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Christine ran her own business developing and managing insurance and financial services. This stoked a passion for points and miles and she now has over 2 dozen credit cards and creates in-depth, deta...
A long-time points and miles student, Jessica is the former Personal Finance Managing Editor at U.S. News and World Report and is passionate about helping consumers fund their travels for as little ca...
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The Platinum Card® from American Express and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, loaded with luxury travel benefits and generous statement credits, are revered by many as perfect premium credit cards for the frequent traveler.
And while there are plenty of reasons to be a cardholder, there’s one outstanding benefit that warrants carrying the card in your wallet: the complimentary lounge membership opens the gates of airport lounge access to an unprecedented span of over 1,400 different lounge locations worldwide.
If you travel frequently, you already know the benefits of airport lounge membership. These quasi-sanctuaries have become places to anticipate a journey with friends, hold a meeting with co-workers, grab needed refreshments between flights, or serve as a convenient retreat during trip disruptions.
However, the normal cost of all this comfort and convenience doesn’t come cheap. It’s not unusual to spend $600 annually for a stand-alone airport lounge membership. If you’re a frequent traveler and lounge access is important to you, you will find extreme economic value in a travel rewards credit card that comes with complimentary lounge access.
And while the overall benefits of the Amex Platinum card and Amex Business Platinum card are many, the lounge benefits that come with the card are second to none. If you’re in the market for an Amex personal card or Amex business card, this article will cover which lounges you can access, the value of complimentary lounge access for every traveler, and an overview of network lounges and what to expect.
You don’t have to fly a specific airline or purchase a premium class of service to have worldwide lounge access. Your Amex Platinum card and Amex Business Platinum card come with complimentary lounge access to over 1,400 different lounge properties across 140 countries worldwide, including the vast network of Priority Pass lounges.
You’ll have access to any of the lounge networks within the American Express Global Lounge Collection:
We’ll discuss the details of these lounge networks later in this article. First, let’s look at the potential value of the Amex Platinum card and the Amex Business Platinum card’s complimentary lounge access benefit.
Hot Tip: With over 1,400 lounges worldwide, the Amex Platinum card and Amex Business Platinum card offer the most comprehensive lounge access benefit of any travel credit card.
The Value of Complimentary Lounge Access
Purchasing individual lounge membership can be expensive. Image Credit: Priority Pass
The cost of purchasing an airport lounge membership is constantly increasing. It’s not unusual to see $600 annual membership fees for access to a single lounge network.
To understand the value of the complimentary lounge membership that comes with the Amex Platinum card and Amex Business Platinum card, let’s look at what membership would cost for a typical airport lounge network.
Lounge Network
Single 1-Year Membership Cost
Cost To Add a Spouse, Partner, or Guest to Membership
$700 to $850 or 70,000 to 85,000 miles, depending on elite status
$800 additional for household membership, depending on elite status
$79 or 7,900 AAdvantage miles
Aspire Lounges
N/A
N/A
$40 to $45 per visit
Centurion Lounge
N/A
N/A
$50 per adult or $30 per child between 2 to 17 years old; complimentary guest access will be reinstated once you’ve spent $75,000 in eligible purchases in a calendar year
Delta Sky Club
$695 or 69,500 miles
$1,495 or 149,500 miles for Executive Membership, which includes access for the member and up to 2 guests (or your spouse or domestic partner and children under 21) per visit
N/A
Escape Lounges – The Centurion Studio Partner
N/A
N/A
$40 to $45 per visit
Lufthansa Lounges
N/A
N/A
$39 to $62 per visit per person, depending on location and currency
Plaza Premium
$379 (10 visits)
N/A
Can bring 2 guests for free, 30% discount on the fee for each additional guest
$550 or 75,000 miles for Premier 1K members,$600 or 80,000 miles for Premier Platinum members, $650 or 85,000 miles for Premier Silver, Gold, and General Members
$650 (or 85,000 United miles) additional for spouse or partner
$59
Yes, annual lounge membership can be expensive. However, with a yearly fee, is the complimentary lounge access that comes with the Amex Platinum card and Amex Business Platinum card worth it?
Let’s do the math.
Value for Family Lounge Access
As of February 1, 2023, complimentary guest access for Amex Platinum card and Amex Business Platinum cardholders is based upon calendar spending for Centurion Lounge access. The fee per guest will be $50 per adult or $30 per child between 2 to 17 years old. Complimentary guest access will be reinstated once you’ve spent $75,000 in eligible purchases in a calendar year.
