New Amex Centurion Lounge Opening at JFK

American Express Centurion Lounges are among the nicest airport lounges in the US. While their footprint is still relatively small, Amex has been continuously expanding its network around the country. Last year, we saw a new lounge open up in Hong Kong and another one in Philadelphia. And now, American Express just announced the most recent addition to its network: a new Amex Centurion Lounge at JFK. 

The new Amex Centurion Lounge at JFK

New Centurion Lounges are always exciting but what’s really exciting about this lounge is that it looks like American Express is stepping up its lounge game. This new lounge is going to be the biggest Centurion Lounge by far, coming in at 15,000-square-feet across two levels.

This is encouraging to hear because crowding has been the biggest issue for these lounges over the past couple of years. Amex has limited access to two total guests (except for Centurion holders) and they’ve taken away the ability for non-Platinum/Centurion cardmembers to purchase day passes.

Special new features?

The Centurion Lounge at JFK Terminal 4 will also include “special new features to be announced closer to the lounge’s opening.” It will also boast “[s]pectacular airfield views.” Of course all of the standard offerings will be offered such as: a complimentary custom bar and food menu, premium restrooms and shower suites, access to high-speed Wi-Fi, noise-buffering workspaces (and more).

One has to wonder what these “special new features” will be. Perhaps an improved spa or other relaxation amenities? Upgraded dining experience or more elaborate bar set up?

What terminal at JFK will the Centurion Lounge be located?

The new Centurion Lounge at JFK will be located on the 4th floor Departures level of Terminal 4, one of the most active air terminals in the United States. Terminal 4 actually welcomes more than 21 million annual passengers and accounts for one-third of all traffic at the airport — more than half of Terminal 4’s annual passengers are international travelers.

Keep in mind that you will have to go through security to get to the lounge — the lounge will be located airside.

And that’s one drawback — JFK is not like IAH where each terminal is connected airside. So if you are coming in from a different terminal you will probably have to pass through security twice.

When will the new Centurion Lounge at JFK open?

The Amex Lounge JFK is estimated to open by early 2019. Amex has been okay about coming close to meeting deadline projections but I would consider “early 2019” to mean by mid-2019.

Other Centurion Lounge locations

Currently, there are 9 Centurion Lounges, one located outside the US:

1. New York LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
2. Las Vegas McCarran International Airport (LAS)
3. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
4. San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
5. Miami International Airport (MIA)
6. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
7. Houston’s George Bush International Airport (IAH)
8.  Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
9. Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)

American Express actually has lounges in other places like South American and Australia. They typically aren’t as nice and equipped as the lounges in the US, however.

• You can search for those Amex lounges here.
• And you read more about the Platinum Card’s lounge access here.

Where will Amex expand next?

Josh McKay, vice president and general manager, Global Benefits and Services, American Express, stated that, “We aim to elevate our Card Members’ travel experiences and our industry-leading lounge program is one of our Card Members’ favorite ways we do this. We look forward to continuing to expand this offering with the Centurion Lounge in JFK and more lounges to come.”

I agree with McKay that Amex has an industry-leading lounge experience and can’t wait to see where the new Centurion Lounges will be located. I’ve got a feeling it’s going to be ORD or LAX or maybe we’ll see another international Centurion Lounge?