For travel enthusiasts, American Express Membership Rewards points have traditionally been useful for booking flights and hotels, whether through transfers to airline and hotel partners or bookings through Amex Travel.
But now, cardmembers have a new way to use them: buying sports merchandise, collectibles, and more.
Membership Rewards points transfer to Fanatics at a rate of 1,000 points to $10 in FanCash. That’s a fixed redemption value of 1 cent per point.
Here’s what that looks like in practice:
1,000 Membership Rewards points → $10 FanCash
5,000 Membership Rewards points → $50 FanCash
10,000 Membership Rewards points → $100 FanCash
25,000 Membership Rewards points → $250 FanCash
50,000 Membership Rewards points → $500 FanCash
Like transfers to other partners, transfers must be made in increments of 1,000 points, with a minimum of 1,000 and a maximum of 999,000 points per transaction.
Amex’s transfer partner page lists an estimated processing time of up to 48 hours.
FanCash can be used across the Fanatics platform for eligible purchases, including sports apparel, trading cards, collectibles, tickets, and other experiences.
You’ll need a Fanatics ONE account to transfer points. And like airline and hotel transfers, transfers to Fanatics are irreversible.
FanCash can also expire. Under the program’s terms, FanCash earned from eligible purchases or qualifying transactions expires one year after the transaction. However, making another eligible purchase or qualifying transaction can extend the expiration date of your existing FanCash balance.
At 1 cent per point, the new Fanatics option offers a straightforward way to use Membership Rewards points outside of travel, without necessarily settling for the comparatively lower redemption values associated with some other options, such as gift cards or merchandise purchases.
Of course, transferring Membership Rewards points to airline and hotel partners can deliver considerably more value, particularly when booking premium-cabin flights.
But not everyone wants to use their points for travel. For cardmembers who regularly shop at Fanatics, this adds another option, albeit one that trades the potential upside of travel redemptions for a fixed value.
Fanatics Also Introduces a New Amex Card
The transfer partnership arrives alongside the announcement of the new Fanatics American Express Card, a no-annual-fee credit card issued by First Electronic Bank and powered by the American Express network and Imprint.
The card earns FanCash on purchases, including elevated rewards across the Fanatics ecosystem, and features more than 500 customizable designs inspired by trading cards featuring professional athletes.
American Express Membership Rewards points currently transfer to 20 airline and hotel loyalty programs (plus one lifestyle program). That’s a lot of options, particularly if you’re looking to book flights using points.
Here’s the full list of Amex transfer partners, their transfer ratios, and which cards give you access to them.
American Express Airline Transfer Partners
Amex has 16 airline transfer partners spanning all three major airline alliances (Star Alliance, Oneworld, and SkyTeam), plus a handful of independent carriers.
Most transfers occur at a 1:1 ratio, meaning 1,000 Membership Rewards points become 1,000 airline miles. But there are some notable exceptions.
One thing worth remembering is that you don’t necessarily need to transfer points to the airline you’re flying.
For example, Air Canada Aeroplan lets you book Star Alliance partners like United and Lufthansa. Or you could transfer points to Virgin Atlantic Flying Club to book eligible Delta or Air France flights. Several programs also use Avios, including British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, and Qatar Airways.
Amex regularly offers limited-time transfer bonuses, which can make some of these options even more attractive. For a look at current offers, check out PointsYeah’s transfer bonus tracker.
Hilton is an outlier with its 1:2 transfer ratio. This means 1,000 Membership Rewards points become 2,000 Hilton Honors points. Meanwhile, transfers to Leaders Club work in the opposite direction: 1,000 Amex points become just 250 Leaders Club points.
But of course, a higher transfer ratio doesn’t necessarily mean you’re getting better value.
American Express Lifestyle Transfer Partners
Amex also offers Membership Rewards points transfers to a single lifestyle rewards program: Fanatics FanCash. For every 1,000 points you transfer, you’ll net 10 FanCash.
