The American Express Platinum card provides access to an expansive network of airport lounges with its Global Lounge Collection. Unlike other premium cards that only offer access to lounges through Priority Pass Select memberships, American Express Platinum cardholders can access several lounge networks, including the AMEX-branded Centurion Lounges. Cardholders can also access these lounges:
- Delta SkyClub®
- Priority Pass™ Select
- Escape Lounges – The Centurion® Studio Partner
- Plaza Premium
- Lufthansa Lounges
- Additional Global Lounge Collection Partner Lounges
The Delta and Lufthansa lounges require that you’re flying with the airline to enter those lounges. Besides that, what else do you need to enter a lounge?
Entering The Lounge
To enter a Priority Pass lounge, you’ll need to show your Priority Pass card (physical or digital versions are accepted) and your boarding pass. For all the other lounges, you’ll need to show your AMEX Platinum Card, boarding pass and possibly photo ID. One exception is for Delta SkyClubs, where you don’t have to show your Platinum Card if you have it added to your Delta wallet.
We were flying back home from Atlanta on a Southwest flight during a recent trip. I didn’t think about lounges because we were flying with Southwest, but then my wife Sharon asked if we had any lounge access when she was figuring out what time we should leave the hotel to get to the airport. That’s when I remembered that there’s a Centurion Lounge at ATL. I forgave myself for forgetting because we usually fly Delta through ATL and visit whichever SkyClub is closest to the gate, so I never worried about other airport lounges. Since all the terminals at Atlanta are linked past security, you’re able to visit any lounge as long as you have enough time to get back to your gate for your flight.
However, there was now one big problem. I didn’t bring my Platinum Card with me, and I didn’t give Sharon her Platinum Card either.
Could I use a Mobile Pass?
The first solution that came to my mind was to use the Centurion Lounge Mobile Check-In. Cardholders can use the AMEX App to create a QR code that can be used, with a boarding pass and ID, to access a Centurion Lounge. I’ve played around with the mobile check-in before but never used it because it doesn’t save time from handing my Platinum Card to the lounge agent.
I was confident that this had a high probability of working, but I encountered another problem. Sharon’s Platinum Card doesn’t show up on her AMEX account in the app. I’m not sure if it’s because she’s an additional cardholder on my account. With her having no way to prove she’s a Platinum cardholder, I wasn’t going to pay an additional $50 for her to enter the lounge.
Taking A Chance
The AMEX website is very clear about the items you need to show to enter a Centurion Lounge.
To enter, present your valid Platinum Card, a boarding pass showing a confirmed reservation for same-day travel and a government issued ID.
I looked online but found very few comments about trying to enter a Centurion Lounge without having your Platinum Card. There were a few instances where cardholders claimed that the lounge staff was able to look up AMEX accounts at the desk and eventually allowed them into the lounge. I figured we’d give it a shot. Worst case, I’d have a data point for others in the same situation, and we’d go next door for a meal at One Flew South.
When we arrived at the lounge, there was no line to check-in. I walked up to one of the three agents at the desk and explained my situation. The person helping me was very pleasant and said that she would gladly look up my AMEX account information. Once she found my Platinum Card, which has the same last five digits as another of my AMEX cards, she was able to check me in. She then started looking up Sharon’s information but it was easier since hers is an additional cardholder on my account, which was already open. Easy peasy.
Final Thought
Since Centurion Lounges are only accessible to American Express cardholders, the lounge staff have the ability to check your AMEX accounts and confirm whether you have a Platinum or Centurion card if you accidentally leave yours at home. Surprisingly, it was easier than I thought to gain access to the lounge, and I’m relieved that everything worked out. If we had been denied entry, I would never hear the end of “The time I forgot to bring my Platinum Card.”
Want to comment on this post? Great! Read this first to help ensure it gets approved.
Want to sponsor a post, write something for Your Mileage May Vary, or put ads on our site? Click here for more info.
Like this post? Please share it! We have plenty more just like it and would love it if you decided to hang around and sign up to get emailed notifications of when we post.
Whether you’ve read our articles before or this is the first time you’re stopping by, we’re really glad you’re here and hope you come back to visit again!
This post first appeared on Your Mileage May Vary
Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from our team.