This has been an amazing year for credit cards. In a time when most loyalty programs are taking away benefits, it seems credit cards only continue to improve. Well, not the Citi Prestige card, but that’s a different story. In all honesty, its overwhelming to look at just how many cards have improved significantly in the past year. Personally I’ve found the biggest increase in benefits from the American Express Platinum card. Sure, the benefits lead to an increased annual fee ($550/year), but the improved benefits more than offset that increase. Now the card now comes with $400 in annual credits which reduces the effective annual fee to just $150! Today, I’ll focus on the improvements to what American Express calls the Global Lounge Program benefit.
Old Airport Lounge Benefit From The American Express Platinum Card
Way back in 2014 the American Express Platinum card was your golden Platinum ticket to airport lounges. The card allowed access to American Airlines Admirals Clubs, Delta SkyClubs, US Airways Clubs, and came with a Priority Pass membership. If you were traveling with the American Express Platinum card there were virtually no airport lounges that you couldn’t access (United Clubs).
Sadly, in 2014, American Express and American Airlines couldn’t come to an agreement and the issuer had to drop Admirals Club access for card holders (members). From then until early 2017 American Express’ lounge access wasn’t anything to write home about.
Improved Priority Pass Membership
American Express still hasn’t been able to add back Admirals Club access for cardholders, but they have improved the Priority Pass membership. Prior to the improvement only the primary card holder received complimentary access to Priority Pass lounges. Now the primary card holder and up to two guests can access Priority Pass lounges for free. To find a Priority Pass lounge you can either visit the Priority Pass website or the American Express Global Lounge Program lounge finder. You can also use the lounge finder to locate other lounges accessible with the American Express Platinum card.
Priority Pass lounges are fantastic because you don’t usually need to fly with a particular airline to enter. The Escape Lounge at MSP Airport for example is open to all passengers traveling with any airline. Priority Pass lounges also typically have better food/beverage offerings than traditional airline lounges. So far I’ve had positive experiences at every Priority Pass lounge I’ve visited.
The only issue I often have with Priority Pass lounges is location. Even though you technically have access to a lounge you may not be able to get in. I’ve noticed many are located in international terminals which aren’t accessible when flying domestically. You’d need an international carrier’s boarding pass to access the terminal and gain entry to the lounge.
Delta SkyClub Access
Delta and American Express continue to maintain an extensive relationship. American Express is the sole issuer of co-branded Delta credit cards (for better or worse). Included with that relationship, Delta extends SkyClub access to Platinum members when traveling with Delta Air Lines. Sadly, only the primary card holder receives complimentary access to Delta SkyClub lounges. Card holders can still bring up to two guests into the lounge, but must pay $29 extra for each guest.
Obviously I’d rather see free guest privileges, but I believe $29 is a generous rate. Consider Delta recently improved their food offerings, most should easily get $29 of value from a lounge visit when traveling.
American Express Centurion Lounge Access
American Express Platinum members also receive access to Centurion Lounges when traveling. Like Priority Pass Lounges, Centurion Lounges aren’t affiliated directly with airlines. Guests have access to Centurion Lounges when traveling with any airline. All you need is your American Express Platinum card, same-day boarding pass, and occasionally a photo ID.
Once inside a Centurion Lounge, guests will quickly realize the lounge is a significant improvement to traditional airline clubs. Centurion Lounges offer complete free chef inspired dining options, enhanced beverage options, and other various amenities that vary by location (such as the Exhale Spa at DFW). Currently, American Express only maintains Centurion Lounges at select airports, but the complete list is found here.
Airspace Lounge Access
In addition to the above lounges, American Express Platinum members also have access to Airspace lounges. Airspace Lounges aren’t quite as extravagant as the Centurion Lounges, but I’ve found they are also a step above traditional airline clubs. They also allow access to anyone with a same-day boarding pass with any airline. Currently, Airspace Lounges are only located in three airports (SAN, JFK, and CLE) and I haven’t heard of any plans to expand.
Final Thoughts
For a while now all I’ve heard about is how great the Chase Sapphire Reserve card is. Granted that card is still excellent, but I’ve found that the American Express Platinum card is the best all around airport lounge card on the market today. I realize the $550 annual fee seems steep, but if you maximize the annual travel/Uber credits you’re actually paying just $150 each year. Obviously, if you aren’t in airports often lounge access probably isn’t your primary concern, but it sure is nice to have if you ever find yourself in a bind.
