American Express Opens Its First Continental Europe Centurion Lounge In Amsterdam

American Express is officially expanding its footprint in Europe with a major milestone: the opening of its very first Centurion Lounge in continental Europe. Located at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS), the highly anticipated 6,000-square-foot space officially opens its doors to eligible Card Members on Thursday, September 17, 2026.

A Dutch-Inspired Retreat Between Concourses E and F

Situated in the non-Schengen zone between Concourses E and F, the new lounge operates daily from 6:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Designed to reflect the local environment, the space draws inspiration from Dutch art, landscapes, and Amsterdam's iconic canals, featuring a soothing palette of blues and greens alongside floor-to-ceiling windows that fill the space with natural light.

• Locally Inspired Dining: The lounge features a rotating hot buffet highlighting regional European and traditional Dutch cuisine. Expect to see local favorites on the menu, such as bitterballen (a savory fried meat snack), Amsterdam sliders, and an impressive dessert selection.
• Blue Roast Coffee Bar: Need a preflight pick-me-up? Amsterdam is only the fourth location in the Centurion network to feature a dedicated Blue Roast by American Express café, serving locally sourced, espresso-based coffees in a cozy, living-room-style setting.
• Full-Service Bar: The full-service bar offers wine, Champagne, and signature cocktails. Don't miss the Canal House, a locally influenced cocktail crafted with genever, dry vermouth, olive brine, and an orange peel.

What to Know Before You Go

Since the lounge is located in the non-Schengen departure area, accessing it will be seamless if you are flying to destinations like the U.S. or the U.K. However, if you are traveling to a Schengen member state (like France or Germany), you will need to clear passport control twice to access the space—so be sure to factor that extra time into your layover.

Access to the Centurion Lounge at Amsterdam Schiphol follows standard Amex entry policies. It is strictly reserved for passengers holding a same-day departing boarding pass who carry an eligible card, such as The Platinum Card® or the Centurion® Card from American Express.

With this permanent addition to Schiphol, SkyTeam flyers and Amex loyalists now have an exceptional new venue for a latte, a stroopwafel, and a little preflight relaxation before crossing the Atlantic.

Travelore News: Amex Centurion And Capital One Tie for Top Airport Lounge In J.D. Power Study

Credit card-branded airport lounges have swept the top spots in customer satisfaction, with American Express Centurion Lounge and Capital One Lounge tying for first place in the J.D. Power 2026 U.S. Airport Lounge Satisfaction Study.

Both networks scored 771 on a 1,000-point scale, edging out Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club (764) and Delta Sky Club (763). The study highlights a major shift in traveler behavior, with passengers increasingly viewing airport lounges as an essential sanctuary from overcrowded terminals and soaring terminal food and beverage prices.

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Top-Ranked U.S. Airport Lounges

Rank	Lounge Network	Customer Score (out of 1,000)
1 (Tie)	American Express Centurion Lounge	771
1 (Tie)	Capital One Lounge	771
3	Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club	764
4	Delta Sky Club (including Delta One Lounge)	763
—	Industry Average	732

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Key Drivers of Lounge Satisfaction

• Escape from Terminal Pricing: 39% of visitors cite avoiding high-priced food and drinks in main concourses as a primary reason for entering a lounge. Complimentary dining and drinks remain the single highest-rated benefit.
• High Marks for Dining Quality: 52% of respondents report food and beverage quality exceeded their expectations, crediting chef-curated menus, grab-and-go artisan stations, and craft cocktails.
• The Overcrowding Penalty: Satisfaction drops by 244 points—from 833 in "not at all crowded" lounges down to 589 when a lounge is "severely crowded". Nearly half (46%) of frequent guests report their primary lounge is moderately or severely crowded.
• Staff Impact: While 77% of guests find lounge staff welcoming, only about half view personnel as happy (52%) or knowledgeable (51%), making front-desk service a key operational differentiator.

