American Express is taking additional steps in an effort to curb crowding across its network of Centurion Lounges. Lounge crowding has been a major issue over the past few years as more travelers get premium credit cards that offer lounge access. American Express took steps to limit crowding by eliminating free guests (unless you spend more than $75,000 per year on your Platinum Card) and now they’re adding two new restrictions.
American Express Tightens Guest and Time Limits for Centurion Lounges
According to TPG, as of July 8, 2026, American Express is adding two new restrictions for Centurion Lounge access. These are minor and, given the other rules they have in place, make a lot of sense.
The biggest change is the fact that cardmembers must be traveling on the same flight as any guest that they bring into the lounge. This is for paid guests as well as free guests unlocked by spending more than $75,000 in a calendar year on your Platinum Card.
The second change is cardmembers will only be allowed to access Centurion Lounges up to five hours before their flight on connecting itineraries. Currently, cardmembers on layovers do not have a limit. Access to the lounge for originating itineraries remains the same, with cardmembers allowed access up to three hours before scheduled departure time.
For me, these changes fall in the ‘disappointing, but nor a big deal’ category. As someone who has hit the AmEx guest waiver spend threshold since it went into place, that is the most impactful change for me. I used the ability to guest friends and family in with me when we’re departing from vacations, work trips, etc. However, with ATX jr. turning two later this year, he’s going to have to become one of my default guests.
The second change isn’t a big deal for me at all as I typically try not to have an extremely long layover when flying or, I use that long layover to go and do something in the city. I can imagine this will have the greatest impact on passengers with late night/early morning connections to/from international flights, but most Centurion Lounge hours wouldn’t allow for overnight layovers anyway.
While I don’t believe either of these changes will have a major impact on cardmembers or the lounges, it marks the latest chapter in the ongoing battle to curb crowding in Centurion Lounges.
Summary
American Express is adding two new restrictions for cardholders with Centurion Lounge access. Beginning in July 2026 cardmember guests must be traveling on the same flight as the cardmember and access during layovers is limited to five hours before departure of the connecting flight. Both of these seem like reasonable changes and I believe the impact will be minimal.