Which Airport Lounges Can I Access With The Amex Platinum Card(s)? [August 2023]

The American Express Global Lounge Collection (1,400+ Lounges)

You don’t have to fly a specific airline or purchase a premium class of service to have worldwide lounge access.

The Platinum Card^® from American Express and The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express both come with complimentary access to 1,400+ lounges worldwide.

You’ll have access to any of the lounge networks within the Amex Global Lounge Collection:

• Luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges (both in the U.S. and abroad)
• Priority Pass lounges (upon enrollment)
• Delta Sky Club (when flying Delta same-day)
• Aspire Lounges
• Escape Lounges – The Centurion Studio Partner
• Select Lufthansa Lounges (when flying Lufthansa same-day)
• Plaza Premium Lounges
• Select Virgin Clubhouses

Hot Tip: With 1,400+ lounges worldwide, both the Amex Platinum card and Amex Business Platinum offer the most comprehensive lounge access benefit of any travel credit card. 

Here’s a quick overview of those two cards:

The Value of Amex’s Complimentary Lounge Access (Platinum Cards)

The cost of purchasing an airport lounge membership is constantly increasing. It’s not unusual to see $600 annual membership fees for access to a single lounge network.

To understand the value of the complimentary lounge membership that comes with the Amex Platinum card and Amex Business Platinum card, let’s look at what membership would cost for a typical airport lounge network.

Lounge Network	Single 1-Year Membership Cost	Cost To Add a Spouse, Partner, or Guest to Membership	Single-day Pass for 1 Person
Admirals Club	$650 to $850 depending on elite status	$800 additional for household membership, depending on elite status	$79 or 7,900 AAdvantage miles
Delta Sky Club	$545, 54,500 miles or $50 for 12 monthly installments	$300 additional for Executive Membership, which includes access for up to 2 additional guests	Not available
United Club	$550 or 75,000 miles for Premier 1K members,$600 or 80,000 miles for Premier Platinum members, $650 or 85,000 miles for Premier Silver, Gold, and General Members	$650 (or 85,000 United miles) additional for spouse or partner	$59
Priority Pass Select	$469	N/A – Annual membership covers cardholders only; additional guests pay $35 per visit	$35 per visit for cardholders with basic $99 annual standard membership
Centurion Lounge	N/A	N/A	Eligible Amex cardholders can purchase a guest day pass for $50 per adult or $30 per child between the ages of 2 and 17
Lufthansa Lounges	N/A	N/A	$25 to $50 per visit per person
Plaza Premium	$349 (10 visits)	N/A	Can bring 2 guests free, 30% discount on the fee for each additional guest
Escape Lounges – The Centurion Studio Partner	N/A	N/A	$40 to $45 per visit
Aspire Lounge	N/A	N/A	$40 to $45 per visit

Yes, annual lounge membership can be expensive. However, with a yearly fee, is the complimentary lounge access that comes with the Amex Platinum card and Amex Business Platinum card worth it?

Let’s do the math.

Value for Family Lounge Access

As of February 1, 2023, complimentary guest access for Amex Platinum card and Amex Business Platinum cardholders is based upon calendar spending for Centurion Lounge access. The fee per guest will be $50 per adult or $30 per child between 2 to 17 years old. Complimentary guest access will be reinstated once you’ve spent $75,000 in eligible purchases in a calendar year.

If you frequently travel with a large family, it can be frustrating when lounge access is denied to more than 2 guests. Sure, you and your partner could each be primary cardholders with your own individual cards, but fortunately, that’s not necessary.

For $195 per card, you can add authorized users to your Amex Platinum card (rates and fees). Each authorized user receives the same lounge benefits as the primary cardholder.

Remember that authorized users don’t have to be traveling with you to have lounge access. Plus, they can each bring 2 guests to most lounges.

Value for the Delta Air Lines Traveler

Without the Amex Platinum card or Amex Business Platinum card, a frequent Delta traveler without high-level elite status would need to purchase a Sky Club membership to have lounge access.

A Delta Sky Club membership that allows 2 guests would cost $845 annually. A single membership is $545.

For just the annual fee, the Amex Platinum card or Amex Business Platinum card could secure access for an entire family to over 1,400 lounges worldwide, not just Delta-affiliated lounges.

Bottom Line: The Amex Platinum card and Amex Business Platinum card, with annual fees nearly the same cost as a single Sky Club membership, deliver far more value for the Delta traveler. Plus, you’ll receive all the cards’ additional benefits, including the initial welcome offer, statement credits, hotel/rental car elite status, and access to more than Delta-affiliated lounges. 

Value for the Business Traveler

If you travel for business, chances are you greatly value lounge access. The expense can add up quickly if you pay for an annual lounge membership or purchase day passes.

The Amex Business Platinum card can give you unlimited access to over 1,400 lounges worldwide for less than the cost of purchasing just 2 day passes per month or a single annual lounge membership.

The additional benefits of the Amex Business Platinum card can also serve the business traveler well. Airline incident fee credit, Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credit, statement credits, elite status with car rental and hotel programs, and premium perks at Fine Hotels & Resorts all provide value for the business traveler.

