One of the best perks of holding an American Express Platinum, Business Platinum or Centurion card is unlimited access to American Express’ global lounge network. Card members can enter these Amex lounges before a flight, no matter which airline or cabin they’re flying.
(Holders of these cards also enjoy access to Virgin Australia lounges and Delta Sky Clubs when flying these respective airlines, as well as all Plaza Premium lounges. Plus, they score an unlimited Priority Pass membership.)
Even better? The list of Amex lounges just got longer, with the opening of the American Express Centurion Lounge in London. Plus, Amex is also upgrading their Sydney and Melbourne lounges to Centurion standards. Happy days for Australian high flyers.
A few other lower-tier American Express cards – such as the Explorer, Qantas Ultimate and Velocity Platinum cards – offer two complimentary visits to the Australian Amex lounges, as well. Here’s our guide to American Express lounge access, both in Australia and around the world.
Editor’s note: Many American Express lounges remain closed, including in Australia. This guide is being updated so we can provide the best information for you when broader travel opens up.
Enjoy unlimited lounge access and more with the American Express Platinum Card.
American Express Platinum Card
- Sign-up Bonus:
- 200,000 bonus Membership Rewards Points¹
- Rewards Earn Rate:
- Earn 2.25 Membership Rewards points per $1 on all eligible purchases, except for spend with government bodies, for which you will earn 1 point per $1 spent
- Annual Fee:
- $1,450 p.a.
- Offer expires
- 25 August 2026
- Enjoy 200,000 bonus Membership Rewards Points¹ when you spend $5,000 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months. (Offer available to new American Express Card Members only. Offer ends 25 August 2026. T&Cs apply.) Unlock premium perks including unlimited airport lounge access, international travel insurance, Amex Hotels and Resorts benefits, up to $400 in Global Dining Credit¹⁰, and a $450 Travel Credit⁵ each year. Earn up to 2.25 Membership Rewards Points per $1 on eligible spend. The annual fee is $1,450.
What are American Express lounges?
American Express own a network of branded lounges around the world – these are known as The Centurion Lounge and International American Express Lounges.
Centurion Lounges are generally a step up in terms of services and amenities, though you’ll mainly find them in the United States. Other Centurion locations include Hong Kong, and now London, Sydney and Melbourne.
These lounges are a space for card members to enjoy access before any airline flight. It doesn’t matter whether you’re flying Economy on a budget airline – if you have an eligible Amex card, you can get in.
There are also some non-airport lounge locations which vary in offerings. For example, the Amex Entertainment Lounge in Qudos Bank Arena (Sydney) welcomes card members, but you still need to purchase food and beverages.
How do I access American Express lounges?
You must have an eligible American Express credit or charge card to enter these lounges, plus be departing on a flight from that airport the same day. Unlimited access to both Australian and overseas lounges is free for Platinum Card and Centurion card members, along with two guests. Simply flash your metal on arrival.
The Sydney and Melbourne lounges also offer two complimentary visits a year for other Australian Amex card members with the following cards:
- American Express Explorer
- Qantas American Express Ultimate
- American Express Velocity Platinum
- David Jones Platinum American Express
- Westpac Altitude Black American Express
Remember that access through these complimentary passes is only for Australian lounges, not overseas. Each pass only admits one person, so a couple would need to use both passes to enter the lounge.
Like Platinum and Centurion members, you still only need to just flash your card for entry. Your passes will be deducted at the lounge reception. Thankfully, accompanying children under 18 can enter for free.
Changes to US-issued Amex cards from 1 Feb 2023
Starting from 1 February 2023, US Platinum and Business Platinum card members will lose their complimentary guest entitlements, due to overcrowding.
They’ll be charged USD$50 per guest (or USD$30 per child aged 2-17 years). However, if they spend more than USD$75,000 on eligible purchases in the previous calendar year, they’ll qualify for two complimentary guests over the following 12-month period.
Thankfully, this change doesn’t affect Australian-issued Amex Platinum and Business Platinum cards at this time.
Which airports have Amex Lounges?
As of October 2021, there are 24 American Express-branded airport lounges across the network. This includes two in Australia, 13 across the US, and eight scattered across London, Sweden, India, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and Hong Kong.
| Australia | Sydney, Melbourne (both international departures) |
| United States | Charlotte, Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York (LGA), New York (JFK), Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Francisco, Seattle |
| Asia | Hong Kong, Mumbai, Delhi |
| Latin America | Mexico City, Monterrey, Buenos Aires, São Paulo |
| Europe | Stockholm, London |
What’s it like inside an Amex Lounge?
The in-lounge experience can differ depending on where you’re flying out of. In general, you should expect the following amenities when travelling:
- Selection of hot and cold food
- Wine, beer and spirits
- WiFi
- Shower suites
- Family room in many locations
- Workspaces
Centurion Lounges usually boast an elevated level of service and dining, including a la carte meals and an impressive drinks menu. You can access the lounge a maximum of three hours before your departing flight. This rule was recently put in place due to the increasing number of eligible card members.
