News broke yesterday about a change in the access policy for American Express Centurion lounges. Â Previously, the policy for Platinum and Centurion card holders was you were able to bring in 2 guests or your immediate family (spouse / domestic partner and children under 18).
Now it has been reported that Centurion Lounge access will be limited to 2 guests total, and there will be no alternate exception for immediate family members. I’ve seen reports on this from View from the Wing, One Mile at a Time, Miles to Memories, The Points Guy and several other folks, including my favorite from PFDigest – Amex Platinum to families: f*** off!. Â This change to the Centurion Lounge access policy will go into effect on March 30th and is now posted on the Centurion Lounge homepage.
Why the changes?
I think the root cause of these change is that there has been a ton of overcrowding issues in the lounges. Â And I can understand trying to solve this problem, though I think this is the wrong way to handle it. Â I’d rather see a limit either to the total number of times you can visit or maybe limit authorized users from being able to access the lounges.
On the other hand, it’s a bit ridiculous for American Express to have built play rooms / kid areas like this one at the Centurion Lounge Las Vegas airport and then limit the ability for kids to use them!
Perhaps they will soon remove those kid areas to add more seats!
In reading some of the reports (and angry comments!), some people have reported Centurion Lounges turning into “giant playrooms, with kids running amok”. Â That has not been my experience when in Centurion or any other lounges – I have rarely if ever seen behavior like that – and have often seen rude and obnoxious behavior from other adults. Â I will defer to others’ experiences if that is often the case. Â I’m sure I will get my share of angry comments on this issue.
I enjoyed Live and Let’s Fly’s take on these changes – “If crowding is what you are worried about, simply stop selling access to non-Centurion or AMEX cardholders. If the issue is revenue, don’t label it a crowding issue.”
Comparing the Platinum card to other premium cards
This brings the Centurion Lounge access with the Platinum card from American Express in line with its access policy to Priority Pass lounges – 2 guests included along with the cardholder
But as we’ve discussed earlier comparing Priority Pass guest policy for AMEX, Chase, and Citi, The Chase Sapphire Reserve card has a much better policy for Priority Pass lounges – unlimited guests along with the cardholder
What it means for families
Obviously this is a bummer for families traveling together, especially larger families like mine. Â We have only used Centurion Lounge access to bring our whole family one time – at the Centurion Lounge Studio in Seattle. Â That Centurion Lounge is super small (though they’re expanding) and the check-in lady’s jaw definitely dropped when I told her there were 8 of us. Â There actually weren’t all seats together for us, though it ended up being fine and as people left we were able to consolidate to sit together.
Again, I go back to the fact that at least in my experience, children are very rarely the ones acting the most inappropriately in airport lounges (or anywhere else), and children (and their families) remain the last group of people that it’s “okay” to bash. Â I agree that children running around like crazy and/or grabbing things from the buffet with their hands is not appropriate, but if there’s a BEHAVIOR problem, then legislate the BEHAVIOR.
[Should kids be banned from hotel lounges? Â A rebuttal]
While I do understand that kids (especially OTHER PEOPLE’S kids) are not some people’s favorite types of humans, I am much more annoyed by 20-something dude getting drunk and partying with their friends or big important businessman making the latest “deal” loudly on his phone. Â Your mileage may vary.
Readers – what’s your take on this new change to the Centurion Lounge access policy?
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Dan Miller travels with his wife and 6 (SIX!) children. He loves to help families travel for free / cheap, especially larger families. If you are looking for help, drop him an email at 
I’m confused. Are children under age 18 required to pay the $50 fee or can they be considered one of the two guest? So if it’s only me and my six-year old is that OK or will I have to pay $50 for my son?
Thanks
You can bring in 2 guests no matter what. So if it’s just you and your 6 year old, you are okay.
I frequent Amex lounges and I doubt this new policy is “sticking family”. There are too many parents not controlling their kids. I’m in favor of this new policy.
Then again, if it’s a behavior problem, control the behavior and don’t market this as a “crowding” problem
Typical “it’s not me at fault” response.
Buddy – you brought eight…EIGHT people into the lounge…and the Seattle lounge is the smallest out of all the Centurion lounges.
You’re exactly why AMEX is making the change.
I don’t think this is about kids behavior so much as it is cutting down numbers for overcrowding.
This was the easiest way to reduce entry counts while disappointing the fewest cardmembers.
