They still will offer a grab and go chicken wrap if you request it at the entrance and leave but its an actual lounge with a bar, barista espresso drinks, and a real buffet with both hot and cold food with dishware not paper or plastic. The Centurion Lounge at Los Angeles International Airport is temporarily closed due to building repairs. Most drinks at the Centurion Lounge are completely free and included with your membership. Improve earnings, maximize rewards and track progress toward dream trips. Will de much easier once the connector is open. Amex expects this fix to take roughly six months. The issuer cites "building repairs" as the reason for the temporary closure. This lounge, with its maze of oddly small rooms, feels like it was converted from an old dentist's office. I'm there every week but after 5pm. All rights reserved. Always amazed at the arrogance of celeb chefs that believe their special signature touches improve the original product. I have driven to/from OC or Riverside counties because of LAXs superior air service. Amex is closing the Centurion Lounge in Los Angeles until later this year, This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. I just stopped by there for a minute to take the picture. Lounge. Its been much more than 6 months since they closed the lounge. If approved, the only items that AMEX would have to pay for with the temporary space is insurance and maintenance stuff. Find the right card for you. The Centurion Lounge at LAX is located in the Tom Bradley International Terminal, which is accessible by foot or bus from most other terminals if you are flying a non-international airline. I just stopped by there in January for a minute to take the picture. It's possible that they are fronting the cost with their own subs in order to get it done more quickly than LAX would have, but something doesn't exactly make sense in that statement. Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Up until a few days ago, the New York LaGuardia Centurion Lounge was the only US lounge that was still closed (it's going to be reopened in a larger space in LaGuardia's new Terminal B) but now the lounge in Los Angeles has been closed too. Up until now, the lounge has instead offered a grab & go selection, where cardmembers can swing by an area in the terminal and be given a bag with food. Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. American Express has doubled down on its Centurion Lounges. He writes travel and product reviews, deep dives into loyalty programs, news about the airline industry and more. Amongst other things I had a cup of gumbo, and I guess it was what a California person's idea of a gumbo would be. Paying the lease, paying for the repairs, and with no obligation to do so, leased additional space so they could give some sort of offering to their customers? Thanks for clarifying, didn't see that! Like is it so difficult to have supplies and staff until standard hours? Admittedly there is room for improvement, but I would strongly disagree the assertion that the food and beverages offered say at the Admirals Club at LGA is superior, it just simply is not. She even let me use take a peek at the space and use the restroom, and it appeared ready for showtime. Meanwhile, the issuer continues to build out its network of premium lounges, with new and expanded outposts planned in Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). The other tranquility room is described as a moonrise room, and is intended to help you unwind and make you feel like its night. JFK - Virgin Clubhouse is better They're usually nicely furnished, and have hot food and excellent cocktails. NOW LIVE: Marriott Homes & Villas 40,000 Bonus Points Per Stay May 1 September 9, 2023 (Book May 1 3), Iberostar Horizons IHG One Rewards Integration Update. Amex is covering the entire cost of the HVAC replacement system and also still paying rent for the 13,693-square-foot facility that currently sits empty. They're up to 15 locations and counting, adding new outposts in New York City (JFK), Denver (DEN), and even London-Heathrow (LHR) within the last two years. The growth of Amex's lounge network comes as its rival credit card issuers Chase and Capital One are busy preparing for their airport lounge debuts. Its nice to see the Amex Centurion Lounge LAX finally open. Both were serving chicken dishes at the time, so it was easy to compare the quality of ingredients and the care of the preparation (much higher at AMEX). Most helpful comments ( as chosen by the OMAAT community ). "Now open" is a bit of a stretch. Take my ranking with a grain of salt, as Ben has vastly more lounge experience than I do, but it is not clear to me that the AMEX Centurion lounge is worse for all travellers than the OneWorld Business lounge. This is all due to issues with the HVAC system that are causing jet fumes to enter the lounge. Thank you for sharing this news, and once again, American Express proves to be a platinum standard company by undertaking these repairs at great cost to themselves. You can find the current menu below. If theyre looking for alternative space, the Etihad lounge is closed and there are several new lounge spaces in the new concourse. Inside the entrance is a small room with the typical American Express art. The Centurion Lounge at LAX is one of the issuer's newest lounges, but it's only been open for a couple of months. However, as far as catering and beverages, I don't think