London Centurion Lounge
Amex’s new London Centurion Lounge sets an aspirational new benchmark. It’s located in Terminal 3 (where Qantas, Qatar Airways and Malaysia Airlines flights usually depart from). Tuck into world-class Middle Eastern fusion cuisine, led by Chef Assaf Granit of Michelin-starred restaurant Shabour, in Paris.
Sip on curated beverages including ‘Hair of the Frog’ (alcohol-free with Seedlip Garden, Æcorn Bitter, Æcorn Dry) or the ‘Breakfast Marteani’ (Hine H Cognac, Lemon Juice, Rare Tea Co. English Breakfast Tea, Orange Marmalade, Regan’s Orange Bitters). That’s sure to jolt you awake!
Sydney (pre-Centurion lounge)
Amex’s newer Sydney lounge is a masterpiece, featuring plenty of space to work and dine. The a-la-carte menu features an assortment of beverages and made-to-order food. When it re-opens as a Centurion lounge, we expect a decent improvement in both the food options and the wine list.
Melbourne (pre-Centurion lounge)
The Amex Lounge in Melbourne is a bit smaller than its Sydney counterpart, but still boasts various areas to chill-out before your flight. It too is temporarily closed due to COVID-19 travel restrictions. Once again, we hope it will improve when it re-opens as a Centurion lounge.
Stockholm
Our former writer, Matt Moffitt, visited the Stockholm ‘lounge’ in Terminal 5 in April 2018. It’s basically an exclusive area within a restaurant. The WiFi was fast and the service customer friendly, with a waiter offering made-to-order drinks and bringing trays of food to guests’ tables.
San Francisco
The Centurion Lounge at SFO is located after security in Terminal 3, which conveniently connects to the International Terminal. So if your departing flight is from Terminal 1 or 2, while you can enter any terminal you like, make sure that you allow enough time to clear security again in your respective terminal.
It has Californian-inspired food and local Anchor Steam, Sierra Nevada, and Brew Free or Die beers on tap. The exclusively Napa Valley-sourced wine offerings at the automatic tasting area are also very cool.
Miami
This lounge is located near Gate D12. It’s accessible from all terminals but we suggest using the Skytrain if you’re far away.
Matt visited this lounge on a typical Monday afternoon/evening in August 2017 and it was pretty packed in the main areas until 8 pm, after which it started to clear out. The size of the lounge has been expanded since January 2019.
Pleasingly, there are some good views of the apron. You can also avoid the crowds by returning to the front desk (facing the exit) and using the workbenches curving to the left. Alternatively, the workbenches, seats and lounges to the right offer the chance for some shut-eye.
Houston
The Houston lounge can be a bit hard to find. It’s tucked away via an elevator located in the duty-free store at the top of the escalators, after security in Terminal D.
The good news? If you’re departing from another terminal at Houston, you can connect to Terminal D without having to re-clear security. Like the other Amex lounges in the US, it is beautifully appointed.
Summing up
American Express Lounges are a valuable space for customers who don’t usually enjoy airline lounges, or want to make the most of generous family and guest access privileges. As a downside, these lounges can be quite crowded – since many people are eligible for access. However, this is being addressed in the US by cutting guest allowances.
In Australia, the American Express Platinum and American Express Business Platinum cards provide unlimited Amex lounge access worldwide. Many other cards offer two complimentary visits a year to the Sydney or Melbourne lounges. Take your pick!
Supplementary images by American Express. This article was previously written by Matt Moffitt.
What about Brisbane airport, can i use these lounge passes to another lounge at Brisbane?
Hi Alisha, the Amex passes can only be used at the Amex lounges at Sydney and Melbourne airports.
MEL is I agree pokey and small – in 2019 did a quick looking then decided to spent time in SQ Business lounge. HKG is OK, LGA is OK, LAS is fantastic and spacious, including the shower suites which are very large SFO is small, 1 shower and food may be reasonable but dont forget you have to tip for drinks in the USA When in SFO lounge late 2019 it was so packed i had to sit on the carpet next to a power point to charge phones, no chairs even available I had to forget the shower as waitlisted On the way back to NYC after a day trip/mileage run to SFO via LAX it was pure pleasure after that ratty SFO Amex lounge to use the then new United Clubs at SFO and LAX (but sadly still no showers)
Hi there – I’d love to hear a review of the LAX Centurion lounge vs the LAX Qantas Business lounge if you’ve checked out both? Thanks!
There’s a bus actually. Airside. Shuttles you from TB to 2,3 I believe.
You’re right, Jeremy. I’ve taken this bus before and it is a hassle. I’ve added some more detail about this option in the guide as per your recommendation.
Do the David Jones and westpac platinum amex have access to the vivid Sydney lounge?
