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American Express today announced plans to open the thirteenth location in its signature airport lounge network, The Centurion Lounge, at London’s Heathrow Airport. The Centurion Lounge at Heathrow Airport will be the first location in Europe, and the second location outside of the US.
Opening in 2019, the new Centurion Lounge at Heathrow will be located post-security in Terminal 3 and span 7,000 square feet. In addition to the amenities found across other Centurion Lounge locations – such as premium showers and private noise-buffering work stations – the Centurion Lounge at Heathrow Airport will feature specially curated amenities influenced by London’s distinctive food, drinks, and design.
John Arbuckle, Head of Property at Heathrow said, “We are really proud to welcome Europe’s first Centurion Lounge to Heathrow. The lounge will offer a unique and premium experience for American Express customers and a comfortable haven, bringing to life the essence of modern British hospitality.”
How can I access the Centurion Lounge at Heathrow?
Access to The Centurion Lounge is complimentary for Platinum Card and Centurion Members. Cardholders must present the reception agent with the following upon each visit: his or her valid Card, a boarding pass showing a confirmed reservation for same-day travel on any carrier and a government-issued I.D- name on card must match government-issued I.D.
Platinum Card members may enter with up to two guests at no additional charge. Platinum Card and Centurion Members may purchase a day-pass for any additional guests for $50 USD at the time of entry.
The Amex Platinum comes with lots of other fantastic benefits for frequent travellers too (including Priority Pass lounge access, Hilton Gold status, SPG/Marriott Gold status, Radisson Rewards Gold status, travel insurance for your whole family, etc). If you sign up using a referral link like this one, you’ll also receive 35,000 Membership Rewards Points (which you can convert to 35,000 Avios/Virgin Miles/etc) as a signup bonus, after spending £2000 in 3 months.
There is a fee of £450 per year, but you can cancel the card and get a pro rata refund whenever you want.
Anything else?
In celebration of the new Centurion Lounge coming to London, Platinum Card and Centurion Members can get a taste of the Centurion Lounge’s premium service and amenities this holiday season at a pop-up Centurion Lounge at Unit 6, Langley Street, in London’s Covent Garden, which will be open from December 13 to December 16 from 11:00am to 6:00pm each day.
Described as a “sophisticated sanctuary from the holiday hustle and bustle”, the pop-up Centurion Lounge will offer complimentary bites and beverages, gift wrapping services, charging stations and family programming. Platinum Card and Centurion Members are welcome to attend with up to two complimentary guests. More information about The Centurion Lounge pop up at Covent Garden can be found here.
Bottom line
It’s great to see Amex expanding its lounge network internationally, and particularly good to see one here in the UK. Heathrow Terminal 3 already has some excellent lounges if you’re flying Business Class, but being able to visit a nice lounge is a big bonus when flying Economy.
Are you looking forward to visiting?
Joe is there a date in 2019 or have Amex kept this vague so as not to disappoint if it’s missed ?
Yep, just “2019” for now – as far as they let us know anyway!
Wow, T3 really does have some fantastic lounges. 🙂
Do Platinum or Centurion cardholders really fly Economy class?
Andy, trust me, I’ve been in some business class lounges which were minging and the Amex lounge was a haven by comparison. I’ve also been turned away from lounges that we’re full so the more the merrier I say 😉
An excellent deployment of the now almost retro word “minging”.
Haha, yep! In fact, I very rarely fly business class on short flights – usually a waste of money/miles, but still enjoy lounge access at most airports thanks to my amex plat.