we're comparing apples to apples, the domestic lounges you are referring to (Admirals, SkyClub) do not offer anywhere near the variety and quality of food that is offered in Centurion lounges. No details have been given on what caused these alleged repairs or when the facility will finally reopen. Looks like all the premium lounges in Tom Bradley International are closed. I just want a place to sit and relax without all the hustle and bustle of people around me. Interesting how positive you are, Ben. Both of the *A lounges have outdoor patios with natural light and less CO2 than the old dungeon CL. Of course Id imagine that timeline can change, since this must be a pretty complex project. Please view our advertising policy page for more information. SEA - SkyClub is better These chair massages will be offered on a first-come, first-serve basis between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Related: First look: The brand-new Amex Centurion Lounge at LAX. Jet fuel exhaust??? Given that this space is on a separate HVAC from the rest of the terminal, the lease is quite clearly triple net which obligates Amex to pay for the repairs. This review is so unlike my experience in this lounge around noon. The lounge actually DID open for about a week in March 2020. By the Delta Sky Club at T3 is pretty good. As such, it's accessible to those traveling from Terminals 2-8 without needing to re-clear security. And public documents for that pop-up location may give a hint as to when the full lounge reopen. - April(ish)2020-June 2021: Grab and go boxed lunches This is an impressive space that has very high ceilings (unlike the rest of the lounge), and features a bar, plenty of dining tables, and the buffet. As much as I love the airport, its not super useful. WN flies to many destinations from LGB that are hubs with lounges. It has seating for over 200 guests. The Amex Centurion Lounge LAX has an impressive selection of amenities, and a good selection of food & drinks. Traveling Internationally The Amex Centurion Lounge LAX also has a spa, though its currently only open from 11AM until 7:30PM, so that didnt overlap with when I visited. Your email address will not be published. Unexpected touches like a locally-inspired menu and soothing spa services meet productive workspaces with high-speed Wi-Fi. Referencing my prior comment regarding a new approach to airline lounge design, I think Amex will need to rethink the look and feel of its lounges. Its quite a trek. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). I'm not even sure why they put that in every lounge?! Anyone have plans to visit the temporary Amex Centurion Lounge LAX? And still, there's no clear timeline for when it will reopen. You'll pass the entrance to the Amex lounge. Once inside TBIT, the entrance to the lounge is located on the fourth floor its essentially immediately underneath the Qantas First Lounge. Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Why did they wait so long to start? It's not just the lack of natural light, it's the relatively small spaces, some of which have low ceilings.and then there is is the overcrowding issue. NOW LIVE: Marriott Homes & Villas 40,000 Bonus Points Per Stay May 1 September 9, 2023 (Book May 1 3), SAS Plus No Longer Comes With Complimentary WiFi, Airfare of the Day -Business Class- UNITED Los Angeles to Geneva from $2,320. Maybe start with a bite to eat with AMEX and then rest in the OneWorld lounge? Head towards the Great Hall. Over time weve seen virtually all Centurion Lounges in the United States reopen with the exception of the LAX one. Might be time to cancel it & go back to a gold card.. That is true, there is also rumor that the Goldman Sachs versions is extending the benefit to 2024, based on some Reddit posts. And by June 2021, the Los Angeles Centurion Lounge was completely shut down once again for what we now know are HVAC and safety issues. You would have to ensure sufficient time then. Youd think at least they would try to offer something to customers past 2:30pm. Great food and ambiance and you're in the correct terminal for departure. Ben, you're not quite correct on the opening. And still, there's no clear timeline for when it will reopen. The lounge is located in a relatively central location: the Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT). Those are some fairly limited hours, when you consider that all kinds of flights depart from TBIT way later than that. I'm a fan of the overall amex lounge initiative, but this centurion lounge is sad, sad, sad. American Express Membership Rewards has made yet another points transfer promotion available to their U.S. based members, offering a 25% Today we have a Reader Question about the Hertz Presidents Circle membership conferred through the benefits portfolio of the American American Express and its Membership Rewards program conversion partners often run promotions to incentivize transfers. Further into the lounge is an area with several dining tables, a communal table, and a small bar. Chef Nancy Silverton will continue to curate the menu at the LAX Centurion Lounge, and the new menu is as below. Amex Centurion Lounges can be accessed by those who have any of the following cards, with restrictions noted next to each card: When it comes to accessing Amex Centurion Lounges, there are some terms to be aware of: The Amex Centurion Lounge LAX is roughly 14,000 square feet, making it one of the largest