[ad_1]
Photo: The Centurion Lounge at Hong Kong International Airport (HKG), Courtesy of American Express
Card Members who book with American Express and have access to a Centurion Lounge know that a trip to the airport – whether for leisure or business – can feel like a getaway itself.
In the decade since American Express opened the first Centurion Lounge in 2013 at Las Vegas’ Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) to today’s announcement that American Express will be the first credit card issuer to open a lounge in Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), The Centurion Lounge Network continues to expand to provide new travel havens around the world.
The Centurion Lounge Network continues to grow, allowing travelers to step away from crowded airport terminals into a more relaxing space – and the standing offer of a delicious meal before boarding a flight. In addition to the lounge in EWR, scheduled to open in 2026, two additional lounges will open in the coming months, at Washington D.C.’s Reagan National Airport (DCA) and Atlanta’s Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), both opening in 2024.
To watch the video with closed captioning, click “CC.”
Celebrating the local culture of the city where it is located, each lounge infuses design details with local flair. Additionally, each menu is curated from local, award-winning chefs, and provides curated cocktail and wine lists1 with a nod to local specialties from resident Mixologist Jim Meehan and Wine Director Anthony Giglio.
With a commitment to innovating to meet Card Member travel needs, American Express has collaborated with a range of partners delivering in-lounge experiences to increase wellness and relaxation that elevate the travel experience. These partnerships include an Equinox Body Lab at New York City’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) offering performance-driven restorative therapies and targeted body work, as well as Exhale Spas at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and Miami International Airport (MIA) offering wellbeing and spa services including hand and nail therapies, and chair massages.
To watch the video with closed captioning, click “CC.”
Amy Bernard, Vice President and General Manager of Global Lounge Experiences at American Express, participated in a Q&Amex to discuss the Centurion Lounge Network and its commitment to service and innovation.
Access to the Centurion Lounges is one of the most beloved benefits of the Platinum Card. How does Amex continue to innovate the experience for Card Members?
We have a deep understanding of our Card Members, how they live, and – most importantly – how they travel. And they love to travel! The Centurion Lounges are an incredible, physical example of what Amex Membership means. We created these spaces with our customers and their travel needs in mind, and with those needs always changing, we’re always looking at ways to innovate the spaces and the experiences. For example, we know wellness is top of mind while people are on the road, so we brought in great partners like Equinox and Exhale Spa to help Card Members care for their physical and mental health as they start their trips.
What do Card Members love most about the lounges – are there certain features that stand out?
Aside from offering a great space to get away from hectic airport terminals, people love to eat when they travel. We have an incredible food and beverage program that delivers great menus and drinks that our Card Members appreciate. Our roster of local, award-winning chefs, expert wine director and master mixologist make sure the offerings at each lounge are unique and include nods to the local culture. Leaning into the coffee culture in Seattle, our lounge there is home to our first full-service coffee bar serving our signature “Blue Roast by American Express,” and the San Francisco lounge celebrates local wines by offering flights of regional wines.
There are some exciting new lounge openings coming this year, and into 2024. Can you tell us about the growth strategy for the Centurion Lounge collection?
We pay close attention to the cities and airports our Card Members are flying out of and build our strategy around bringing lounges to those airports. So many of our customers fly out of the Washington D.C. area, so opening the lounge at Reagan National Airport later this year will be a great addition to the network. The lounge coming to Hartfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport next year will be the largest in the network, and we can’t wait for our eligible Card Members to see what we have in store for them at one of the country’s busiest airports.
Looking to the future, how does our lounge approach help Amex Travel stay ahead of the curve?
American Express is over 170 years old, and we have been in the travel business for over 100 years. We opened the door to our first Centurion Lounge a decade ago, and with the continued demand for travel, there is so much to look forward to. Our commitment to providing the best service will continue to drive us and be the differentiator it has always been.
—
1Must be 21 years of age or older to consume alcoholic beverages. Please drink responsibly.
[ad_2]
Source link