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Study Methodology

The J.D. Power U.S. Airport Lounge Satisfaction Study evaluated responses from nearly 3,000 travelers who visited an airport lounge over the past year. Ratings were measured across eight core dimensions: value of experience, staff, food and beverage, cleanliness/upkeep, amenities, ease of access, ambiance, and Wi-Fi service.

How Amex Plans to Upgrade The Centurion Lounge Experience At Philadelphia International

If you are an American Express Platinum or Centurion cardholder who frequently flies out of Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), you are likely familiar with the drill. You head up to Terminal A-West, pass through the signature blue doors of The Centurion Lounge, and immediately start scanning the room for an open seat.

While PHL’s Centurion Lounge is highly praised for its floor-to-ceiling airport views and its incredible Israeli-inspired menu curated by legendary Chef Michael Solomonov (hello, challah French toast and shakshuka), it has one major flaw: size.

At just 6,300 square feet, the Philadelphia location is one of the smaller outposts in American Express’s global network. As premium credit card membership has surged, travelers frequently face overcrowding and peak-hour waitlists just to get inside. Fortunately, industry shifts and Amex’s aggressive new real estate strategy suggest that much-needed relief may be on the horizon.

The Space Crunch at PHL Terminal A-West

When the PHL Centurion Lounge opened, it took over a tight footprint on the upper level of Terminal A-West (near Gate A14). Because it is boxed in by neighboring airline lounges, expanding the physical footprint has historically been an logistical jigsaw puzzle.

However, the airport lounge landscape at PHL is shifting rapidly. American Airlines recently shook up the terminal by opening its massive, two-story luxury space—splitting it into a premium Flagship Lounge and an Admirals Club. This massive injection of premium lounge capacity has changed traffic flow in Terminal A-West. With other international carriers adjusting their footprints, rumors have gained traction that Amex is looking to absorb adjacent or vertical square footage to finally give Philly flyers the space they deserve.

What a Centurion Expansion Could Look Like

While American Express keeps specific blueprint details under wraps until official groundbreakings, we can look at their recent projects in Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), Boston (BOS), and Las Vegas (LAS) to predict exactly what a modernized, expanded Philly lounge would look like:

Dedicated "Sidecar" Quick-Stop Formats: Amex has been actively rolling out its new Sidecar by The Centurion Lounge concept. These are smaller, adjacent spaces designed specifically for time-pressed travelers who only have 30 to 60 minutes before boarding. A Sidecar addition at PHL would allow passengers to grab a quick cocktail or pre-plated small bite, immediately freeing up main lounge seating for those with longer layovers.

More Multipurpose Seating & Workstations: Expect a major increase in single-traveler high-top desks, cozy booths, and acoustic tech pods designed for taking business calls without disturbing neighbors.

An Expanded Bar and Dining Footprint: Chef Solomonov’s menu is a massive draw. An expansion would likely bring a larger buffet presentation area and a secondary bar setup to reduce the bottleneck around the craft cocktail station.

Amex’s War on Overcrowding

An expansion in Philadelphia aligns perfectly with American Express’s current nationwide strategy. The brand is actively fighting lounge crowding on two fronts: structural expansions and entry policy tweaks.

Amex has repeatedly tightened its guest access policies and departure-window restrictions to ensure that cardholders actively traveling have priority. By pairing these gatekeeping rules with physical footprint expansions across major hubs, the goal is to return the Centurion Network to its original, tranquil roots.

Philly travelers have waited patiently while larger mega-hubs received massive multi-story lounges. If the real estate stars align in Terminal A-West, PHL will finally get a premium space that matches the world-class culinary identity inside it.

Travelore News: American Express Reduces Lounge Access For Plantinum Card Holders

The golden era of "bringing the whole squad" into the airport lounge is officially winding down.

American Express has announced significant updates to its Global Lounge Collection that will affect how Platinum Card Members travel starting in 2026.