If you frequently travel with a large family, it can be frustrating when lounge access is denied to more than 2 guests. Sure, you and your partner could each be primary cardholders with your own individual cards, but fortunately, that’s not necessary. For $195, you can add an authorized user to your Amex Platinum card (rates and fees). Each authorized user receives the same lounge benefits as the primary cardholder.
Remember that authorized users don’t have to be traveling with you to have lounge access. Plus, they can each bring 2 guests to most lounges.
Value for the Delta Air Lines Traveler
Without the Amex Platinum card or Amex Business Platinum card, a frequent Delta traveler would still need SkyMiles elite status to purchase a Sky Club membership to have lounge access.
A Delta Sky Club membership that allows 2 guests would cost $1,495 annually. A single membership is $695.
For just the annual fee, the Amex Platinum card or Amex Business Platinum card could secure access for an entire family to over 1,400 lounges worldwide, not just Delta-affiliated lounges.
Bottom Line: The Amex Platinum card and Amex Business Platinum card, with annual fees at the same cost as a single Sky Club membership, deliver far more value for the Delta traveler. Plus, you’ll receive all the cards’ additional benefits, including the initial welcome bonus offer, statement credits, hotel/rental car elite status, and access to more than Delta-affiliated lounges.
Value for the Business Traveler
If you travel for business, chances are you greatly value lounge access. The expense can add up quickly if you pay for an annual lounge membership or purchase day passes.
The Amex Business Platinum card can give you unlimited access to over 1,400 lounges worldwide for less than the cost of purchasing just 2-day passes per month or a single annual lounge membership.
Bottom Line: The business traveler who purchases just 2 lounge day passes per month would receive far greater economic value, more benefits, and spend less by having the Amex Business Platinum card.
Value for the Leisure Traveler
If you currently pay for lounge access, having the Amex Platinum card for complimentary lounge access as a leisure traveler makes sense. It also makes sense if you’d like to add the luxury of having airport lounge access to your travels.
If you travel just once a quarter and pay for 2 travelers to access a lounge, you could be spending $400 a year on lounge access. Having the Amex Platinum card will add unlimited worldwide lounge access to your travels for yourself, plus 2 guests at most lounges. You can visit for 15 minutes or 3 hours without considering whether it’s worth the $50 per day pass fee for each person.
The Global Lounge Benefit Details
Having complimentary access to various airport lounges during your travels may sound very appealing. However, it’s always good to dig deeper and learn more about the actual benefits you’ll be receiving.
For a credit card benefit to have value for you, you’ll need to be able to utilize that benefit.
Let’s take a look at the impressive collection of lounges and lounge alternatives in the American Express Global Lounge Collection that you’ll have complimentary access to with your Amex Platinum card and Amex Business Platinum card.
Membership to this elite network of luxury airport lounges is not for sale. You’ll need to have either the Amex Platinum card, Amex Business Platinum card, or the Centurion® Card from American Express to gain access. In addition, you can access Centurion Lounges only within 3 hours of a departing flight or between connecting flights.
Centurion Lounges, both in the U.S. and abroad, are the most incredible places to hang out if you’re a frequent traveler. Order from the menu, take a nap in the zen room, or relax with a premium cocktail during your visit.
You may even choose to get a manicure or massage if your schedule allows. Services and amenities vary by location, but it’s always an elevated experience.
Centurion Lounge Benefits
High-speed internet
Membership and itinerary assistance
Premium alcoholic beverages
Seasonally-inspired food
TV, magazines, newspapers
Workspaces, computer charging stations, copiers, and fax machine
Additional Amenities Available at Some Centurion Lounges
Conference room
Family room
Luggage lockers
Shower suites
Spa services
Wine tasting
As of February 1, 2023, cardmembers with the Amex Platinum card and Amex Business Platinum card can no longer bring complimentary guests into the Centurion Lounge. The guest fee is $50 per adult and $30 per child (2 to 17 years old).
However, cardholder accounts that spend $75,000 in eligible purchases in a calendar year will have the perk of complimentary access for 2 guests reinstated. Note that this spend requirement is across all cardholders (main Amex Platinum or Amex Business Platinum cardholder and associated authorized users).
Priority Pass lounges seem to be available everywhere, and there’s a reason. There are more than 1,300 locations worldwide, so you’ll likely find one available during your travels.
You may also use your Priority Pass Select membership to take a nap at Minute Suites. You’ll receive the first hour free.
You must register for Priority Pass once you receive your Amex Platinum card or Amex Business Platinum card welcome package in the mail. Log in to your online account, sign up under the Benefits tab, or call the number on the back of your card.
