How to access American Express Centurion Lounges, which feature curated menus, craft cocktails and other luxe perks

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American Express, as well as other card issuers such as Capital One and Chase, are upping the ante when it comes to enhancing your airport experience and providing exclusive lounge access — and all the benefits that come with it — to cardholders.

Centurion® Lounges are known the world over for their luxe amenities, with complimentary perks such as high-speed Wi-Fi, access to The Centurion® Lounge Digital Library, a Member Services team to assist you with all your travel needs, shower suites (temporarily closed due to the pandemic), spa services, semi-private work stations, relaxation rooms and a robust menu of gourmet seasonal food and craft cocktails curated by popular local chefs.

There's just one thing: You'll only be able to enter if you have certain American Express cards — in particular, The Platinum Card® from American Express, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, the Centurion® Card from American Express, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card and the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business Card — or you're visiting as a guest of a current cardmember. 

Below, CNBC Select details what it takes to access American Express Centurion® Lounges — or any of Amex's worldwide partner lounges — and which rewards credit cards to consider adding if you want to visit one on your next trip.

With three more Centurion Lounges coming to Atlanta (ATL), Newark (EWR) and Washington, D.C. (DCA), there will soon be a total of 16 U.S. locations.

These three new locations are expected to open in 2023:

• Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, near Terminal B, post-security; Opening.
• Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, in Concourse E between the domestic and international terminals.
• Newark Liberty International Airport, on the third floor of the new Terminal A building.

Here's where to find current Centurion Lounges within the U.S.:

• Charlotte Douglas International Airport, Between Concourses D and E; Open daily from 5:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
• Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, Terminal D across from Gate D12; Open daily from 5:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
• Denver International Airport, Concourse C (post-security), near gate C46; Open daily from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Houston - George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Terminal D, take the elevator from the Duty-Free Shop near Gate D6; Open daily from 6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
• Las Vegas - Harry Reid International Airport, Concourse D, across from Gate D1; Open daily from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.
• Los Angeles International Airport, Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT), on the left after security; Open daily from 6 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
• Miami International Airport, Concourse D, on the fourth floor near Gate D12; Open daily from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• New York City - LaGuardia Airport, Terminal B (post-security) on the fourth floor just before the pedestrian bridge; Open 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday to Friday, and 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday.
• New York City - John F. Kennedy International Airport, Terminal 4, just past security, to the left of the escalators; Open daily from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Philadelphia International Airport, Terminal A West near Gate A14; Open daily from 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Terminal 4 across from Gate B22; Open daily from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• San Francisco International Airport, Terminal 3 next to Gates F1 and F2; Open daily from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, On the mezzanine level in the Central Terminal; Open daily from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Additional Centurion Lounges can be found internationally in Hong Kong (HKG), London (LHR), Stockholm (ARN), Mumbai (BOM), Delhi (DEL), Buenos Aires (EZE), São Paulo (GRU), Melbourne (MEL), Mexico City (MEX), Monterrey (MTY) and Sydney (SYD).

American Express is also in the process of revitalizing some of its current Escape Lounges into a new concept it's calling "Escape Lounges — The Centurion Studio Partner," which will serve as mini-Centurion Lounges. New Centurion Studio Partner locations are open at Fort Lauderdale (FLL) and Columbus (CMH), to complement the 13 rebranded existing Escape Lounges.

Whichever lounge you choose, you can expect to find a range of complimentary perks including seasonal food and beverage options curated by popular local chefs, signature craft cocktails, high-speed Wi-Fi, semi-private workspaces, access to The Centurion Lounge Digital Library, access to a Member Services travel concierge team, luxury amenities such as spa services and shower suites and little touches like family rooms and customized relaxation spaces.

To enter any Centurion Lounge, you'll need to have a same-day boarding pass. You can only access these lounges before you fly or during a layover if you have a connecting flight. You can't enter a Centurion lounge after you land. You must also be able to produce a valid government-issued photo I.D. and the eligible card that's associated with your membership (unless you are a guest of a current cardholder).

Children ages two and under get in free with a qualifying parent who can show a "lap infant" boarding pass or proof of their child's age.

You'll only be allowed to enter the lounge within three hours of your flight's departure and cannot reserve a spot ahead of time — entry will be based on capacity and access to some amenities based on availability. You also won't be allowed in if you have a standby ticket, unless you can show you have a boarding pass showing a confirmed seat or assigned zone.

Complimentary or discounted access

Travelers with The Platinum Card® from American Express, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express or the Centurion® Card from American Express receive complimentary access to any outpost within the Centurion Lounge network.

Those with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card or the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business Card are permitted to enter U.S. Escape Lounges - The Centurion Studio Partner and Centurion Lounges within the U.S., in London (LHR) and in Hong Kong (HKG) — and only if they're traveling on a same-day flight that's operated or marketed by Delta Air Lines.

Amex Platinum cardholders have access to more than 1,400 lounges

Amex Platinum and Business Platinum cardholders can also score complimentary access to The Global Lounge Collection®, which includes Centurion Lounges, Escape Lounges – The Centurion Studio Partner, Delta Sky Club® lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges, Priority Pass™ lounges, Airspace Lounges and Lufthansa Lounges, giving you access to more than 1,400 airport lounges in over 650 cities worldwide.

Note, however, that the rules vary by lounge when it comes to how many guests you're allowed to take with you and whether or not their entry is also complimentary. Additionally, to access Delta Sky Clubs, you'll have to be traveling on a same-day flight that is being operated or marketed by Delta Air Lines.

Paid access

Due to the exclusivity of these lounges, you won't be able to enter unless you are a qualifying cardholder (see above) or a guest of one (see below).

Centurion cardholders can bring their immediate family (spouse, partner and children under 18) or up to two guests free of charge. However, Amex Platinum and Business Platinum cardholders will have to pay $50 per guest ($30 per child ages 2–17), although you can qualify for two complimentary guest passes per visit after you spend at least $75,000 on your card within a calendar year. Once earned, that complimentary guest access will be valid through January of the second calendar year (if you earned it by May 1, 2023, it would be active through January 31, 2025).

Those with a Delta SkyMiles Reserve card can bring up to two guests per visit by paying a fee of $50 per person per visit ($30 per child between 2 and 17 years old; children under 2 are free) as long as you're all traveling on a same-day flight that is being operated or marketed by Delta Air Lines. Delta SkyMiles Reserve card members may bring guests to Escape Lounge – The Centurion Studio Partner locations but will pay the per-visit fee that the specific lounge charges.

Here's a look at the various American Express cards that will gain you access to the Centurion Lounge network, as well as their current welcome bonuses:

• The Platinum Card® from American Express: Earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $8,000 within the first six months of account opening.
• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express: Earn 120,000 bonus points after spending $15,000 within the first three months of account opening.
• Centurion® Card from American Express: This "Black Card" is available via invitation only, though you may be able to request a membership consideration.
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: Earn 60,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business Card: Earn 70,000 Bonus Miles after spending $5,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months of Card Membership.

Centurion Lounges are known for their luxury amenities and exclusive access, which you can score by signing up for certain eligible cards. With more locations popping up in cities all over the U.S. and around the world, now might be a good time to take advantage of a lucrative welcome bonus so you can make your next airport experience a relaxing and memorable one.

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For rates and fees of the Platinum Card® from American Express, click here.

For rates and fees of the Business Platinum Card® from American Express, click here.

For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, click here.

For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business Card, click here.