If you are a frequent traveler who enjoys the luxurious benefits of Amex Centurion Lounges at airports, this potential upcoming change may could affect your eligibility to access the lounges during transits.

While lining up to get in to the Centurion Lounge in Seattle, an agent asked if my flight was within 3 hours of departure, and I said no but I am transiting. She said I am good for now, but come October, Amex may begin imposing the 3 hour before departure limit for transit passengers. I immediately tried to follow up with another agent, and I was informed this policy was being discussed internally, but no decision has been made as of time of writing, and no public announcements are currently planned.

While restriction had been in place since for years now, it only applied to passengers at origin airport, but this potential policy change could mean the lounge is no longer accessible to those who arrive at the airport in the morning hours from one flight and depart on a late afternoon / evening flight next.

Note that this change should not impact Centurion (black) card holders as they enjoy Centurion Lounge access at arrival airport. However, those who gain access based on their platinum cards may have to reconsider their connection times while booking flights.

For the lounge users who do not generally have long layovers, this is potentially good news. Centurion lounges continue to be overcrowded – I waited 20 minutes to get in to the lounge at Seattle on a Thursday afternoon – so this potential change would certainly address some crowding issues.