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As a frequent traveler, I can attest that having access to a comfortable and convenient lounge can make all the difference in your travel experience. The Companion Platinum Card Lounge Access offers just that.
With the Companion Platinum Card, you can enjoy access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide, including popular options like the American Airlines Admirals Club and the Delta Sky Club. This is a huge perk for travelers who value comfort and relaxation.
One of the best things about the Companion Platinum Card Lounge Access is that you don't have to pay a separate fee to bring a guest. The cardholder and their guest can both enjoy lounge access, making it a great value for couples or families who travel together.
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Card Options
If you're considering a card with top-notch lounge access, you'll want to take a closer look at the Amex Business Platinum Card.
The Business Platinum Card from American Express offers access to over 1,400 worldwide airport lounges as part of the American Express Global Lounge Collection.
This card is ideal for business travelers who enjoy luxury travel and are looking for a card loaded with benefits.
The card's lounge access is unmatched, with more airport lounge options than any other credit card issuer on the market as of 03/2023.
You can enjoy 5x Membership Rewards points per $1 on flights and prepaid hotels at Amex Travel, making it a top option for frequent traveling business owners.
Here are some other card options to consider:
The Amex Business Platinum Card has a high annual fee of $695, but its benefits and lounge access make it a worthwhile option for frequent travelers.
Calculating the Value
The cost of lounge access can add up quickly, but the Amex Platinum card and Amex Business Platinum card offer complimentary lounge access that's worth considering.
To understand the value, let's look at the cost of purchasing an airport lounge membership. The Admirals Club membership costs between $700 to $850 or 70,000 to 85,000 miles, depending on elite status.
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For some lounge networks, membership is not available for purchase, but a day pass can be a more affordable option. The Aspire Lounges, for example, charge $40 to $45 per visit.
To calculate the value of the complimentary lounge access, we need to consider the cost of a single day pass and the number of visits you'd need to make to break even.
Here's a rough estimate of the cost of a single day pass for each lounge network:
By comparing the cost of a single day pass to the cost of a complimentary lounge access, we can get a better idea of the value of the Amex Platinum card and Amex Business Platinum card.
Leisure Traveler
As a leisure traveler, you might be wondering if the Amex Platinum card is worth it just for the lounge access. If you currently pay for lounge access, having the Amex Platinum card for complimentary lounge access makes sense.
You could be spending $400 a year on lounge access if you travel just once a quarter and pay for 2 travelers to access a lounge. Having the Amex Platinum card will add unlimited worldwide lounge access to your travels for yourself, plus 2 guests at most lounges.
You can visit for 15 minutes or 3 hours without considering whether it's worth the $50 per day pass fee for each person. This can add up quickly, especially if you have a family or travel with friends.
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Benefits and Amenities
The Amex Platinum and Business Platinum cards offer an impressive collection of lounges and lounge alternatives through the American Express Global Lounge Collection. You'll have complimentary access to over 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting.
Cardholders can enjoy a range of amenities at some Centurion Lounges, including conference rooms, family rooms, luggage lockers, shower suites, spa services, and wine tasting. However, note that the guest fee is now $50 per adult and $30 per child (2 to 17 years old), unless you meet the $75,000 spend requirement.
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You can access any of the lounge networks within the American Express Global Lounge Collection, including Aspire Lounges, Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Club, Escape Lounges, Lufthansa Lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, and Virgin Clubhouses.
Cardholders traveling the same day on Delta have unlimited access to over 50 Delta Sky Clubs, and can even purchase discounted access for up to 2 guests for a fee. To enter, simply show your boarding pass, ID, and Amex Platinum card or Amex Business Platinum card.
With 10+ locations throughout the U.S., Escape Lounges – The Centurion Studio Partner offers a place to enjoy a premium beverage, have a bite to eat, catch up on work, or relax between flights. Cardholders may bring 2 additional guests at no charge.
Here's a summary of the benefits and amenities you can expect with the Amex Platinum and Business Platinum cards:
- Complimentary access to over 1,400 airport lounges
- Conference rooms, family rooms, luggage lockers, shower suites, spa services, and wine tasting at some Centurion Lounges
- Unlimited access to over 50 Delta Sky Clubs when traveling on Delta
- Priority Pass lounge access upon enrollment
- Ability to bring 2 additional guests at no charge to Escape Lounges
Access and Policy
Complimentary lounge access is a valuable perk for many Amex Platinum and Business Platinum Card holders. The cards offer access to over 1,400 airport lounges worldwide.
Up to two guests can accompany Amex Platinum cardholders into Centurion Lounges, but a $50 fee applies for each guest not holding a Platinum card. This fee can be avoided by spending $75,000 or more in a calendar year with the Platinum card.
Cardholders can also access Delta Sky Clubs when flying Delta the same day, but guests are not included in complimentary access and must be paid for.
The Amex Platinum card offers a Priority Pass Select membership, allowing access to over 1,300 lounges worldwide. However, guests are not included at no additional cost and individual lounges may limit guesting privileges.
New Guest Policy
You can bring complimentary guests into some Centurion Lounges if your card account spends $75,000 in eligible purchases in a calendar year.
However, if you don't meet this spend requirement, you'll need to pay a guest fee of $50 per adult and $30 per child (2 to 17 years old).
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Aspire Lounges, on the other hand, allow you to bring 2 complimentary guests at no additional charge.
Some Centurion Lounges allow no guests for free, while others allow one guest for free, and some allow two guests for free.
Here's a summary of the guest policies at different lounge types:
Redeeming a Certificate
A certificate is typically valid for a specified period, usually 3 years, after which it expires.
To redeem a certificate, you'll need to log in to your account and navigate to the certificate details page.
This page will display the certificate's status, which can be either active or expired.
Once the certificate is active, you can use it to access the relevant resources, such as the company's internal network or a specific application.
If the certificate is expired, you'll need to request a new one through the same account.
The request will be reviewed and approved by the system administrator, who will then send the new certificate to your email address.
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Places to Visit with the?
You can visit Amex Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs, Plaza Premium Lounges, Escape Lounges, select Lufthansa Lounges, and more with the Amex Platinum.
The Amex Platinum Card offers access to lounges across the globe through the American Express Global Lounge Collection.
Cardholders can bring 2 additional guests at no charge to Escape Lounges – The Centurion Studio Partner, which has 10+ locations throughout the U.S.
Authorized users on the Amex Platinum also get the same lounge access benefits as the primary cardholder.
You can access Virgin Clubhouses in Boston, New York, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., and Johannesburg with the Amex Platinum.
The Bottom Line
This new policy is a bummer for Amex Platinum cardholders. It restricts access to Centurion Lounges, which were often overcrowded despite expansions and initial access limitations.
The good news is that this change is done with the best of intentions. Amex is trying to manage the number of people in these lounges.
To avoid this new policy, you'll need to spend a significant amount with your Amex Platinum or Business Platinum Card. That's $75,000 or more in a calendar year.
Adding eligible travel companions as authorized users is also a way to maintain access.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an additional platinum card and a companion platinum card?
There is an annual fee for Additional Platinum Cards, while Companion Platinum Cards are fee-free. The key difference lies in the cost associated with each type of card.
Sources
- https://upgradedpoints.com/credit-cards/reviews/american-express-platinum-card/airport-lounge-access/
- https://awardwallet.com/blog/amex-centurion-lounge-guest-access/
- https://www.delta.com/us/en/booking-information/companion-certificates
- https://onemileatatime.com/guides/amex-platinum-airport-lounge-access/
- https://www.bankrate.com/credit-cards/reviews/amex-platinum-authorized-user-benefits/
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