Credit Card News
Expanded American Express Centurion Lounge Opens at SeaTac
As the American Express Platinum card continues to gain popularity among travelers, Amex’s Centurion Lounge network is growing as well. This week, a new and expanded Centurion location opened at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), giving cardholders more room to relax, work, and dine before catching their flights. While the previous location resided in Concourse B, the new lounge can be found on the mezzanine level of the Central Terminal.
At 14,000 square feet, the new location is more than three times the size of the previous lounge location at the airport — which itself had already been expanded in 2017. Additionally, in true Seattle fashion, the new location houses a full-service coffee bar called Blue Roast by American Express. This first-of-its-kind Centurion offering features specialty coffee drinks from local roaster Caffè Umbria. Elsewhere, the lounge’s menu was developed with Chef Kristi Brown, serving up “Seattle Soul” dishes that take inspiration from the flavors of Southeast Asia, East Africa, and West Africa.
The opening of the new SeaTac Centurion Lounge follows the debut of another expanded location at SFO last month. It also happens to coincide with an update to Amex’s entry policies meant to address issues with crowding. As of February 1st, American Express Platinum cardholders will no longer have complimentary guest access unless they spend at least $75,000 on the card per year.
Instead, while the cardholders themselves will still be able to enter for free, guest passes for adults now come at the cost of $50 per visit while children ages 2 to 17 can gain entry for a $30 fee (children under 2 are free with “proof of age”). Meanwhile, the company plans to open new locations at Reagan National Airport (DCA) and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) in the coming months.
In a statement about the updated SeaTac location, Amex’s VP & GM of Global Lounge Experiences Pablo Rivero said, “The new Centurion Lounge at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport delivers exactly what Card Members want while traveling – more space to relax and recharge and fantastic food and drink.” Rivero added, “Inspired by the vibrant Seattle dining and coffee scene, this lounge showcases the best of what Seattle has to offer.”
By all accounts, the expansion of Seattle’s Centurion Lounge was sorely needed as strong demand for travel coupled with a burst of popularity for the Platinum Card have only exacerbated lounge crowding issues. Now, it seems as though Amex cardholders at SeaTac should have an easier time gaining access to the location (especially with the tightened entry rules). Of course, even if the Centurion is full, Platinum cardmembers flying Delta from SEA can also enjoy access to one of the airline’s SkyClubs. In any case, it’s great to see Amex reinvesting in its lounge network and, hopefully, keeping its traveling customers happy.
