Amex Centurion lounges offer complimentary food, cocktails, and a comfortable place to relax before a flight

19.07.2024 - 09:12 / insider.com

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There are many reasons to open The Platinum Card® from American Express or The Business Platinum Card® from American Express — two of the most premium travel cards on the market.

You can earn thousands of dollars in annual statement credits and valuable Amex Membership Rewards points, and it isn't difficult to offset $695 annual fee by utilizing even a fraction of card benefits each year.

For many frequent travelers, the single best card perk is access to airport lounges — particularly, access to Amex Centurion lounges. These are among the highest quality in the world, with amenities you won't find at the vast majority of other lounges. Here's everything you need to know about them.

Airport lounges give travelers a chance to relax before — or between — flights in peace, quiet, and comfort. Walking through the doors feels like being whisked into a completely different world than the loud, busy airport terminals with dirty bathrooms and other unpleasantries.

American Express operates its own network of lounges exclusively for premium Amex cardholders. Amex Centurion Lounges offer complimentary food, drinks, internet, and other luxury amenities at more than a dozen U.S. airports and in select international destinations like London (LHR) and Hong Kong (HKG). More locations are currently in the works at some of the busiest airports business travelers are likely to visit.

Each Centurion Lounge offers slightly different perks, but all locations offer member services that can double as travel concierges for your current and future trips. Every Centurion Lounge has semi-private work areas and a computer bar with printer, fax, and copier access, as well as TV, magazines, and newspapers. Some lounges offer spa services, wine tasting areas, conference rooms, shower suites, family areas, and luggage lockers.

Amex cardholders also have access to Escape Lounges in domestic airports such as Fort Lauderdale (FLL), Oakland (OAK), and Sacramento (SMF).

Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 per calendar year) and on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. Earn 1X Points on other purchases.

$695

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Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points

Good to Excellent

If you want as many premium travel perks as possible, The Platinum Card® from American Express could be the right card for you. The annual fee is high, but you