New guest fees are coming to Amex’s Centurion lounges

Fees are a buzzkill — especially when you already pay a good amount to avoid them. But that’s just what’s happening at Amex’s Centurion lounges in the coming months. 

Overcrowding at Centurion lounges has forced Amex to revise its guest policy, which currently allows two guests per visit, free of charge. Starting February 1, 2023, each guest must cough up $50, or $30 for children 2-17. 

The American Express Global Lounge Collection grants Platinum Card holders entry into more lounges than any other credit card on the market. Sure, it comes with $695 annual fee, but if you’re already an airport rat, having complimentary access to Amex’s bougie Centurion lounges, as well as airport lounge access at AirSpace lounges, Delta Sky Club airline lounges, International American Express lounges, Lufthansa lounges, Plaza Premium lounges, and Priority Pass lounges, surely makes up for it. 

But before you fret, AFAR has done the legwork on digging up the best ways to avoid the new guest fees.

Rack up your credit card bill

One of the best loopholes for bypassing the new guest fee protocol involves spending more money. If you spend $75,000 or more on eligible purchases on your Platinum Card in a single calendar year, you’ll receive complimentary guest access for up to two guests per visit for that calendar year, the next year, and all the way into January of the third year. 

Add additional cardholders 

If you often tote along a travel partner, significant other, friend, or child with you to the aforementioned lounges, this may be a good time to grant them access to your card…given they’re trustworthy enough. It costs a mere $175 to add three additional cardholders. Each authorized user can reap many of the benefits of the primary member, including access across the entire American Express Global Lounge Collection.