American Express has spent the past few years steadily tightening the rules for Centurion Lounge access, all in an effort to deal with one persistent problem: overcrowding.
Some of those changes were big and very visible — like the 3-hour pre-departure entry limit or the elimination of complimentary guests unless you spend $75,000 a year. Others were quieter tweaks that only affected certain edge cases.
Starting July 8, two more rules take effect. And while they won’t impact many travelers overall, if you’re a Card Member who actually used these benefits, it’s time to start thinking about alternate plans.
1. A New 5-Hour Limit for Layovers
Up until now, American Express allowed Card Members to enter Centurion Lounges at any time before a confirmed connecting flight. That’s changing.
Effective July 8, if you’re on a layover, you’ll only be allowed to enter a Centurion Lounge within 5 hours of your connecting flight’s departure.
A few key points:
- This applies only to layovers, not your initial departure
- The existing 3-hour rule still applies to origin airports
- Same-day round-trip itineraries are not considered connecting flights
In practice, this targets travelers with unusually long connections who may have been using lounges as a place to camp out for much of the day.
2. Guests Must Be on the Same Flight as the Cardholder
The second change further tightens guest access rules.
Starting July 8, all guests must be traveling on the same flight as the Card Member.
This applies whether:
- You’re paying the guest fee, or
- You’ve unlocked complimentary guest access by spending $75,000 in a calendar year
In other words, no more:
- Bringing in friends or family flying on a different itinerary
- Meeting someone at the airport just to access the lounge together
- Escorting a guest who’s departing much earlier or later than you are
This rule applies to U.S. Consumer Platinum, Business Platinum, and also impacts access tied to premium Delta cards that rely on Centurion Lounge entry.
Who This Will Actually Impact
For most travelers, these changes won’t be noticeable.
You’re most likely to feel them if you:
- Routinely book very long layovers (5+ hours)
- Use lounges during extended airport stays between flights
- Travel with companions who are not on the same flight
- Regularly use Centurion Lounges as a de facto office or meeting space during long airport stays
If your typical lounge use is grabbing a meal, a drink, or a quiet place to sit before boarding, nothing really changes.
Final Thoughts
Unlike earlier Centurion Lounge rule changes, which reshaped how everyone used the lounges, these updates are more about tightening the edges.
The 3-hour entry limit and the loss of free guests affected a huge chunk of cardholders. These new rules are narrower—they’re aimed at long layovers and guest-access scenarios that can turn the lounge into a hangout spot rather than a pre-flight perk.
American Express is clearly still fine-tuning how Centurion Lounges are used. For many Platinum and Delta Reserve cardholders, this will feel like a quiet boundary adjustment — but Your Mileage May Vary. If you routinely book long layovers or bring guests who aren’t on your exact flight, you’ll want to rethink your lounge game before July 8.
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