The next step would be considering limiting guest access to X times per year for all members or something else more harsh.
I hope the crowds do abate, and the lounges become relaxing and productive again.
Your Centurion Lounge access cost per person is still only 1/3 the cost of us solo travelers, so the more appropriate headline should be “Amex sticks it slightly less to solo travelers”.
In what other areas of life do you want single people to subsidize your existence? We already pay for your children’s education, all your cushy tax breaks, and where I live, somehow a mom transporting a 5 year old qualifies for carpool lane access (as if the 5 year old had a choice to drive on his own, but chose to carpool to save the environment). Some people are tired of having the responsibility of your life choices being pushed on us. You get 2 free guests, just like everyone else. Get your spouse to get another platinum card, and you have entry for 4 kids. That’s plenty.
You’re not a victim.
Except that children are not the cause of overcrowding. How many families do you really see in the lounge? One? Maybe two? This doesn’t do anything to address the overcrowding issue.
I actually see a VERY large proportion at SFO. Very frequently. And they are NOT using the family room.
I’m ecstatic about these changes and I think “sticking it to families” is exactly what should be done. All this bitching and moaning from people because AmEx is essentially closing a loophole that avoided the guest policy. Good for them.
While they’re at it they should
Limit it to just Centurion and Platinum card-members
Limit it to 2 guests for Centurion and 1 for Platinum
Treat ALL family members as guests
Charge $75/additional guest
Limit card-members to two paid, additional guests
Limit entrance to 16 years or older
Bravo to AmEx. Full stop.
That has not been my experience but I have not specifically been to the one in SFO
I agree, SFO is usually PACKED with families, every time fly through.
I’m single and don’t mind kids in the lounge at all, but i think crowding is definitely an issue. You bringing in 8 people on one card can make a serious dent in seating at some of the smaller clubs (and bigger clubs). I would maybe offer a discounted price for kids 10 and under at maybe $25 since no kid is going to eat $50 in food. But if the real reason is indeed space, then the discount really doesn’t help the problem they are trying to fix.
I think they should also increase non Plat/Cent card holders fees to $75 for a day pass. I actually think $50 is a value for access to that lounge. Someone with an Amex Everyday card can get a substantial meal and several top shelf drinks for $50, which is what 2 hours at an airport Chili’s bar would cost.
A family of 8?!! Give me a break. Travel bloggers like you are constantly trying to get people to get these cards that give access. It’s supply and demand. This should not be a surprise and it will only get worse. Ive had this card for years, and on an international layover last year my wife and I just turned around and left. All we wanted was a shower and a chair/snacks. This was DFW and we ended up eating at Fuddrucker’s
Great news! I’m so happy that people will no longer to bring in 8 people on one card! Thank you AMEX! I hope the fee goes up so the lounges become more exclusive.
Thank you AMEX and I see families ALL THE TIME I also agree that these self appointed bloggers have caused to a certain extent issues like this. I oh so remember the days gone by when you earned your status and not hacked it. Wonder if even 50% of these bloggers would be flying first or biz if they had to pay for it.
That’s like…..the whole point. I’d never pay for first or business. Ergo, I use miles to fly up front.
Good for Amex. 8 people WTH, you must be kidding. You and others like you are the problem.
This is an INCREASE in value for a business traveler who enjoys a Lounge that’s not as jammed with screaming little spawn. Thanks AmEx!
Screaming. Little. Spawn.
Please don’t ever have kids.
I’m glad that many of the other commenters here were born as adults and never had to experience childhood. Had they actually ever been children, I’m sure they would have been the worst. I’m also glad that they probably will never have children themselves, thank goodness.
Seriously. I don’t know what it is about the topic of travel and kids that brings out the craziest people with the rudest comments!
Dan what do you expect? Look at the title of this article. The title immediately states negativity and that is simply not the case here. What AmEx is doing is simply standardizing access. The clubs are so crowded it’s simply not worth it most of the time. Having a card cardmember bring in one or two people is ok but upwards of 8? That’s insanity on any level.
You are not a victim. Families are not victims. You chose to have the kids, why should others pay for them? You want to bring them in, then simply pay the price just like everyone else. This is a smart move on AmEx’s part to standardize and bring forward equal access. Cheers to AmEx for this.
As a child I was never in these lounges. When I had small children we weren’t in them either. I’m guessing that you are one of the people who want to bring several children in…
Sounds like an upgrade to me. These lounges are overcrowded with DFW being especially packed. I think member plus one guest only should be the new standard. Wait times for spa services will drop too.
