How to Get Into AmEx Centurion Lounges: Credit Cards That Grant Access

Want to access the luxurious AmEx Centurion Lounges? With these exclusive airport lounges, you can't buy a day pass or a lounge membership. You’ll need an eligible American Express card. Though, eligible AmEx cardholders can purchase guest passes for people traveling with them.

There are also some other access restrictions, no matter which card you have. You must have a same-day boarding pass with a confirmed seat or zone assignment and your government-issued identification to be able to enter.

Once inside, you'll gain access to one of the best networks of airport lounges out there. The amenities at AmEx Centurion lounges vary by location, but typically include perks like chef-prepared meals, premium cocktails and even spa treatments at select locations.

Here’s everything you need to know about which AmEx cards grant Centurion Lounge access, the guest policy, and where you can find these exclusive lounges.

AmEx cardholders with the following cards receive complimentary Centurion Lounge access (subject to other lounge access restrictions):

Personal and business cards with Centurion Lounge access

• The Platinum Card® from American Express.

• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express.

• Corporate Platinum Card®.

• Centurion® Card.

• Business Centurion® Card.

Terms apply.

Note that the American Express® Gold Card does not provide Centurion Lounge access.

Delta-branded AmEx cards with Centurion Lounge access

• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card.

• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card.

Guest policy: Most cardmembers must pay a $50 guest fee ($30 for children ages 2-17), unless they meet specific spending thresholds. Learn more about the Centurion Lounge guest policy.

Some of the above cards better suit most people than others. If you're applying for a card largely with Centurion Lounge access in mind, these are your best bets.

The Platinum Card® from American Express

Annual fee: $695 (see rates and fees).

Centurion Lounge access: Free entry for the cardholder.

Guest access: Cardmembers have to pay a $50 guest fee ($30 for children ages 2 to 17). The exception is for cardmembers who have spent $75,000 on their card in the prior calendar year; these members will maintain complimentary guest access.

What about other airport lounges? If you’re not flying through an airport with an AmEx Centurion Lounge, you can still fly in style. Cardholders of The Platinum Card® from American Express get access to more than 1,400 other airport lounges through AmEx's Global Lounge Collection. That includes lounges in the Escape Lounges network. Plus, you'll be able to bring two guests into these lounges for no cost. Terms apply.

Airport lounge access is just one of many reasons to carry The Platinum Card® from American Express. The premium travel card is packed with enough benefits to fill an entire article. Highlights include more than $1,500 in potential statement credits — including up to a $200 hotel credit, up to $200 in Uber Cash, up to $200 toward airline incidental fees and much more. Just keep in mind that enrollment is required for most card benefits. Terms apply.

If you don't have The Platinum Card® from American Express yet, you might be enticed by the current welcome offer: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms Apply.

» Learn more: Is the AmEx Platinum a glorified coupon book?

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

Annual fee: $695 (see rates and fees).

Centurion Lounge access: Free entry for the primary cardmember.

Guest access: Cardmembers need to pay $50 per guest ($30 for children ages 2-17) per visit, up to a maximum of two guests. Complimentary guest access will only be granted to cardmembers who spent $75,000 or more in the prior calendar year. Terms apply.

What about other airport lounges? Like its personal card counterpart, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express also offers airport lounge access to several additional lounges around the world via the AmEx Global Lounge Collection.

Other perks of The Business Platinum Card® from American Express target small business owners. For example, Business Platinum cardmembers can get up to:

• $400 in statement credits for Dell purchases.

• $360 in statement credits for Indeed purchases.

• $150 in statement credits for qualifying Adobe purchases.

• $120 in statement credits toward wireless telephone purchases.

Terms apply.

Small-business owners can earn the following welcome offer: Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Terms Apply.

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card

Annual fee: $650 (see rates and fees).

Centurion Lounge access: To access a Centurion Lounge, cardmembers need to be flying on Delta Air Lines and must have booked that flight using an AmEx card.

Cardmembers have access to domestic and select international Centurion Lounges (Hong Kong and London).

Guest access: Cardmembers get four one-time guest passes. Once these are used up, cardholders can bring up to two guests per lounge visit for $50 each.

What about other airport lounges? In addition to Centurion Lounge access, Delta Reserve cardmembers get the following benefits when flying on Delta:

• Delta Sky Club access: Cardmembers receive 15 visits per year to the Delta Sky Club. To earn an unlimited number of visits each year, the total eligible purchases on the Card must equal $75,000 or more the previous year. To earn unlimited visits in 2026, you’ll need to spend this amount between 1/1/25 and 12/31/25.

• First checked bag free.

• Upgrade priority.

• 20% back on in-flight purchases.

Terms apply.

Eligible new cardmembers can earn a welcome offer: Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 4/2/2025. Terms Apply.

» Learn more: What credit cards get me into Delta Sky Club?

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card

Annual fee: $650 (see rates and fees).

Centurion Lounge access: Like with the personal version of the same card, travelers with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card get access when flying Delta on a ticket that they purchased using an AmEx card.

Guest access: Cardmembers don't get any free guest allowance. However, Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card members can bring two fellow Delta travelers into the lounge for $50 per person.

What about other airport lounges? In addition to Centurion Lounges, Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card members can access Escape lounges when flying on Delta and get a limited number of passes to Delta Sky Clubs (unlimited if you spend $75,000 in a year).

The card's benefits also provide perks on Delta flights — including a first checked bag free, priority boarding and complimentary upgrades.

Small-business owners can earn the following welcome offer: Earn 110,000 Bonus Miles after spending $12,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 4/2/25. Terms Apply.

» Learn more: Which Delta credit card should you get?

American Express operates more than two dozen Centurion Lounges worldwide. Find them in the following airports:

The Centurion Lounges by American Express are some of the nicest airport lounges currently available. Centurion Lounge benefits include chef-prepared hot meals from a buffet, complimentary cocktails, liquors and wine, and a variety of seating areas to either relax or get some work done before your flight.

Some lounges have a spa where you can enjoy a complimentary treatment. And almost all of them have unique, local flair. Just look to the wine wall with seasonal wines from across California at the San Francisco Centurion Lounge, or the tea cart in the London Centurion Lounge, as proof.

However, access to these airport lounges doesn't come cheap. Particularly if your home airport doesn't have a lounge, you might not find the card's benefits worth it.

Of all the cards, frequent travelers may still find The Platinum Card® from American Express worthwhile given its broad lounge access and general travel perks beyond airports. Delta loyalists might opt for the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, though lounge access is limited to Delta flights.

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express or Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card might be a better fit for business owners who can take advantage of the card's additional credis and rewards.

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