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If you’ve ever walked past an American Express Centurion Lounge at the airport and wondered what’s inside, and how can I get there? I can tell you: it’s worth experiencing.
After all, it was the first type of lounge I ever visited.
These are some of my favorite airport lounges. Centurion Lounges offer incredible food and dining options, premium drinks, and even shower suites at select locations, along with the comfort that transforms travel.
Access is exclusive, and you need the right American Express card to get in.
Let me walk you through exactly how Centurion Lounge access works in 2026, which cards get you in, and what you need to know about the latest policy changes.
Cards That Offer Centurion Lounge Access
Only select American Express cards grant access to Centurion Lounges. Here are the four cards:
American Express Platinum Card®
The Platinum Card® from American Express is the flagship card for unlimited Centurion Lounge access at over 30 locations worldwide.
You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $12,000 in eligible purchases in your first 6 months of card membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
The card comes with an $895 annual fee (see rates and fees). Beyond Centurion Lounges, you get access to over 1,550 airport lounges worldwide through the Global Lounge Collection, including Priority Pass Select membership.
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express offers identical unlimited Centurion Lounge access as the personal Platinum Card.
You can earn 200,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases in your first 3 months of card membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
The Business Platinum carries an $895 annual fee (see rates and fees) and includes business-specific benefits like up to $1,150 in Dell credits, $150 on U.S. purchases directly with Dell Technologies, and an additional $1,000 statement credit after you spend $5,000 or more on those purchases in a calendar year. Plus a $250 Adobe Credit after you spend $600 or more on U.S. purchases directly with Adobe in a calendar year, and a 35% points bonus on flights up to 1 million points back each calendar year.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card offers Centurion Lounge access when flying Delta on a same-day flight booked with the card.
Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 in purchases with your new Card, and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card, both within your first 6 months. Ends 04/01/2026.
This card has a $650 annual fee (see rates and fees) and includes 15 Delta Sky Club visits per year, plus a valuable annual Companion Certificate.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card mirrors the personal Delta Reserve with the same Centurion Lounge access when flying Delta.
Earn 125,000 Bonus Miles after spending $15,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 4/1/26.
This card carries a $650 annual fee (see rates and fees) and provides 15 Delta Sky Club visits annually.
Important: Many AMEX Cards Do NOT Include Lounge Access
This is extremely important to understand. Several popular American Express cards, despite having substantial annual fees, do not provide Centurion Lounge access.
The American Express® Gold Card is an excellent everyday card with a $325 annual fee (see rates and fees) and exceptional earning rates at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets. However, it does not provide access to Centurion Lounges or any airport lounge networks.
Similarly, cards like the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card, Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, and American Express Green Card® do not include lounge access, regardless of their annual fees or benefits.
If lounge access matters to you, you specifically need one of the four cards listed above. Check out my full AMEX Gold review here and AMEX Platinum review here to understand which card makes sense for your lifestyle, as these two are some of my favorites, but extremely different.
Guest Access Policy (Updated for 2026)
American Express has made several changes to guest policies to address overcrowding at Centurion Lounges.
As of 2026, here’s how guest access works:
For Platinum and Business Platinum cardmembers:
- Standard guest access costs $50 per person ($30 for children aged 2-17, no additional cost for children under 2)
- Complimentary access for up to two guests if you spend $75,000 or more in eligible purchases within a calendar year
For Delta Reserve cardmembers:
- Bring up to two guests for $50 per person ($30 for children aged 2-17)
- Guests must be on the same Delta-marketed or operated flight
- Access at U.S. Centurion Lounges plus select international lounges.
A physical American Express Card must be used as payment for all paid guest access.
What You Need to Enter
To access a Centurion Lounge, you must present your eligible American Express card, a same-day boarding pass showing confirmed seat assignment, and government-issued photo ID. Your name on all three must match.
Centurion Lounges are day-of-departure lounges only. Passengers on standby tickets without confirmed seats are not eligible.
Where Are Centurion Lounges Located?
American Express operates over 30 Centurion Lounge locations worldwide, including major U.S. hubs like Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas-Fort Worth, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York JFK, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington Reagan.
International locations include London Heathrow, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Sydney, Melbourne, and Mumbai.
Choosing Between the Cards
Get the Platinum Card if: You fly multiple airlines and want unlimited lounge access plus extensive travel credits.
Get the Business Platinum if: You’re a business owner who wants Platinum benefits plus business-specific perks like Dell and Adobe credits.
Get the Delta Reserve if: You’re loyal to Delta and value Delta Sky Club access plus Centurion Lounges when flying Delta. The $650 annual fee (see rates and fees) is $245 less than Platinum cards.
Skip lounge cards if: You fly fewer than a couple of times per year. The Gold Card offers better everyday earning without lounge access.
Pat’s Final Take
Centurion Lounge access is one of the best credit card benefits available. The lounges are genuinely premium, the food is excellent, and the experience transforms airport travel from stressful to comfortable.
Just remember: many excellent AMEX cards, including the Gold Card do not provide lounge access. If lounges matter to you, you need one of the four cards I’ve outlined above.
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Editorial Disclosure: The opinions are Pat’s alone. This content is not reviewed or endorsed by any entities.
