Review: AmEx Centurion Lounge New York LGA Airport

Last week American Express opened their latest airline lounge, which is the Centurion Lounge at New York LaGuardia Airport.

It’s interesting to see a credit card company get in the business of building airport lounges, though I think it’s brilliant. Over the past couple of years quite a bit of value has been lost in terms of the lounge privileges of the American Express Platinum Card®. It used to get you access to American Admirals Clubs and US Airways Clubs, though that was discontinued in March 2014. Furthermore, guesting privileges have been reduced at Delta Sky Club as of May. Despite all that, it is still one of my favorite credit cards with lounge access, thanks in no small part to these Centurion Lounges.

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The Centurion Lounge New York LGA complements Amex’s existing US lounge portfolio, which includes locations in Dallas, Houston, Las Vegas, Miami, New York, San Francisco, and Seattle.

I visited the Centurion Lounge DFW Airport in March, and it’s a spectacular lounge. I’d argue it’s nicer than any lounge operated by a US carrier, and among the nicest airport lounges in the US, even including those operated by foreign carriers.

Last night I had the chance to visit the Centurion Lounge New York LGA, which is located landside (before security) in Terminal B.

As a reminder, the following airlines fly out of Terminal B at LGA Airport:

• American & American Eagle
• United & United Express
• AirTran & Southwest
• Frontier
• JetBlue
• Spirit
• Air Canada

You don’t have to be flying out of Terminal B to use the lounge, though. For example, my flight last night was on Delta, which flies out of a different terminal. While I had to take a bus to get to the Delta terminal, I could still use the American Express Lounge.

As I mentioned above, the Centurion Lounge is located before security between in Terminal B on the third level (that’s one level up from the main concourse). The signage throughout the terminal is excellent, and there are even several promotional posters throughout the terminal advertising the new lounge.

The elevator that leads to the third floor is located behind the check-in desks and in front of the security checkpoint, right above the big food court in the terminal.

LGA Airport Terminal B

Elevators to Centurion Lounge LGA Airport

I took the elevator to the third floor, which seemed to mostly have airport offices. However, upon emerging from the elevator there was a snazzy sign pointing left towards the Centurion Lounge.

Signage for Centurion Lounge LGA Airport

From there it was located just down the hall on the right.

Hallway to Centurion Lounge LGA Airport

The lounge has both the Centurion and American Express logos, along with the opening hours. The Centurion Lounge is open daily from 6AM till 8PM.

Signage for Centurion Lounge LGA Airport

At the entrance was a similar welcome desk to what they have in Dallas, with a wall of (real) plants.

Entrance to AmEx Centurion Lounge LGA Airport

I was greeted by Sharon, who was fabulous. She couldn’t have greeted me with any more enthusiasm than she did. She explained I’d have to take a bus to the other terminal, though suggested I stay in the lounge as long as possible. I was curious what her background was (like, do they hire people with airline experience or American Express experience?). Interestingly she had worked for Delta for over 30 years, and then American Express for several years, so you couldn’t pick a more “qualified” person to welcome you at the lounge.

I was also given a gift bag and small business card with the Wi-Fi code for the lounge.

L’Occitane welcome gift at AmEx Centurion Lounge LGA Airport

Since the lounge has only been open for a week, they’re giving out special L’Occitane amenity kits as a gift. That made a great gift for mom when I got home (I was headed to Tampa to visit my parents).

L’Occitane welcome gift at AmEx Centurion Lounge LGA Airport

Anyway, the lounge itself is much smaller than the one in Dallas, though wasn’t crowded at all.

Just past the desk at the entrance was the smaller room, which felt like a living room or sorts.

AmEx Centurion Lounge Seating LGA Airport

It featured a few nooks, traditional lounge seating, a bar setup overlooking the tarmac, and a large dining table with plenty of chairs.

AmEx Centurion Lounge Seating LGA Airport

AmEx Centurion Lounge Seating LGA Airport

As an aviation geek, the views here are addicting. LaGuardia is such a small airport with so much traffic, so it’s fascinating to see how planes maneuver around the tarmac.

AmEx Centurion Lounge View LGA Airport

Most of the food was located on the other side of the lounge, though there were some freshly baked cookies and tea in this room.

AmEx Centurion Lounge Cookies LGA Airport

AmEx Centurion Lounge Tea LGA Airport

This room was connected to the main part of the lounge by a long hallway, which also featured plenty of comfortable couches facing wall mounted TVs.

AmEx Centurion Lounge Seating LGA Airport

AmEx Centurion Lounge Seating LGA Airport

The main room is where the bar, buffet, and dining area are. It features mostly two to four person dining tables, as well as bar tops overlooking the tarmac.

AmEx Centurion Lounge Seating LGA Airport

AmEx Centurion Lounge View LGA Airport

Unlike the lounges of US airlines, the Centurion Lounge actually has real food.

Here’s what their website lists as the lunch & dinner menu: