American Express Centurion Lounges Are Reopening!

As airlines continue to reopen lounges across the US, the entire network of American Express’s Centurion Lounges has remained closed without any updates provided Amex.

Finally, today American Express announces a phased reopening of lounges beginning next month. This article will discuss which locations are reopening and what amenities will be available.

Lounges Re-Opening on October 5, 2020

American Express will reopen the following Centurion Lounges first on October 5:

  • Phiadelphia International Airport (PHL)
  • Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)

  • Amex will be weighing multiple factors based on local and state restrictions, COVID-19 case numbers and local hospital capacities in order to determine whether to open additional lounges and when.

    Of course, with low passenger volume, you will not need to worry about pre-pandemic level overcrowding at Centurion lounges any time soon (See Ben at One Mile At A Time’s Post on solutions to Amex lounges overcrowding – turns out, the solution was a pandemic).

    Bars are Open, But not Buffets

    While bars will remain open with full wine list (with the exception of wine tasting at SFO), it is important to note that buffets will be closed (although Seattle’s satellite lounge never had a true hot food buffet to begin with). Food will instead be served in pre-portioned, individually-wrapped plates.

    Want to Take a Shower? Forget About it

    One of the main benefits I loved at the Centurion Lounges was the ability to take a quick shower after a red-eye flight,. Unfortunately for obvious reasons due to the pandemic, the showers will be closed.

    Massage Spas are also Closed

    Also not returning are the traditional massage spas the Centurion Lounges at Dallas, Miami, and Los Angeles airports. Instead, the full-service spa experiences will be replaced by DIY-Theragun massages and self-guided meditations.

    New Lounges Opening in 2020

    And then there are lounges that will be opening in 2020, assuming everything stays on track:

    • Denver International Airport (DEN)
    • London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
    • New York JFK Airport (JFK)
    I would also consider Los Angeles’ Centurion Lounge an opening, when it eventually reopens. It was a brand new lounge that was open for only 9 days before all lounges in the Amex network were shut down in mid-March due to COVID-19.
    Lounge Expansions in 2021

    Finally, the expansion of lounges the following airports are on schedule for 2021 completion:

    • Las Vegas McCarran International Airport (LAS)
    • New York LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
    LaGuardia’s Centurion Lounge is in fact a relocation, as it will be moving to in the newly-opened Terminal B, in the post-security area.

    American Express Centurion Lounge DFW

    Kevin