Guide to lounge access with the Amex Platinum and Business Platinum

Editor's note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information.

Many of the best travel cards confer valuable benefits. For example, some cards provide hotel elite status while others offer travel statement credits. Both The Platinum Card® from American Express and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express come with some of the most comprehensive sets of benefits of any premium travel rewards card.

Chief among these benefits is access to Amex’s Centurion Lounges. What many travelers don’t realize, however, is that Centurion Lounges are just one type of lounge you can visit as an Amex Platinum cardholder. Carrying one of these cards also provides access to the broader American Express Global Lounge Collection. For frequent travelers, this is a benefit so valuable that it has won "Best credit card perk" in the TPG Awards.

Today, we’ll go through all the types of airport lounges you can access when you have the Amex Platinum Card or Amex Business Platinum Card, and what makes them so special.

With the free TPG app, you can track your progress toward your next trip, and get spending recommendations to help you reach your travel goals.

What lounges can I access with the Amex Platinum Card?

With the Amex Platinum Card or Amex Business Platinum Card, you have access to the following types of lounges:

• American Express Centurion lounges.
• Delta Sky Club lounges.
• Priority Pass Select lounges.
• Escape Lounges — The Centurion Studio Partner.
• Airspace lounges.
• Plaza Premium lounges.
• Lufthansa lounges.
• Other Global Lounge Collection partner lounges.

You can find participating airport lounges during your travels by using the Global Lounge Collection website. American Express states that you’ll have access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries, 500 airports and 650 cities.

As a Platinum cardholder — including authorized users issued a Platinum Card but not authorized users issued an American Express® Gold Card — you’ll get access to most of the eligible lounge networks by showing your card and a valid boarding pass. But each lounge network has different access requirements and guest policies, so let’s take a look at each.

Related: The best credit cards for airport lounge access

American Express Centurion Lounges

Centurion Lounges are the most talked-about and exclusive lounges available to Platinum cardholders. They offer a wide variety of drinks, high-quality dining, high-speed Wi-Fi and various seating areas for relaxation and work. Some Centurion Lounges provide additional complimentary amenities that truly set them apart, such as well-stocked family rooms and spa services.

Centurion Lounge locations

• Buenos Aires, Argentina (EZE).
• Charlotte (CLT).
• Dallas (DFW).
• Denver (DEN).
• Hong Kong (HKG).
• Houston (IAH).
• Las Vegas (LAS).
• London Heathrow (LHR).
• Los Angeles (LAX).
• Melbourne, Australia (MEL).
• Mexico City (MEX).
• Miami (MIA).
• Monterrey, Mexico (MTY).
• Mumbai, India (BOM).
• New Delhi (DEL).
• New York (JFK).
• New York (LGA).
• Philadelphia (PHL).
• Phoenix (PHX).
• San Francisco (SFO).
• Sao Paulo (GRU).
• Seattle (SEA).
• Stockholm (ARN).
• Sydney (SYD).

Additionally, Amex still plans to open several more Centurion Lounges. We expect to see a new lounge open at Washington’s Reagan National (DCA) in 2023. And Amex has announced plans for Centurion Lounges at Atlanta (ATL) and Newark (EWR), although we don’t have a timeline for these lounges.

Related: The Amex Platinum Card keeps getting harder to ignore: Here’s why

Access policy for Centurion Lounges

Platinum cardmembers may only access the Centurion Lounge within three hours of a scheduled departure with a same-day, confirmed boarding pass. Access upon arrival isn’t allowed unless you have a layover or connecting flight, in which case the three-hour rule doesn’t apply. If you have the invite-only Centurion Card from American Express, you aren’t held to these rules.

Some Centurion lounges may allow access via the Amex app instead of showing your card. But you’ll still want to have your Platinum Card on hand for the locations that don’t accept entry via the app. Plus, I find it easier to hand over my physical card along with my boarding pass and ID.

However, note that access policies may vary from country to country in international locations.

The information for the Centurion Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Related: One TPG staffer’s experience using Amex’s Centurion Lounge app check-in

Guest policy for Centurion Lounges

Currently, Platinum cardmembers may enter with up to two guests at no additional charge. And Centurion cardmembers may enter with up to two guests or immediate family (spouse or domestic partner and children under 18) at no additional charge. Platinum and Centurion cardmembers may purchase day passes for extra guests at the time of entry for $50 per guest.