Hi Amanda
The American Express lounge at Vivid is open to all American Express cardholders. Please see https://www.vividsydney.com/event/light/american-express-invites-lounge for further details.
I used the AmEx Melbourne Airport lounge in September. It was pokey with limited seating and quite dirty to be honest. Much of the furniture and fitting were showing wear, which was unexpected considering it hasn’t been open for long. Food and beverage offering were also limited. Won’t be doing a return visit.
great website. I will Westpac Altitude Black Amex Card. i think i note that will get me access to both Hong Kong and Singapore Amex lounges. Can i get access for my wife and 12 year old daughters to both of these?
The Westpac Altitude Black does not provide access to overseas lounges—only the Australian ones. You would need to use a pass each for you and your wife; your children enter free.
Just to be clear, the Centurion Lounge in Houston, Texas, is at the Houston Intercontinental Airport (IAH), not the Houston Hobby Airport (HOU): https://thecenturionlounge.com/locations/IAH/
Mark H
‘Food and wine, beer and spirits, usually complimentary in the US and for purchase elsewhere.’ Does this mean you have to pay for food? What about wine and beer?
Food is free. Depending on the lounge, alcohol may be free (in the US mainly) or for purchase (elsewhere). I’ve updated the guide to make this clearer.
Hello everyone, how do you access the AMEX overseas lounges ? I will be in Stockholm in July this year (And i am an AMEX Velocity Platinum card holder)
You’ll need to have the American Express Platinum to access overseas lounges—the Amex Velocity Platinum does not provide access, unfortunately.
do I just flash my Amex Ultimate card to gain access to the Sydney/Melbourne lounge, or is there as “pass” I must procure first – and if so, how?
Just flash the card! Guide updated.
Thanks for the article – will Westpac Altitude Black Amex still get you in until 4th April when the card expires?
Unfortunately not. Guide updated.
Will the melbourne AMEX lounge be available for people travelling domestically all only international travellers? Not sure of melbourne airport setup – assuming its different terminals like sydney?
Just international. Guide updated.
As a American Express Velocity Platinum Card holder, do I just need to present the card at the lounge entrance or do I need to pre-book / obtain passes?
Just present the card! Guide updated.
HI Matt,
with a Qantas Ultimate card, would it be possible to enter the lounge in Hong Kong ?
using one of my 2 passes for the year ?
No, unfortunately, you can only use the American Express lounge invitations for the lounge in Sydney and probably Melbourne when that lounge opens.
However, you could use one of the two Qantas lounge invitations to visit the Qantas lounge in Hong Kong instead.
Does the AMEX centurion lounge allow the Qantas Amex ultimate card for a free pass or is it strictly platinum cards only?
The Qantas Amex Ultimate allows free access to the Sydney Airport American Express lounge twice a year. Read more in the card guide.
Sydney Amex lounge- located near International departures
Can it be used for domestic travel ?
No, it is only for international departures as the international and domestic terminals at Sydney Airport are separate.
Hi Matt, as Melbourne’s terminals are all together, could I use the Amex lounge for domestic travel? I can already use the Virgin one with my Amex, but not Qantas.
The Amex lounge is only accessible before international flights. Guide updated.
Hi Matt,
Does the Commonwealth Bank issues American Express Platinum enable unlimited access to these Lounges, and if not, any access at all? What about Commbank Diamond Amex card?
Cheers
Denis
Hi Denis, the CommBank Platinum Awards card does not provide lounge access; the higher-fee Diamond Awards one gives two entries per year to the Amex Sydney Lounge. You can read more about them in our CommBank Awards Guide.
Is there a lounge in singapore changi airport I can use with my commonwealth bank american express
diamond awards card. Thank you. David
No, the CommBank Diamond Awards card currently only provides two entries per year to the American Express Lounge in Sydney (although that may be expanded to the new lounge in Melbourne in the future).
Singapore Airport has some great Priority Pass lounges, so you may consider a card like the Westpac Altitude Black that provides access.
Are you counting the Centurion Lounge in Stockholm? It looks neat, if a bit on the small side.
Wow, I didn’t know that existed! My brother lives in Sweden, so this is super useful to me. I have added it into the post to spread the word.
Does the Melbourne lounge have an opening date?
“The exact opening date or month has not yet been confirmed.”
Hi Matt, do you know if Amex have any future lounge roll outs in Aus?
Not aware of any at the moment, unfortunately.
I know that some bank issued AMEX Cards are eligible for two entries per calendar year to the Sydney AMEX lounges:
David Jones Platinum American Express
Qantas American Express Ultimate Card
American Express Velocity Platinum Card
ANZ Frequent Flyer or ANZ Rewards Black American Express Card
Westpac Altitude Black & Earth Black American Express Cards
Commonwealth Bank Diamond Awards American Express Card
Does this extend to the Centurion lounges in the States? Or only for the Sydney lounge?
Only for the Sydney lounge, unfortunately.