We’ve put together an extensive guide to Priority Pass with a list of benefits, plus lounge, restaurant, and Minute Suite locations in the U.S. Note that Priority Pass memberships from U.S.-issued American Express cards, including the Amex Platinum card and Amex Business Platinum card, no longer include Priority Pass restaurant access (“non-lounge airport experiences”).
Delta Sky Club
Delta Sky Club Austin. Image Credit: Delta
Cardholders traveling the same day on Delta have unlimited access to over 50 Delta Sky Clubs.
Just show your boarding pass, ID, and Amex Platinum card or Amex Business Platinum card for entry.
While guests are not included in complimentary access, the cardholder may purchase discounted access for up to 2 guests for a fee.
Lufthansa Lounges
Lufthansa Senator Lounge B Frankfurt. Image Credit: Daniel Ross
Cardholders receive complimentary access to Lufthansa business class lounges when flying same-day on a Lufthansa Group flight (Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines). If the cardholder is flying business class, they’ll also have access to the Lufthansa Senator Lounges. Centurion cardmembers have access to Lufthansa First Class, Senator, and Business lounges regardless of ticket class.
Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse JFK. Image Credit: Greg Stone
Cardholders are eligible to visit Virgin Clubhouses in Boston (BOS), New York (JFK), San Francisco (SFO), Washington, D.C. (IAD), and Johannesburg (JNB) in South Africa.
Plaza Premium Lounge
Plaza Premium First Lounge Hong Kong – Primo Buffet. Image Credit: Greg Stone
Based in Hong Kong, Plaza Premium Lounge has a vast network of airport lounges available to the Amex Platinum card or Amex Business Platinum cardholder.
You’ll find 120+ lounges worldwide in the Plaza Premium Lounge network.
With 10+ locations throughout the U.S., Escape Lounges – The Centurion Studio Partner offers a place to enjoy a premium beverage, have a bite to eat, catch up on work, or relax between flights.
Cardholders may bring 2 additional guests at no charge.
Aspire Lounges
Image Credit: Aspire Lounge
The Aspire Lounges (formerly Airspace Lounge) in the U.S. are located at the San Diego (SAN) and Ontario (ONT) airports and offer complimentary access for cardholders. You’ll also find Aspire Lounges at a handful of airports worldwide. Enjoy complimentary refreshments, a business area, Wi-Fi, a conference room (SAN), and showers (SAN), and 2 guests are permitted at no additional charge.
For less than the price of just a couple of day passes per month, you can enjoy unlimited worldwide lounge access with the card. You’ll also enjoy the long list of other premium travel benefits that come with the card. Check out a fantastic welcome offer and apply for Amex Platinum benefits here.
If you’ve been without lounge membership and have considered adding lounge access to your travels, you won’t find a more cost-effective route to unlimited worldwide lounge access for you and your guests
.
The information regarding the Centurion® Card from American Express was independently collected by Upgraded Points and was not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
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.
If you’re paying for lounge access currently and you’re a frequent traveler, the value of complimentary lounge access alone more than offsets the annual fee.
If you can use the additional benefits of airline fee credits, Uber credits, Global Entry fee credits, hotel/car rental elite status, and other card benefits, you’ll receive value far beyond the cost of having the card.
If you’re not a frequent traveler or cannot fully utilize the benefits offered by the card, it would not be worth it.
There are more than 40 Centurion Lounges worldwide. View our guides to the U.S. and international locations.
To access any lounge in the network, except a Priority Pass lounge, you’ll need to show your Amex Platinum card or Amex Business Platinum card, a same-day boarding pass on any airline, and a government-issued ID that matches the name on your card.
To access a Priority Pass lounge, you’ll need to present your Priority Pass Select membership card, a same-day boarding pass on any airline, and a government-issued ID.
Service animals are welcome in Centurion Lounges.
There are special terms and conditions that must be followed to ensure the safety and comfort of other guests, but service animals are allowed in the lounges.
Since Priority Pass has over 1,300 locations worldwide, it’s not possible to list them all here.
Our guide lists all the domestic Priority Pass locations and contains a link to a worldwide Priority Pass directory.
Amex Platinum card and Amex Business Platinum cardmembers may enter with up to 2 complimentary guests if they have spent $75,000 in eligible purchases in a calendar year. Otherwise, a guest day pass can be purchased for $50 per adult or $30 per child between the ages of 2 and 17.
Christine ran her own business developing and managing insurance and financial services. This stoked a passion for points and miles and she now has over 2 dozen credit cards and creates in-depth, detailed content for UP.
This bonus value is an estimated valuation calculated by UP after analyzing redemption options, transfer partners, award availability and how much UP would pay to buy these points.
