A guide to lounge access with the Amex Platinum and Business Platinum
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The Platinum Card® from American Express and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express are among the best travel credit cards for airport lounge access. Both give cardholders access to various airport lounge networks through the Global Lounge Collection, which comprises more than 1,550 airport lounges worldwide.
These lounges are divided among a handful of lounge networks, including American Express’s own Centurion Lounges, as well as third-party lounges such as Plaza Premium, Escape, and Priority Pass lounges. Delta Sky Clubs are also accessible when flying Delta. Lufthansa lounges dropped out of the program: access ended on September 30, 2026.
Let’s look at the lounges you can enter with your Amex Platinum Card or Amex Business Platinum card and all applicable entry requirements.
What lounges can I access with my Amex Platinum?
As mentioned, Amex Platinum and Amex Business Platinum cardholders can access over 1,550 airport lounges worldwide. These range from high-end lounges in the Centurion Lounge portfolio to airline-run lounges like Delta Sky Clubs.
You can access the following lounge networks with your card:
- American Express Centurion Lounges
- Delta Sky Clubs
- Escape Lounges
- Plaza Premium Lounges
- Priority Pass Lounges
That said, access requirements vary based on the type of lounge you visit. For example, you can access Centurion Lounges as many times as you’d like every year, regardless of which airline you fly. In contrast, Delta Sky Clubs only open their doors when you fly Delta or a Delta-marketed flight operated by WestJet.
American Express Centurion Lounges
American Express Centurion Lounges are the issuer’s in-house airport lounge network, comprising 15 lounges in the U.S. and 11 abroad. These lounges offer upgraded amenities like chef-designed meals, extensive bars, and comfortable seating. At some locations, you’ll even find outdoor spaces, speakeasies, and relaxation rooms.
Some notable Centurion Lounges include the location in Atlanta (ATL), the largest airport lounge in the Centurion Lounge network at nearly 26,000 square feet. In addition to the usual amenities, there’s a large outdoor space and a whiskey bar on-site.
Meanwhile, the two-level New York (JFK) Centurion Lounge has a speakeasy (dubbed “1850”) in the basement with specialty cocktails and a full-service coffee bar with espresso, cold brew, and other specialty coffee drinks.
Most Centurion Lounges adhere to these entry rules for Amex Platinum and Business Platinum cardholders:
- Airline: Any
- Time: Access within 3 hours of departure.
- What to bring: Your eligible American Express card, ID, and boarding pass.
- Guests: $50 per adult, $30 per child 2 to 17 years old. After spending $75,000 on your eligible card within a single calendar year, you can bring two guests with you. You’ll get guest access for the remainder of the current year and the following year.
Delta Sky Clubs
Delta Sky Clubs are Delta Air Lines’ own airport lounge network, with 55 locations in the U.S. and a lounge in Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND). The airline also has Delta One Lounges for Delta One passengers, but these cannot be accessed with a credit card.
You can access Delta Sky Clubs with your Amex Platinum card, but there are more restrictions on entering these lounges than in other lounge networks. You must be flying Delta Air Lines or a Delta-marketed flight operated by WestJet to enter. Basic economy tickets are not eligible.
Further, Amex Platinum and Business Platinum cards come with 10 Delta Sky Club passes per year. These passes last for 24 hours and allow you to access as many Sky Clubs as you’d like. For example, suppose you fly from San Francisco (SFO) to New York (LGA) via Boston (BOS) on Delta. You can access lounges in San Francisco before your flight, Boston during your connection, and New York on arrival while only using a single lounge pass.
You can unlock unlimited access by spending $75,000 per year on your Amex Platinum or Business Platinum card. Doing this gives you unlimited access for the remainder of the year and the entirety of the following year.
- Airline: Must fly Delta Air Lines or a Delta-marketed WestJet flight.
- Time: Access within 3 hours of departure.
- What to bring: Your eligible American Express card and boarding pass.
- Guests: $50 per adult at full-service locations, $25 per adult at grab-and-go locations.
Escape Lounges
Escape Lounges is a third-party airport lounge network accessible to both Amex Platinum and Amex Business Platinum cardmembers. There are 31 Escape Lounges spread across Australia, the U.S., and the U.K. You’ll often find them in smaller airports, like Providence (PVD) in Rhode Island, East Midlands (EMA) in England, and Cairns (CNS) in Australia.