I have kids Dan. I’ll tell you what brings out negativity to you from normal people…. Your massive entitlement and silly posts.
Of course they should limit freeloaders with big families to combat overcrowding to make it actually a useable lounge. I was amazed about their overly generous policy before. Get real
My wife and I are both Centurion card holders. Are we allowed to bring our two kids in? We are a family of 4.
We have two children but we also have two cards so this isn’t really an issue for our family. I don’t think the issue is families with children as they specifically built rooms for children. I think it was probably the “this is my 18 year old son” or “this is my daughter” etc. situation where people were bringing in more people or non-relatives. Just a guess.
Either way, if I was bringing in my family of 8, I would expect to pay a fee. Even $50 or $75 for a family pass would be significantly less money than even a dinner at $10 each (which you’d be hard pressed to find in an airport with similar quality food).
I plan on utilizing the Centurion lounge in Houston with my children in the next few weeks. I will also utilize Houston and Las Vegas this year alone. Either way – this will keep me holding my Platinum card.
Tough crowd, huh? While I don’t agree with the rudeness or the vehemence, I do think that there is some validity to some of the points mentioned in the comments. Eight people really is an awful lot for one cardholder and anecdotally the lounges can get pretty packed at times, so less people makes for a better situation for the people who do get in. That said, I really think that this policy change was done with a lack of thought. For instance, why not offer the choice of unlimited visits to the cardholder and a plus one or a lesser number of visits to the cardholder with more people?
I completely understand the overcrowding issue after 3 visits to the Centurion SFO. But I’m still unhappy with this change. My wife and I don’t have kids yet, but we will soon, and we will be bringing them home from Costa Rica. Based on our likely routing, we’ll probably not end up at a Centurion, but if we did, I would have *loved* to use it, especially the play room.
Since we’ll be bringing home 2 or 3 kids, paying a bunch of extra money for day passes is less than ideal. Even for a ‘typical’ family of ~4, you’re hosed.
But given some other potential options to reduce overcrowding (like limited # visits per year), I can see how this change hurt the fewest people.
And one thing I haven’t heard yet: do people and their families fly every day? All you people complaining about “entitled people with big families”, I’m guessing Dan would be lucky to use the lounge access for his whole family twice in one year. Assuming the same number of hours spent in the lounge, the person-hours are equivalent to a solo business traveler that flies 8x with a Centurion at each departure airport. It’s really not that much.
All I read is most of these comments is a bunch of elitism, snobbery, and disdain for people with large families.
You have no kids, but you are bringing home 2 OR 3 kids from SJO? You don’t know how many you are bringing home? If that’s an adoption, it’s very unusual.
The elitism is coming from Dan who feels it’s his right with 8 people to take up a whole section of an Amex lounge because, well, he has six kids and he is entitled to all the room for the same price I pay for me and my son. I’m all for kids and have an amazing one. I am very glad Amex is doing this.
Not really that unusual in international adoption. When we adopted ours internationally, we were first matched with one child in January (some misinformation was provided to us), then 3 children in February (birth family changed their minds after two months), then matched in June with the two children that finally joined our family in September.
I take issue with you saying that he is bringing in his 6 children for the same “price” as you and your son. He has used one of these lounges with his children once in about 3 or 4 years that they have been around, so if you used it even 4 times during that time with one guest, he has paid the same price for his family as you have for yours. And for those that travel on business, they have probably received somewhere between 10-25 times as many admissions for the same “price” that Dan paid. And the traveling business person has probably cost AMEX as much from the bar in one visit with a single guest as Dan and his family did from all of them visiting.
Again, I don’t object to them setting whatever rules they want for their lounges (although some more notice sure would have been nice, since people like Dan paid an annual fee and have now lost a chunk of value from the card), but don’t tell anybody it is about overcrowding when it is really about trying to keep as many children out of the lounge as possible.
Hi Gilbert,
It is an adoption, but it certainly isn’t an unusual one, especially for both our agency and the country of Costa Rica. It may seem weird that it’s “2 or 3”, but my wife and I are open to a sibling set of either number. We’re hoping to be matched in the next few months.
Imagine this: a family of 16 is allowed into the Amex Centurion lounge for free on one Amex card. As a result, you while traveling alone, along with fifteen other single travelers will have to wait in line since the lounge is full after the large family is let in. You waited in line for so long that you ended up not being able to grab food and drink at any lounge, and had to buy food and drinks on board on your flight instead. Would you feel the Amex guesting policy works for you?
