Airport Lounge Review: American Express Centurion Lounge, Mexico City

23/10/2018wareontheglobe 2 Comments

American Express offers a series of airport lounges in the US, as well as a few outside of the US, which are complimentary for certain cardholders, including American Express Platinum cardholders. Since I have the American Express Platinum, I enjoy free access to these lounges. I first experienced a Centurion Lounge in Buenos Aries Ezeiza Airport (EZE), and have been a bit obsessed ever since. The Centurion Lounges in the US are rumored to be much nicer than the international lounges, but I, unfortunately, have not visited enough of these lounges to make a firm decision.

A new Centurion Lounge!

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Lounge Review: American Express Centurion Buenos Aires

11/09/201511/09/2015wareontheglobe 3 Comments

In follow-up to my last post, I decided to review one of my favorite airport lounges – the American Express Centurion Lounge in Ezezia International Airport in Buenos Aires!

Favorite part: unlimited Chandon.

I visited this lounge in December during a layover in Ezezia Airport. The lounge is located on the second level in Terminal C. There are no big signs or flashy entrances, so you will have to look for it.

Once we checked in (need your card, ID and boarding pass), the lounge opens up into a very modern living room! There are plenty of seats, outlets, great wifi, international papers, TVs, etc. in the main room. In addition, there are some small areas separated from the rest of the room – see below. Good for groups.

Complimentary, self-serve food was set up buffet style in the main sitting room. There was no hot food when I was there, but there was a good selection of cold options, from small sandwichs, breads, meats, cheese, fruit, yogurt, cereal, jams, jellies, wraps, Havanna cookies (which are so expensive in Argentina; these are not wrapped so you cannot take them with you), etc. While I found the food to be more breakfast-snacky than dinner, our flight left pretty late so we may have missed a more substantial dinner spread. Plus, the sandwiches were delicious! I could have easily made a complete meal of the offerings, and everything was regularly replenished. Here’s the food:

In terms of drink, all types of beverages were also complimentary and self-serve in the buffet area. Our favorite was the endless Chandon! Yum!! Aside from Chandon, various types of liquors, beer and red and wine Argentinian wines were available. We tried the Argentinian red wine and it was delightful. In addition to alcohol, a variety of name brand sodas – including the at-the-time-not-in-the-US Coke Light – were available, as well as bottled water, all sorts of juices, mixers and two expresso machines! Again, everything was complimentary and you can take as much as you want (Note – the alcohol and coffee are not in to-go bottles)! Dan and I really loaded up on bottled water, soda and snacks for the flight; however, US travelers beware, while the Argentinian airport security is rather non-existent, US flights almost always make fliers go through a second round of security at the gate, where the 3-1-1 rule applies and no bottled water is allowed, even if its from the airport! Also show up a little early for this task…

In other categories, the lounge has nice, large, clean private bathrooms with private sinks . This makes for a great place to change clothing, etc. before a long flight. Note – there are no showers in this lounge.

Finally, the Lounge had a pretty big child play area separate from the rest of the lounge with tons of toys, etc. This seemed like a great place to keep children occupied – plus it kept them out of the lounge!

Overall, one of my favorite lounge experiences! Definitely worth a visit if you are in Ezezia International!

STEAL OUR TRIP

American Express Centurion Lounge Buenos Aires – Terminal C, Level 2, access near Gate 15

Access to The Centurion Lounge is complimentary for global Platinum Card and Centurion Members. All other Card Members with a valid American Express Credit or Charge Card can purchase a day pass for $50 per day (includes children under 18).

Once you’re in, everything in the Lounge is complimentary.

Note – While part of the American Express Centurion Group, apparently the international locations are run separately from the U.S. lounges. As such, depending where you are, you may not get the same accommodation you are used to in the U.S. lounges.

Wine Tasting in the American Express Centurion Lounge San Francisco!

08/09/201508/09/2015wareontheglobe 3 Comments

Dan and I stumbled upon an American Express Centurion Lounge in Buenos Aires last year and have been a bit obsessed with the brand since. So when we flew through San Francisco earlier this year, we got to the airport hours early just to go to the Centurion Lounge (which was located in a different terminal!).

For those unfamiliar, Centurion Lounges are upscale airport lounges run by American Express. American Express began constructing them in the U.S. after so many airlines cut American Ex cardholders’ access to their premier lounges. There are about 5 in the U.S. currently (Miami, LaGuardia(NY), Dallas, Las Vegas, San Francisco and Seattle) and several abroad, including one in Buenos Aires and a couple in India (although apparently the international lounges are somewhat distinct). In any case, the two I visited were plain awesome.

San Francisco’s Centurion Lounge is located in Terminal 3. AmEx Plaitnum cardholders and Centurion members get complimentary access for themselves, one guest and all immediate family members present. All other AmEx cardholders can buy a day pass for $50, and its totally worth it!! I also think certain cards get one or two free passes a year…check that out!

The SFO Lounge is located not too far from the security lines plane-side. To enter, you walk up the stairs and check in at the front desk. NOTE – you need your card and photo ID.

Once inside, the lounge has plenty of seating and storage (including lockers), lots of plugs, wifi, papers, tv, etc. There is also a shower (yes, exactly one shower), which you can use if you make a reservation…

While the lounging area is nice, the real deal is the bar area, which is complete with its own California wine tasting. Yes, you read that correct, wine tasting! To enjoy this complimentary feature, simply ask the bartender for a ticket to wine taste. The bar tender will then give you a print out coupon good for five samples. You can choose from a wide variety of wines; 5 samples equals one glass. There it is, and me trying the samples!

In addition to the wine tasting, there is a full, complimentary bar. I enjoyed the sparkling wine!

The buffet is also in the bar area. I was there around lunch and the menu consisted of fried chicken, mashed potatoes, bruschetta with strawberry jam, ramen and a few desserts. There were also the makings for a salad. While the food was not my favorite, it was probably better than most airport food! One complaint, there was nothing to take to-go…like chips or something!