[Clawed Back] American Express Allowing Guest Access To Centurion Lounges For Some Cardholders

Update 5/26/23: American Express has sent out the following e-mail:

Due to an internal error, we incorrectly notified you via email on April 23, 2023, that you unlocked complimentary guest access to The Centurion Lounge® for up to two guests per visit through 1/31/2024. While you continue to have access to The Centurion Lounge with your Business Platinum Card, complimentary guest access through 1/31/2024 required an annual spend of $75,000 on eligible purchases between January 1, 2022 and December 31, 2022, which you did not meet. We sincerely apologize for any confusion this error may have caused.

To make things right, we’re granting complimentary guest access for up to two guests as an exception for lounge visits made between April 23, 2023 and June 7, 2023. If for some reason complimentary access is denied and you pay a guest access fee, we’ll credit the transaction. You’ll see the credit reflected on an upcoming billing statement.

Hat tip to changmander

Original post: American Express recently introduced a rule where Platinum cardholders no longer received free guest access to Centurion lounges. American Express has now sent out an e-mail to some cardholders stating the following:

In appreciation for being a valued American Express® Platinum Card Member, your account is now eligible to enjoy complimentary guest access for up to two guests for no fee each time you visit The Centurion Lounge through 1/31/2024, subject to space availability.

It’s important to note that these cardholders have not spent the $75,000 required to get guest access back, so it’s unclear why they have been targeted for free guest access.

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Common Sense
Common Sense (@guest_1625129)
May 28, 2023 11:59

I got that email even though I did spend $75k in 2022.

Way to go Amex.

Michael
Michael (@guest_1624798)
May 27, 2023 13:40

”Clawback” is not the correct terminology

thejesse
thejesse (@guest_1624989)
May 28, 2023 00:36

Pawback

AM
AM (@guest_1625018)
May 28, 2023 03:56

Those emails were sent in error, and it seems from Amex’s language that those users never actually had the access. So there was nothing to claw back, meaning this is just a correction and apology. Are there any data points of any of these users successfully using this benefit? If so, claw back would be correct.

You can
You can (@guest_1624684)
May 27, 2023 05:50

No kids. Ever.

Jack
Jack (@guest_1624655)
May 27, 2023 02:17

Just have everyone stand in the terminal with green and red wristbands, and alternate every 15 minutes who is allowed in.

Lee
Lee (@guest_1624635)
May 27, 2023 00:23

If ya wanna enjoy da view, ya gotta climb da mountain. Quit yer whinin’.

George Banks
George Banks (@guest_1624587)
May 26, 2023 21:32

It did seem like an extremely odd email on 4/23/23. I hope no one loses their job. Honest mistake.

TMUS
TMUS (@guest_1624583)
May 26, 2023 20:57

Daily reminder “guests” are the cancer killing all lounges

Ed A
Ed A (@guest_1624575)
May 26, 2023 20:20

It’s fairly simple. Because of the overcrowding, folks who have the Plat end up standing in another line after the ticket counter and security. Thus the need to winnow down the number of folks who have access to the lounge. Guests are the easy target as they don’t pay the annual fee. In a perfect world, they would have unlimited space for guests. My wife has her own plat and approach each AMEX club with the hope we won’t have a line or a mad house after paying two annual fees.

Chad Dankbutt
Chad Dankbutt (@guest_1624601)
May 26, 2023 22:11

“Guests are the easy target as they don’t pay the annual fee”, yeah but it compromises the value of the card for paying cardholders. If I’m flying with friends or family and can’t get them into the lounge then I’m not going to the lounge, then my platinum card is worth a lot less.

I understand that they’re overcrowded, but for $695, come on, they should be able to accommodate guests. I can get a Citi AA Executive card for $450 and bring in two guest and more authorized users, at some point the blame is on Amex for not building sufficient capacity.

Bilee
Bilee (@guest_1624609)
May 26, 2023 22:55

Even if they built bigger, it would still overcrowd with free guests. Everyone wants the Centurion lounge access over other lounges, but it comes at a premium.

Lee
Lee (@guest_1624634)
May 27, 2023 00:19

Gimme, gimme, gimme.

Stan
Stan (@guest_1624642)
May 27, 2023 00:54

Yes, Lee, that’s what we do on this website. That’s… pretty much the whole point of this website.

Who here wants a good deal?

*raises hand*

I get that you just are trolling, but you aren’t going to make any of us feel bad for trying to get a good deal, lol. We know why we are here. I guess the question is… (other than trolling)… why are you here? Lol

0.0
0.0 (@guest_1624672)
May 27, 2023 03:45

Wanting a good deal is different from having such a sense of entitlement and not even trying to consider giving the other side a fair deal in return.

Feel whatever way you want, but the fact is that AMEX is free to claw back, nerf the perks, or raise the fees, and there are plenty of even less grateful (than yourself) people who are actively trying to force AMEX to do the above.

Stan
Stan (@guest_1624880)
May 27, 2023 17:40

Cool story, Lee (aka 0.0). How many other names do you post under? Lol

Chad Dankbutt
Chad Dankbutt (@guest_1624707)
May 27, 2023 07:55

No, not “gimme, gimme, gimme”, I pay you $695 a year and I’d like to take a guest or two into the lounge with me. Other lounges are capable of that, at a lower price point. I’m not ENTITLED to guests, but if we’re wheeling and dealing then this is a not-good deal, so I walk somewhere else when the AF comes due and they don’t want to make a counter offer to sweeten it.

Lee
Lee (@guest_1624738)
May 27, 2023 10:37

I understand that you’d LIKE to bring guests in. I understand that other cards with lounge access do not impose such a restriction on guest access. But, that isn’t the deal that Amex is offering. It’s okay for Amex to offer such a deal and it’s okay for you to not like such a deal. That’s the marketplace and you have a choice. So, if you don’t like the deal that Amex is offering, walk. But, don’t bemoan it and express a sentiment of being somehow cheated.

Find the deal — lounge guests — that you want. Get the Chase Ritz Carlton card, which allows free additional cardholders and unlimited Priority Pass guests. That outshines all of the others.

Michael
Michael (@guest_1624694)
May 27, 2023 06:50

Why not blame the airport authorities for not building big enough airports that can house Centurion Lounges that would rival an Amazon distribution centers in size?

Jon
Jon (@guest_1624833)
May 27, 2023 15:19

The real problem is approving everyone for the platinum these days. Even very low credit scores. My friend with 580 and a ton of debt recently got approved

qmc
qmc (@guest_1624856)
May 27, 2023 16:23

Yea, but the AA lounges only accept passengers flying AA/partner, whereas Amex takes them even if they’re flying Spirit. And it includes skyclub access under similar rules to the AA club. So it should be more.

B
B (@guest_1624512)
May 26, 2023 17:38

Traveling right after 6/7 and I messaged CS for an exception and they told me no

Cate the MSer
Cate the MSer (@guest_1624507)
May 26, 2023 17:29

Typical move from Clawback Express