Guide to the Brand New and Very Posh Amex Centurion Lounge in ATL
Hartsfield Jackson Airport in Atlanta is the proud owner of the newest and largest Amex Centurion Lounge in the world. The ATL Centurion Lounge opened in mid-February 2024 as a welcome addition to the busiest airport in the world. it’s located on Concourse E, but can be easily accessed via the Plane Train no matter where your gate is. Keep reading to find out what it’s like inside and how to gain entrance so you can feel extra fancy before your next flight or layover!
What is it Like in the ATL Centurion Lounge?
The Amex Centurion Lounges are known as some of the most high-end lounges available. Currently, there are 14 in the US, and 11 in the rest of the world (click here for list). As the newest lounge on the block, the ATL Centurion has all the bells and whistles you would expect, plus a couple of surprises.
The Vibe
The space feels both green and modern with its high ceilings and plant life, and everything is sparkling clean. My favorite features are the two terraces: one on the outer side that is larger and feels a little more social, and an inner terraced courtyard that is quieter and more peaceful. The lounges are equipped with heaters as well as fans to keep guests comfortable year-round.
If you are trying to work during a layover, there are cubbies and plenty of plug space to help with that. if you want to kick back and relax before a vacation, check out a terrace or one of the many couches and overstuffed chairs inside. Although the lounge feels very open, it is subtly divided into sections that are geared toward anything travelers may want. The centerpiece is a gorgeous 50 year old olive tree (see pic above) surrounded by a rock garden. The custom lighting and local artwork throughout contribute to the feeling that you are in an exclusive space.
What to Eat
The food is not Michelin level, but it is the best lounge food I’ve seen. Healthier options abound with a creative salad bar and snacks such as chia pudding. There is also a full warm food buffet consisting of southern fare with a global twist. They have done a great job creating a menu that captures the spirit of Atlanta. Of the dishes I sampled, the standouts were the mac and cheese, chicken thighs with chimichurri sauce, and homemade pimiento cheese. And don’t forget dessert – I had the tiramisu and look forward to trying the cannoli next time!
What to Drink
There are two bars – the main bar, and a bar focused on whiskeys in The Reserve section of the lounge. For those of you who like to start your day with an earlier flight, be aware that although they open at 6am, they do not serve alcohol until 9am. I sampled an espresso martini (pro tip: grab your espresso at the machine before heading to the bar to combine with the rest of the martini fixings). They also have an elevated wine selection – I really enjoyed the Italian red blend.
If you are looking for non alcoholic options, there are multiple beverage stations with various flavored waters, juices, smoothies, and coffee/espresso. You even have the option of choosing sparkling or still water.
How Do I Get In?
To gain access to the Centurion Lounge System, you need one of American Express’s premium credit cards: The Platinum Card (you can use this link to apply) or the Business Platinum Card from American Express. While these cards come with a hefty annual fee (both $695 as of this writing), the perks earn your money back and then some.
For instance, the Platinum Card benefits I personally use includes a $200 airline credit (toward anything charged by the airline of your choice) a $240 annual digital entertainment credit (I use it for our Disney/Hulu/ESPN monthly fees), $200 in Uber credits, $155 yearly to cover a Walmart+ membership, $100 credit from Saks department store annually, and reimbursement for TSA Precheck/Global Entry ($100). I’ve also used the included Priority Pass membership to gain access to lounges at multiple airports ($279 right now). That is a total of $1274 in value I have received this past year! There are more benefits I didn’t even use (the $200 hotel credit), and benefits without a corresponding monetary value, such as automatic gold status with Marriott and Hilton.
There are some other card options that will get you into the lounge, but they aren’t as accessible as the Amex Platinum and Business Platinum cards. The Delta Reserve, Delta Business Reserve (for both of these, you must have booked a same day Delta flight with your Reserve card), and the Centurion Card ($5000 annual fee with a $10000 one time initiation fee!) will all gain access to the Centurion Lounges.
Who Can Come With Me?
Your American Express Platinum Card gets you into the Centurion Lounge, but as of March 2023, you don’t get any free guests unless you spend a whopping 75K yearly on your card. You have other options however: you can pay $50 per guest (this is worth it to me for the top shelf alcohol, relaxing atmosphere, and food options), or you can add an authorized user. Adding another user comes with a $195 fee, but if you are flying more than 4 times a year to locations with a Centurion Lounge, that may be a good value!
Other Centurion Lounge Locations
The lounges in the US are as follows:
- ATL (Hartsfield Jackson International Airport)
- CLT (Charlotte Douglas International Airport)
- DFW (Dallas Fort Worth International Airport)
- DEN (Denver International Airport)
- IAH (George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston)
- LAS (Harry Reed International in Las Vegas)
- JFK (John F Kennedy International Airport in New York City)
- LGA (LaGuardia International Airport in New York City)
- LAX (Los Angeles International Airport)
- MIA (Miami International Airport)
- PHL (Philadelphia International Airport)
- PHX (Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport)
- SFO (San Francisco International Airport)
- SEA (Seattle Tacoma International Airport)
There are also international options, such as Mexico City International Airport (MEX), London Heathrow Airport, (LHR) and Sydney Airport (SYD). Look for your favorite airports here!
The ATL Centurion Lounge proves that airport time doesn’t have to be a necessary evil. Now that you know what and where Centurion Lounges are and how to get in, get your Amex Platinum Card and level up your travel!