Centurion Lounges to date. You don't seriously believe this mysterious "building repairs" nonsense which magically they were willing to further explain as the HVAC system a full year laterdo you? The Centurion Lounge at Los Angeles International Airport is still closed due to building repairs related to the HVAC system at the facility which began in June of last year due to jet fumes getting into the lounge. If you can connect from Terminal 4, then T3 also should connect to Tom Bradley because T3 and T4 are in the same building facing north and south. All told, the one-heralded Los Angeles Centurion Lounge has run at full strength for a grand total of 13 days since it opened in early March 2020. The Hong Kong (HKG), Melbourne (MEL) and Sydney (SYD) lounges are also closed until further notice. It then closed because of the pandemic, and did not reopen at this location until now because of the issues you mentioned. On Monday, June 7, Amex shuttered its flagship Los Angeles Centurion Lounge until later this year. While we do try to list all the best miles and points deals, the site does not include all card companies or credit card offers available in the marketplace. Knowing that LA County was on the verge of lifting indoor dining restrictions, asked when the lounge might reopen. There are also some cool semi-private desks along the hall in this area. Even as travel recovered, the lounge didnt reopen, though, and it finally only opened in June 2022. After lengthy construction delays and a lengthy closure for maintenance shortly after opening the LAX Centurion Lounge finally opened to. This isnt an ideal situation and I wonder who is ultimately at fault here as far as the planning goes. If youre interested, youll want to try to reserve this as soon as you enter the lounge. See what a point or mile is worth with our appraisals of a loyalty programs currency, based on redemption values. 9 times out of 10 i am traveling solo for work and cant wait till the lounges have space again, gonna feel like 2015 when they first came out and you actually got good service at these lounges! Though the blue doors to the LAX location are now closed, Amex is busy working on expanding the Centurion Lounge network. The Amex lounges are small, that's my foremost complaint, they get crowded quickly and feel cramped. Reader Question: Hertz Presidents Circle Through The Amex Platinum Card, How To Apply The Benefits? The only current lounge closure in the United States is the Los Angeles (LAX) lounge, which is under construction. I have carried the AMX card for 23 years now and I do not know what is more disappointing. After your visits, report back here. I have a different take: AmEx is in no hurry to reopen this lounge. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. Flying Qatar and trying to decide if AA Flagship, Oneworld, or Centurion is best option. Everyday that they are closed they save on the expense of staff, food, and drinks. According to documents filed with the LAX Airport Authority and the city, the lounge requires a new Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system as fumes from aircraft engines can get into the lounge. It seems like an odd area to hold back for guests, since Id consider this to be the least private or calm area of the lounge. The outpost officially opened on March 9, just days before the pandemic effectively brought the travel industry to a screeching halt. I'd personally just park at Qantas First the entire time. Per an April 14, 2022, filing with the airport, apparently there was an issue with the HVAC that allowed jet fumes to seep into the lounge: American Express Travel Related Services, Inc. was forced to close its lounge in June of 2021 due to an issue with their Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system that was allowing jet fumes into the lounge. I was there yesterday-the first day they were fully open in the former Etihad lounge. Please view our advertising policy page for additional details about our partners. The Amex-branded lounge in the Tom Bradley International Terminal at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) will reopen at 6 a.m. local time on Wednesday, June 15, according to an Amex spokesperson. This Report contains the recommendation by LAWA No - not correct. The LAX lounge closed in June 2021, but promises to reopen by early 2022 have came and gone. We were told that the closure was due to building repairs, though understandably thats a bit vague, especially when were talking about a brand new lounge, and when you consider that other lounges in the terminal are open. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. I can't remember the last time I ever used one. Were nearing the one-year anniversary of this club lounge and most of this time it has been closed. While the Amex lounge at LAX initially opened in early 2020, backing out the permit review and construction timeline, it was likely designed in late 2018 or early 2019. The tables in this area were mostly marked as being reserved (presumably for Centurion cardmembers). Bad enough youre just giving us boxes. Those repairs still aren't done. Head towards the Great Hall. People act like vultures whove never seen food before LOL. Currently this lease is in place through September 30, 2022, so it sounds like Amex is aiming for an October reopening of the primary lounge. After a saga of more than two years, American Express is finally ready to reopen