How to Transfer American Express Membership Rewards Points
You can transfer Membership Rewards points through your American Express account. Here’s how:
Sign in to your American Express account.
Open Rewards & Benefits, then select Transfer Points.
Choose your airline or hotel loyalty program and link your account if necessary.
Enter the number of Membership Rewards points you’d like to transfer.
Review the information and confirm your transfer.
Amex requires transfers in increments of 1,000 Membership Rewards points. Transfer times vary by partner, with some processing almost instantly and others taking a day or more.
One other thing worth knowing: Amex charges an excise tax offset fee when transferring points to U.S. airline loyalty programs, including Delta SkyMiles and JetBlue TrueBlue. The fee is $0.0006 per point transferred, up to $99. You can also pay this fee with Membership Rewards points, but it’s generally better to charge it to your card rather than use points to cover it.
And once you’ve transferred points out of your Amex account, you can’t move them back.
That’s why it’s worth confirming award availability before transferring. It’s also a good idea to link your loyalty accounts ahead of time, particularly if you’re planning to book an award with limited availability.
How to Search Amex Award Flights and Hotels With PointsYeah
PointsYeah searches live award availability across supported loyalty programs, including several American Express airline and hotel transfer partners.
Enter your route and dates (or your destination for a hotel stay), then filter by program, cabin, and airline. You’ll see how many miles or points each program charges, making it easier to compare your options before transferring any Membership Rewards points.
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Which American Express Cards Earn Transferable Points?
American Express has several personal and business cards that earn Membership Rewards points. If you have an eligible card, you can transfer those points to participating airline and hotel loyalty programs.
Unlike Chase and Capital One, where eligible cash-back rewards can be combined with transferable points through another qualifying card, Amex’s cash-back cards earn Reward Dollars rather than Membership Rewards points.
That means you can’t move rewards from one of those cash-back cards into your Membership Rewards balance, even if you also have a Membership Rewards card.
Amex also offers Membership Rewards through certain banking products, although transfer partner access may be limited if you don’t have an eligible Membership Rewards card.
American Express is now offering eligible cash-back cardholders another way to use their rewards.
Starting October 29, 2026, eligible U.S. consumer cardholders can redeem their Reward Dollars directly into an American Express High Yield Savings Account. Certain business cardholders can also redeem rewards into an Amex Business Checking account.
Here’s what’s changing and how the new redemption options work.
Redeem Amex Cash Back Into a High Yield Savings Account
Eligible American Express consumer cash-back cardholders can now redeem Reward Dollars directly into an Amex High Yield Savings Account (HYSA).
The redemption rate is 1:1, meaning $50 in Reward Dollars translates to a $50 deposit. There’s no minimum redemption amount.
Once deposited, the funds earn interest at the account’s prevailing annual percentage yield (APY). Currently, that stands at 3.2%. Interest compounds daily and is credited monthly.
This applies to eligible consumer cash-back cards, including the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express.
Cardholders can continue redeeming their Reward Dollars for statement credits or eligible purchases at Amazon.com. The savings account option just gives eligible cardmembers another way to use their rewards.
And while the redemption value itself isn’t changing, depositing rewards into a savings account means that money can begin earning interest. Over time, that could help cardholders get a little more value from the cash back they’ve already earned.
According to the press release, American Express also plans to introduce automatic Reward Dollars deposits into eligible savings accounts sometime in 2027.
Business Cardholders Get a New Redemption Option, Too
American Express is also introducing a similar feature for its Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card.
Eligible cardholders can redeem Reward Dollars directly into an American Express Business Checking account at a 1:1 rate. Here, too, there’s no minimum redemption amount.
That means $100 in cash-back rewards can be deposited as $100 into an eligible business checking account.
For now, Amex has only identified the Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card as eligible for this feature. The company hasn’t announced whether other business cash-back cards will be included.
How to Redeem Amex Reward Dollars Into a Bank Account
To use either option, you’ll need an eligible American Express cash-back card and the corresponding Amex bank account.
Here’s how to redeem your rewards:
Log in to your American Express account online.