Whether you’re a frequent flyer or an occasional vacationer, these changes—which prioritize reducing overcrowding—will likely change your pre-flight strategy. Here is everything you need to know about the upcoming "trimming" of lounge perks.

1. The Big Guest Cut: Two Becomes One

For many years, the standard for the Amex Platinum and Platinum Business Cards was the ability to bring two guests into lounges for free. That is changing to align more closely with global standards.

Centurion Lounges: Starting July 8, 2026, the complimentary guest allowance drops from two guests to one for Personal and Business Platinum Card Members.
Plaza Premium Lounges: A similar change takes effect on October 1, 2026, reducing the guest limit to one.

The Exception: Corporate Platinum Card Members generally retain their two-guest allowance.

2. Priority Pass: Only for the Primary Member

This is perhaps the most significant "trim" for families and business partners. Currently, many Additional (Supplementary) Card Members enjoy their own Priority Pass membership.

Effective October 1, 2026, only the Primary Card Member will be eligible to enroll in the Priority Pass program.

Additional and Employee Card Members will lose their complimentary Priority Pass memberships entirely after this date

3. Stricter Access Rules: "Same Flight" and Time Limits

Amex is also tightening the logistical rules for who can enter and when.


Same-Flight Requirement: Starting July 8, 2026, all guests must be traveling on the exact same flight as the Card Member to gain entry to Centurion Lounges.Layover Window: If you are visiting a lounge during a transit, you must now arrive within five hours of your connecting flight (previously, there was often no specific time limit for transits).

Departure Only: As a reminder, "arrival access" (entering a lounge after your flight has landed at your final destination) remains unavailable.

4. Why the Changes?

If you’ve visited a Centurion Lounge in a major hub like New York or London recently, you’ve likely seen the "Lounge at Capacity" signs. These trims are designed to:

Reduce Overcrowding: By limiting guests, Amex hopes to ensure that the primary cardholders who pay the hefty annual fee actually have a place to sit.

Standardization: These rules bring international cards (like those in Australia and New Zealand) more in line with the U.S. version of the card, which moved to a "spend-to-earn" guest model years ago.

Strategy Tip: How to Keep Your Perks

If these changes disrupt your travel style, you have a few options:The $75,000 Rule: In the U.S., you can still "unlock" two complimentary guests by spending $75,000+ on your card in a calendar year.

Paid Guests: You can still bring extra friends or family for a fee (typically $50 per adult or $30 for children aged 2-17).

Delta Sky Club: Remember that Delta Sky Club access is still available when flying Delta, though it remains restricted to the Card Member only (no complimentary guests).While these "trims" are a tough pill to swallow for some, they may ultimately lead to a quieter, more premium experience for the Card Members who remain. Pack light, check your flight times, and enjoy the peace and quiet while it lasts!

Note: These updates are based on current policy announcements for 2026. Always check the American Express Global Lounge Collection for the most up-to-date terms for your specific region

The Platinum Card Is About To Change. Amex’s New Fast-Format Airport Lounge Might Be A Sneak Preview

The company’s forthcoming speakeasy-style lounge in Las Vegas isn’t just about drinks. It’s about Gen Z, loyalty, and the meaning of premium in 2025

[Photo: Amex]

If you’ve ever sprinted through an airport only to land in a standing-room-only lounge buffet line, you know that the state of modern travel perks is competitive. As credit card companies and airlines rush to expand their lounge footprints, American Express is looking to double down on what it believes sets it apart: consistency, exclusivity, and culinary experience.

This summer, Amex is rolling out two major updates that signal how it plans to maintain its lead in the fast-growing airport lounge landscape.

The first is “The Culinary Collective,” a chef-driven revamp of food and beverage offerings at Centurion Lounges nationwide. The second is “Sidecar by The Centurion Lounge,” a brand-new, fast-format lounge experience that’s set to launch at Las Vegas’s Harry Reid International Airport in 2026.