Bottom Line: The business traveler who purchases just 2 lounge day passes per month would receive far greater economic value, more benefits, and spend less by having the Amex Business Platinum card. 

Value for the Leisure Traveler

If you currently pay for lounge access, having the Amex Platinum card for complimentary lounge access as a leisure traveler makes sense. It also makes sense if you’d like to add the luxury of having airport lounge access to your travels.

If you travel just once a quarter and pay for 2 travelers to access a lounge, you could be spending $400 a year on lounge access. Having the Amex Platinum card will add unlimited worldwide lounge access to your travels for yourself, plus 2 guests. You can visit for 15 minutes or 3 hours without considering whether it’s worth the $50 per day pass fee for each person.

The Amex Global Lounge Benefit (Details)

Having complimentary access to various airport lounges during your travels may sound very appealing. However, it’s always good to dig deeper and learn more about the actual benefits you’ll be receiving.

For a credit card benefit to have value for you, you’ll need to be able to utilize that benefit.

Let’s take a look at the impressive collection of lounges and lounge alternatives in the American Express Global Lounge Collection that you’ll have complimentary access to with your Amex Platinum card and Amex Business Platinum card.

The Amex Centurion Lounge Network

Membership to this elite network of luxury airport lounges is not for sale. You’ll need to have either the Amex Platinum card, Amex Business Platinum card, or the Centurion^® Card by American Express to gain access.

Centurion Lounges, both in the U.S. and abroad, are the most incredible places to hang out if you’re a frequent traveler. Order from the menu, take a nap in the zen room, or relax with a premium cocktail during your visit.

You may even choose to get a manicure or massage if your schedule allows. Services and amenities vary by location, but it’s always an elevated experience.

Amex Centurion Lounge Benefits

Additional Amenities Available at Some Centurion Lounges

Priority Pass Select (1,300+ Locations Worldwide)

Priority Pass lounges seem to be available everywhere, and there’s a reason. There are more than 1,300 locations worldwide, so you’ll likely find one available during your travels.

You may also use your Priority Pass Select membership to take a nap at Minute Suites. You’ll receive the first hour free.

You must register for Priority Pass once you receive your Amex Platinum card or Amex Business Platinum card welcome package in the mail. Log in to your online account, sign up under the Benefits tab, or call the number on the back of your card.

We’ve put together an extensive guide to Priority Pass with a list of benefits, plus lounge, restaurant, and Minute Suite locations in the U.S. Note that Priority Pass memberships from U.S.-issued American Express cards, including the Amex Platinum card and Amex Business Platinum card, no longer include Priority Pass restaurant access (“non-lounge airport experiences”).

Delta Sky Club (50+ Lounges)

Cardholders traveling the same day on Delta have unlimited access to over 50 Delta Sky Clubs.

Just show your boarding pass, ID, and Amex Platinum card or Amex Business Platinum card for entry.

While guests are not included in complimentary access, the cardholder may purchase discounted access for up to 2 guests for a fee.

Lufthansa Lounges

Cardholders receive complimentary access to Lufthansa business class lounges when flying same-day on a Lufthansa Group flight (Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines). If the cardholder is flying business class, they’ll also have access to the Lufthansa Senator Lounges. Centurion cardmembers have access to Lufthansa first class, Senator, and Business lounges regardless of ticket class.

Guests may be granted access for a fee.

Virgin Clubhouses

Cardholders are eligible to visit Virgin Clubhouses in Boston (BOS), New York (JFK), San Francisco (SFO), Washington, D.C. (IAD), and Johannesburg (JNB) in South Africa.

Plaza Premium Lounges

Based in Hong Kong, Plaza Premium Lounges has a vast network of airport lounges available to the Amex Platinum card or Amex Business Platinum cardholder.

You’ll find 120+ lounges worldwide in the Plaza Premium Lounges network.

Escape Lounges – The Centurion Studio Partner

With 10+ locations throughout the U.S., Escape Lounges – The Centurion Studio Partner offers a place to enjoy a premium beverage, have a bite to eat, catch up on work, or relax between flights.

Cardholders may bring 2 additional guests at no charge.

Aspire Lounges

Aspire Lounges (formerly Airspace Lounge) are located at the San Diego (SAN) and Ontario (ONT) airports and offer complimentary access for cardholders. Enjoy complimentary refreshments, a business area, Wi-Fi, a conference room (SAN), and showers (SAN), and 2 guests are permitted at no additional charge.

Final Thoughts

If you currently pay for an annual airport lounge membership, you’ll be thrilled with the value you receive from the Amex Platinum card and Amex Business Platinum card.

For less than the price of just a couple of day passes per month, you can enjoy unlimited worldwide lounge access with the card. You’ll also enjoy the long list of other premium travel benefits that come with the card.

If you’ve been without lounge membership and have considered adding lounge access to your travels, you won’t find a more cost-effective route to unlimited worldwide lounge access for you and your guests.

The information regarding the Centurion^® Card from American Express was independently collected by Upgraded Points and was not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. 

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card^® from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express, click here.