Select your eligible cash-back card and navigate to your Reward Dollars balance.
Choose the option to deposit rewards into your Amex High Yield Savings Account or Business Checking account.
Enter the amount you’d like to redeem.
Review and confirm the deposit.
There’s no minimum redemption amount, and American Express says the feature will also be available through its mobile app soon.
Starting January 1, 2027, you’ll need to book at least two nights at a Fine Hotels + Resorts (FHR) property to use the up to $300 semiannual hotel credit on the American Express Platinum and Business Platinum cards.
Amex has also given the benefit a new name. What cardholders previously knew as the $600 Hotel Credit is now the $600 Lodging Credit (to reflect the addition of eligible Airbnb Luxe stays).
The new restriction brings FHR in line with The Hotel Collection (Amex’s other hotel program), which already requires a minimum two-night stay.
What the Change Means for Your Remaining 2026 Hotel Credit
If you haven’t used your July-to-December hotel credit yet, there’s still time to book a one-night FHR stay under the existing rules.
According to Amex’s terms, eligible bookings must be processed by December 31 at 11:59 p.m. Central Time to count toward the second half of 2026.
And you don’t actually need to stay at the hotel before then. Amex’s FAQ confirms that travel can take place after the credit period ends.
The newly renamed Lodging Credit still provides up to $600 per calendar year, split into two $300 credits. One is available from January through June, and the other from July through December.
To use it, you’ll need to make an eligible prepaid (“Pay Now”) booking through Amex Travel. That includes Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection reservations made through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or the number on the back of your card. Eligible prepaid Airbnb Luxe stays also qualify, although those have their own booking requirements.
Now, that two-night minimum might not sound like a particularly big deal, but it makes the credit considerably less useful for shorter stays, especially at more affordable FHR properties.
Take a hotel charging $300 per night. Today, you could book a single night and have the entire room rate covered by the credit. In 2027, you’d need to book two nights for $600, leaving you with $300 to pay out of pocket.
At a $700-per-night property, the credit currently covers about 43% of a one-night stay. With a two-night minimum, it would cover just 21% of the $1,400 total.
Granted, you’re getting another night in both examples. But if you only need somewhere to stay for one night, that doesn’t necessarily do you much good.
Airbnb Luxe Is Another Way to Use the Credit
Amex and Airbnb have announced a new partnership that brings more than one million Airbnb listings to Amex Travel.
Eligible cardholders can now book these properties through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and earn Membership Rewards points on prepaid reservations. Platinum and Business Platinum cardholders earn 5X points, while most other Membership Rewards-earning cards earn 2X.
But there’s an important distinction. While more than one million Airbnb listings are available through Amex Travel, only eligible Airbnb Luxe properties qualify for the $600 Lodging Credit.
Phoenix Mountain Cabin & Spa. AIRBNB LUXE
Airbnb Luxe is a collection of high-end homes available through Airbnb. According to the company, Luxe properties account for less than 1% of its listings globally, and each undergoes an in-person walkthrough before receiving the designation.
There’s another new perk, too. Platinum and Business Platinum cardholders who book a qualifying prepaid Airbnb Luxe stay through Amex Travel can unlock up to $250 in statement credits annually toward eligible Airbnb Experiences.
Once the Luxe booking is confirmed, cardholders can use their Platinum card to purchase eligible Experiences directly through Airbnb and receive statement credits through the end of that calendar year. Experiences that redirect you to certain third-party platforms for payment aren’t eligible.
Unlike the Lodging Credit, the Experiences credit isn’t split into two semiannual periods.
Fine Hotels + Resorts Benefits Aren’t Changing
Something to keep in mind is that the new two-night requirement applies to the Lodging Credit, not necessarily to Fine Hotels + Resorts bookings in general.
Amex’s separate FHR program terms, which offers benefits such as daily breakfast for two, a $100 credit toward eligible charges, and guaranteed 4 p.m. checkout, don’t specify a minimum stay.
