Recently there has been a lot of news about American Express Centurion lounges, I thought it would be useful to have all of that news in one spot for anybody that missed it (and I was on vacation when a lot of it was originally announced).
Contents
New Hong Kong Lounge
American Express currently operate 10 international centurion lounges, but these international lounges are not at the same standard of their American counter parts. American Express are planning on changing that with the introduction of a new lounge in Hong Kong.
- Will be based in Terminal 1 of Hong Kong International Airport (HKG – this is where flights all long haul flights depart from)
- Will be more than 8,000 square feet
- Will include a premium bar
- Will include a cold & hot buffet
- Will include free WiFi & seating areas
- Expected to launch in Q3 of 2017
New Philadelphia Lounge
American Express will open a lounge in Terminal A West of the Philadelphia International Airport.
- Will be based in Terminal A West of the Philadelphia International Airport (PHL). Located directly above the current British Airways lounge located in terminal A-West near gate A14. All terminals are interconnected so you’ll be able to visit regardless of your depature terminal (it’ll just be a bit of a walk)
- Will be around 6,300 square feet
- Will have six bathrooms and one shower room
- Will include free WiFi & seating areas
- Philadelphia themed food & drinks (hopefully more than just cheese steaks)
- Expected to launch in Q3 of 2017 Â (August 3rd, 2017)
Expansion To Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
They will be expanding this lounge:
- Will be expanded to 4,500Â (currently 3,100 square feet)
- Will feature a new bar
- Will have expanded seating
- Will have private shower suites
- Current lounge will remain open while these changes are made
Our Verdict
Definitely not going to complain about more centurion lounge openings and it’s also good to see that the Hong Kong lounge will be a similar if not the same standard as the U.S. based lounges.
I hope that PHL lounge opens by October 30, or it’s going to be one of the reasons I’m not renewing my Platinum or I’m going to be stuck there with a 3-hour connection.
Have departed/connected in SEA, SFO, DFW, LAS since I got my Amex Plat and have never been able to get to a Centurion lounge. Either I’m departing/connecting in the wrong terminal or there’s not enough time to visit one.
Excellent news about PHL. Currently, there are no lounges that will you in if you are an Amex Platinum holder, not even a Priority Pass Lounge available.
Cheers,
PedroNY
Yeah, I’ll now look forward to going to the airport early now instead of constantly checking traffic and departure schedules on the day of my departure to try to leave for the PHL as late as possible. This definitely just made it worth the $250 (after the airline credit) AF alone.
Didn’t know Amex had international lounges. What are the other ones?
Wish they would put one in Chicago.
Listed here: http://thecenturionlounge.com/international/
Added it to the post.
I’d rather they expand domestically than build at HKG. CX The Wing > any AMEX HKG lounge.
That’s true, although I think the international lounges will be funded in part at least by their cardholders in that region.
Has Amex said anything about upgrading existing international lounges to Centurion/U.S. standards?
Not that I know of.
I know Delta’s territorial clout makes it borderline impossible, but damn do I wish Amex would set up shop in ATL. I’m an Atlanta-based business traveler, so Skyclub access is really the only thing keeping my Amex Plat in my wallet alongside my CSR (well, that and my 97k MR points with no other MR stash card, hehe)… but a Hartsfield Centurion lounge would make me feel a whole lot better abuot it.