American Express Centurion Lounge Seattle Review [2023]

With several hours to kill before my Turkish Airlines business class flight to Istanbul, I decided to check out several different business class lounges at the SeaTac airport. The highlight of them all was the recently renovated AMEX Centurion Lounge Seattle. In this American Express Centurion Lounge Seattle review will cover how to access the lounge, what it’s like inside, and why it’s my favourite at SeaTac lounge.

All About the SEATAC American Express Centurion Lounge

Before diving into this American Express Centurion Lounge Seattle Review, let’s look at what it is and some logistics like where to find it and how to get in.

What is The Amex Lounge Seattle?

The Centurion Lounges stand apart from traditional airline lounges, as they are affiliated with the American Express credit card line. In addition to the captivating AMEX Centurion Lounge in Seattle, there are 14 other great locations across the United States, including cities such as Houston, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles. Moreover, you can find these luxurious lounges in international destinations like Hong Kong, Australia, and Argentina. What sets them apart is their dedication to providing a premium experience, surpassing many other non-airline lounges.

What truly elevates the AMEX Centurion Lounge in Seattle and its global counterparts is their commitment to excellence. These lounges are renowned for their exceptional services curated by a team of accomplished chefs and mixologists. It’s the ideal destination to relish a finely crafted pre-flight cocktail, adding a touch of indulgence to your journey.

AMEX Centurion Lounge Seattle Location

The AMEX Centurion Lounge Seattle is located in the main terminal of the airport. After clearing security, you will find it quietly tucked away in the food court across from the TSA security screening.

If you’re having trouble locating this SeaTac lounge, look for the glass elevator shaft in the corner. On the floor above it you will see the AMEX Centurion Lounge Seattle signage. Once you walk over to the elevator shaft, you will see even more signage, inviting guests up to the second level and into the Centurion Seattle Lounge.

AMEX Centurion Lounge Seattle Operating Hours

This SeaTac lounge is open from 0500 to 2200 daily. This is subject to change so please ensure you check operating hours before your visit.

How Do You Access the AMEX Centurion Lounge Seattle?

Access to the AMEX Centurion Lounge in Seattle varies depending on your American Express card and its associated benefits. You can not pay to enter any of the AMEX Centurion Lounges.

Here’s how you can access the lounge along with the Amex Centurion Lounge guest policy fees;

1. Eligible Cards: To access the Centurion Lounge, you should hold an eligible American Express card, such as the U.S. Platinum Card® or U.S. Business Platinum Card®. These cards offer access to the Centurion Lounges.
2. Guests: As of February 1, 2023, there is a fee structure for guests. U.S. Platinum Card® and U.S. Business Platinum Card® Members will be charged a $50 USD fee for each guest (or $30 USD for children aged 2 through 17), or a rate comparable in the currency of the country where the lounge is located, not to exceed $50 USD.
3. Complimentary Guest Access: U.S. Platinum Card® and U.S. Business Platinum Card® Members may qualify for complimentary guest access for up to two guests per visit after spending $75,000 USD in eligible purchases on their card between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2022, and in each calendar year thereafter.
4. Additional Guests: If you wish to bring more guests beyond the two complimentary ones, there are paid guest rates in effect as of February 1, 2023. The specific rates may vary, so it’s advisable to check with American Express or the Centurion Lounge directly for the most up-to-date information on guest rates.

Remember that access policies and rates can change, so it’s recommended to verify your eligibility and guest access fees with American Express, especially if you plan to bring additional guests to the AMEX Centurion Lounge in Seattle.

Centurion Lounge Time Limit

It should also be noted that to curb overcrowding, American Express has implemented strict access rules and time durations for its guests. As a standard practice, Amex Platinum and Delta Reserve cardholders enjoy access to the Centurion Lounges within three hours before their initial flight’s departure and during any layovers between connecting flights lasting 24 hours or less. The latter, as I would find in Houston, also has a same-day policy. This means you even if you are connecting, you can only access a Centrurion lounge on the day of your departing flight.

Fortunately for my American Express Centurion Lounge Seattle review, I was connecting on the same day so I had no issues getting in. This wasn’t the case for my visits to the lounges in Las Vegas or Houston where we had to wait till three hours prior to departure time. This is understandable given how crowded these lounges can be, however, it still feels like some sort of AMEX jail at the time.

My American Express Centurion Lounge Seattle Review Experience

With formalities out of the way, let’s dive into my American Express Centurion Lounge Seattle review and cover off my experience of the service, amenities, food and drink.

AMEX Centurion Lounge Seattle Service and Amenities

Those that do you have to wait out “AEMX jail” will be happy to do so as the AMEX SeaTac lounge is certainly worth the wait.

The recently enlarged American Express Centurion Lounge Seattle now covers an impressive 14,000 square feet, surpassing the previous 4,500-square-foot lounge by more than threefold. It provides seating for approximately 400 guests, offering a significantly more spacious environment spread out through several unique rooms.

AMEX Lounge Seattle Bar

Upon entering you’ll find a massive lounge with a mix of marble tables and booth seating. This is where I spent most of my time as I found the rest of the lounge cramped and crowded. The open air of the lounge and bar area also benefits from lots of natural sunlight making it a very welcoming space.