Put differently, you can still book a one-night FHR stay and receive the usual program benefits. You just won’t be able to use your Platinum card’s Lodging Credit toward it beginning in 2027.
The $600 annual credit, its semiannual schedule, and the prepaid booking requirement aren’t changing, either.
For cardholders who regularly use the credit on one-night FHR stays, though, this is a reduction in flexibility. And if you’ve still got a 2026 credit to use, it’s worth keeping the upcoming change in mind before making your next reservation.
American Express is giving its cruise program a new name and a refreshed online experience. Beginning October 22, the existing Cruise Privileges Program (CPP) will become the American Express Cruise & Yacht Collection.
The new name puts more emphasis on luxury yacht travel, alongside traditional cruise lines like Royal Caribbean and Virgin Voyages.
But for American Express Platinum, Business Platinum, and Centurion cardholders, the benefits aren’t changing.
What Card Members Get With the Cruise & Yacht Collection
The Cruise & Yacht Collection will continue offering the same benefits currently available through Amex’s Cruise Privileges Program.
Eligible Platinum and Centurion Card Members can receive:
$100–$300 in onboard credit per stateroom on eligible cruises of five nights or longer.
An additional onboard amenity, such as premium wine or canapés, depending on the cruise line.
2X Membership Rewards points on eligible cruise bookings through Amex Travel.
Complimentary trip planning through Amex Travel, with no booking fees.
Access to exclusive offers from participating cruise lines and yacht operators.
To qualify, cardholders must book an eligible sailing through Amex Travel, either online or by calling the number on the back of their card. The cardholder must also be traveling on the itinerary.
Some ships, stateroom categories, and sailings are excluded. And while Amex says certain benefits can be combined with cruise-line offers and loyalty recognition, that depends on the participating provider.
What’s Actually Changing?
Well, not much beyond the branding and online experience.
Despite the new emphasis on yachts, Amex already includes several luxury yacht operators in its existing Cruise Privileges Program. The current lineup features 20 providers, including traditional ocean cruises, river cruises, and smaller luxury vessels.
The refreshed collection doesn’t add new benefits or participating brands. Instead, Amex is bringing its existing offerings together under a name that better reflects the range of cruises available.
For cardholders planning a voyage, those pre-existing benefits could be valuable. A $300 onboard credit, for example, could help offset the cost of dining, spa treatments, or other eligible onboard purchases.
However, it’s worth comparing prices and promotions before booking through Amex Travel. Other travel agencies or the cruise lines themselves may offer different incentives.
American Express is making some big changes to its Centurion Lounge network, including a new lounge at London Heathrow, major expansions in Philadelphia and Houston, and a significantly larger lounge than originally planned at Newark.
But not all of the news is good for travelers. Newark’s lounge will now open in 2027 instead of 2026, Philadelphia’s existing lounge will close for renovations beginning October 16, and Houston will experience intermittent closures starting in December.
Here’s what’s changing at each airport and when travelers can expect the new and expanded lounges to open.
Newark Will Get the Largest Centurion Lounge
American Express has significantly expanded its plans for Newark Liberty International Airport’s (EWR) first Centurion Lounge.
Though it was originally announced at approximately 18,000 square feet, the lounge will now span more than 30,000 square feet across two floors in Terminal A.
That will make it the largest Centurion Lounge in the network, giving Amex a presence at all three major New York City-area airports, JFK, LGA, and soon EWR.
AMERICAN EXPRESS
The lounge will feature a Blue Roast coffee and wellness bar, along with three distinct bars. One will draw inspiration from New Jersey’s diner culture, while another will feature Italian-inspired cocktails, pastries, and gelato.
The design will also incorporate elements of New Jersey’s history, including a sculptural installation celebrating the state’s “legacy of invention and discovery.”
The opening is now expected in 2027, despite Amex previously advertising a 2026 opening.
In response to a question from Points Insider, an Amex spokesperson confirmed the revised timeline but declined to attribute the change to any single factor, including the decision to expand the lounge before opening.
