As I’ve mentioned in prior posts, earlier this year my family and I took a trip to South America. The trip was fantastic, but I tried my best not to distract myself with the blog along the way. While I mostly stuck to that goal I did end up documenting a few parts of the trip.
That’s exactly what happened when we arrived to the Buenos Airport (EZE) airport to catch our flight home. After clearing security and customs we still had a lot of time to kill before our flight. As there were 7 of us traveling together we tried to find a lounge to wait in before our flight. Even if we had to pay for lounge access for a few of us, it would most likely be cheaper than all of us eating and drinking in the main terminal.
Once past security I decided to launch the American Express mobile app. Within the app there is a handy “Find A Lounge” page which shows card members eligible lounges to visit. At the Buenos Aires (EZE) airport there were two such eligible lounges. One of the eligible lounges was a Priority Pass lounge in the A Terminal while the other was a Centurion Lounge in the C Terminal. As our flight departed from the C Terminal our only option was to visit the fairly new American Express Salon Centurion Lounge.
Accessing The Buenos Aires American Express Centurion Lounge
Once past the customs checkpoint it’s a short walk to the stairs which lead to the upper level lounges. As you reach the upper level landing you can’t miss the signature Centurion Lounge branding and iconic blue doors.
As we entered the lobby of the lounge the lounge staff asked to see boarding cards and American Express credit cards. As we were traveling as a group of 7 we fully expected to have to buy a day pass or two. Luckily, American Express allows Platinum card members to bring two guests into Centurion Lounges. Since three of us carry the Platinum card we were able to get all 7 family members in without any issues.
For reference, American Express limits Centurion Lounge access to Centurion and Platinum card members. Years ago American Express used to allow other card members to purchase day passes, but that practice has since ended.
Lastly, the country in which American Express issues your Platinum card does not affect lounge access. That means US issued card members can access all international lounges and visa versa.
American Express Centurion Lounge Buenos Aires Television Room
After the lounge attendants allowed us into the lounge we had to find a place to sit. When we arrived there were a few people in the lounge, but it wasn’t quite yet crowded. With each hour that passed however the lounge became increasingly crowded.
The first room of the lounge was large Television room with quite a few seats. Along the near wall of the lounge was a wall of greenery which featured an #AmexPlainum plaque.
I guess they didn’t get the memo about using Pink Neon lighting on a greenery backdrop.
As I mentioned, this first room is essentially just a large television room. The television is embedded into a large bookcase which is reminiscent of other Centurion Lounges throughout the world.
Under the wall of suitcases is the television, but also an informational screen which features airport and departure information.
American Express Centurion Lounge Buenos Aires Sitting Areas
Beyond the first, fairly small, TV viewing room was a second, much larger, sitting area. This room was much more like a traditional airport lounge.
While this second sitting area is much larger than the first, when we arrived there was not enough open seating for all 7 of us to sit together. Even if we would have found enough seats, I’m not sure that I would want to sit in this area as there was limited access to power outlets and the seats were quite close together. Since we couldn’t find seats toward the front of the lounge we decided to try to find seats in the back room of the lounge.
Along the back wall of the lounge were three “enclosed” sitting areas. Each of these areas were surrounded by long stands of yarn which offered zero privacy, but seemed interesting.
Around the corner from these trendy sitting areas was a smaller TV viewing area.
This television area was much smaller than the one toward the front of the lounge and much louder as it was next to the kid’s play area.
Behind the second television area is the kid’s room which featured a lot of toys for younger guests to play with. That being said, there didn’t appear to be any age limits to play with the toys.
American Express Centurion Lounge Buenos Aires Workstations
Along the back wall of the lounge is a wall of iMac computer workstations. The lounge has WiFi throughout, but in the event that you don’t have your own computer or perhaps need to print, you can use the complimentary computers in this area of the lounge.
The only downside to the layout of this lounges is that the second TV area and the computer workstations are all very near the kid’s room.
American Express Centurion Lounge Buenos Aires Catering
One of the things that typically sets American Express Centurion Lounges apart from traditional airport lounges is the catering. Technically, this lounge is an American Express Salon Centurion Lounge. That added word, “salon,” hints that this lounge isn’t a typical Centurion Lounge. That becomes evident when you see the catering offered in this lounge.
Along the side wall of the lounge guests can find a variety of snacks, but hot meals are not offered in this lounge.
Along the recessed wall guests can find a variety of cookies, breads, cereals, yogurt, fruits, cured meats, and cheeses. Essentially you’ll find exactly what you can expect from a traditional airport lounge.
Next to the snacks is a drink station where you can find fruit infused water, iced tea, and coffee machines.
Next to the coffee machines are a few small refrigerators which offered various still and sparkling waters, beers, soft drinks, and other canned beverages.
Lastly, toward the other end of the recessed catering area is a wet bar where guests can prepare their own beverages. The lounge offered both Brut and Rose Champagne as well as various red and white wines. Within the wet bar were a few bottles of liquor for guests to chose from, but guests can find other bottles of liquor throughout this recessed area of the lounge.
After grabbing a drink or plate of food guests could opt to sit in the sitting area directly adjacent to the buffet area.
Final Thoughts
As far as airport lounges go, the American Express Salon Centurion Lounge in Buenos Aires’ EZE airport is plenty nice. The lounge isn’t nearly as nice as other Centurion Lounges found throughout the United States, but it was much nicer than most contract lounges found in international airports.
The only things that frustrated me about this lounge were the lack of hot food items and lack of shower facilities. Flights between Buenos Aires and the United States easily top 10+ hours so it would have been nice to shower before the flight. Likewise, if connecting onto a different South American city, it would been nice to have a shower facility to use before a connecting flight.
Other than those two minor complaints the Buenos Aires Centurion lounge is a nice place to wait for a flight. Additionally, it was nice that all 7 of us were able access the lounge thank to our American Express Platinum cards. However, next time I’m in Argentina I don’t plan on arriving at the airport early to use this lounge.