Effective Feb. 1, U.S. Platinum cardmembers must pay $50 per guest aged 18 or older (or $30 per guest aged 2 through 17 with proof of age). However, U.S. Platinum cardmembers can qualify for complimentary guest access for up to two guests per visit after spending $75,000 in eligible purchases on their card each calendar year thereafter.

Related: How to track your points and perks on American Express cards

Even after the new guest policies begin, children under 2 will still be allowed into the lounge free of charge when accompanied by a parent or guardian who can show either proof of age for the child or a lap-infant boarding pass.

However, note that guest policies may vary from country to country in international locations.

Related: Solo travelers rejoice: Why I’m in favor of new Amex Centurion Lounge guest rules

Access to other lounge networks

Centurion Lounges are wonderful to visit. But many airports don’t have a Centurion Lounge. So most of the lounges you can visit with an Amex Platinum or Amex Business Platinum card are in other lounge networks.

As with Centurion Lounges, some lounges in these networks may be temporarily closed or offer reduced services. Luckily, the lounge search function on Amex’s website notes which lounges are closed as well as current operating hours for lounges that are open.

Delta Sky Club lounges

Amex Platinum cardholders get access to Delta-operated Sky Club lounges. To find eligible lounges, search on Delta’s website and select “Platinum Card® Members From American Express” as your membership type.

You can access Delta Sky Clubs when you’re flying on a Delta-operated flight — or a Delta-marketed, WestJet-operated flight (your ticket will start with 006) — by showing your Platinum Card and same-day boarding pass.

Platinum cardmembers don’t get any complimentary guests but may purchase guest access for up to two traveling companions.

Related: The best Delta Sky Club lounges in the US

Priority Pass Select lounges

Platinum Card members are entitled to complimentary membership in Priority Pass Select. This membership provides access to more than 1,400 lounges worldwide but doesn’t include Priority Pass restaurant lounges. The quality of each Priority Pass lounge varies, but there are some excellent Priority Pass lounges. Here are some of our favorite Priority Pass lounges in the U.S.

To gain access, you’ll need to enroll in Priority Pass Select on Amex’s website or by calling Platinum Travel Services. I recommend registering as soon as you get your Platinum Card. Then, once your Priority Pass card arrives in the mail, simply hand it and your same-day boarding pass to the front desk attendant at Priority Pass lounges to gain access. Note that some Priority Pass lounges have limited hours for Priority Pass guests. And lounges can turn you away if they’re at capacity.

You can bring up to two guests with you on each visit, as long as the individual lounge accepts guests. If you have additional guests, the lounge will charge you $32 per guest.

Related: The best credit cards for Priority Pass lounge access

Escape Lounges – The Centurion Studio Partner

Amex partnered with Escape Lounges to rebrand them as “Escape Lounge – The Centurion Studio Partner.” While this move should include some stylish sprucing up of the spaces, the amenities are not expected to change much.

There will be a wider selection of complimentary cocktails, spirits, wine and premium snacks (in addition to the full menu and bar available). Day passes will continue to be sold to those ineligible for entry based on their Amex card.

The following U.S. airports have Escape Lounges:

• Hartford County, Connecticut (BDL).
• Cincinnati (CVG).
• Columbus (CMH).
• Fort Lauderdale (FLL).
• Greenville-Spartanburg, South Carolina (GSP).
• Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP).
• Oakland, California (OAK).
• Palm Beach, Florida (PBI).
• Phoenix (PHX) Terminals 3 and 4.
• Providence (PVD).
• Reno (RNO).
• Sacramento (SMF) terminals A and B.

You can access U.S. Escape Lounges by showing your Platinum Card, government-issued identification and a confirmed same-day boarding pass. You may bring two guests — or immediate family members (spouse or domestic partner and all children under the age of 18) — with you for no additional cost, but any other guests will need to purchase a day pass.

Related: The Amex Platinum’s new hotel credit makes the card a better deal than it’s been in 4 years

Airspace lounges

Currently, there aren't any Airspace lounges open. Previous locations at San Diego (SAN) and New York-Kennedy (JFK) closed. Keep your eyes on airspacelounge.com/locations for future openings. When you visit these lounges with your Platinum Card, you gain access to all of the benefits that would come with purchasing a lounge pass.

