6 Things to Know About American Express Lounge Access

American Express offers many credit cards with airport lounge access. But American Express lounge access isn't equal across all AmEx cards — and not all lounges are equal either.

Lounge access depends on your card type, with some cards providing access to over 1,400 lounges worldwide, including Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs, and Escape Lounges. Terms apply.

Let’s dig into which cards offer lounge access, the policies for entry, and the pros and cons of each.

Most AmEx cards don't include lounge access. Of the handful of premium AmEx cards that do offer lounge access, the main ones are:

For a general travel credit card: Among your best bets? The Platinum Card® from American Express and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express. Both offer access to AmEx Centurion Lounges as well as the vast AmEx Global Lounge Collection that includes more than 1,400 lounges worldwide. Terms apply.

Of course, these premium travel credit cards aren't for everyone. The The Platinum Card® from American Express has an annual fee of $695 (see rates and fees).

Now frequent travelers might see that and not bat an eye if that's equivalent to their annual budget for pre-flight espresso martinis. But with that annual fee, know that this card isn't for everyone. There are other ways to get into airport lounges.

For an airline specific card: Consider either the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card or the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card.

Both offer complimentary access to Centurion Lounges and Escape Lounges, plus limited visits to Delta Sky Clubs when traveling on a same-day Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight.

There is a limitation though. For Delta Sky Clubs, cardholders will receive 15 visits per program year beginning Feb. 1, 2025. Though, members can unlock unlimited visits after spending $75,000 on the card in a calendar year. Once earned, unlimited visits will last through Jan. 31 of the following year.

For a hotel-branded card: Consider the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card. It won't get you into the AmEx Centurion Lounges. Terms apply.

But, it gets you into other lounges around the world — with unlimited visits, no less — via Priority Pass Select membership. Enrollment required. Sure, Priority Pass lounges generally pale in comparison to Delta Sky Clubs or Centurion Lounges. But, if you prioritize hotel benefits over airport benefits, at least this one gives you a tidy consolation prize at airports.

» Learn more: Credit cards with airport lounge access

Centurion Lounges are among the most highly-rated airport lounges. These lounges are spread across more than a dozen U.S. airports, plus about a dozen other major airports worldwide.

AmEx cards that include complimentary access to the Centurion Lounge are:

• The Platinum Card® from American Express.

• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express.

• The American Express Corporate Platinum Card.

• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card.

• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card.

• The Centurion Card.

Terms apply.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

American Express Centurion Lounges are mostly only in major airports, including:

U.S. cities with Centurion Lounge locations

1. Atlanta (ATL).

2. Washington-Dulles (DCA) - coming soon. 

3. Seattle-Tacoma (SEA).

4. San Francisco (SFO).

5. Las Vegas (LAS).

6. Dallas-Ft. Worth (DFW).

7. Houston (IAH). 

8. Miami (MIA). 

9. Philadelphia (PHL). 

10. New York-LaGuardia (LGA). 

11. Los Angeles (LAX).

12. Phoenix (PHX). 

13. Charlotte (CLT).

14. New York-JFK (JFK). 

15. Denver (DEN).

International cities with Centurion Lounge locations

1. Buenos Aires (EZE). 

2. Delhi (DEL). 

3. Hong Kong (HKG).

4. London (LHR).

5. Melbourne (MEL).

6. Mexico City (MEX).

7. Monterrey (MTY).

8. Mumbai (BOM).

9. Sao Paulo (GRU).

10. Stockholm (ARN).

11. Sydney (SYD).

Though even without a Centurion Lounge, your airport might still have another lounge within the American Express Global Lounge collection, which you can usually visit.

The Global Lounge Collection goes beyond Centurion Lounges, encompassing more than 1,400 lounges worldwide. Certain AmEx cardholders, such as travelers who hold The Platinum Card® from American Express, do have Global Lounge Collection access.

On the flip side, just because you have an AmEx card with lounge access, doesn't necessarily mean you have access to the entire Global Lounge Collection. For example, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card gets you into Priority Pass lounges, but that's it. Terms apply.

Here are some lounge brands that sit within the Global Lounge collection:

• Airspace.

• Centurion Lounges.

• Delta Sky Club.

• Escape Lounges.

• International American Express Lounges.

• Lufthansa.

• Plaza Premium.

• Priority Pass.

» Learn more: How to maximize your Priority Pass membership

Now some of these lounge brands are far inferior to Centurion Lounges. Many Priority Pass lounges in the U.S. stand out as particularly bleak (think some cubes of cheese and a soda). Meanwhile, other lounge networks are arguable fancier than any Centurion Lounge. Just look to the Delta Sky Club LAX for proof of that (and more on Delta Sky Clubs below).

Escape Lounges also tend to be higher quality, albeit much smaller. Consider them a sort of 'Centurion Lounge lite.'

AmEx and Delta are close partners — especially when it comes to American Express lounge access. Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card and Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card cardmembers can access Centurion Lounge locations when flying on a same-day Delta marketed or operated flight in the U.S., Hong Kong or London. Likewise, certain AmEx cardmembers can access Delta Sky Club lounges. Terms apply.

Complimentary Delta Sky Club access is granted to the following cardmembers, if they're traveling on a same-day Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight:

• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card.

• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card.

• The Platinum Card® from American Express.

• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express.

• Centurion Cards.

Terms apply.

Similar to the Reserve card, the AmEx Platinum cards will also be limited in the number of Sky Club visits starting in February 2025. Cardholders will only receive 10 complimentary Delta Sky Club visits per year unless they spend $75,000 on the card in a calendar year.

Terms apply.

Lounge policies can vary in terms of guests, what you need to enter and how early before your flight you can get in.

Generally, expect to show at minimum a boarding pass and your proof of access (like your Priority Pass membership card).

For access to Centurion and Escape Lounges, you’ll need an eligible AmEx card, ID and a same-day boarding pass. Meanwhile, lounges under the Priority Pass Select network require separate enrollment, which can take several weeks by the time you get approved and receive your card in the mail.

Most airport lounges typically won't let you enter until within three hours of the stated departure time on your same-day, confirmed boarding pass. Though, some lounges are stricter than others.

Delta Sky Clubs tend to be more lax with the rules (particularly when travel crowds are light anyway). Meanwhile we've never been able to enter a Centurion Lounge until within that three hour window.

American Express offers dozens of different types of cards, but most AmEx cards actually don't include lounge access.

Not surprisingly, AmEx's premium travel cards offer the best AmEx lounge access benefits. Even within cards that do offer lounge access, benefits can vary. Generally, the mid-tier options have some notable restrictions, such as caps on number of visits per year.

Remember to read your card's terms closely and, if needed, enroll in Priority Pass ahead of time.

All information about The Centurion Card from American Express has been collected independently by NerdWallet.

All information about The American Express Corporate Platinum Card has been collected independently by NerdWallet. The American Express Corporate Platinum Card is no longer available through NerdWallet.

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.