Lounge Face Off: Amex Centurion vs British Airways

It’s a battle royale over here at Philadelphia International Airport. In this week’s episode of Being The Points Guy, I did a side-by-side comparison of the Amex Centurion Lounge versus the British Airways Lounge. And the results? Well, let’s just say a surprise contender might have come out on top. Let me know what you think in the comments section below, and always, subscribe!
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[@gc0817]

LOVE this concept! I am surprised by the lack of lounge reviews online and have been wanting someone to do something like this. When I was in Johannesburg for an extended layover we ran around the entire terminal checking out each one before settling. I have Priority Pass and typically am able to access multiple lounges. While I enjoy lounge hopping when I have plenty of time, when I’m on a tighter schedule at a new airport I struggle to figure out where I should go

[@johniii8147]

Francis Won There are plenty of reviews on KZbin

[@BrianKelly]

What do you guys think? Amex Centurion Lounge, British Airways Lounge or (underdog) Minute Suites ?!

[@FamilyonStandby]

BA all the way!

[@clausstimpfig3803]

British airways that amex lounge looked horrorful

[@neilnarain]

Centurion Lounge over British Airways (business class) lounge, but i'd put the first class BA experience over the Centurion every single day

[@MattNav]

Someday, very soon, I'll be able to finally try my first Centurion Lounge. Been a Platinum cardholder for a few months now but I've yet to fly through a Centurion airport (looking forward to the LHR one) as there are none here in France (if there ever was one here at NCE I'd be in heaven).

[@neilnarain]

Have fun! I thought the only centurion lounge outside of the US was in Hong Kong.

[@MattNav]

@@neilnarain right now HKG is the only one but they're building one at London Heathrow Terminal 3. There's also several "American Express lounges" dotted around the world without the Centurion branding, such as in Mexico City, Sydney, Melbourne and Stockholm

[@DalHarpJr]

I was just in MIA a couple of weeks ago, so I was looking forward to my very first Centurion Lounge visit. Got to the front desk and was basically refused entry, due to AmEx's new lounge rules. I had a 4 hour window before my flight takes off, and the rules are 3 hours before your flight. Don't try to lie, because they can check your flight reservations right at the desk! Instead of returning to experience the lounge an hour later, I just didn't even bother. It was a let down being turned away and that just ruined my initial excitement. I guess I'll try the lounge at LHR the next time I go to London. Thanks AmEx!

[@neilnarain]

If you went back to the lounge within your 3 hour timeframe, you would understand why. MIA is one of the most packed Centurion lounges that exists

[@BrianKelly]

Sadly they’re too crowded these days and they need those rules to thin them out. 3 hours is enough time to enjoy it though!

[@neilnarain]

Brian Kelly I think AMEX needs to implement more rules to tighten entrance to their centurion lounges... just having a platinum card is too easy. Everyone and their brother has one! Maybe spend (greater than 10k per year) could be an extra criteria for entrance?

[@hothotheat3000]

So you didn’t follow the rules and were disappointed that they didn’t bend the rules for you? That’s on you, not them.

[@maxxrenn]

Does BA gold give you the first class dining in the BA lounge?

[@dennisdalessio8238]

Good review. Really interested in the Minute Suites. Thanks

[@BrianKelly]

They’re free with priority pass. Perfect for introverts!

[@CorinneStinton]

I missed out on centurion at LGA. It is definitely on my list for any upcoming flights!

[@Alvin_1914]

I hope you like the Centurion lounge at LGA. It's a bit underwhelming IMO. I prefer the Delta Skyclub Lounges at LGA.

[@neilnarain]

You should definitely check it out!

[@neilnarain]

@@Alvin_1914 They are making a new centurion at LGA... check that one out when its complete

[@tpritc]

Would love to see this in LHR! Especially with the new Centurion opening soon!

[@bendent4416]

Nice place to... lounge about

[@kwfown]

Any plans to visit HKG in the near future? Just curious what the Centurion side of the Centurion lounge feels like (even though I’ll never get to experience it).

[@BrianKelly]

I did a tour of the HKG centurion side when it opened- google thepointsguy Hong Kong centurion lounge

[@BroaddayAssassin]

Yo listen at 1:54 you can hear someone mention the Coronavirus in like an Australian accent

[@TorpedoBryan13]

You have access to BA just for being an Alaska MVP Gold? Because I’m a Gold and i didn’t know that

[@nathaliegraves6132]

Put me in any / all of them and I will be a happy camper!

[@747Sean]

british lounge for me

[@nygisgod]

this cameras focus is less reliable then my stutter.

[@johniii8147]

BA lounges are nothing special outside of LHR and JFK.

[@FamilyonStandby]

Hot take: Centurion Lounge is WAY overrated, particularly for families. Given the choice, we go alternatives every time.

[@neilnarain]

Sheesh that is a hot take

[@hothotheat3000]

It depends. Say you live in NYC and fly out of JFK frequently for domestic flights. The free food/drinks make the lounge a steal. Even if you’re flying an economy flight, you can still stroll in there with your Plat card and get treated like a king.

[@adamc7139]

This guy is absolutely gorgeous 🙈🙈