Together, these updates offer a glimpse at Amex’s evolving strategy: appealing to both high-end leisure travelers and time-crunched business flyers, all while keeping its signature level of luxury intact.

A new flavor of exclusivity

Rather than chasing square footage like Delta Air Lines—whose newest Sky Club in Atlanta can seat over 500 guests—Amex is banking on curated experience over capacity. That’s where The Culinary Collective comes in. Featuring rotating menus from a team of James Beard Award-winning chefs, including Mashama Bailey and Kwame Onwuachi, the initiative aims to bring restaurant-level meals into the airport setting.

“You’d be lucky to get into each of their restaurants on a normal day,” Audrey Hendley, president of American Express Travel, tells Fast Company. “Now, you can try them all in one trip.”

Through the Collective, new menu items will be available in all 15 U.S. Centurion Lounges beginning July 29, 2025.

The focus on thoughtful dining mirrors Capital One’s approach, which leans into local partnerships with regional bakeries and breweries to create an experience that feels like stepping into a city’s best café, not another airline lounge.

Amex, in turn, is opting for hospitality as theater: chef-driven menus, cocktails developed by Overstory’s Harrison Ginsberg, and lounge layouts designed to feel more like boutique hotels than waiting rooms.

Introducing Sidecar: A lounge for the layover-challenged

But what if you only have 45 minutes until boarding?

Enter Sidecar, a new lounge format designed to give travelers a premium experience even if they’re short on time. Set to launch in 2026, the space will offer table-side service, curated small plates, and a speakeasy vibe—all within close proximity to the main Centurion Lounge in Las Vegas.

Think of it as Amex’s answer to the crowding crisis that’s plagued lounge operators in recent years. Rather than just add square footage like Delta or increase access fees like United, Sidecar is an attempt to diversify the experience based on how travelers actually use lounges.

“We’re seeing a significant segment of travelers who only spend 30 to 45 minutes in the lounge,” said Hendley. “Sidecar is our way of honoring that time with the same level of care and service.”

That echoes Capital One’s design philosophy for its growing lounge network, which includes grab-and-go options, regionally inspired food, and “perfect” airport beers crafted in collaboration with local breweries. As Capital One’s Jenn Scheurich put it: “It doesn’t really matter whether you have 15 minutes or an hour—you still want a great lounge experience.”

Travel benefits for the TikTok generation

The updates come as American Express embarks on its largest Platinum Card refresh in company history, with new perks targeting millennial and Gen Z cardholders, who now make up 35% of the company’s U.S. consumer spending.

With over 1,550 lounges worldwide—including 29 Centurion Lounges and new ones coming to Salt Lake City, Newark, Tokyo, and Amsterdam—Amex already boasts the largest global lounge network of any U.S. card issuer. But in a post-pandemic travel boom where lounge access is no longer a rarity but a battleground, the pressure to keep experiences differentiated is high.

More than perks: a play for emotional loyalty

For American Express, lounges like the new Centurion Sidecar in Las Vegas aren’t just about creature comforts—they’re part of a broader strategy to build what the company sees as lasting, emotional loyalty. Yes, the lounge has yuzu cocktails and espresso crème brûlée. But it also has something harder to measure: the feeling of being taken care of when everything else about air travel is chaos.

“We’re always looking for ways to better understand how customers travel and what they’re looking for in the experience,” says Hendley. “There’s nothing better than settling in at a Centurion Lounge and starting your trip with a great meal and a great drink. Whether you’re going on vacation or traveling for work, we want to make that moment count.”

For now, Amex is staying tight-lipped about the specifics of its Platinum Card refresh. What it has made clear is that the refresh is aimed squarely at younger travelers.

“They’re not just looking for benefits—they’re looking for a brand that gets them,” Hendley said. That means spaces that feel modern and intimate, perks that are easy to use, and partnerships that feel aspirational but not out of reach.

