Review: New American Express Centurion Lounge Seattle - Travel Codex (2024)

American Express’ brand-new expanded Centurion Lounge at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) in the central terminal is now open and larger than ever. After years of overcrowding and long waits at the smaller B Concourse lounge, the new facility should alleviate overcrowding. At the center of the Airport, the new lounge has stunning views of the airfield and Olympic Mountains. Plus the new location provides easy access to all travelers.

The new American Express lounge is the third rendition of the Amex lounge at SEA. The original lounge was called a studio and was so small it didn’t even have a proper bar nor a kitchen. After two years, American Express expanded the studio into a larger 4,500 square foot Seattle Centurion lounge and added more seating and a bar.

Despite the initial expansion, the Amex Sea Lounge was too small for the bustling airport. As the Airport remodeled the central concourse to add a second level food court, American Express took the opportunity to also expand in the newly opened space on the mezzanine level of the central terminal. Now open, and nearly three and half times larger, the lounge is 14,000 square feet and has space for just over 400 guests.

When the lounge opened on Feb 15, I was traveling. Therefore I was not able to attend the preview event. Yet, I have now been to the lounge twice and everything from the full service coffee bar with its own blue roast by American Express coffee to the new hot food items by location Chef Kristi Brown have been a real treat.

American Express Lounge Expanded Space

The American Express lounge has more space than ever which means there are more types of seating for all customers. The lounge zig zags across the upper level and stretches further back than it looks when one first enters. Upon entering the lounge there is a large open area that features a bar and plenty of seating. There are both tables and seats at the bar. Or grab a high top chair and enjoy views of the airfield and Olympic Mountains.

The entrance on the mezzanine level has high ceilings and is open to the terminal below. It makes the space feel even larger and airy.

If you’re not looking for a co*cktail, check out the only coffee bar in any Amex centurion lounge. The Coffee bar offers craft co*cktails, cold brew and rotating seasonal specialties. The Seattle Coffee Bar is inspired by Seattle Roaster Caffè Umbria who worked with American Express to create blue roast by American Express; the coffee served at the bar. The coffee bar also offers ready made snacks, wraps and salad. Everything one would expect in a regular coffee ship is available here including smoothies and small bites. All complimentary with lounge access.

The new Amex Centurion Lounge also features a new menu and freshly made food. The new menu is from award winning Chef Kristi Brown. Chef Kristi Brown is a James Beard award semifinalist and owner and chef of Seattle’s central district’s Communion Restaurant and Bar. Focusing on Seattle Soul food, these flavors are coming to the Amex lounge Seattle. You can enjoy everything from fresh fruit to Trinidadian spiced pork belly blackened chicken cobb salad and peach cobbla french toast in the morning.

As you continue further back in the lounge, find more spaces to relax and work. The rear of the lounge features couches, work stations, individual chairs and more. There is also a phone booth for those who need a little more privacy when making phone calls or working throughout the stay.

Amex Lounge Seattle Access

The new Seattle Amex Centurion Lounge has expanded hours, open daily from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. The lounge is open to only select American express cardmembers. Those with a Centurion or Platinum-branded cards can access the lounge on departure when flying any airline. Both Personal and business card members are welcome.

Credit Card holders of the personal and business versions of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card are welcome with complimentary access to Centurion Lounges only when flying on a Delta-marketed or -operated flight. This is on departure only. Delta card holders are also not allowed to bring in guests to American Express Centurion Lounges.

Also remember, American Express has updated their guest policies for their other cards too. Most guests now have to pay a fee for visiting the lounges. Only Centurion and Corporate Platinum cardmembers can continue to bring up to two complimentary guests into the lounge.

American Express Platinum cardmembers must spend $75,000 annually to continue to bring two guests free of charge. This is not across Amex cards, but on the Platinum Credit Card specifically. Otherwise, guests are $50 per adult and $30 per child. Children under two can enter for free.

Bottom Line

The new Seattle American Express Centurion Lounge is a huge improvement for American Express credit card holders. The lounge is more than triple the space and has plenty of seating to meet the needs of the airport. As Seattle Tacoma International Airport has grown to become one of the largest in the country, it only makes sense that American Express grew with it.

The American Express Seattle lounge offers unique features, a new delicious food menu and a very unique one of a kind coffee bar, which meshes with the culture of seattle perfectly. Thus far I have yet to have to wait to get into the lounge, and not having a waitlist is a huge win. I look forward to visiting this lounge more often, as Sea is my home airport.