That or the booze.

To the left is a selection of couches and lounge chairs. On my visit, this area was for reserved guests only. From there you get a nice view of the busy food court below.

AMEX Centurian Lounge Coffee Bar

Just past the entrance, you’ll find a unique and personal highlight of this American Express Centurion Lounge Seattle Review, a full-service coffee bar.

With Starbucks calling Seattle home, a coffee bar in this SeaTac Lounge certainly isn’t out of place. Still, a great feature and reminded me of all things things I love about Air Canada’s underrated Cafe.

Here guests can order handcrafted espresso drinks as well as enjoy some small snacks and pastries. You can also order freshly squeezed juices however I went with an American and pastries. This was my first real vacation in several years, after all.

There is, of course, a self-serve coffee station as well in this SeaTac lounge. I noted an impressive selection of teas and flavoured syrups for a unique latte.

Amex Lounge Seattle Dining Area

Anyway, heading past the coffee bar you will enter the lounge’s dining area which is beautifully designed.

Highlights include wood beams that bend along the wall and stretch across the ceiling. This blends well with the blue benches and chairs. In the middle and along the walls are the chaffing dishes and salad bar where you will find the unique food that the Centurion Lounges are known for.

Also, through the lounge and in this area in particular, you will find many black and white photos of notable Seattle celebrities including Kurt Cobain and Ken Griffey Jr. I would later find this is a theme as the Houston AMEX lounge does the same which is a great local touch.

News and Quiet Rooms

I had assumed the Seattle Centurion lounge ended at the kitchen but to my surprise, it keeps going. There are several small rooms tucked away offering a variety of seating options. In one area of the lounge, there were TVs playing the news and another area was dedicated to quiet seating. In between are breakout rooms for phone calls which is a nice touch, although completely lost of the man walking past them loudly Facetimeing someone.

Fast Wi-Fi

Access to Wi-Fi was not an issue at this SeaTac lounge thanks to the handy QR codes and business cards in the lounge. I had great service for the duration of my stay and didn’t run a test as I had no problems streaming and downloading movies or uploading photos.

AMEX Lounge Seattle Food and Drink

Beyond the aesthetics of the lounge, the true highlight of this American Express Centurion Lounge Seattle review is its food and drink selection.

Meals at all Centurian lounges are curated by chefs and, in Seattle, it shows.

Kristi Brown, Seattle’s Centurion Lounge Executive Chef, embarked on her culinary journey over three decades ago, starting at a quaint downtown Seattle café. Influenced by Seattle’s diverse neighbourhoods, she crafted a unique culinary style, “Seattle Soul,” reflecting a fusion of love for people, cultures, and the food that has shaped her life. Communion Restaurant and Bar, inaugurated in December 2020, has received accolades from Condé Nast to The New York Times. Chef Kristi’s achievements include recognition as one of Seattle Magazine’s 2021 Most Influential People and a semifinalist for the 2021 James Beard Awards in the Emerging Chef category.

Highlights in the hot buffet on my visit included an incredible pumpkin squash curry as well as a blackened chicken that was cooked just right. Again, not your average business-class buffet.

Another highlight is the shots of fresh juices which also seem to be a trend at Centurion Lounges.

Moving onto the deserts, the Seattle Centurion Lounge featured pumpkin tarts and mini beignets. I noticed several people returning for seconds for the beignets and later confirmed that they were, indeed, fantastic.

Full-Service Bar Above the Rest

As mentioned, the bulk of my time on this in the Seattle AMEX Lounge was spent in the bar, and with good reason.

Each AMEX Centurion lounge features a full-service bar with a cocktail list and bartenders on hand to craft the perfect pre-flight cocktails. Here you can indulge in a cocktail crafted by Jim Meehan, a leading mixologist in the country, or savour wines personally selected by the acclaimed wine expert, Anthony Giglio.

After sampling some of the local beer on tap, we made our way through the cocktail menu. Highlights included the Matcha Tonic, the Midnight Stout, and a perfect Bloody Mary.

There’s also a great selection of wines, including sparkling and roses, which was a nice touch.

Wrapping up this American Express Centurion Lounge Seattle Review

Well-fed and lubricated, we said our goodbyes to the AMEX Centurion Lounge Seattle and made our way to our gate.

I can say from its sophisticated and comfortable surroundings to the delectable dining options and the convenience of its location, it’s a haven for travellers seeking a touch of luxury. The lounge’s commitment to exceptional service, business amenities, and a peaceful atmosphere makes it a standout choice for those with eligible American Express cards. The new and expensive space is a great upgrade and certainly one of the best Centurion lounges. If you travel through Seattle often, carrying an AMEX platinum card offers great value as you can get into the lounge for free.

AMEX Centurion Lounge Seattle – Good to Know

Includes: Food, drink, fast WiFi, workspace, and quiet rooms.
Don’t Miss: Excellent hot meals, fresh juice, and handcrafted cocktails.

Amex Lounge Seattle FAQs

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