To stand apart from its rivals, American Express is banking on design, consistency, and culinary clout to keep members engaged.

And in Sidecar’s case, it’s also about speed. “Many of our visitors spend less than an hour in our lounges, and we’ve created Sidecar specifically for them,” Hendley said. “You still want a great lounge experience—just in a shorter window.”

Ultimately, the lounge is the hook—but the goal is bigger. Amex wants card members to feel like wherever they’re going, the brand is already there, holding the door open and mixing the drink.

To stand apart from its rivals, American Express is banking on design, consistency, and culinary clout to keep members engaged.

While Delta is betting big on footprint and familiarity, leaning into hometown-inspired art and hospitality in its new Atlanta Sky Club, Amex is betting that its brand of curated luxury still wins loyalty—even if that means skipping the buffet for a quick cocktail before boarding.

https://www.fastcompany.com/user/emily-price

Amex Platinum Is All About Valuable Perks — 10 Things To Do The Minute You Get Your Card

A couple of days ago, the internet — and, more specifically, points and miles hobbyists — were shocked to see an offer for the Amex Platinum of 100,000 points after $3,000 in spend in the first three months. The normal sign-up bonus for the card is 40,000 points after you spend $3,000 in the first three months, and while we’ve seen this 100,000-point sign-up bonus before, they don’t come around very often. So, this was a great chance for anyone who’d been eyeing the card to jump at the increased sign-up bonus opportunity for the short time it was around.
If you were able to take advantage and got approved for the Amex Platinum, congratulations! The card is one of the premier travel rewards credit cards out there, and with it, you’ll be able to take advantage of new perks that you might not have had before, like Centurion Lounge access, free Boingo Wi-Fi, a concierge service and so much more. While the $450 annual fee may seem a bit hefty, the benefits that come with the card far outweigh that fee.
Now that you have the card, there are a few things you should set up to begin taking advantage of all of its perks. Read on for a list of 10 things I think you should take advantage of as soon as your new Platinum card arrives in the mail.
1. Select the Airline for Your Annual $200 Fee Credit

You can use your $200 airline fee credit toward baggage fees.

One of the best perks of the Amex Platinum card is its annual $200 airline fee credit for one airline — since you get this credit every calendar year, you can use it twice during your first year as a member, giving you a $400 return in the first 365 days. The credit can be used toward airline lounge passes, checked bag fees and much more. Technically, you can’t purchase tickets or use the credit for award taxes/fees; however, depending on how the airline codes your purchase, you may get reimbursed. Note that while you’re technically limited to the airline you select for the entire calendar year, reports indicate that you might be able to change your selection by contacting customer service. You can choose your airline on the Amex website.
2. Request Gold Status from Starwood and Hilton

Stay at the Westin Grand Cayman with your complimentary SPG Gold status.

You have to manually enroll with each chain in order to get the benefits of Gold status from SPG and Hilton HHonors. That being said, it’s not that difficult to do. You can get your SPG Gold status by enrolling on the Amex site, and you can get Hilton HHonors Gold by doing the same. You’ll get some solid perks from each — we value SPG Gold status around $545 and Hilton HHonors Gold status around $1,310, assuming you spend a certain number of nights at each chain’s hotels.
3. Sign up for Global Entry (and TSA PreCheck)

If you don’t already have Global Entry, sign up now with your Platinum credit.

The TSA is telling travelers that wait times for airport security will be very long this summer — so much so that airlines are speaking out against the TSA because people are missing their flights. So, now’s a better time than ever to sign up for Global Entry and TSA PreCheck. Once you have Global Entry, you automatically get TSA PreCheck, so that’s your best option. When you sign up for Global Entry with your new Amex Platinum card, you’ll get a credit to your account to cover the cost once every five years. This is a perk you’ll definitely want to take advantage of as soon as possible.
4. Get Your Car Rental Program Elite Status

Get complimentary Avis Preferred status in time for your next car rental.

