Executive Traveler exclusive
American Express will reopen its Sydney and Melbourne airport lounges at the end of March – just over two years since they were shuttered in the early days of the pandemic – as international travel continues its steady return.
And later in the year both will be relaunched as Centurion Lounges, in common with AMEX’s premium lounges around the world, alongside what’s expected to be a step up in food and drinks.
A spokesperson for American Express tells Executive Traveler that visitors can expect to see “some exciting new enhancements… to elevate the experience of guests.”
At overseas Centurion Lounges travelers often find an extensive list of wine, spirits, and signature cocktails on the bar menu, including Champagne for all guests, plusan la carte menu featuring a comprehensive range of hot meals.
However, the AMEX spokesperson said that despite the Centurion rebranding, the Sydney and Melbourne lounges will still welcome the same broad swath of American Express cardholders as before, confirming “Who will be able to enter the lounges won’t change.”
Access to international Centurion Lounges is typically reserved for travelers holding the card company’s most exclusive cards.
On the local front, entry is provided with a flash of your AMEX-issued Platinum card while abroader set of American Express Explorer and partner cards from Qantas, Virgin Australia Velocity, Air New Zealand and David Jones – includes two free visits per year.
The American Express Sydney lounge opened its doors in 2019 after outgrowing AMEX’s previously-cosy Sydney space, which was then taken over by lounge specialist Plaza Premium; The AMEX Melbourne lounge debuted in 2018 and is co-located with a Plaza Premium Lounge.
Recent international Centurion Lounge openings include a Centurion Lounge at London Heathrow T3 (the same terminal used by Qantas, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Finnair, JAL and several British Airways flights) with blends signature high-end touches with luxurious local design influences; and the sprawling Centurion Lounge LAX with a cocktail and wine bar, day spa and two “tranquility” rooms.