These lounges feature modern designs and amenities, including full buffets, bars, and power outlets. Exact amenities vary by lounge, but you can expect a comfortable place to work or relax before your next flight.
- Airline: Any airline.
- Time: Access within 3 hours of departure.
- What to bring: Your eligible American Express card and boarding pass.
- Guests: Two guests are permitted with the cardholder.
Lufthansa Lounges: access ended September 30, 2026
Through September 30, 2026, Amex Platinum and Business Platinum cardholders could enter select Lufthansa Business Lounges with any ticket class, and Lufthansa Senator Lounges when flying business class, on a same-day Lufthansa Group flight. That benefit is over: since October 1, 2026, neither card gives access to any Lufthansa lounge.
Plaza Premium Lounges
Plaza Premium is an independent airport and railway lounge network with over 100 locations worldwide. Most lounges are located outside the U.S., with a significant presence in Greater China and Canada, but they have a presence in Dallas (DFW).
These airport lounges offer premium amenities like shower suites, buffets, and fully stocked bars. Note that some Plaza Premium lounges are owned by an airline and operated by Plaza Premium, like the Air France lounge in Montreal (YUL). Double-check entry requirements for these lounges in the Amex app, as they may differ from those of Plaza Premium-branded lounges.
- Airline: Any airline.
- Time: Access within 3 hours of departure at most lounges.
- What to bring: Your eligible American Express card, boarding pass, and an ID.
- Guests: Up to 2 guests at most lounges.
Priority Pass Select Membership
Both the Amex Platinum card and the Amex Business Platinum card include Priority Pass Select memberships. Once you enroll in the benefit, you’ll receive a dedicated Priority Pass Select membership in the mail, which you can use to access over 1,800 airport lounges worldwide.
Priority Pass is a collection of independent airport lounges. This includes everything from airline-sponsored lounges to fully independent lounges. As a result, amenities and the quality of the lounge vary significantly depending on the location. However, you can expect food, drink, and power outlets at most Priority Pass lounges.
- Airline: Any airline.
- Time: Varies by lounge.
- What to bring: Your Priority Pass Select card (physical or digital) and boarding pass.
- Guests: Up to 2 guests at most lounges.
The American Express Platinum Cards
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Unlock Premium Travel & Lifestyle Benefits with The Platinum Card® from American Express
Welcome Offer: Up to 175,000 Membership Rewards® points after spending $8,000 in eligible purchases in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
The Platinum Card® from American Express delivers exceptional value for travelers and lifestyle enthusiasts. With this premium card, you’ll enjoy:
- 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel®
- Global Lounge Collection® access to over 1,550 airport lounges including Centurion Lounges and Delta Sky Clubs®
- $600 Hotel Credit annually on Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings
- $400 Resy Credit plus exclusive Platinum Nights by Resy restaurant reservations
- $320 Uber benefits ($200 Uber Cash + $120 Uber One membership credits)
- $300 Digital Entertainment Credit ($25 monthly for eligible streaming services)
- $300 lululemon Credit ($75 quarterly)
- $209 CLEAR® Plus Credit annually
- $200 Airline Fee Credit with your selected qualifying airline
- $155 Walmart+ Credit for monthly membership
- $100 Saks Fifth Avenue Credit ($50 semi-annually)
The Platinum Card® offers premium early check-in and guaranteed 4PM late checkout at Fine Hotels + Resorts® properties, helping you maximize your vacation time.
With dedicated 24/7 Member Services support and a suite of benefits that deliver over $2,500 in potential annual value, The Platinum Card® stands apart as a premium travel and lifestyle companion.
- Annual fee
- $895
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$3,325Total$3,325Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $3,325
- Welcome offerAfter $12,000 in eligible purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. The exact welcome offer varies and may be less than 175,000 points; you may not be eligible for an offer. Amex discloses the offer after application and before you accept the Card.
- Up to 175,000 points
Apply Now
on American Express's website
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Unlock Premium Business Travel Benefits with The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Elevated Welcome Offer: Earn up to 300,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership!
