If you have a personal or business version of the American Express Platinum card, one of the most important benefits is access to airport lounges. While numerous cards offer lounge access through a Priority Pass Select membership, AMEX Platinum cardholders enjoy the privilege of accessing various lounge networks. This means they have the flexibility to visit a wide array of airport lounges, enhancing their travel experience and providing them with a comfortable and relaxing environment before their flights.
There are more people traveling now than there were in 2019, and many of these travelers are willing to pay extra for a better airport experience. As a result, airport lounges are more crowded than ever. Although new locations are being opened to expand capacity, they haven’t kept up with the demand, leading to lounges reaching full capacity and causing longer wait times for entry.
To counteract this, lounges have made the entry rules more restrictive, and American Express Platinum cardholders have limited access to AMEX’s Centurion Lounges and Delta Sky Clubs. And now we can add the Escape Lounges to the list of locations where access has been limited.
You can still enter with up to two guests. However, as of May 9, 2024, you can only arrive within 3 hours of your departing flight. You are allowed to enter at any time at a connecting airport.
Effective May 9, 2024, to access select Escape Lounge locations, eligible Platinum Card® Members will be
required to arrive at the lounge within 3 hours of their departing flight. During a layover the eligible Card Member
may use the Escape Lounge in the connecting airport at any time. Additional information on guest fee rates,
access policies and lounge terms and conditions can be found at escapelounges.com/us/access/.
Final Thought
I’m not sure how many people were showing up at Escape Lounges more than 3 hours before their flight. However, I’m sure enough of them were doing it to make AMEX and the lounges add this restriction.
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4 comments
That said, Centurion lounges no longer allow a standard Platinum card holder to enter with a guest, right? The access for up to 2 guests is specific to Escape lounges, similar to Priority Pass access?
That’s correct. Centurion Lounges do not allow free guests unless you spend $75,000 on the card.
Makes sense there is no need to show up 3 hours early at secondary airports like RNO, OAK and ONT. Unfortunately this will not address the real problem which is mediocre service and food offerings. But why offer something nice when you can simply provide a minimal product and collect $$$ from PP.
Considering that most flights now board 45 minutes to an hour before takeoff and one must walk from wherever the Centurion Lounge is located to the gate, AMEX is now effectively limiting club access to under two hours and a very high threshold for bringing a guest. Plus Centurion lounges are now as crowded — if not more so — than the routine Priority Pass lounges. Kind of makes one wonder if AMEX Platinum is still worth the big bux.