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AmexGold vs Platinum

Updated April 2026

Amex Platinum Lounge Access:
Every Airport Lounge You Can Enter

Does Amex Gold have lounge access?

No.

Lounge access is exclusively a Platinum card benefit. Gold cardholders have no access to Centurion, Priority Pass, or Delta Sky Club lounges.

The Amex Platinum provides access to 1,550+ airport lounges globally. This is one of the card's most compelling benefits -- and a key reason many frequent flyers justify the $895 annual fee.

Centurion Lounges

30+ worldwide
  • +Amex-owned premium lounges
  • +Made-to-order meals from local chefs
  • +Full bar with premium spirits
  • +Showers at select locations (SFO, SEA)
  • +Free access + 2 guests free
  • +3rd+ guest: $50 each

The crown jewel of Platinum lounge access. Not every airport has one -- check the list before relying on Centurion access.

Priority Pass Select

1,300+ lounges
  • +Largest airport lounge network globally
  • +Access in 148 countries
  • +Must enroll through Amex (not automatic)
  • +Separate Priority Pass card required
  • +Quality varies widely by location
  • +Guest policy varies by individual lounge

Primary benefit for airports without a Centurion Lounge. Invaluable for international routes.

Delta Sky Club

10 visits/year
  • +Must fly Delta same day to access
  • +10 complimentary visits per year (2026 cap)
  • +After 10 visits: $50 per visit
  • +Complimentary food, drinks, Wi-Fi
  • +51 Sky Club locations in US
  • +Guest access available (fee applies)

Changed from unlimited to 10 visits/year in 2024. Value depends on how often you fly Delta.

Other Lounges

Select airports
  • +Escape Lounges: 20+ US airports
  • +Plaza Premium: Select international airports
  • +Lufthansa Business Lounges: Select European airports
  • +Airspace Lounges: Select US airports
  • +Access included with Priority Pass in most cases

These additional lounges provide coverage at airports where neither Centurion nor Delta Sky Club is present.

US Centurion Lounge Locations (2026)

AirportTerminal / LocationNotes
JFK (New York)Terminal 4 (Int'l)Two locations; usually busiest
LGA (New York)Terminal BPost-renovation, highly regarded
LAX (Los Angeles)Terminal 4 and Tom BradleyTwo separate lounges
SFO (San Francisco)Terminal 3Strong food programme
ORD (Chicago)Terminal 3
MIA (Miami)Terminal DInternational gateway
DFW (Dallas)Terminal DAmerican Airlines hub
SEA (Seattle)North SatelliteGood for West Coast departures
DEN (Denver)Concourse B/C
ATL (Atlanta)Concourse FDelta hub
PHL (Philadelphia)Terminal A
LAS (Las Vegas)Concourse D
IAD (Washington Dulles)Main Terminal
IAH (Houston)Terminal D
BOS (Boston)Terminal B

International Centurion Lounges: Hong Kong, London Heathrow, Sydney, Mexico City, and others. Full list at americanexpress.com/centurion-network.

Honest Assessment: Lounge Access Value

If your home airport is JFK, LAX, SFO, ORD, MIA, or SEA, Centurion Lounge access is genuinely worth $400-600/year in day-pass equivalents. If your home airport does not have a Centurion Lounge, Priority Pass is your fallback -- and its quality varies from excellent to mediocre. Do not pay $895 for lounge access if the lounges you would actually use are Priority Pass only.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Amex Gold have lounge access?

No. Lounge access is exclusively a Platinum card benefit. The Amex Gold card does not include Centurion Lounge access, Priority Pass membership, Delta Sky Club access, or any other airport lounge benefit. If lounge access is important to you, the Amex Platinum is the only Amex personal card that provides it.

How many Centurion Lounges does Amex have in 2026?

Amex operates 30+ Centurion Lounges worldwide as of 2026. US locations include New York JFK, New York LaGuardia, Los Angeles LAX, San Francisco SFO, Chicago O'Hare, Miami MIA, Dallas-Fort Worth DFW, Seattle SEA, Denver DEN, Atlanta ATL, Philadelphia PHL, Las Vegas LAS, Washington Dulles IAD, Houston IAH, Minneapolis MSP, Phoenix PHX, Charlotte CLT, Boston BOS, and Newark EWR. International locations include Hong Kong, London Heathrow, Sydney, Mexico City, and others.

What is the Centurion Lounge guest policy in 2026?

Platinum cardholders can bring up to 2 guests per visit free of charge. A third guest costs $50 at time of entry. Children under 2 are free. The cardholder must be present to access the lounge. Authorized user Platinum cards each get their own lounge access with 2 free guests -- they do not need to be traveling with the primary cardholder.

How does Delta Sky Club access work on the Amex Platinum?

Amex Platinum cardholders receive 10 complimentary Delta Sky Club visits per year. You must be flying on a same-day Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight to access the lounge. The Sky Club access policy for Platinum changed in 2024 -- unlimited access was removed and replaced with the 10-visit cap. After using your 10 complimentary visits, additional visits cost $50 each.

Is Priority Pass through Amex Platinum worth it?

Priority Pass Select (included with Platinum) gives access to 1,300+ lounges in 148 countries. Quality varies enormously -- some Priority Pass lounges are excellent international business class-style spaces; others are basic. The main value is coverage at airports without Centurion Lounges. For international travel or secondary airports, Priority Pass is a meaningful benefit. In the US, Centurion Lounges are generally preferred when available.