Review: Amex Centurion Lounge San Francisco Airport

As most US-based travelers know by now, American Express has started opening up more of their own airport lounges in part because quite a bit of value has been lost in terms of the lounge privileges of American Express Platinum Card® and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express. The card used to get you access to American Admirals Clubs and US Airways Clubs, though that was discontinued in 2014. Furthermore, Delta Sky Club® access has been limited as of February 2025.

American Express now has more than a handful of locations in the US. I’ve reviewed the following:

More from OMAAT Flights In Europe Face Endless Bomb Threats: “This Is Only The Beginning” Read more

• The Centurion Lounge Dallas DFW Airport
• The Centurion Lounge Las Vegas LAS Airport
• The Centurion Lounge New York LGA Airport
• The Centurion Lounge Miami MIA Airport
• The Centurion Studio Seattle SEA Airport

The only lounge Centurion Lounge I haven’t yet reviewed is the one in San Francisco. So since I was transiting San Francisco last week and had a long layover, I figured I’d check it out.

Amex Centurion Lounge San Francisco access requirements

There are a few ways to access the Centurion Lounge San Francisco:

• Those with American Express Platinum Card®, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, and The American Express Centurion Card receive complimentary access
• Those with either of the above cards may bring their spouse and children under the age of 18, or two travel companions as guests

Amex Centurion Lounge San Francisco hours and location

The Centurion Lounge is open daily from 5AM till 11PM, which I think just about covers any possible times you could want to use it.

The Centurion Lounge San Francisco is located in Terminal 3, which is the terminal out of which United operates. The lounge is located near gate 74, so is in the area of the concourse closest to the security checkpoint. This area is connected airside to International Terminal G, though not to any other terminal.

That being said, it’s worth noting that San Francisco Airport has a policy whereby you can enter any terminal as long as you have a same day boarding pass departing the airport. So you can access the lounge regardless of which terminal you’re flying out of. For what it’s worth, the security agents seemed well aware of this when I showed up with my Delta boarding pass, and even offered to give me directions to the lounge.

Whether or not visiting the lounge when departing from a different terminal is worth your time probably depends on how long you have and how bad the security lines are.

Amex Centurion Lounge San Francisco review

We landed from London at around 3PM, and then headed over to Terminal 3 to check out the Centurion Lounge. We cleared security at Terminal 3 by around 3:30PM, which isn’t half bad when you factor in that we had to clear immigration and change terminals. Upon entering the terminal we walked left and followed the signage towards gates 74-75 and the international terminal.

Terminal 3 SFO

The lounge is across from gate 74, and has a rather striking glass exterior. While all Centurion Lounges have impressive entrances, this one is especially nice, given that it’s a two-story glass facade.

Amex Centurion Lounge SFO entrance

Once inside you can either take the staircase or an elevator to the second floor, where the actual lounge is located.

Amex Centurion Lounge SFO staircase

Amex Centurion Lounge SFO entrance

The agents at the reception desk were super friendly, as usual. When you hand over your Platinum Card® they can see your entire visit “history,” so she noted how I had been to all the other lounges, and explained the basics of this lounge. She explained that there was a hot buffet, and that there was also a special wine tasting available, which the bartender could tell me more about.

I was also given a card with the Wi-Fi password, which is the same as at all the other lounges.

Amex Centurion Lounge San Francisco reception desk

All Centurion Lounges more or less have a similar design, even when the sizes and layouts are different. Behind the reception desk and to the right was the “lounging” room, with a bunch of comfortable couches, benches, lounge chairs, and even those cubicle-style loungers.

Amex Centurion Lounge San Francisco seating

Amex Centurion Lounge San Francisco seating

In the back left corner of that room were two computers and a printer.

Amex Centurion Lounge San Francisco seating

It’s worth noting that the lounge doesn’t actually have tarmac views. Instead it just overlooks the interior of the concourse.

Amex Centurion Lounge San Francisco view

Across from that large room was an area with three day beds, which several of the Centurion Lounges have. They’re usually my favorite place to set up shop.

Amex Centurion Lounge San Francisco day beds

Separated from the day beds by a partition was a small TV seating area, with a couch and a few lounge chairs.

Amex Centurion Lounge San Francisco seating

Next to that was an espresso machine, coffee canister, iced tea, water filtration system (with both still and sparkling water) and delicious freshly baked chocolate chip cookies.

Amex Centurion Lounge San Francisco coffee/tea

Amex Centurion Lounge San Francisco cookies/iced tea

The other large part of the lounge was the dining section. In the front left of it was a big wooden table, and across from it was the bar, which had the standard Centurion Lounge design, including antique suitcases.

American Express Centurion Lounge SFO dining area

American Express Centurion Lounge SFO bar

Then there were over a dozen tables, most of which seated four people. I’ve been noticing more and more lately that some tables have “reserved” signs on them, which is sort of frustrating given that the lounges are typically quite crowded to begin with. Does anyone know who they’re for? Centurion cardmembers, or…?

American Express Centurion Lounge SFO dining area

The lounge had further seating in a back corner, and even had a booth along one of the walls.

American Express Centurion Lounge SFO dining area

What really sets Centurion Lounges apart from other US airline lounges is the food and drink selection.

The drink list read as follows (everything is complimentary):

Then there’s a full hot buffet throughout the day.

American Express Centurion Lounge SFO food spread

To the left of the buffet was iced tea, an espresso machine, and coffee.

American Express Centurion Lounge SFO espresso machine

The food spread is different at each of the Centurion Lounges, which is good. That being said, I find they don’t mix up the selection at a given Centurion Lounge very often, so it can get quite repetitive.

This spread consisted of basmati rice with mushrooms, corn, and red peppers.

American Express Centurion Lounge SFO buffet

Then there was fried chicken with sweet chili sauce.

American Express Centurion Lounge SFO buffet

Then there was a spicy pea puree and french onion soup.

American Express Centurion Lounge SFO buffet

Then there were green beans, a salad station, focaccia bread with olive tapenade, and a chocolate mousse dessert.

American Express Centurion Lounge SFO buffet

American Express Centurion Lounge San Francisco buffet

American Express Centurion Lounge San Francisco buffet

One of the unique features of the Centurion Lounge San Francisco is that it has a wine tasting option. The bartender can give you a “receipt” which entitles you to five tastes.

Amex Centurion Lounge SFO wine tasting

There are small tasting glasses next to the display.

Amex Centurion Lounge SFO wine tasting

The bottles are all in a glass display, and there are about 15 wines to choose from at any given point. If you want to try a wine you scan your receipt and then push the button above the wine you want to try.

Amex Centurion Lounge SFO wine tasting

The pours are quite small, probably less than an ounce, though it’s a really cool concept, especially in a lounge.

Amex Centurion Lounge San Francisco bottom line

Amex Centurion Lounges blow other US airline lounges out of the water in terms of the food and drink selection, and overall in terms of the decor and service as well. They do tend to get pretty crowded, which I guess is a reflection of how desirable they are to many passengers.

Overall I was really impressed by the Centurion Lounge San Francisco. I’d say that the Centurion Lounge in Dallas remains my favorite, followed by the one in Miami (at least in theory, given that it’s the only other one with a spa). After that I’d say the one in New York is my next favorite, given that it’s the only redeeming quality of LaGuardia Airport. But I’d say I probably prefer the Centurion Lounge in San Francisco to the one in Las Vegas.

Regardless, these lounges continue to add significant value to the Platinum Card® and Amex Business Platinum Card, and along with all the other benefits, make them some of my favorite cards for airport lounge benefits.

Have you visited Amex Centurion Lounges? Which one is your favorite?