Changes to Centurion Lounge access for Amex Platinum cardholders
American Express has announced changes to The Centurion Lounge access rules for UK cardholders.
Additional restrictions have been in place for US cardholders for some time in an attempt to control numbers. The UK is now tightening up too.
The changes will kick in from 8th July.
What is changing with Centurion Lounge access?
There are three elements to the changes.
These impact lounges in the US, London, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Melbourne and Sydney for holders of UK-issued Platinum and Business Platinum cards. Confusingly, cardholders from other countries may have different access rules to the same lounge.
Number of guests
At present, a UK Platinum or Business Platinum cardholder can bring two guests with them into a Centurion Lounge. This will reduce to one guest.
A family of four will still be covered if the second adult is the supplementary Platinum cardholder. A family of five or more will no longer be able to access the lounge.
All guests must fly together
At present, you can bring anyone you wish into The Centurion Lounge.
Going forward, your guests must be travelling on the same flight as you.
Access during stopovers
If you accessing the lounge during a stopover, you will not be allowed to access the lounge more than five hours before your flight. There is currently no time limit.
For all other flights, the rule remains unchanged – you can access the lounge from three hours before departure.
Our most recent review of The Centurion Lounge at Heathrow Terminal 3 is here. Whilst I have seen reader reports about crowds, I have only ever been there on the dot of 5.30am when it opens and it is beautifully quiet with the huge breakfast buffet untouched!
You voted The Centurion Lounge at Heathrow as winner of the ‘Best UK Independent Airport Lounge’ at the last two Head for Points Travel & Loyalty Awards. If you visit, you may see the 2025 trophy – being presented, above, by Sky News’ Jonathan Samuels to Nikki Edelman from Amex – sitting on the reception desk!