For the last portion of my two times to Latin America review trip, I had a layover at Sao Paulo Guarulhos Airport (GRU) prior to my Copa Boeing 737 MAX business class flight to Panama City.
During my layover, I checked out the Amex Centurion Lounge, which I’ll be reviewing in this installment (separately, I reviewed the Espaco Banco Safra Lounge, which is the contract lounge used by several airlines, and is also a Priority Pass lounge).
The Amex Centurion Lounge is solid, with pretty nice decor, and a decent selection of food and drinks. However, I didn’t actually find it to be better than the Espaco Banco Safra Lounge, so perhaps compared to some other Amex Centurion Lounges, it didn’t impress in the same way.
Amex Centurion Lounge Sao Paulo location
The Amex Centurion Lounge is located in Terminal 3 at Sao Paulo Airport, which is the airport’s primary international terminal. After you clear passport control and prior to getting to the main area with the gates, you should see an escalator and elevator on the left leading to many lounges. This is right near the duty free shopping area.
Once on the mezzanine level, just turn right, and you’ll see the entrance to the Amex Centurion Lounge on the left.
Amex Centurion Lounge Sao Paulo hours
The Amex Centurion Lounge Sao Paulo is open 24/7, which was much appreciated, given my 3AM departure. While this lounge can get super busy during peak periods, the great thing about having such an early morning flight is that the lounge was basically empty during my visit.
Amex Centurion Lounge Sao Paulo entry requirements
The Amex Centurion Lounge Sao Paulo follows standard international Amex Centurion Lounge access rules. The primary way to access the lounge is with American Express Platinum Card® (review) and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express (review).
When it comes to accessing Amex Centurion Lounges, there are some terms to be aware of:
- You need a same day boarding pass to access Centurion Lounges
- You can access Centurion Lounges up to three hours before departure, unless you’re connecting, in which case you can access earlier
- You can’t access Centurion Lounges on arrival, or with a standby or non-revenue standby ticket
- If you’re guesting people into Centurion Lounges, you need to stay with them the entire time they’re in the lounge
Note that guesting policies differ based on the card you have, where it’s issued, and how much you spend on it.
Amex Centurion Lounge Sao Paulo seating & layout
The Amex Centurion Lounge Sao Paulo consists of one large, rectangular room, which is broken up into a few distinct zones.
As you enter the lounge, there are first several seating arrangements intended primarily for relaxing, mostly with leather chairs.
Then in the center of the lounge is an entertainment area with couches facing a TV, plus some other communal seating options.
Then in the very back of the lounge is the dining area, with the buffet, bar, and cafe-style tables.
Inside the entrance to the lounge and to the right is what’s described as the “beach area,” and I guess it’s called that because of the loungers and the cabanas.
The lounge also has a few other distinct zones. There are some private workstations, each with a desk and a door, so that you can easily make phone calls without noise being a concern.
There’s also a small play room for kids.
Amex Centurion Lounge Sao Paulo food & drinks
In the United States, Amex Centurion Lounges are known for their buffets with substantial food offerings designed by well-known local chefs. Meanwhile the Amex Centurion Lounge Sao Paulo had a simpler setup. As a matter of fact, the actual selection of the food was almost identical to what was in the Espaco Banco Safra Lounge, so clearly this is just all catered centrally and distributed to the various lounges.
There was a large self-serve buffet with everything from whole and cut fruit, to individually plated desserts, to sandwiches, to salads, cold cuts, to cheese bread, to soup, to hot dishes.
There were a couple of coffee machines, from both Nespresso and Nescafe, as well as a fridge with soft drinks.
All other drinks were available at the bar, including a selection of cocktails.
Again, I was surprised by how the selection was almost identical between this lounge and the contract lounge, so clearly food and drinks aren’t a point of differentiation for the Centurion Lounge in Sao Paulo.
Amex Centurion Lounge Sao Paulo bathrooms & showers
The Amex Centurion Lounge Sao Paulo has bathrooms and shower suites down a hall that’s just inside the entrance to the lounge and to the left.
The men’s room simply has three stalls and three sinks, with no urinals. Toiletries are in unbranded containers, which doesn’t feel particularly premium (that wouldn’t fly on Delta!).
There are also five shower suites, which are basic, much less nice than you’d find at Centurion Lounges in the United States. Once again, toiletries are in unbranded, wall-mounted containers.
Bottom line
The Amex Centurion Lounge is a fine lounge, with comfortable seating and a pretty good selection of food and drinks. What I found interesting was that unlike Centurion Lounges in the United States, the food and drink selection was virtually identical to what was found in the Espaco Banco Safra Lounge.
I’m honestly quite indifferent as to which of the two lounges I prefer. The food and drinks are similar, so the main difference is the decor (and I’m not sure one is necessarily nicer than the other).
What do you make of the Amex Centurion Lounge Sao Paulo?
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