The Ultimate Guide To The American Express Global Lounge Collection

This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Visit our Advertising Policy page for more details.

Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

One of the great travel perks of having an American Express card is gaining access to Amex Lounge at airports. You can comfortably relax between flights, use strong, quick wi-fi, enjoy great food and drink, and escape the stress and hubbub of a busy terminal until your next flight. But the level of access you can gain to the more than 1,4000 American Express global lounges will depend upon which Amex card you apply for.

Some cards will give you complimentary access to Amex airport lounges and allow you to invite additional guests to enjoy the facilities with you. But if you have other cards, you may find that you can't gain access to Centurion lounges at all, even if you are willing to pay an entrance charge!

Below we will take a look at everything you need to know about airport lounge Amex guest access, and what cards you will need to enter one of the airport lounges American Express provides.

Which American Express Cards give your Access to the Amex Lounge at Airports?

There are dozens of different Amex cards available, but the majority don't actually include access to the Amex lounge network. So, if you travel a lot and think you would benefit from the rest and comfort available from the American Express Global Lounge Collection, you will need to make sure that you apply for a card that will give you the best travel perks.

American Express Travel Cards Offer the Best Access to an Amex Lounge at Airports

As you may expect, for the best access to an airport lounge, American Express Travel Credit Cards offer the best benefits. The following American Express cards offer you access to both Amex Centurion Lounges and the American Express Global Lounge range of locations. (Remember that terms will apply and there will be credit score requirements that will affect your eligibility for credit cards.)

The Platinum Card^®

With The Platinum Card^®, you can earn 5x points per dollar on flights, 5x points spend on eligible prepaid hotels, and 1 point per dollar on other purchases. Platinum Card Members enjoy a whole host of travel benefits, including:

• Complimentary Access to American Express Global Lounge Collection
• Access to American Express Centurion Lounge Locations
• You will also gain access to Escape Lounges, Delta Sky Club Lounges, and Lufthansa Lounges
• Up to $200 credit for qualifying Airport fees.
• Up to $200 credit on eligible Hotel Bookings
• Up to $240 credit on digital entertainment packages
• Up to $189 cash back on your Clear TSA pre-checks membership
• Access to exclusive tables and events from Global Dining Access by Resy

The Business Platinum Card^®

The The Business Platinum Card^® will allow you to build up your travel points quickly with an offer of 150,000 points after you spend $15,000 on purchases within the first three months of getting your new card. You can also enjoy a whole host of travel perks while using the card, including:

• 5x points on dollars spent on flights and hotels booked on the American Express website. 1.5x points on dollars spent on other eligible purchases.
• Complimentary Access to the American Express Global Lounge Network
• American Express Centurion Lounge Acesss
• Access to Priority Pass Select
• Delta Sky Club and Lufthansa Lounge Airport Lounge Access.
• up to $200 in Airport Free Credit
• up to $189 credit for Clear TSA pre-check membership
• Get 35% of your travel points back after you use them to pay for an eligible flight.

American Express Credit Cards which allow access to Centurion Amex Lounges at Airports

There are over a dozen USA Centurion Airport Lounges that Amex card holders can gain access to and 11 global lounge locations which they can rest in when traveling internationally. To gain these cards, you will need to hold one of the following:

• Centurion® Card from American Express
• The Platinum Card^®
• The Business Platinum Card^®
• The American Express Corporate Platinum Card^®
• Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card

American Express Co-Branded Travel cards also Offer Access to Airport lounges from Amex and other providers.

Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card

• Delta Sky Club Access
• Access to the Amex Centurion Lounges

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card

• Delta Sky Club Acess
• Amex Centurion Lounge Access
• Escape Lounge Access

Delta SkyMiles^® Platinum American Express Card

• Access a day pass for Sky Club at $39

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass^® Card

• 10 complimentary Priority Pass complimentary visits each year.

American Express Hilton Honors Aspire Card

• Unlimited membership for Priority Pass when you enroll ahead of time.

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card

• Unlimited membership for Priority Pass when you enroll ahead of time.

American Express^® Green Card

• $100 statement credits for purchases with LoungeBuddy which will allow you to purchase day passes for airport lounges (but not for Amex lounges!).

Which Airport Lounges Can You Access with American Express Cards?

The Centurion range is not the only airport lounge American Express cards can allow access to. Amex Centurion and Platinum cardholders will also be given access to more than 1,400 total lounges, including:

• Amex Centurion Lounges
• American Express International Lounge
• Escape Lounges
• Lufthansa Airport Lounges
• Priority Pass Acess
• Airscape Lounges
• Delta Sky Club
• Plaza Premium Access

Which American Express cards will give your Access to Delta Sky Club Airport Lounges?

Delta Sky Club lounges are also a fantastic place to relax between flights and you can gain access with certain Amex cards when you book a Delta flight.

• Centurion® Card from American Express
• The Platinum Card^®
• The Business Platinum Card^®
• The American Express Corporate Platinum Card^®
• Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card

What do Amex Card Holders Need to Gain Access to Airport Lounges?

Just holding an eligible credit card may not be enough to give you access to Amex lounges if you haven't taken the time to read the terms and conditions ahead of time. Here are some of the things you need to consider ahead of the day you are traveling.

• Centurion Lounge access is granted to those who arrive within three hours of your departure time—you may not be granted access if you arrive before this.
• You will need to be able to show your eligible American Express card.
• You will have to show your boarding pass.
• Provide a Government issued form of identification.
• To gain access to the Delta Sky Club Lounge, you must be booked on a Delta flight that day.
• You will need to enroll in the Priority Pass Lounge Scheme ahead of time and wait for your card to arrive before you can gain access. So, make sure to allow enough time before your date of travel.

Summary: Ultimate Guide to American Express Lounge Access

Being able to relax and enjoy the refreshments in an Amex lounge at airports is a great way to elevate your travel experience and make your flights as stress-free as possible. But just owning an Amex card won't automatically give you access! And even if you have an eligible card, there are various restrictions and different levels of access afforded by different types of cards.

So, if you are looking for a card that allows you the best type of access for your travel habits, make sure to carefully read through our Guide to American Express Lounge Access above and pick the card which best suits you.