AMERICAN EXPRESS
Philadelphia’s Centurion Lounge Will Close October 16
Philadelphia is getting a much-needed expansion, but travelers will have to go without its existing Centurion Lounge during construction.
Amex confirmed to Points Insider that the lounge will temporarily close beginning October 16, 2026. Renovations are expected to be completed by the end of 2027.
The project will double the lounge’s footprint from approximately 6,000 square feet to more than 12,000 square feet across two levels.
AMERICAN EXPRESS
The redesigned space will incorporate artwork from local artists and design elements inspired by Philadelphia’s history and craftsmanship.
That additional space should be welcome at an airport where the existing Centurion Lounge has a relatively small footprint. However, the closure means eligible cardholders will lose access to the lounge for an extended period while construction is underway.
Houston’s Centurion Lounge Will Nearly Triple in Size
Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) is also getting a substantial Centurion Lounge expansion.
The existing lounge will grow from approximately 8,000 square feet to more than 23,000 square feet, making it one of the largest locations in the network.
Plans include a new Blue Roast coffee and wellness bar, a dedicated dining area with rotating plated dishes, and a second full-service bar.
The expanded lounge will also feature premium shower suites and additional seating.
AMERICAN EXPRESS
Unlike Philadelphia, Houston’s lounge will experience intermittent closures beginning in December 2026, rather than a single extended shutdown.
Amex expects the renovation and expansion to be completed by 2028.
London Heathrow Is Getting a Second Centurion Lounge
Amex is also planning a second Centurion Lounge at London Heathrow Airport (LHR).
The new lounge will occupy more than 9,000 square feet in Terminal 5 and complement the existing roughly 7,000-square-foot Centurion Lounge in Terminal 3.
AMERICAN EXPRESS
The Terminal 5 location will include dining and beverage offerings, dedicated workspaces, seating, and a VIP area.
Its design will draw inspiration from London’s history and the River Thames.
The new lounge is expected to open in 2028. And once it opens, it’ll make Amex the first credit card issuer to operate two proprietary lounges at Heathrow.
Checking In on Dallas Fort Worth
The Oct. 8 announcement follows several other Centurion Lounge projects Amex unveiled this year, including plans for a new location at Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) and a Sidecar by The Centurion Lounge at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT).
There’s also an ongoing renovation and expansion at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW).
However, Amex told Points Insider that it has no new updates to share on the DFW project, beyond confirming that renovations are underway.
For travelers, the biggest near-term changes will be in Philadelphia and Houston, where construction will affect access to existing lounges well before the expanded spaces are ready.
From there, check the promotional offers available to your account and activate any you’re eligible for.
There’s no reason to pay for the entire purchase with points just to trigger the discount. You only need to use the minimum number of points required by your offer and can pay the remaining balance with your card.
The discounts apply to eligible products purchased through Shop with Points and are calculated before shipping, taxes, and fees. Amazon gift cards aren’t eligible.
And for anyone who shops Amazon regularly, Amazon Prime also comes with free shipping on eligible purchases and other benefits.
The promotion applies to eligible purchases made through Amazon’s Shop with Points program. Discounts are calculated before shipping, taxes, and fees, and Amazon gift cards aren’t eligible.
As with the Amex promotion, you only need to use the minimum required points to trigger the discount. The remaining balance can be paid through another method.
Check Your Offers Before Shopping
These promotions are targeted, so having an eligible Amex or Citi card doesn’t automatically mean you’ll receive a discount.
Even among eligible cardholders, the offers can vary by a wide margin. So, it’s worth checking both promotions if you have cards that earn Membership Rewards and ThankYou points.
Both promotions are currently scheduled to end at 5 p.m. PT on December 31, 2026. However, just note that Amazon may close individual offers earlier once their redemption limits are reached.
American Express has spent more than a decade building one of the largest credit card airport lounge networks in the world.
The first Centurion Lounge opened in 2013. Since then, the network has expanded across the United States and into airports from London to Tokyo, with more locations on the way.
