Triangle Trip

Effective on Feb 1, 2023, American Express Centurion Lounge will be charging $50 for each guest ($30 for those under 18). Under 2 years old is still free. This is a big win for business flyers who don’t want to be disturbed by kids running around in the lounge. This is a big loss for family members who bring their families or friends along with them when they travel. Amex does not allow kids under 13 years old to sign up as additional card members so can’t get around that either. Check out the article here.

Will you be keeping your American Express Platinum?

Here’s a related article on why you should add cardholders to your account.

There are nine (9) terminals in Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) – Terminals 1 to 9 and Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT). Not all LAX terminals have airside connections (i.e., you will need to go through security from TBIT to Terminal 1).

The American Express Centurion Lounge at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is located in Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT), which is the main terminal with many international airlines. TBIT has also been recently expanded to include a set of West Gates. The AMEX Centurion Lounge is located on the south side of the TBIT right after TSA Pre-Check. For those who do not have TSA Pre, Clear is also located at the same checkpoint. If you do not have TSA Pre, you will need to go through security at the other end of TBIT.

If you are departing from Terminals 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 and want to access the American Express Centurion Lounge before your flight, we recommend you go through security at TBIT. Below is a chart of estimated walk times to get to your terminals and gates. Allocate more time if you are traveling with children or a slow walker as there are escalators (more walking if they are out of service) that connects these terminals.

The Tom Bradley Terminal (TBIT) is NOT connected to Terminals 1, 2, and 3. This means you will need to go through security at TBIT to access the Amex lounge and go through security at your terminal again for your flights going out of Terminals 1, 2, and 3. As of 2022, LAX Terminal 1 is mostly Southwest flights and Terminals 2 and 3 are Delta flights and its codeshare partners like Virgin. If you’re an American Express Platinum member, you can go to the Delta lounges as an alternative.

If you’re an American Express Platinum (AMEX Platinum) cardholder, you can add up to three (3) cardholders to your account for $175. It will cost you another $175 for each card afterwards (5th, 6th, etc.).  The additional cardholders will receive the same benefits as the primary cardholders except for acquiring American Express points as that goes to primary cardholders (benefit #1).

Spending the additional $175 to add your three family members and/or close friends pays for itself with Amex’s credit for your global entry application. Each global entry application costs $100 per application, so the combined savings is $125.  You can even pay for anyones Global Entry cost, it is a one time credit and the name on the card does NOT need to match the applicant.  Note, when applying, it will charge your card before you setup your interview.

Furthermore, the additional cardholders also gets:

1. Access to Centurion, Delta, and Airspace lounges at major airports.  You only need to show your credit card, ID and an airline ticket. You can also bring in two guests.

2. Complimentary access to Priority Pass Select (mostly international lounges).  This is a good gap for airport lounges when flying without airline status. You will have to call customer service to enroll.

3. Free SPG Gold status. We’ve found sometimes SPG may reject you because you are not the primary cardholder but keep trying.

4.  Free BOINGO account for wireless access around the world. BOINGO has many Wi-Fi hotspots in Europe which can be costly when you travel.

5.  Access to ShopRunner, a free 2 day shipping and returns at many stores across the country.