- AMERICAN EXPRESS CENTURION LOUNGE SEATTLE ABOUT UPGRADE
- AMERICAN EXPRESS CENTURION LOUNGE SEATTLE ABOUT FREE
John and I checked into the Centurion Lounge at around 9 a.m. The new location gives me an ever-so slightly shorter walk to that shuttle. Since I primarily travel domestically with Alaska Airlines, most of my flights depart from the N Gates, which requires a shuttle train ride from the main terminal. Compared to the old location at Concourse B, there isn’t much difference distance-wise. The new lounge sits on the mezzanine (second) level of the airport’s Central Terminal. The new Centurion Lounge at SeaTac officially opened on February 15th, and our flight to Austin was just one week later. And while our next Maui flight isn’t for a few more months, we had an interim trip to Austin, Texas planned for late February. First Impressions: Seattle’s new Amex Centurion LoungeĮver since American Express announced the February 2023 opening date for a larger, grander lounge at Seattle-Tacoma Airport, John and I have been eagerly anticipating the new Centurion Lounge. Lines and waiting lists to get into the lounge became commonplace for regular travelers. However, the additional square footage proved inadequate for the growing demand. In 2017, American Express expanded the space to 4,500 square feet. Built smaller than the full-fledged Centurion Lounges within the Global Lounge Network, the Seattle Centurion Studio quickly outgrew its meager space. The Centurion Lounge at Seattle-Tacoma Airport originally opened as as Seattle Centurion Studio, a diminutive micro-lounge of just 3,100 square feet. Adult lounge guests cost $50, while entry for minors is $30. The new lounge policy allows for complimentary guest access only if you spend $75,000 per year on the card - which John and I don’t. Unfortunately, high demand for lounge access (and subsequent wait lists to get into lounges across the network) brought that guest perk to an end.
Prior to February 2023, one of the best perks about having the Platinum card was that cardholders could bring two guests into the lounge with them - for free. Happily, the card comes with plenty of perks to help offset the annual fee, such as: a $240 credit toward streaming services such as Netflix and Disney+, $15 in Uber Cash each month month, up to $200 in credit toward airline incidentals, and $189 per year toward CLEAR® membership.Īnd, yes - access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection® when flying. THIS card carries a hefty $695 annual fee. This isn’t any old Platinum card that carries the American Express logo. You need to carry The Platinum Card®.Īnd you’ll need more than a good credit rating to slip The Platinum Card® into your wallet. I won’t bother diving into this card since the everyday person can’t even apply for it - you have to be invited by Amex.)īut lounge perks aren’t applicable with just ANY branded Amex Platinum card. (Or carry the ultra-exclusive American Express Centurion® card, a.k.a. Quite simply, you need to be an American Express Platinum cardholder. If you don’t need a first class ticket to get into the Centurion Lounge, how DO you get into this airport haven?
AMERICAN EXPRESS CENTURION LOUNGE SEATTLE ABOUT UPGRADE
Since I typically don’t book first class fares (I cross my fingers for a first class upgrade on domestic flights instead), access to the Centurion lounge has become a welcome luxury for this frequent coach flyer.
AMERICAN EXPRESS CENTURION LOUNGE SEATTLE ABOUT FREE
Ultimately, airport lounges provide a quieter, more relaxed space to wait for a flight - along with a few perks, such as free food and drinks.Īt our home airport in Seattle, airline-specific lounges (such as those offered by Alaska Airlines, Delta, United, and British Airways) offer complimentary access to those flying in the first class cabin. John flew regularly for work, and he opened my eyes to the world of free food, plentiful charging outlets, and plush seating away from the crowded hot mess of the departure gate. Soon after I started traveling on a regular basis, I discovered the luxury of airport lounges.