Update: American Express provided The Points Guy with the following statement:
We continuously consider various ways to manage capacity in our Centurion Lounges, like the idea that one day you could potentially use your mobile app to check lounge availability or space (not reserve a spot). This was mentioned in discussion as an example potential improvements we consider, but there are no actual plans to implement this so at this time or in the near future.
In a recent article in Business Traveler article regarding American Express Lounge Access Josh McKay, vice president and general manager of global benefits and services for American Express stated that in the coming months American Express members will be able to book lounge visits with the Amex app and that this will allow American Express to manage lounge demand in real time. It isn’t clear exactly how booking a lounge visit will work and if it will be necessary to access a lounge.
American Express has had overcrowding issues at Centurion lounges almost as soon as they launched. They’ve been trying to open larger lounges in new markets and expand the footprints of existing lounges, but it’s a persistent problem. In some cases they have limited access based on the following:
- Access is limited to 2 hours prior to the scheduled departure time of your flight
- Inbound boarding passes are not accepted for entry
One of the solutions I recommended is to limit the number of guaranteed entries a cardholder receives each year. It’s possible American Express is considering something like this via the new app booking platform (e.g if you book you’re guaranteed entry but it uses up one of your guaranteed entries. Everybody else can still visit but entry will vary based on demand). We will have to wait and see what American Express’ plan is when more details are released.
Hat tip to pfdpfd
I really like your idea of limiting people hopefully we see something like that in the future.
Amex “Platinum” is such a farce these days… so glad I bailed a while back when Admirals club access went. Anything but exclusive either.. about 1 million personal ..and 400k business platinum card holders.
Yet your apply again if they offered a a big bonhs.
true..although even the 100K bonus will only barely make it worthwhile for the first year to even to churn!
Providing limited GUARANTEED lounge access seems quite realistic. It is nothing but just the ‘lounge version’ of GPU/RPU on airlines. Members can still enjoy CPU when they don’t want to use their permits.
Well at least they are trying out new techniques to manage the crowd.
Thanks for the mention!
Disney FastPass
People who recommend limits probably don’t have regular access to a Cent lounge.
I didn’t recommend a hard limit, I recommended a limit on guaranteed access. The alternative is that they move to the two hour timing and I’d argue that’s even worse for people with regular access if it becomes a hard rule.
thank god. doesnt make you feel special having the benefit when you cant even enjoy it.
Yeah at only 550 dollars a year.
either 450 or 550 but most people here come out ahead on that if they are doing it right. For the year we have the benefit we might as well use it. Have had 1 great, 1 good and 1 terrible experience at Centurion lounges.
I churn Amerprise version so I don’t pay anything.
Well sure, if you’re artfully churning and pulling down 60k-120k bonuses with every signup and $200 in “air travel expenses” and $120 in Uber credits ANYTHING on top of that looks like gravy. So I don’t know if that’s a great standard to use regarding Cent lounges.
I wonder how many people churn the Amex Ameriprise just to get the first year for $0 and free perks like Centurion access? (FYI, the card has no signup bonus to speak of right now.)