American Express Centurion Lounge Guest Policy

There was recently a change the the American Express Centurion Lounge guest policy that started on February 1st of 2023. It wasn't a popular change at all, charging $50 for adult and $30 for children guests. This was a change from the old ways where Amex Platinum and Amex Business Platinum cardholders could bring in 2 free guests each visit. Amex made this change in an attempt to fight lounge overcrowding, an issue at pretty much all of their lounge locations. There is only one way to get around the guest ban, by spending $75,000 on your Platinum card within a calendar year.

Update 5/18/24: A reminder that the cardholder still gets free Centurion Lounge access, the $75K spending requirement is only for free guesting. This has been a point of confusion for people in the ToP Facebook Group.

The Amex Centurion Lounge Guest Rules

Here are the full details of the American Express Centurion lounge guest access policy:

• Basic and Additional Platinum Card Members can gain access to the Centurion Lounge
  • Additional Platinum Card members are fully paid ($195 a year) Authorized Users (not the free white cards or reduced Gold cards)
• To receive Complimentary Guest Access, total eligible purchases on the Platinum Account must equal or exceed $75,000 between January 1 and December 31 each calendar year.
  • This is for one card, not a combination across all of your Platinum cards.
  • Authorized user charges will count towards this total, but they will not earn guest privileges once the $75,000 threshold is passed.
• Complimentary Guest Access is effective on the Platinum Account for the year in which it became effective, the following calendar year, and until January 31 of the next calendar year
  • For example, if Complimentary Guest Access becomes effective on May 1, 2023, it will remain effective through January 31, 2025.
• Complimentary Guest Access is limited to two (2) guests per visit per eligible Card Member.
• Platinum Card Members will be charged a fee for each additional guests (or if you have not reached the $75K spending level)
  • $50 fee for each additional adult guest
  • $30 for children aged 2 through 17 with proof of age
• Access to The Centurion Lounge is subject to space availability.

What About The Delta Reserve Card?

Here is the American Express Centurion Lounge guest access policy for Delta Reserve and Delta Reserve Business cardholders.

To access either lounge, the Delta Reserve Basic Card Member must:

• Be flying with Delta on a same-day Delta-marketed or Delta operated flight.
  • The eligible flight must be booked on a U.S. issued American Express charge or credit Card. (Don't think this is always enforced)
• Card Member must present the lounge agent with the following upon each visit:
  • Their valid Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve Card
  • A boarding pass showing a confirmed reservation for eligible Delta Air Lines flight
  • A government-issued I.D.

A Card Member may bring up to two guests when visiting either lounge. Guests must be traveling on a same-day Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight.

• The Centurion^® Lounge: A Card Member may bring up to two guests at a per-visit rate of $50 USD (or $30 USD for children aged 2 through 17) per person, per location.
• Escape Lounge – The Centurion^® Studio Partner: A Card Member may bring up to two guests at a per-visit rate equal to the guest fee of the respective Escape Lounge location.

So pretty similar rules to the Platinum card, besides the fact that you need to be flying on a Delta flight.

American Express Centurion Lounge Guest Policy: ToP Thoughts

Spending $75,000 for American Express Centurion Lounge guest access is a pretty crazy amount. It will not be a worthwhile pursuit for 99.9% of people. Unless you have a ton of business spend I just don't see where the value is. It would be better to add the person as a full fledged authorized user, or have them get their own card and perks (assuming they are old enough). That is a bit tougher for people with kids under the age of 13 though (when you can add them as an authorized user). At that point it is probably better to just pay the $30 for them, or find another lounge option for your needs.