Editor’s Note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information.
If you like to visit American Express Centurion LoungeThis is your reminder that it will be more expensive to bring guests into the lounge with you from next month.
American Express has update its terms and conditions to declare that it will take control of it Centurion Lounge Customer Policy and most cardholders will no longer be allowed to bring two friends or family members for free.
These changes will affect cardholders with Platinum Card® from American Express and Business Platinum® Card from American Express. To bring guests into the lounge with you, you’ll need to pay a fee per visit or spend heavily on your card to get guest perks starting February 1.
These changes do not apply to Corporate Platinum and Centurion cardholders.
Here’s what you should know about the upcoming change in guest policy at Centurion Lounges.
Related: The Ultimate Guide to American Express Centurion Lounge
Amex’s customer policy from February 2023
Starting February 1, the price of admission for one guest in the lounge will be $50 for adults and $30 for children under 18. However, children under two years old can enter for free when accompanied by an adult.
To qualify for the complimentary guest perks after February 1, you’ll need to spend $75,000 on your Amex Platinum or Amex Business Platinum Card each calendar year. As such, when these changes take place next month, your 2022 spending will be the deciding factor. If you didn’t spend at least $75,000 on your card last year, your ability to get free guests into the Centurion Lounge will run out.
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These spending requirements are reset each calendar year. Free guest access is usually processed within seven days of meeting spending requirements, although it can take up to 12 weeks to take effect. American Express has an expense tracker so cardholders can track their progress towards guest privileges.
For many, this is unfortunate news that comes with removal $695 per year for Platinum card (see prices and fees). However, some deep pockets or Solo travelers can be happy to reduce lounge occupancy. By cutting free guests, Amex seems to be working to reduce overload.
Related: Amex adds live power stats to Centurion Lounges
A handy workaround
For those who can’t or won’t spend $75,000 per year on their Platinum card, one potential solution is to add an authorized user to your Platinum card. According to the terms listed above, authorized users will not have to pay a guest fee of $50 per visit. You can add up to three Platinum authorized user cards to your primary personal Platinum account for a total of $175 per year (see rates and fees). Authorized Users on Business Platinum huge cost of $350 per year (see rates and fees).
Children under 13 years old are not allowed added as authorized userso this is a notable discount for families who will now have to shell out $30 to get their little ones into the lounges, some of which have dedicated family rooms.
Related: Is the Amex Platinum worth the annual fee?
bottom line
From next month, Amex will charge guests $50 for adults and $30 for children ages 2-18 to enter its lounge.
You can avoid this fee by spending $75,000 on your Amex Platinum or Amex Business Platinum Card each calendar year. Another alternative Amex might consider is to extend the Platinum card up to $200 annual airline fee credit (pre-registration required) to cover fees for guests at Centurion Lounges.
The new Centurion Lounge guest policy comes as Amex is working to expanding and renovating the existing network of 15 outposts. New location planned for Washington Country (DCA), Newark Liberty (EWR) and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta (ATL) airports. Expansion is underway in San Francisco (SFO) and Seattle (SEA).
Additional reporting by Joseph Hostetler and Ryan Smith.
For Amex Platinum card rates and fees, click here.