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express delivers exceptional value that can unlock over $3,500 in business and travel value annually after meeting qualifying spend thresholds. With this premium business card, you’ll enjoy:
- Access to 1,550+ airport lounges across 140 countries with the American Express Global Lounge Collection®
- Up to $600 in statement credits annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings
- Up to $200 Airline Fee Credit with your selected qualifying airline
- Up to $200 back annually on eligible Hilton purchases (for Hilton For Business members)
- Up to $209 back annually on CLEAR® Plus Membership
- Up to $1,150 in Dell Technologies credits ($150 statement credit plus an additional $1,000 after spending $5,000+)
- $250 Adobe credit after spending $600+ per calendar year
- Up to $360 back annually for purchases with Indeed
- Up to $120 back annually for wireless telephone services
Business Platinum cardholders earn 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com, 2X points on select business categories and eligible purchases of $5,000 or more (up to $2 million per calendar year), and 1X points on other eligible purchases.
With a flexible spending limit that adapts based on your purchase, payment and credit history, The Business Platinum Card® is designed to support your growing business needs.
- Annual fee
- $895
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$5,700Total$5,700Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $5,700
- Welcome offerAfter $20,000 in 3 months
- 300,000 points
Apply Now
on American Express's website
Bottom line
The Amex Platinum card offers the most airport lounge access of any premium travel credit card. Between American Express’s own Centurion Lounges and third-party options from Plaza Premium, Priority Pass, and Escape, chances are there’s a lounge waiting for you the next time you fly.
| Credit card | Annual fee | Welcome offer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| $895 | |||
| $895 |
Amex Platinum Lounge Access: Frequently Asked Questions
How many lounges can I access with the Amex Platinum Card?
The Amex Platinum Card provides access to over 1,550 airport lounges worldwide through the Global Lounge Collection, including Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs, Priority Pass lounges, Plaza Premium, and Escape Lounges. Lufthansa lounges left the collection on October 1, 2026. This is the most comprehensive lounge access of any premium travel credit card.
What’s the difference between Amex Platinum and Business Platinum lounge access?
Both the personal Amex Platinum Card and Business Platinum Card offer identical lounge access benefits, including the same networks, guest policies, and spending thresholds for enhanced benefits. The choice between cards typically depends on other features rather than lounge access differences.
Do I get unlimited access to Delta Sky Clubs with Amex Platinum?
No, Amex Platinum cards include 10 Delta Sky Club passes per year (each valid for 24 hours). You can unlock unlimited access by spending $75,000 annually on your card. You must be flying Delta or Delta-marketed WestJet flights; basic economy tickets don’t qualify.
How do I get free guests at Centurion Lounges?
Normally, guests cost $50 per adult and $30 per child (ages 2 through 17) at Centurion Lounges. However, after spending $75,000 on your Amex Platinum card in a calendar year, you can bring two complimentary guests for the remainder of that year and the entire following year.
Can I still access Lufthansa lounges with Amex Platinum?
No. Lufthansa lounges were part of the Global Lounge Collection through September 30, 2026. Since October 1, 2026, neither the Amex Platinum nor the Amex Business Platinum gives access to any Lufthansa lounge, whichever Lufthansa Group airline you fly.
Do I need to enroll in Priority Pass separately?
Yes, you must enroll in the Priority Pass Select benefit through your Amex account to receive your membership card. Once enrolled, you’ll get a physical Priority Pass card by mail, plus digital access through the Priority Pass app for over 1,800 lounges worldwide.
What do I need to bring for lounge access?
Requirements vary by lounge network: Centurion Lounges require your Amex card, ID, and boarding pass. Priority Pass lounges need your Priority Pass card and boarding pass. Delta Sky Clubs require your Amex card and Delta boarding pass. Always check specific requirements in the Amex app.
Can I access lounges without flying or with any airline?
Most lounges require a same-day boarding pass within 3 hours of departure. Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass, Plaza Premium, and Escape Lounges accept any airline. Delta Sky Clubs require Delta flights.
How many guests can I bring to different lounge networks?
Guest policies vary: Centurion Lounges charge $50 per adult (free after $75K spend), Priority Pass and Plaza Premium typically allow 2 free guests, Escape Lounges allow 2 free guests, and Delta Sky Clubs charge $50 per adult at full-service locations.
Are there any restrictions during peak travel times?
Yes, popular lounges (especially Centurion Lounges) can implement waitlists during peak travel periods. Some lounges may also restrict guest access or implement time limits when at capacity. Consider visiting during off-peak hours or having backup lounge options available.
