. Terms apply.

Other card perks include: An annual companion certificate upon renewal (good for one round-trip flight within the U.S. or to Mexico, the Caribbean or Central America, in first class, Delta Comfort+ or main cabin for someone traveling with you, less some taxes and fees), first free checked bag and priority boarding.

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card

Annual fee: $650 (see rates and fees). Terms apply.

Access: The same access rules apply as the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card.

» Learn more: What to know about American Express lounge access

Centurion Card

This invitation-only card is so elite, that there are few public details. Among its many perks are that up to two guests can enter at no additional cost — and with no additional spending threshold required. Terms apply.

American Express Corporate Platinum Card

Like The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, the American Express Corporate Platinum Card offers business-focused benefits. Cardmembers are allowed unrestricted access to the Centurion Lounge with up to two guests. Terms apply.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

No — unless you're a guest of someone who holds an eligible card. Even then, complimentary guest access depends on whether the cardholder met that minimum $75,000 spending threshold. Otherwise, guests pay:

• $50 per adult.

• $30 per child aged 2 to 17. Terms apply.

And again, not all American Express cards will get you into a Centurion Lounge. Only those named above offer access.

» Learn more: How the Centurion Lounge guest policy works

American Express was the first major credit card issuer to launch its own branded lounges. Today, there are more than two dozen Centurion Lounges around the world.

More locations are on the way, and each lounge is part of the broader American Express Global Lounge Collection, which includes more than 1,400 lounges worldwide.

If you’re looking to upgrade your airport experience, a Centurion Lounge can make all the difference. With top-tier amenities, gourmet meals and quieter workspaces, these lounges are worth a visit — especially on long layovers or during travel delays.

Grab one of the six cards afforded access if you'd like to experience the AmEx Centurion Lounge. These include well-known options such as the The Platinum Card® from American Express or Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. Terms apply.

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.

To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, see this page.

To view rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card, see this page.