Unlike airline lounges, access isn’t tied to flying a particular airline or sitting in a premium cabin. It comes primarily through a handful of premium American Express cards.
Here’s where to find Centurion Lounges, who can get in, and what to know before your visit.
Where Can You Find American Express Centurion Lounges?
American Express operates Centurion Lounges across the United States and at several international airports.
American Express is also experimenting with a smaller lounge concept called Sidecar by The Centurion Lounge.
Sidecar is designed for shorter visits, with drinks and light bites rather than the broader dining and amenity experience found at a full Centurion Lounge. Visits are limited to 90 minutes before departure.
The first Sidecar opened at Las Vegas (LAS) in 2025, and another is planned for Charlotte (CLT) in 2027.
Who Can Access a Centurion Lounge?
You can’t purchase a Centurion Lounge membership or simply pay for a day pass.
Instead, complimentary access comes primarily through eligible American Express cards, including:
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business cardmembers (when flying Delta)
Guest access depends on which card you use.
Platinum Card and Business Platinum Card members generally pay $50 per adult guest and $30 for children ages 2 through 17. Cardmembers who make $75,000 or more in eligible purchases during a calendar year can unlock complimentary access for up to two guests at eligible Centurion Lounge locations.
You’ll also need a same-day boarding pass. Access is generally limited to within three hours of your scheduled departure. If you’re connecting, you can enter up to five hours before your next flight.
What Can You Expect Inside a Centurion Lounge?
Centurion Lounges share many of the same basics, but American Express doesn’t make every location identical.
Food, drinks, artwork, and design often incorporate elements of the city or region surrounding the airport. Some locations take that further with amenities you won’t find elsewhere in the network.
At New York (JFK), there’s a speakeasy called 1850. Seattle (SEA) has a full-service coffee bar inspired by the city’s coffee culture. At Tokyo Haneda (HND), chefs prepare nigiri from an open kitchen.
The rest will feel familiar if you’ve spent time in airport lounges. Expect complimentary food and drinks, Wi-Fi, power outlets, and places to work or relax. Depending on the location, you may also find showers, family rooms, outdoor spaces, or other amenities.
A Few Things to Know Before You Go
A few rules are worth checking before heading to a Centurion Lounge:
Bring a government-issued photo ID. You may be asked to show it at check-in.
Your boarding pass must be for a same-day departing flight.
Entry is subject to capacity, and popular lounges can have a wait during busy periods.
Amenities vary considerably between locations.
International locations can have different access and guest policies, so check the rules for the specific lounge you’re visiting.
Because lounge access policies can change, confirm the latest rules with American Express before traveling if Centurion Lounge access is important to your plans.
American Express is expanding its partnership with airport lounge operator Aspire in Canada. A new co-branded lounge is now open in Calgary and another is coming to Montréal.
The Aspire Amex Lounge at Calgary International Airport (YYC) opened September 16 in the domestic departures area. Another location will open in Montréal-Trudeau International Airport’s (YUL) transborder area by early 2027, serving passengers departing for the U.S.
The expansion follows the first Aspire Amex Lounge, which opened in Montréal’s domestic departures area in September 2025. Amex says that location has recorded more than 50,000 cardmember visits since opening.
Once the new Montréal location opens, the Aspire Amex network in Canada will include three lounges across two airports.
These Lounges Aren’t Just for Canadian Amex Cardmembers
These aren’t Centurion Lounges. They’re Aspire lounges operated by Swissport, with Amex partnering with Aspire to provide additional benefits for eligible cardmembers.
But access isn’t limited to Canadian Amex cards. Aspire lounges also participate in Priority Pass, which is a benefit of several U.S. credit cards, including The Platinum Card® from American Express.
U.S. Platinum Card members need to enroll in Priority Pass before using the benefit. Access requires a Priority Pass membership card and same-day boarding pass.
Eligible Amex cardmembers receive priority lounge and waitlist access at Aspire Amex Lounges. The lounges also offer a mix of buffet options and tableside ordering.