the (blue) doors to its flagship West Coast Centurion Lounge. This was first reported by Thrifty Traveler a couple days ago (same day of the meeting). Just look for this wall and walk down the small set of steps. I cant help but think of all the negative and entitled comments from people who, without any facts, accused AMEX of being cheap, complaining obnoxiously, that AMEX was trying to save money and just cheap for not opening the lounge. The LAX lounge closed in June 2021, but promises to reopen by early 2022 have came and gone. While its hours are limited to start and the lounge's spa remains closed for the time being, it's a long-awaited development for travelers heading in and out of LA. During my time at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), I had the chance to check out the Amex Centurion Lounge. Come on Amex, see to it that this lounge opens because your customers are really getting irritated! AA only flys to PHX (dropped DFW a few months ago), DL to SLC, and UA or AS dont fly there at all. for the design, construction, and operation of a 13,693 square foot Centurion Lounge in Please check out. With the LAX reopening, Amex has just one Centurion-branded lounge location that remains closed: Hong Kong International Airport (HKG). The lounge offers a variety of complimentary treatments on a first-come, first-served basis, including massages and nail treatments. Editorial Disclosure: The editorial content on this page is not provided by any entity mentioned herein. I think Amex picked this spot to appeal most to AA flyers because it's only a 5min walk for them. Now were talking about late September 2022 and who knows if thats happening. 1. The ultimate guide to American Express Centurion Lounges, The Business Platinum Card from American Express, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. For context, the lounge is 4,401 square feet, so its much smaller than the 13,693 square foot lounge space that Amex otherwise has. Very disappointed overall. One is a sunrise room, intended to make you feel more awake, given that its pretty bright. I have a thousand complaints about LAX (mostly outside security, a few inside); for me, this would be the lowest on the list. Amex representatives promised that the facility would be reopening in "late 2021" which obviously didn't happen. Even through the pandemic, American Express has doubled down on its Centurion Lounges. I worked at TBIT when it was renovated and reopened from 2013-2015. The airside connection is under construction. You have successfully joined our subscriber list. These are the best publicly available offers (terms apply) that we have found for each product or service. Then, they suddenly closed with a vague reference to 'Construction'. Such a shame because the reception folks were so proactive and welcoming and the food and drink seemed passable (but not great). Yes & I just read over the wknd that unless you spend over $73,000 or $75,000/yr on the Platinum card starting in 2023, the Centurion lounges will no longer admit you, just for Havin a platinum card. Review: Amex Centurion Lounge Los Angeles (LAX), Introduction: Two Trips To The Southern Hemisphere, Review: Copa Airlines Business Class 737 (MIA-PTY), New Panama Airport Terminal 2: Impressive(ish), Review: Copa Club Panama Airport Terminal 2, Review: Copa Business Class 737-800 (PTY-LIM), Review: Priority Pass Restaurants Lima Airport, Review: LATAM Business Class 767 (LIM-MIA), Review: Qantas First Lounge Los Angeles (LAX), Review: Oneworld Lounge Los Angeles (LAX), Gorgeous: LAX Midfield Satellite Concourse, Review: Fiji Airways Business Class A350 (LAX-NAN), Review: Fiji Airways Lounge Nadi Airport (NAN), Review: Fiji Airways Business Class A330 (NAN-AKL), Review: Air New Zealand Lounge Auckland (AKL), Review: Air New Zealand Business Class 787-9 (AKL-LAX), Amex Centurion Lounge LAX entry requirements, Amex Centurion Lounge LAX seating & layout, the same access policies as all Amex Centurion Lounges, The Business Platinum Card from American Express, Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card, most important amenity in an airport lounge, Amex Platinum Card Review: The King Of Perks, Amex Platinum Digital Entertainment Credit Improved, Whoa: Average Amex Platinum Member Income & Net Worth, Please view our advertising policy page for additional details about our partners, You need a same day boarding pass to access Centurion Lounges, and in the case of Delta Reserve cardmembers, the boarding pass needs to be for travel on Delta, You can access Centurion Lounges up to three hours before departure, unless youre connecting, in which case you can access earlier, You cant access Centurion Lounges on arrival, or with a standby or non-revenue standby ticket, If youre guesting people into Centurion Lounges, you need to stay with them the entire time theyre in the lounge. The American Express Centurion Lounge Service At Los Angeles Is Now Offering Grab & Go Snack Boxes. Amex is known for its network of Centurion Lounges, which tend to be excellent. Have routed most of my travels via SFO. The lounge is using the space of the former Etihad Lounge LAX, which has long been closed. DL flies 5 flights a day from LGB to SLC. replacing the HVAC system. Truly a disappointment. The limited hours for the bag lunch is the worst part. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Gunnar is a reporter and flight deal analyst at Thrifty Traveler who joined the team in July 2021. Your feedback is important in helping us keep our community safe. American Express card members have currently only one other lounge option when departing from LAX which is the Delta Skyclub but only when flying Delta, and guests incur an additional charge. No - not correct. To me, there seems to have been a fundamental shift in look and feel. It can easily save a day or two on a trip avoiding connections and having more scheduling options. The hours of operation just doesnt make sense to me. However, for me the single most important amenity in an airport lounge is that its a calm and quiet place to hang out. One of the things that people enjoy about Centurion Lounges are the food and drink selection. Documents filed recently with the Los Angeles (LAX) airport's governing board show this isn't your standard fix or renovation. Should You Buy Expensive Beverage Packages When Going On A Cruise? Amex closed all of its lounges networkwide, including the LAX location, on March 21, and only started reopening some in October. According to the initial American Express Platinum Concierge statement, there were extensive repairs required at the facility that took several months to take care of but were now eight (almost nine) months after it was first closed. The Centurion Lounge at LAX has been plagued with unfortunate issues since its opening nearly 2 years ago. Horrible lack of natural light, weird layout, absolutely rammed in the main section with only the hightop seats, uninspiring food for an evening meal. approximately six months. When we left it was so crowded they weren't even letting people get in the elevator to go down to the lounge. The food in the general lounges in no way, no way, comparable to Amex. Wish they would've gone with a muted and calming aesthetic a la CX The Pier. I'm not even sure why they put that in every lounge?! Amex has worked out a short-term lease agreement, to temporarily use vacant space on the sixth floor of Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT), intended to offer replacement lounge amenities. Well, this lounge space is now open. Given it's location, how can jet fumes leak into this HVAC and not others in TBIT, lounge or retail. It doesn't make sense that they would have to fix it "at their sole cost." When Centurion lounges began reopening in the fall of 2020, local regulations prevented travelers from taking a seat inside at LAX grab-and-go food and drinks were offered instead. It is not a grab and go lounge. American Express Membership Rewards has made yet another points transfer promotion available to their U.S. based members, offering a 25% Today we have a Reader Question about the Hertz Presidents Circle membership conferred through the benefits portfolio of the American American Express and its Membership Rewards program conversion partners often run promotions to incentivize transfers. (Find out more about LAX inter-terminal transfers at our Definitive Guide to the LAX Lounge scene.) Having flown through TBIT numerous times over the past 2+ years, here's the saga of the LAX Centurion Lounge: - March 2020: Yes, open for about a week before Covid closed the world - April(ish)2020-June 2021: Grab and go boxed lunches - Late May 2021: I visited to pick up a lunch before my flight. This is seriously annoying. Now we found out through the report filed with LAX Airport authorities. Can you access this lounge via terminal 3? Problem with your assessment for LAX is that it's not really easy to pick either SkyClub or Centurion as the connector isn't built yet (I think, please correct me if I'm wrong!) The Centurion Lounge LAX is currently open daily from 6AM until 7:30PM. See what a point or mile is worth with our appraisals of a loyalty programs currency, based on redemption values. American Express Centurion Lounge LAX Location and Layout. Hoping the card changes on 2/23 help with crowding. For food at the Centurion Lounge LAX, Amex has partnered with Chef Nancy Silverton, who is chef and owner of Pizzeria Mozza, Osteria Mozza, and chi SPACCA. You'll have one less airport lounge to enjoy when traveling through the nation's busiest West Coast airport. Check here before booking an award fare. I wouldn't exactly describe the Centurion Lounges as "excellent.". IHG Rewards Premier Business Credit Card Review: Worth Will Americans New York To Doha Route Survive? and even if it was, the Centurion Lounge is on the opposite side of TBIT from Delta. Details emerged earlier this year as to why the brand-new lounge had to undergo such a lengthy closure. He finds flight deals for our Thrifty Traveler Premium and Thrifty Traveler Premium+ members and writes about flight deal trends and the travel industry. Cardmembers of the The Platinum Card from American Express, The Business Platinum Card from American Express or the Centurion Card can access the Delta SkyClub in Terminal 2 when flying with Delta, or the Alaska Airlines lounge in Terminal 6 through the card's included Priority Pass membership. Why the delay? Is the LAX Centurion Lounge open? Instead, the card issuer began offering grab-and-go food and beverage options for those visiting the lounge, but there wasnt any seating available. A similar story holds true in Las Vegas, New York and Seattle. Lounge operators, such as Amex, will need to rethink their approach to lounge design if they want to stay competitive.

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