In addition to Gold Hilton HHonors and SPG elite status, you’ll also get status with several car rental programs when you enroll. You’ll get Avis Preferred, Hertz Gold Plus Rewards and National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive status. You’ll need to enroll for these benefits, and you can do so on the Amex website.
5. Register for Free Boingo Wi-Fi

You’ll now have access to complimentary Boingo Wi-Fi on up to four devices.

One of the worst parts of being stuck at the airport is having to pay for Wi-Fi. With your Amex Platinum, you can get complimentary access to the Boingo Preferred Plan, which includes unlimited access to Wi-Fi hotspots at more than 1,000,000 locations worldwide. You can sync this access with up to four devices. To get this benefit, you’ll need to register on the Amex website.
6. Sign up for Free Two-Day Shipping with ShopRunner

Use ShopRunner for free two-day shipping.

ShopRunner gives you free two-day shipping and free return shipping on eligible items at participating online stores. This is a nice benefit if you have your eyes on something and want to get it within two days especially because expedited shipping can be quite expensive, so this is a valuable perk. You must purchase using your Amex Platinum card. To use this service, go to ShopRunner’s Amex site.
7. Book 5-star Hotels Through Amex FHR

The St. Regis New York is a property with Amex FHR.

This perk is only available to Platinum, Business Platinum and Centurion cardholders. The Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts program gives you benefits at a selection of top international hotels and other participating properties. Benefits include noon check-out (when available), room upgrade (when available), daily breakfast for two people, complimentary Wi-Fi, guaranteed 4:00pm late checkout and, at select properties, a third or fourth night for free. You can search for FHR properties on the Amex website.
8. Contact the Platinum Concierge for Travel Arrangements and Reservations

Make use of your new concierge service.

Booking your own reservations can be a large, and somewhat daunting, task, especially at high-demand restaurants and events. As an Amex Platinum cardholder, you have access to a special phone service that can assist you in booking high-demand restaurants and events, as well as finding a perfect dinner spot or even delivering items on demand. You’ll need to call to activate this benefit, and make sure you sign up for texting when you do so to make things more convenient.
9. Carry Your Card When You Travel

Use your card when your travel to access Centurion Lounges, like at Las Vegas (LAS).

The Amex Platinum is a premier travel rewards credit card for a reason — it gives you some great benefits. For that reason, you should always carry your Platinum card with you when you travel. One of the greatest travel perks is lounge access, and with the card, you’ll get access to Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs, Airspace Lounges and Priority Pass lounges as well (get your membership card here). You can use the card for purchases when you’re abroad, too, as there are no foreign transaction fees. There’s also dispute resolution, purchase and return protection, baggage insurance plan and extended warranty coverage.
10. Add up to Three Authorized Users

Your authorized users will also get complimentary SPG Gold status so they can stay at properties like the Sheraton Grand Taipei.

With your new Amex Platinum card, you can add up to three authorized users to your account for a total of $175 per year, but that can really help you maximize the value you’re already getting from being a cardholder. Authorized users can get lounge access, the Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit, SPG and Hilton Gold status, Boingo Wi-Fi access, Amex FHR benefits and more.
Bottom Line
The Amex Platinum can be tremendously valuable for frequent travelers, and if you were able to take advantage of its increased sign-up bonus for the short time it was around, there are some benefits you should start using right away. From getting an annual airline fee credit to additional perks like complimentary Global Entry and SPG and Hilton HHonors Gold status, it’s easy to get a lot of value from the card and its annual fee.
If you weren’t able to take advantage of the 100,000-point sign-up bonus but are still thinking about signing up for the card, you can still sign up for the Amex Platinum with a 40,000-point sign-up bonus after spending $3,000 in the first three months. You’ll get all the benefits outlined above, making this card well worth the $450 annual fee that comes with it.

Read more: http://thepointsguy.com/2016/05/10-things-to-do-amex-platinum/#ixzz48jSpiPbX