The upcoming Montréal location could be especially useful for U.S.-bound passengers. It will sit in the airport’s transborder area, while the existing Aspire Amex Lounge serves domestic departures.
With Calgary now open and a second Montréal location coming, the partnership is expanding from one lounge last year to three across two Canadian airports.
American Express is bringing a Centurion Lounge to continental Europe for the first time.
The 33rd Centurion Lounge opens Thursday, September 17, at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS). It’s in the airport’s non-Schengen zone between Concourses E and F. And the entryway is just up the stairs near the Lounge No. 50 sign.
At nearly 6,000 square feet, Amsterdam is far from the largest Centurion Lounge in the issuer’s network. But after walking through the space ahead of its opening, it doesn’t feel quite as small as that number suggests.
Tall ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows bring plenty of natural light into the lounge, while the layout breaks the space into several distinct areas. There’s a dedicated coffee bar, dining area, full-service bar, and different types of seating across the lounge.
TYLER GLATT / POINTS INSIDER
Amex also packed quite a bit of the Netherlands into the space.
There are deep greens and blues inspired by Amsterdam’s canals, Dutch florals, locally sourced coffee and tea, work from local artists, and a Delft-style version of Amex’s bulldog mascot.
The goal, according to Vince Carbone, Amex’s director of global lounge design strategy, was to make the lounge distinctly Amsterdam without making the references too “on the nose.”
That’s a pretty good description of what Amex built. It still looks and feels like a Centurion Lounge, but the Amsterdam influence is impossible to miss.
Bringing Amsterdam Into a Centurion Lounge
No two Centurion Lounges are designed to be exactly alike, and much of what distinguishes Amsterdam comes down to the details.
The local references start near the entrance. A painting featuring Sir Charles Frosty Blue (Amex’s mascot, not Dutch royalty) incorporates Delftware and Dutch florals. Work from local artists lines the walls, while flowers and other references to the Dutch landscape decorate tables and shelves.
TYLER GLATT / POINTS INSIDER
Color plays an even bigger role.
Deep greens and blues run throughout the space, inspired in large part by Amsterdam’s maze of waterways. Color blocking (which, I learned, is the practice of using distinct areas of color to define a space) also helps separate one part of the lounge from another without making each area feel disconnected.
The ceiling is another integral part of the space, although it isn’t entirely an Amex creation. The lounge was built out of former office space, and the tall, angular ceilings were already there.
Amex incorporated that existing architecture into the design. The triangular forms overhead add dimension, while the ceiling height and floor-to-ceiling windows help make the relatively compact lounge feel a lot more open.
And perhaps a little more upscale.
TYLER GLATT / POINTS INSIDER
Moving through the space takes you from general seating to the Blue Roast Coffee Bar, dining area, and eventually the main bar. Additional seating runs along the perimeter beside the windows.
Then there are details that are easier to miss.
For instance, Amex has made a habit of hiding a bulldog statue in its Centurion Lounges. Amsterdam’s version sits above the bar, rendered appropriately in Delft style.
TYLER GLATT / POINTS INSIDER
Coffee Is Getting More Attention
One of the most prominent parts of the lounge isn’t the traditional Centurion bar.
It’s the coffee bar.
Amsterdam is the fourth Centurion Lounge to feature Amex’s Blue Roast Coffee Bar, following Seattle, New York-JFK, and Salt Lake City. The branding carries over, but the coffee and tea are sourced locally and brewed fresh by a barista behind the counter.
TYLER GLATT / POINTS INSIDER
There’s also another reason Amex is putting more emphasis on coffee.
The Global Lounge team said it’s seeing customers drink less alcohol and show more interest in coffee and nonalcoholic beverages. That’s beginning to influence what Amex prioritizes inside its lounges.
The full-service bar isn’t going anywhere, and Amsterdam has one of those, too. But Blue Roast gets its own dedicated space rather than feeling like an extension of the dining area.
TYLER GLATT / POINTS INSIDER
Food is another important part of the Centurion Lounge experience. Amex even went so far as to call it a main draw.
