If you are traveling through the LAX airport, you will definitely want to take advantage of the amazing Centurion Lounge. This lounge is a great place to relax and unwind while waiting for your flight. Here’s a quick guide on how to get access and what amenities you can expect when visiting the Centurion Lounge at LAX Airport.
What is LAX Centurion Lounge?
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Centurion Lounge is a premium non-airline-operated lounge offered by American Express as a complimentary service for its credit card holders. AMEX Platinum and Centurion card members are eligible to use this lounge and gain access to its various services.
At the beginning of the COVID-19 Pandemic in March 2020, American Express announced the opening of its 12th Centurion Lounge. Below is a snapshot of a press release on CNBC
As COVID became a worldwide pandemic, the lounge was closed in June 2021. AMEX used this period to do further renovations and expansion of the lounge. After they reopened, they still didn’t allow any food inside the lounge which reduced the value of having the lounge in the first place. It was fully reopened in June 2022 and is now operational at full capacity.
Is there Centurion Lounge at LAX?
There is an Amex Lounge located at LAX in the Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT) called the Centurion® Lounge. The exact address if you want to put it on Google Maps is Level 2, Tom Bradley International Terminal, World Way #380, Los Angeles, CA 90045.
While smaller than the Delta Sky Club’s 30k sq ft lounge, Centurion’s LAX Lounge is a decent 14k sq ft and is pretty spacious.
How to access Centurion Lounge at LAX/ Directions:
To find American Express’s Centurion Lounge in TBIT at LAX, turn left right after the security check and look for blue branding. Take the American Express elevator from Level 4 to Level 2 to reach the Lounge. You can also access the Lounge from Terminals 4-8 via a walkway, and from Terminals 2 & 3 by taking an airside bus that drops off at Gate 146 in TBIT.
Please be aware that it’s not possible to access the airside area from Terminal 1.
Below is a map I obtained from Centurion’s website.
More about Terminal B where Amex Lounge is located: Centurion LAX Map
LAX has 8 terminals, Terminal 1 to 8 and in 2013, Terminal B was launched at a cost of more than $1.3 B. Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT) was built to provide a world-class international travel experience and is located in the south part of LAX. The location of the terminal makes it very accessible from any of the terminals.
The Amex Lounge at LAX is situated in the center of Terminal B, where various paths from different terminals intersect.
If you are using Terminals 4 to 8, there is a walkway that brings you directly to the lounge that is located on Level 2. When you enter the terminal, you will also find a dedicated American Express elevator to take you directly to Level 2 where the Centurion Lounge is located.
The lounge is situated after you go through the TSA checkpoint, but before you enter the main area of the terminal.
As per this map of LAX Airport, it will take you 31 mins (1700 meters) to get to Centurion Lounge from Terminal 8, 28 mins from Terminal 7 (1500 meters), and 20 mins from Terminal 3. Terminals 2 and 3 are further away as you’ll need to use an airside bus.
Regardless of which Terminal your flight arrives or departs from, you can access LAX’s AMex lounge within 30 mins either by walking or by using an interterminal airside bus. This site has details on LAX shuttle details.
How to Access LAX Centurion Lounge:
Access to Centurion Lounge at LAX is similar to access to all AMEX Lounges. You need to have a premium card offered by American Express. Unfortunately, they no longer sell day passes to non-cardholders. A few years back, it was possible to purchase a day pass to access Centurion lounges for less than $60 but they have since stopped.
To enter the Centurion Lounge at LAX, you need to have one of the following eligible premium American Express cards: Centurion® Card from American Express, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card (when booking a Delta flight with your Delta Reserve card), Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card (when booking a Delta flight with your Delta Reserve Business card), or The Platinum Card® from American Express.
With an AMEX card and same-day boarding ticket, you can access the LAX Lounge 3 hours before your flight and enjoy all the amenities they offer which I’ll explain below. Please note that you can’t access or use this lounge if LAX is your final airport destination. If you’re connecting, you can use the lounge as you wait for your next flight.
Cost of Centurion Lounge Los Angeles Airport:
For cardholders with the above-mentioned cards, it is free to access the lounge. However, if you don’t have the card and want to get it, it will cost you $695 for Business Platinum Card annually or $695 annually for a regular Centurion Platinum card. This gives you access to more than 1,400 airport lounges worldwide and a host of other benefits including cashback for purchases and discounts on hotel and flight bookings.
Can I bring a guest to LAX Centurion Lounge?
You can bring a maximum of 2 guests with you. Amex Platinum card and Amex Business Platinum cardholders are allowed to enter with 2 guests free of charge, but only if they have made eligible purchases of $75,000 or more in a calendar year. If not, you can still bring guests by purchasing a guest day pass for $50 per adult or $30 per child aged between 2 and 17.
If you have a Centurion card, you can bring up to 2 guests or immediate family (spouse or domestic partner, and children under 18) for free. Delta Reserve cardholders can also bring up to 2 guests, but they will need to pay $50 per person, per visit. Amex Platinum card, Amex Business Platinum card, and Centurion card members can buy a day pass for any additional guests for $50.
Review of LAX Centurion Lounge:
I must admit that this is perhaps my favorite Centurion Lounge that I have been. The layout and the spacing of the seating make the lounge feel more spacious and ventilated. The lounge also offers a variety of seating options from small tables to larger, comfortable couches for those who want a place to stretch out or take a nap. With 14,000 sq ft, it is perhaps the biggest Amex Lounge.
Below is an image from nerdwallet;