At the end of the day, it’s a business decision. Amex decided to limit the number of guests a card holder can bring into the lounge, and they have decided: two is the magic number. It’s not a personal attack on you or on any families. It’s what they have chosen to do to maintain the guest experience of Centurion lounges. They tried a more generous policy first, but it didn’t work out, so they are tweaking the policy. If you do not feel their lounge guesting policy works for you, as you pointed out, there’s always Chase and Citi and the Priority Pass Select lounges.
To you, Amex is devaluing the Centurion lounge access. I think to most travelers though, this will actually be an enhancement of their Amex Centurion lounge experience.
That is an awesome example of what could go horrible wrong if just exactly the right family showed up at the wrong time, except the chance of that actually happening are infinitesimal.
Instead, imagine if a single 777 that had nothing but AMEX platinum card holders showed up just before you did and they were all in the lounge before you. You would have to wait forever to get in. I would say it is just about as likely as a family with 16 kids under the age of 18 showing up and getting in the lounge to finish off the available capacity.
It does make me amused to see all of the craziness that comes out when you start talking about kids and travel!
The MUCH better solution would be to allow a larger number of immediate family members than 2, but not an unlimited amount. Families usually have 2 or 3 kids, so make one of those the cutoff. Then limit the guests that aren’t family to 1. You’d have a much larger impact on the overcrowding while not screwing over a family. Kids don’t eat much and they can’t drink, so let’s not pretend they cost much of anything.
Another solution would be allowing a certain number of guest passes per year, regardless of who rage guests are.
The problem with this is that at DFW I see maybe 2 families in the lounge when I’m there (4 times a month). Removing them does nothing.
I don’t have a problem with them trying to stop families from going into their lounges (their lounges, they can do what they want with them) but I do object to them pretending that it has anything to do with reducing crowding. If it was solely about crowding, they can put a limit on number of guest entrances per card holder. Give every card holder 10 or 15 or 20 guest passes (whatever would alleviate crowding) that have to be used with the card present. Then the family of 8 can go in once or twice a year like they typically would and the business person can guest in their colleagues multiple (but limited) times each year. Virtually no effect on cardholders unless they have been abusing the guesting privileges.
This won’t happen because this isn’t about overcrowding. It is about entitled business people (or road warriors) who have complained about children being in “their” lounge.
They are limiting the number of people walking in. Regardless of age. If someone shows up with his 7 brothers and sisters all of which are grown adults — it’s the same thing as having them all under age 10. I am glad they are considering all entrants the same. Otherwise it would be “Only two guests unless under X age…” That would definitely be a special privilege and quite frankly it would be the last straw as I do not desire going to a kiddie play room to wait for a flight and that’s what it would become.
By simply saying ‘two guests total’ it’s the fairest way they can do this.
Every card I ever heard of devalues things because of some abuse.
I totally agree, and again, it would very much surprise me if the abuse that Amex was really trying to crack down on was me bringing my (actual) family in once or twice a year. I think it much more likely that it was more people that are trying to bring in “fake” family
Remember too that while I have a (much) larger than average family and I admit that, this rule also affects families that “only” have 2 kids.
This depends on how you look at it. For me without lots of children, this is an “Increase” in value as I am not paying to subsidize half a dozen children from someone else. To me this is increasing the exclusivity of the club which has been lacking.
I’ve enjoyed the Centurion Lounges, but they can be crowded, so I certainly understand the desire for a solution. In September, my family will grow to four. I dropped the business platinum early last year and only have my longstanding personal platinum card now. With the platinum card annual fee increase and the need to get the second platinum for Centurion Lounge access for the whole family, I suspect I will just drop the card. I am already a life member of the AA, UA, and DL lounges, and have Priority Pass for the family for international airports. Looking back, we rarely fly coach anyway and the domestic lounges seem to be gradually improving after a long decline. So, this may push me to finally drop the card. More room for the rest of you – enjoy!
I frequently travel with my family of 6-8 and enjoy access to the Seattle lounge. The only huge difference is everyone in my family has a platinum card.
I think a better title of this article should be: “American Express increases Centurion Lounge value – Begins return to exclusive club”
Um, if this is what you think an exclusive Club is, you probably never been in an exclusive Club.