James (Jamie) started The Forward Cabin blog to educate readers about points, miles, and loyalty programs. He’s spoken at Princeton University and The New York Times Travel Show and has been quoted in...
Edited by: Keri Stooksbury
With years of experience in corporate marketing and as the Executive Director of the American Chamber of Commerce in Qatar, Keri is now Editor-in-Chief at UP, overseeing daily content operations and r...
13 comments
Scott Castle
May 15, 2019
It’s amazing that you can link to the FAQs in the article and yet still get the 3 hour rule incorrect.
You say:
“If you took a flight to PHL and have an onward connecting flight, you’ll have no problem entering the lounge, provided your connecting flight isn’t more than 3 hours away. If your layover if more than 3 hours, just keep in mind that Rule #1 will come into play for lounge access as well.”
Amex says:
“We will not admit Platinum Card Members more than 3 hours before the departure time on the Platinum Card Member’s same-day, confirmed boarding pass. This does not apply to Platinum Card Members with a connecting flight.”
James Larounis
May 15, 2019
Hi Scott. Thanks for letting us know. We originally reached out to Amex for comment and they’ve updated their website to reflect the clarification. The article has been corrected to let folks know that connections are permissible, however folks must have proof of connection and a confirmed seat assignment.
Robert Howard
January 18, 2020
I travel a lot. I’m in the lounge quite a few times a month. The food is terrible. It’s the same stuff over and over again. It has also appeared that the potatoes left over from breakfast found there way onto the lunch buffet, just sprinkled with cheese and parsley. If your chef won awards, he should give them back. Why don’t you change the menu on a consistent basis. And ditch the Israeli theme….I can only take so much….
Jarrod West
January 18, 2020
Hi Robert,
We are Upgraded Points, a website that provides educational travel information and reviews. We do not represent American Express or their Centurion Lounges.
Alainah
January 29, 2020
Are there complimentary manicures pedicures massages like at DFW in PHL?
Jarrod West
January 30, 2020
Hi Alainah,
Unfortunately, the Philadelphia Centurion lounge does not offer those services.
Buck CRNA
February 16, 2020
I was denied access to the lounge due to the 3 hour rule. They seem to abide by it on a very literal basis.
I went back 2 hours 59 minutes prior to my flight and got in.
Katie Seemann
February 16, 2020
Hi Buck,
Good data point – thanks for sharing!
Anthony Ong
August 20, 2021
Why does the lounge close at 5pm? Absolutely no value when needed. They need to fix this.
John
January 19, 2022
Centurion lounge is a no-go: they’re dropping additional guests in Feb 2023 unless you spend $75k/year, their hours are always changing (closing at 5 PM, now 7:30 PM for example) and they don’t post it on the site so you get there and no lounge, I read more than one review about their staff being rude (in one case calling the police) with guests for eating with their mask down, and they have super strange simon-says rules at the bar, made up on a whim by whoever is there – sometimes I could order drinks for me and my spouse while they unpack, sometimes they had to be there with me, sometimes the bartender had to simply look at them, just an odd passive-aggressive power trip. There was no limit on drinks or anything like that, they just got off on making you jump through hoops for it. The very nice showers are closed now as well. 2-3 years ago it was a great experience, but with the AF going up, losing the guests and the odd hours/poor staff this is off the list. Last year they waived the AF for these rightful complaints, hoping for another waiver because the Dell and airline credits are worthwhile, but not with a degraded lounge and a $700 AF.
Norm
May 10, 2022
Although I didn’t eat, there appeared to be a good selection and the staff were very nice. I found the entire lounge to be inadequate however. When I left at 5:30 on on a Monday, not only was every seat,filled but at least 15 people were waiting in the hallway to get in. Totally inadequate space and try and do any work there is impossible with the noise. I will be happy to pay for an Airline Lounge versus this site in Philly.
Caron
February 14, 2023
If I were at one of your centurion lounges and my flight got delayed is this still a three hour limit?
Jarrod West
February 15, 2023
Hi Caron,
We are not American Express so we cannot speak for them, but you should be allowed to remain in the lounge if your flight is delayed.
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