Amex Centurion Lounges are among the most sought-after airport lounges in the United States — known for made-to-order dining, premium bars, and spa services. But access is tightly controlled. There are no walk-up day passes, no reciprocal Priority Pass entry, and access rules have tightened considerably since Amex rolled out spend-based guesting thresholds. Here is a precise breakdown of who can get in and how.
Which Cards Grant Access
Only a small set of American Express cards unlock Centurion Lounge access. The current list as of 2026:
- The Platinum Card® from American Express (personal)
- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
- Centurion® Card from American Express (the "black card") — unlimited guests included
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card and Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card — Centurion access only when flying Delta same-day (see note below)
The Delta Reserve cards grant Centurion Lounge access only on days when you are flying Delta and present a same-day Delta boarding pass. They do not give you general access the way a Platinum card does.
The Same-Day Boarding Pass Requirement
At the door, you must present your eligible Amex card and a same-day boarding pass on a qualifying departing flight. The boarding pass must be for a flight departing from the same airport where the lounge is located. Connecting travelers who already flew their first leg can typically still enter as long as their connecting flight departs the same day. Arrival-only visits are not permitted — you must be departing.
The Guest Policy and Spend Threshold
This is where many Platinum cardholders get surprised at the door. Amex restructured its Centurion Lounge guest policy starting in 2023. The current rules for Platinum personal and Business Platinum cardholders:
- If you spent $75,000 or more on your Platinum card in the previous calendar year, you may bring up to two guests for free.
- If you spent less than $75,000, guests are charged a per-visit fee (currently $50 per guest per visit). This applies whether the guest is a spouse, a child, or a colleague.
- Children under 2 are typically admitted free regardless of the spend threshold.
- Centurion cardholders (the black card) may bring unlimited guests at no charge.
Important: The guest fee is charged to your card on file at the lounge — Amex does not bill it later. If you're bringing guests and have not hit the $75k spend threshold, plan to pay at entry.
No Day Passes — Ever
Amex does not sell day passes to Centurion Lounges, and there is no way to purchase entry for a one-time visit. This is by design — Centurion Lounges are a card benefit, not a standalone service. If you do not carry an eligible Amex card, you cannot enter, period. This is in contrast to United Club or Admirals Club, both of which have historically sold day passes.
Lounge Locations and Crowd Management
Amex has opened Centurion Lounges at more than 15 US airports, plus locations in London, Hong Kong, and a few other international hubs. Demand at busy hubs like JFK, LAX, SFO, and ATL often exceeds capacity. When a lounge reaches capacity, Amex may implement a wait list or turn away new entrants entirely. Arriving more than 3 hours before departure can help, though policies vary by location.
Tips for Getting the Most from Centurion Access
- Arrive early, especially at high-traffic hubs during peak morning departure windows.
- Check the Amex app before you go — some locations allow you to join a virtual waitlist.
- If you have Platinum and Delta Reserve, use Platinum for non-Delta trips and Reserve only on Delta flights.
- Track your annual spend if you regularly travel with a companion — hitting $75k unlocks free guesting.
Use the Lounge Intelligence access checker to see which Centurion Lounges are at your departure airport and confirm your card qualifies before you travel.