LAS Centurion Lounge Review: Premium Name, Mediocre Experience

The American Express Centurion Lounge at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas (LAS) is one of the less impressive locations in the Centurion Lounge network, with underwhelming amenities and overwhelming crowds. Although it’s a premium space exclusive to AmEx cardholders, it doesn’t feel like one.

This outpost, which opened in 2013, was the very first Centurion Lounge. Like others in the network, it’s open primarily to Centurion Members and cardholders with The Platinum Card® from American Express, which has an annual fee of $695 (see rates and fees).

I used that card to visit on a weekday in early December 2024. That period, between Thanksgiving and Christmas, is typically a slow season for travel. But it wasn’t slow at this lounge.

The lounge is located in Concourse D, across from Gate D1. To get there, you must clear security at one of the airport's two terminals, Terminal 1 or Terminal 3. The D gates sit in a satellite concourse accessible from both terminals by a driverless tram service.

You can access the Centurion Lounge LAS from of any of the airport’s 100+ gates without having to clear security again. But if your flight departs from a more distant location, such as Concourse C, allow extra time for the tram ride and the walk to your gate.

Here’s how to gain access to Centurion lounges:

Because the lounge is so busy, there’s generally a waitlist to get in. You can add your name to it in person, but it’s faster if you go through the app — something many travelers evidently weren’t used to. When I visited on a Tuesday in early December, a large crowd lingered outside the lounge, many visibly flustered as they tried to navigate the app and join the list.

Thankfully, I had added my name to the list while in the security line. Even with this head start, I waited 20 minutes before receiving a text to check in, only to face another line at the front desk once inside.

Once inside, seating was still limited, even after a 2020 expansion that increased the lounge’s size from 9,000 square feet to 13,400 square feet.

The LAS Centurion Lounge decor reflects Amex’s standard design aesthetic, with blues, grays and a wall of vintage suitcases.

While the aesthetic is consistent with the brand, it feels uninspired compared to newer locations. That includes the New York (JFK) Centurion Lounge, which has a stylish speakeasy cocktail bar, or the London LHR Centurion Lounge, which features a delightful British tea cart.

This particular lounge is dimly lit, with shades pulled over the windows.

There’s a multi-purpose room, private telephone rooms and work areas, all recent additions from the 2020 expansion.

An area reserved for Centurion Card holders was almost entirely empty.

Las Vegas-specific touches in the lounge were few and far between. But I enjoyed some of the photos lining the hallway to the bathroom, including a piece titled “Liberace Taking A Bubble Bath.”

Bathrooms

The bathrooms had fancy fixtures and were stocked with L'Occitane toiletries, which felt luxurious. But they’re also small, with just two private stalls in the women’s bathroom.

The LAS Centurion Lounge also offers a shower suite, which can be especially welcome during a long layover. AmEx provides the bath products, including fresh towels. But there’s just one shower, which requires a reservation at the front desk.

The buffet

The food at the LAS Centurion Lounge is a mixed bag. On one hand, the salad bar shines with fresh, healthy options like chickpeas, olives and multiple types of greens. For those seeking a lighter, nutritious meal, this was a highlight.

However, the hot food selection was less impressive, with bland mashed potatoes and oily roasted carrots. The chicken and pesto pasta didn’t stand out either.

The dessert station was much better, with espresso chai latte cake, cranberry-orange vegan brownies and classic cookies. These sweet treats were the most memorable part of the culinary experience, though they didn’t make up for the mediocre hot entrees.

The bar and other drinks

Drinks are complimentary at the bar, as is the case with all Centurion lounges. After spending a few days in Vegas, I wasn’t in the mood to drink — but honestly, the thought of waiting in yet another line, this time for the bar, was even less appealing.

As is typically the case with Centurion lounges, there was a self-service espresso machine, plus beverage dispensers for drinks like water or tea.

Hold the right cards

Many guests enter the lounge by holding The Platinum Card® from American Express. It’s also accessible through a few other American Express cards, including:

» Learn more: Which cards get me into AmEx Centurion Lounges?

Accompany a card member as their guest (maybe)

You can bring up to two complimentary guests into the Centurion Lounge if you spend $75,000 or more in eligible purchases on your card each calendar year. Otherwise, card members can purchase guest passes, which are $50 for adults and $30 for children ages 2 through 17.

People who travel often with the same companion (and also won’t otherwise meet the $75,000 minimum spending requirement) might rather add an authorized user to their card, giving them the same lounge access privileges. Though there’s also a fee for that ($195 per additional card, up to three cards). Terms apply.

Know the lounge entry rules

One rule that’s strictly enforced is that you’re only welcome within three hours of the stated departure time on your boarding pass.

Additionally, entry is permitted before departing flights only. So, you wouldn’t be able to land at LAS and just head inside (unless you’re in the airport for a layover).

Cardholders with The Platinum Card® from American Express also receive a complimentary Priority Pass membership. The Priority Pass airport lounge program allows members access to its roughly 1,700 airport lounges worldwide. Two of those Priority Pass locations are at the Las Vegas airport, both of which are under The Club brand.

The LAS Priority Pass lounges aren’t necessarily any better than the LAS Centurion Lounge, but they might be a good option if AmEx’s lounge is too crowded or too far away from your departure gate.

The LAS Centurion Lounge is functional but underwhelming. While it has a few bright spots, like the salad bar and desserts, it falls short of the elevated experience expected from the Centurion brand. Add in the long queues and uninspired decor, and this lounge doesn’t feel worth the extra time or effort — especially in a city known for exceptional dining options.

For most travelers, arriving early to enjoy this lounge may feel more like a chore than a luxury. Instead, you might be better off savoring one last meal on the Strip before heading to the airport.

To view rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, see this page.

All information about the American Express Corporate Platinum Card®, The Centurion® Card from American Express and the American Express Business Centurion Card has been collected independently by NerdWallet. The American Express Corporate Platinum Card®, The Centurion® Card from American Express and the American Express Business Centurion Card are no longer available through NerdWallet.