American Express doubles the global lounge footprint and the quality of what lounge fans eat and drink in lounges across the United States.
This month, the credit card company announced major changes to its Premium Centurion Lounge Program, including the debut of two new international locations, the concept of a new speak-easy style, and the launch of a massive culinary refreshment in US lounges led by some of the nation’s most acclaimed chefs. Together, the move shows a significant investment in global travel experiences at a time when competition in luxury airport lounge spaces is becoming more intense than ever before, with rivals like Chase and Capital expanding their own premium products.
The company plans to open additional lounges in Salt Lake City, Newark and Boston (expected for 2025, 2026 and 2027, 16,000, 17,000 and 20,000 square feet, respectively). Beyond standard amenities, the company provided a terrace in Salt Lake City, with Newark having a jazz bar and piano lounge, and Boston having a rooftop bar.
This is what you need to know.
Tokyo Haneda’s new Centurion Lounge
On July 16, 2025, American Express officially opened the door to Japan’s first Centurion Lounge at Haneda Airport (HND) in Tokyo.
Within the 7,500-square-foot lounge, travelers will find Japanese art (Iwasaki Ryuji’s pottery, Sasaki’s ink paintings, installations by Yokoyama Nakahara), private rooms for telephones and meditation (with lighting and sound environments like water, birds and windy forests).
One outstanding feature is the open kitchen dining experience led by chef Sato Oshima, who directs the Michelin star-grown Akasaka Ogino in Tokyo. Many of the dishes are Western offerings, but they have Japanese origins, including hand-rolled ribs, ramen, and beef curry. Another treat bar offers Idiot (Traditional Japanese sweets) and other sweets. A variety of beer, wine, and craft cocktails with Japanese whisks and liquor are also available at the lounge bar. Like many Centurion lounges, Haneda’s front post base offers a variety of seating areas, private work rooms, shower suites, high-speed Wi-Fi, power outlets and live flight departure boards.
The lounge at Terminal 3 near Gate 114 is unfortunately open daily from 8am to 10pm. Given the airport rules, travelers departing from Terminal 1 or 2 are not accessible.
New Centurion Lounge in Amsterdam Schiphol
Next year, American Express will continue its expansion in Europe by launching a new Centurion Lounge at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS), the first unique lounge on the European continent. (There are already locations in London and Stockholm.) The lounge covers approximately 6,000 square feet, between Piers E and F at the International Terminal.
Although design and amenities details are still wrapped, American Express says the space incorporates design elements inspired by Amsterdam’s iconic canals and artistic heritage, and includes a locally inspired food menu, with multiple seating areas and a coffee bar.
Cooking group by Centurion Lounge
In line with the global expansion, American Express is redesigning the way travelers eat inside the lounge. Starting July 29th, a new food and beverage initiative called The Culinary Collective by Centurion Lounge, partnership with four James Beard Awards – Winning chefs: Mashama Bailey (Savannah’s The Grey), Sarah Grueneberg (Chicago’s Monteverde), Kwame (New York’s Tatatiana and Dceds (K’far, New York City and Zahaf, Philadelphia).
Each chef will serve seasonal dishes that spin through the existing 15 Centurion Lounges in the US, providing travelers with a higher and consistent dining experience in all US lounges. Some of the most popular menu items are:
- Mashama Bailey’s Paprika Chicken and Espresso Cream Brule
- Lemony Orzo with grilled corn and cucumber salad with artichokes and dill, avocado and salagruneberg coriander salsa verde
- Afro-Caribbean Suya Short Rib and Kwameon Uachi Tamarind Ice Box Cake
- Glazed salmon with pomegranate topped with Michael Solomonov’s Tabuure and burnt broccolini
The program also includes an improved beverage experience curated by Harrison Ginsberg, bar director of New York’s Overstory. It ranked in 2024 as the best bar in the world with the best 50 in the world. Non-alcoholic spirit of plants.
Side cars by Centurion Lounge
As part of a broader strategy to tailor experiences to the crowded and different types of travellers, American Express is introducing a new concept called Sidecar by Centurion Lounge, a Speakeasy style off-shot designed for a shorter stay. (Unlike traditional Centurion lounges, the sidecar location is only accessible to travelers departing within 90 minutes.)
“Many of our visitors take less than an hour in the lounge. We specifically created sidecars for them,” Audrey Hendry, president of American Express Travel, said in a press release.
The first sidecar location is scheduled to open in 2026 at Harry Reed International Airport in Las Vegas. It serves as a venue for cocktail bars and small plates, providing a bite for travelers looking for tight connections or lounge experiences.
Who has access to the Centurion Lounge?
Access to the Centurion Lounge is limited to certain Premium American Express cards owners, such as Platinum Cards, Business Platinum Cards, and Centurion Cards, and is subject to availability. Additionally, business card owners of Delta Sky Miles Reserve and Delta Sky Miles Reserve can enter when flying with the Delta.