The Amsterdam menu mixes global and European flavors with Dutch staples, like bitterballen. Amex also mentioned herring and eel as examples of regional European dishes that will be served, although it wasn’t clear when or how often those will appear once the lounge opens.
Some dishes are expected to rotate roughly every three weeks, while other staples will stay.
Like the design itself, the food gives Amex another way to make the lounge feel connected to Amsterdam without changing the basic Centurion Lounge formula.
TYLER GLATT / POINTS INSIDER
Making the Most of 6,000 Square Feet
The Amsterdam lounge is noticeably smaller than some of the newer Centurion Lounges Amex has opened in the U.S.
There’s a fairly simple reason for that. Airport real estate doesn’t grow on trees. And Amex’s team isn’t shy about saying that lounge development often comes down to what space an airport can make available.
TYLER GLATT / POINTS INSIDER
At Schiphol, space is particularly hard to come by.
The existing architecture ended up working in Amex’s favor. Instead of one large seating area, the lounge progresses through smaller spaces for seating, coffee, dining, and the main bar. Combined with the tall ceilings and natural light, the layout keeps the footprint from feeling compressed.
Patrick McGinley, Amex’s director and design and construction program manager for Centurion Lounges, said the finished product turned out better than he originally expected.
TYLER GLATT / POINTS INSIDER
Amex worked closely with Schiphol and Dutch partners to get the lounge built, and indicated that it expects to stay in touch with the airport if opportunities for additional space come along later.
There’s nothing more concrete than that for now. But even ahead of the official opening, Amex isn’t ready to close the loop on what the lounge could eventually become.
Why Amsterdam Makes Sense for Amex
The opening is also another step in taking a Centurion Lounge network that has historically been concentrated in the U.S. farther abroad.
Members of Amex’s Global Lounge team pointed to growth in the company’s international business and demand for lounges in more parts of the world.
Schiphol is important both for people beginning trips in the Netherlands and for those passing through one of Europe’s biggest connecting hubs. Amex expects the lounge to draw a mix of U.S. and international Platinum Card Members, without a necessarily particular tilt toward either group.
TYLER GLATT / POINTS INSIDER
There’s also a notable network effect from the U.S.
Several major U.S. gateways with nonstop service to Amsterdam already have Centurion Lounges. Platinum Card Members have access to a much broader collection of lounges around the world through the American Express Global Lounge Collection, but Amsterdam extends Amex’s own Centurion brand farther along those trips.
Someone leaving a U.S. gateway with a Centurion Lounge, such as Atlanta or New York-JFK, can now see that same Centurion logo again while passing through Schiphol, just as they can in London, Tokyo, and elsewhere.
And at 33 locations, the network is pretty substantial in its own right. The Centurion Lounge footprint rivals or even exceeds the proprietary lounge networks of some airlines.
But that doesn’t mean Amex is about to start opening lounges across Europe or the rest of the world at the same pace it has in the U.S.
TYLER GLATT / POINTS INSIDER
The Global Lounge team was pretty careful on that point. International growth has made additional markets attractive, and there’s demand to put lounges in more places. Over the long term, some additional balance between the domestic and international network makes sense, but Amex isn’t looking to swing too far in either direction.
Expansion isn’t the only focus, either. Lounges in Boston, Newark, and a Sidecar location in Charlotte are on the way, but Amex is also reinvesting in existing locations. Dallas Fort Worth, one of the older outposts in the Centurion network, is getting a revamped and larger lounge as part of that effort.
That mix of new locations and updates to existing ones is shaping the network as it grows. And Amsterdam just happens to be the newest piece and the first in continental Europe.
TYLER GLATT / POINTS INSIDER
But for all the significance Amex places on the opening, the lounge itself isn’t trying particularly hard to make a statement about it. It’s still recognizably a Centurion Lounge. The Amsterdam part comes through in the colors, artwork, coffee, food, and little details scattered around the space.
It’s distinctly Amsterdam, without being too on the nose.