You can access the Airspace lounge by showing your Platinum Card, a government-issued ID and a confirmed same-day boarding pass. You may bring up to two guests at no additional cost, but any other guests will need to pay the standard entry fee (which starts at $35.99 per person).

Related: What one TPG writer loved about visiting the San Diego airport

Plaza Premium lounges

Some, but not all, Plaza Premium lounges participate in Priority Pass. However, you can access over 70 Plaza Premium lounge locations worldwide with your Platinum Card.

You’ll need to show your Platinum Card, government-issued identification and a confirmed same-day boarding pass to enter. You may enter with one guest for no additional cost. Other guests will need to purchase a day pass; the cost of a day pass varies by location.

Related: Here’s why one TPG staffer skips the airport lounge and heads straight to the gate

Lufthansa lounges

In a partnership that began in 2017 and was extended multiple times before finally becoming permanent in 2021, Platinum cardmembers can use select Lufthansa lounges when flying Lufthansa Group airlines (Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian Airlines and Brussels Airlines). You may visit select Lufthansa Business Lounges regardless of your ticket class, but you can also visit participating Lufthansa Senator Lounges when flying business class on these airlines.

However, not all Lufthansa lounges participate, so check Amex’s lounge finder page. At participating locations, you’ll need to show your Platinum Card, a government-issued photo ID and a boarding pass for a same-day Lufthansa Group flight. No guests are included, but some locations may allow guests for a fee.

Related: Amex Platinum makes Lufthansa lounge access benefit permanent

Additional Global Lounge Collection partner lounges

Additionally, Platinum cardholders get access to other Global Lounge Collection partner lounges as indicated by the lounge search function on Amex’s website or using the Amex mobile app. To gain access to participating lounges, you’ll need to show your Platinum Card, a government-issued ID and a boarding pass showing a confirmed reservation for same-day travel on any carrier. However, guest access and guest fees will vary.

Related: The 7 dos and don’ts in an airport lounge

Frequently asked questions

Can I access Delta Sky Club lounges with the Amex Platinum?

When flying on a Delta-operated flight (or a Delta-marketed, WestJet-operated flight), you can access Delta Sky Club lounges by showing your Platinum Card and same-day boarding pass.

Related: You can redeem Delta SkyMiles for top-shelf Champagne — is it worth it?

Does the Amex Platinum get you into United Clubs?

The Amex Platinum doesn’t provide access to United Clubs.

Related: How the United Club is becoming the office I no longer have

Is Priority Pass free with the Amex Platinum?

Cardholders of the Platinum Card from American Express and Business Platinum Card from American Express get complimentary Priority Pass Select membership as a cardmember benefit. However, enrollment is required in advance.

Related: Priority Pass continues to single-handedly offset my credit card annual fee with this overlooked benefit

How do I get an Amex Platinum Priority Pass membership?

After being approved for an Amex Platinum Card, you’ll need to enroll in Priority Pass Select. You can apply on Amex’s website or by calling the number on the back of your card. After registering, you’ll get a Priority Pass card in the mail.

Related: Why you should add authorized users on your Amex Platinum

Bottom line

The Platinum Card from American Express and The Business Platinum Card from American Express provide access to more lounges than any other cards. It's why the Amex Platinum and Amex Business Platinum routinely sit at the top of The Points Guy’s list of best cards for airport lounge access.

But it’s not all about quantity. The quality of the lounges accessible with the Amex Platinum Card and Amex Business Platinum Card is excellent also. For example, I love the locally-influenced dishes served at Centurion Lounges and the relaxing spaces at Escape Lounges. Plus, as Amex adds more Centurion Lounges to its network and other partner lounge networks continue to expand, lounge access with the Platinum Card and Business Platinum Card should only continue to improve.

Plus, Amex continues to reimagine the idea of lounges. As it opens a swanky club in the middle of New York City, the benefits of the Platinum and Business Platinum cards may continue to improve.

Want complimentary access to all these lounges? Here are the official application links for The Platinum Card from American Express and The Business Platinum Card from American Express.

Additional reporting by Ryan Smith.