During my recent review trip, I had the chance to visit the Amex Centurion Lounge London Heathrow. I was excited to check out this lounge, as it’s the newest purpose-built Centurion Lounge outside the United States.
Continue reading: Review: Amex Centurion Lounge London Heathrow (LHR)
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
Ben, just fyi to your readers, no special Centurion seating, or reserved area, but the check in agent was helpful in finding a space for my family and I when the lounge was packed.
As a side question, do you know if centurion card members have access to the LH FCL A given the FCL B is still closed? Connecting in FRA from US to Non-Schengen
looks nice, although not having windows is a big minus. Also the bathrooms (like every Centurion lounge I have been to) are too small for the capacity.
Such a shame this is in T3. It would have been so much more effective in literally any other airport terminal in London.
I have to agree with you, Ben. Amex's layout is quite nice. But, in T3, I'd rather go to the Cathay Pacific first class lounge when flying a One World airline. Talking with others who have a choice, they have the same answer. For those who have only One World business class lounge access, I'd recommend the Cathay Pacific business class lounge. Nice and likely not crowded.
The first half dozen pictures the tables and chairs look awfully close together, I could imagine with carry on bags and if the lounge gets busy this could be quite cramped? Otherwise looks nice but lack of windows is a shame given even some of the priority pass lounges have windows from recollection (if you can get in!)
I tried this lounge out a few weeks ago and generally agree with the assessment. As someone who doesn't have elite status with any airline and doesn't usually travel in a premium cabin, it was nice to have.
Perhaps the novelty has worn off over many visits to the Virgin Clubhouse or the limited menu there - especially at breakfast, but I actually like to go to the Centurion lounge if hungry @ T3 instead as the food is much better, broader selection and the very-well kept buffet allows me to choose. Crispy, smokey bacon is rare in the UK and this lounge has it!
If just for a cocktail and maybe a deli counter nibble, then the Clubhouse is much better.
I must say you had a much better visit than me. It was completely rammed when I was there back in the summer, could hardly get a seat. Food was mediocre and it was annoying how even simple drinks like fruit juice had to be requested from the bartender. No natural light and a pretty rubbish entrance too. I certainly won't be rushing back, lots of other nicer lounges in T3 IME.
Americans call that general type of preparation "baked beans" too. No need to reply about how UK and US baked beans differ.
"Cannellini" is a type of bean, like "kidney" or "navy".
Many types of white beans can be used in preparing baked beans, so Ben may be correct too!
I fully agree with Alan! I visited the Centurion Lounge and it was hot, overcrowded, and with a strong, bad smell of bad/cheap food. I decided to leave after a few minutes.
I found it to be a pleasant lounge and was glad I was able to use it, but beware that it's very difficult to find and if you should leave it to go and have a walkabout, it will be difficult to return to as well
I wonder how this is reinforced : "If you’re guesting people into Centurion Lounges, you need to stay with them the entire time they’re in the lounge" , even if I pay $50 for each of my guests? Can I not leave the lounge after I check my guests in? I am flying to a different destination 2 hours ahead of my guests.
While it was nice to find a little respite from the main hall of T3, the Lounge was nothing fabulous. It was down a grubby hallway.
The lounge felt a bit like a cafeteria and was crammed with travelers and their luggage. It felt chaotic. Food was “meh” and the options were fairly limited.
One bright light: Staff are hard working and kind, trying to accommodate travelers and minimize the chaos.
Amex - I know you can do better!!!
Quite a few complaints, but all from the first few months. From the looks of it, one thing that's missing is a nap room
"The catch is that I’m not sure under what circumstances I’d visit this lounge, as an elite member and/or premium cabin passenger. If I were flying with oneworld, I’d rather visit the Qantas Lounge or Cathay Pacific Lounge, while if I were flying with SkyTeam, I’d rather visit the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse."
Oh hi, it me, OW Ruby, ST Elite (thus no lounge access via status) flying VS Premium or AA Main Cabin on an empty plane (thus no lounge access via class of service), with an AMEX Platinum.
The juice from an upgrade to access to OW Sapphire/Emerald lounges in LHR T3 isn't really worth the squeeze of shoveling money into some carrier's maw (and I've been to the CX/QF/BA/VS T3 lounges- they're great lounges but not "spend thousands of dollars mileage running or do some inefficient credit card spending for Loyalty Points" great).
And frankly on a daytime flight leaving LHR westbound to the USA I really don't need a lie flat seat to sleep on unless it's a well priced award. I'd just as soon power through a long day, so if I can score a row to myself in coach...