American Categorical is understood its community of Centurion Lounges, that are open to these with choose premium bank cards. Nicely, the cardboard issuer has simply eradicated a well-liked amenity from a few of these lounges, as reported by Zach Griff.
Amex Centurion Lounge spas shut attributable to crowding
Traditionally, Amex has partnered with with Exhale to supply specific spa therapies to company at choose Centurion Lounges. Nonetheless, these had been solely obtainable at three lounges, in Dallas Fort Value (DFW), Los Angeles (LAX), and Miami (MIA). Company may usually select from again massages or nail therapies, with providers lasting round quarter-hour.
Nicely, sadly these spas have all been shuttered as of Thursday, October 3, 2024. Amex explains that that is being completed to be able to add extra seating areas to those lounges, and in flip, to accommodate extra eligible card members.
These spas weren’t precisely large — possibly just a few hundred sq. ft — although I suppose some extra seating is best than nothing. Solely time will inform how precisely Amex furnishes the previous spa rooms. Will they simply have some chairs thrown in them, will they be quiet rooms, or one thing else?
My tackle Amex closing Centurion Lounge spas
In fact Amex is eliminating an amenity that has a little bit of a halo impact, and I think about folks received’t be pleased about that. On the similar time, I’m additionally undecided I can actually blame the cardboard issuer.
Lounge crowding has turn into such a serious situation lately. When Centurion Lounges had been launched over a decade in the past, it was inconceivable to assume that the day would come the place lounges would have waitlists to get in. Quick ahead to in the present day, when it’s not even uncommon to see that, a minimum of at lounges in america.
I additionally think about these spas weren’t nice by way of managing expectations. Truly getting a remedy was nearly like successful the lottery, given what number of company these lounges get, and the way few therapies can be found in a day.
Most cardmembers can solely entry three lounges prematurely, and sometimes these therapies had been booked up that far out. If something, the easiest way to snag a spa remedy was to have an extended layover between flights, the place the three hour entry rule doesn’t apply.
Amex now form of lags the competitors with regards to cool lounge gimmicks and facilities. Some Capital One Lounges and Chase Sapphire Lounges have some particular facilities. For instance, the Capital One Lounge Dallas Fort Value (DFW) has Peloton bikes and leisure pods, whereas the Chase Sapphire Lounge New York LaGuardia (LGA) has complimentary facials.
Backside line
Amex Centurion Lounge spas have simply closed, attributable to lounge overcrowding, and to create space for extra seating. These spas had been solely present in three of the areas, and people rooms will now as a substitute have seating added, to accommodate extra eligible company.
Whereas it’s in fact unhappy to see this amenity minimize, I don’t bear in mind the final time I used to be truly capable of get an appointment, so it’s not a lot of a loss for me…
What do you make of Amex closing Centurion Lounge spas? Is it a wise transfer, or simply price slicing?
