Expanded Amex Centurion Lounge SFO Reopens
Love them or hate them, the American Express Centurion lounges have become a staple of travel for many of us. What used to be a calm and relaxing place to spend a couple of hours before a flight has now become somewhat more hectic and crowded. That said, it’s still better than being out in the terminal.
One of the ways American Express has tried to deal with overcrowding issues is to expand the sizes of their lounges. For example, in the past few years several Centurion lounges including Dallas, Seattle, Miami and Las Vegas have all been expanded. American Express is also going to start limiting guest access early next year as well to help with the crowds.
Perhaps the most hectic of all Amex lounges was the one at SFO. I’ve visited it several times and on my last visit it felt like a warzone. I could only stay a few minutes because it was so overcrowded and dirty that it was actually nicer to be out in the terminal. Bold words, but true. Thankfully American Express is listening and they have now expanded the lounge in San Francisco to help provide more space and amenities for guests.
Centurion Lounge SFO Expansion & New Offerings
The new Amex Centurion lounge at SFO is 16,000 square feet which is almost double the size of the old lounge. According to Amex it features additional seating, a second bar with specialty wine flights and a new menu. Here is how they describe the offerings:
The Centurion Lounge at SFO will now have more space for eligible Card Members to enjoy, including two wine bars and café areas, additional restrooms, private phone rooms, several private workspaces, and more. The lounge is located in Terminal 3 on the mezzanine level. Top amenities include:
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Locally sourced wine: The lounge will feature a new bar where guests can enjoy specialty wine flights highlighting four regional wines curated by renowned wine authority Anthony Giglio. The new bar complements the existing wine wall where guests can sample wines from across California. The wine flights will rotate seasonally, starting today with a Sonoma Chardonnay flight and a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon flight:
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Elevated Dining: The lounge will offer a new seasonal menu that celebrates Bay Area purveyors from Liholiho Yacht Club Executive Chef Ravi Kapur. The Hawaiian-born, James Beard Award-nominated chef will continue to bring his unique flair to the Centurion Lounge at SFO with dishes inspired by his lineage and family memories including, Kochujang marinated chicken thighs, wild rice and coconut soup, and black vinegar and honey glazed baby carrots.
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Thoughtful Designs: The lounge will showcase two custom floor-to-ceiling wallcoverings by abstract artist Tracie Cheng, and new interior design that takes cues from the local vineyards, landscape, and the iconic San Francisco fog to give guests a sense of relaxation.
More Centurion Lounges Coming
American Express has come a long way since the days of their first U.S. Centurion lounge in Las Vegas. They currently have 13 operating Centurion lounges in the United States with another 11 operating internationally. Recently they have announced the opening of two new lounges in the coming years. A new Centurion lounge is planned for Reagan National Airport (DCA) in 2023 and another one for Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport (ATL) in 2024.
Amex Centurion Lounge SFO Reopens – Bottom Line
I used to gloat that I had been to every Centurion lounge in the United States, however with their rapid expansion I am now missing a few. While I have not grown to love the crowds, I am still fairly happy with the lounge product and what they provide. I also credit Amex with finding solutions and airport space to expand their current lounges. While still crowded, the expansions in Seattle, Miami, Las Vegas and Dallas have all made the lounges work better and feel more comfortable. I am expecting the same from San Francisco, however don’t expect it to be “your little secret”.
Are you looking forward to visiting the revamped Amex Centurion Lounge SFO? Let me know in the comments!
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With no free guests allowed it will really deal with overcrowding IMHO. People won’t pay what it is $50 per guest and if they do, Amex will just increase that to some level people won’t pay.
It’s true that Delta does that too, but Delta also gives admittance to those with it’s top cobranded credit card and top level Medallions can get free or discounted SkyClub membership. How many folks do you see actually paying for guests at SkyClub’s? I’d only do if I was traveling with my wife and the layover was 3 hours or more.
Amex has chosen to design standard-issue lounges. Without the branding, these could be any standard-issue lounge anywhere in the world. Don’t get me wrong. They are “nice.” And, they are better than sitting in the concourse. But, they are not on par with (say) the new Delta lounges.