Review: Amex Centurion Lounge at London Heathrow
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We visited American Express Centurion Lounge at London Heathrow Airport before our connecting flight to Helsinki. Centurion Lounge is one of the most stylish airport lounges in Terminal 3. Read this review and know how the lounge looks inside.
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London Heathrow Airport
London Heathrow Airport is one of the busiest airports in Europe. It has four operational passenger terminals. The airport is the primary hub for British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, but almost every European airline flies to London. Some fly multiple times a day because London is a popular transfer point for passengers and cargo. With most passengers having a flight transfer at Heathrow Airport, there is a huge demand for high-quality airport lounges.
London has 5 other airports. Be aware of which airport you are connecting to!
Lounges
There are almost 20 lounges at London Heathrow Airport. Some of these lounges are exclusive only for airlines and their alliance customers. That means you need a status card for an airline's loyalty program, or you must travel with a First-class or Business-class ticket.
Heathrow Airport also has third-party lounges, which are meant for the members of lounge programs and walk-in customers. Priority Pass is perhaps the most well-known global lounge program. For example, American Express Platinum members get a complimentary Priority Pass membership, but you can also purchase a membership with money.
In addition to Priority Pass lounges, American Express Platinum cardholders can also visit Plaza Premium Lounges and American Express Centurion Lounge free of charge. Both lounges exist at Heathrow Airport. We had a few hours layover before flying to Helsinki, so visiting a lounge was a natural choice. This time, we decided to give American Express Centurion Lounge a chance in Terminal 3. Our expectations were high since American Express is a premium brand.
American Express Centurion Lounge
Location
American Express Centurion Lounge is in Terminal 3, Area A. The lounge is after the security check on the airside in the main dining and shopping area. It is one floor above the main floor and easily accessible by stairs or lifts. Finding its location is easy, thanks to the clear signs leading to the lounge.
If you are connecting at Heathrow Airport, you must pass the security check after landing and then head to the main area of Terminal 3. Even though airside connections exist between the terminals, we recommend visiting American Express Centurion Lounge only if you are flying out from Terminal 3. Moving to another terminal after a lounge visit could take much time and make the lounge visit stressful. You don't want to miss your flight. The other terminals has good lounge options too, like Club Aspire Lounge in Terminal 5.
Who Can Visit?
American Express Centurion Lounge welcomes travellers holding an active American Express Platinum, American Express Platinum Business or American Express Centurion card. Other American Express Platinum branded cards are also accepted. The cardholder may take up to 2 guests with them. Accessing the lounge by paying an entrance fee at the reception is impossible. Also, Centurion Lounge does not accept lounge membership cards because they are meant exclusively for premium American Express customers.
You can't visit American Express Centurion Lounge with lounge membership cards.
Price
A lounge visit to American Express Centurion Lounge is complimentary for the cardholder; usually, the cardholder can bring 1-2 guests for a free lounge visit. The exact terms vary depending on the card issuer. We recommend confirming the access rules from your American Express card issuer. You can't access the lounge by paying an entrance fee.
Our Visit to Centurion Lounge
We arrived from a long flight from Hong Kong to London Heathrow Airport at 5:30 am. It was early morning, and the airport was getting busier slowly. Because our next flight to Helsinki was departing from Terminal 3, we had a perfect chance to visit the American Express Centurion Lounge. We also needed some rest after the long flight. Thus, this lounge visit was a luxury and almost necessary.
We followed the signs to Terminal 3. Even though we had also arrived at Terminal 3, there was still a long walk after deboarding from the previous flight. On the way, we had also to clear a security check.
Finally, we arrived at the main area of Terminal 3. It was still peaceful there since it was early morning. We immediately saw the American Express Centurion Lounge sign and took the lift to the terminal's second floor.
Arrival
The lounge looked stylish outside. At the visually appealing reception, there were two friendly staff members. Moss mounted on the wall, a nod to London's Hyde Park, gave us a fresh impression. The reception area was not only a desk but was a piece of art, too.
A lounge visit to Centurion Lounge is a complimentary service for all American Express Premium cardholders, including two guests of the cardholder. We cleared the formalities with the reception staff, got a Wi-Fi password, and after a minute, we were in.
Staff
The friendliness of the reception staff made an immediate great impression on the lounge. Since we arrived early in the morning at the lounge, it was still half empty. Still, the lounge was well-staffed. . For example, the clearing of tables was done quickly. The kitchen staff always ensured enough food on the buffet table. The staff also continuously paid attention to the cleanliness of the toilet while the bartenders were always visible at the bar.
Facilities
The facilities were nicely decorated with British art, and everything was perfect. The lounge had a grey-brown theme with crystal lightning, but the colours were used sparingly, giving an impression of a premium area. This is the Amex style.
The lounge did not have windows or natural light. We did not notice the lack of windows because the lounge had great decorations and many artificial lights. However, if you are looking for a nice runway view, this lounge can't offer it.
The lounge was divided into many areas. The biggest main room had a bar, warm buffet and tables for eating. Next to it, there was another big room that was meant for relaxation. In addition, the lounge had a mixed work and relaxation space with two phone booths just next to the reception and a smaller and cosier relaxation area next to the main dining room. All the areas had many UK power sockets, so charging your devices won't be a challenge. Sometimes, adapters are necessary. Some of the rooms were equipped with TVs displaying current news. You can easily check the status of your flight from the flight information screens in the lounge.
There was also a reserved area which requires contacting the reception staff for reservation.
Food and Drinks
The food selection in Centurion Lounge was decent. It's a buffet style, with a lot of variety. It is known that American Express Centurion lounges serve warm foods. During our visit, London Centurion Lounge served a nice selection of small plates of mains and desserts. Warm foods included pork sausage, grilled back bacon, cannellini beans with basil, aubergine with different spices, herb-sauteed potatoes, cheese and tomato omelettes and Shakshuka. Also, there was freshly baked bread and croissants, porridge, squark, cereal, fruits, and many sweet and savoury treats. Guests of Centurion Lounge can enjoy a hot breakfast starting at 6 am. For lounge visitors arriving just before lunchtime, a generous buffet lunch and dinner are served from 11:30 onwards.
Drinks could be ordered from the manned bar. It was still early morning, so we were not in the mood to enjoy cocktails. However, the bar's selection appeared versatile, and trying the bar's services would have been a pleasant experience. Despite not tying their alcoholic beverages, the atmosphere at the bar and the bartender's presence all the time made a good impression.
Fruit juices and immune booster shots were available from the juice station of the lounge. Also, tea and coffee could be taken as a self-service.
Wi-Fi
The lounge had free and reliable Wi-Fi. A reliable internet connection is essential because not everyone has a mobile data connection, but many travellers still want to work in the lounge. We connected our laptop to the lounge's Wi-Fi to do some work. The network connection was fast and stable.
Toilets and Showers
Centurion Lounge has toilets which were properly maintained. We noticed how the staff continuously ensured that the room was kept clean. Aside from being clean, the toilets also have stylish designs.
Centurion Lounge has two showers. Because we only had time for a 1-hour stay, we didn't have enough time to use it. Since the lounge had such a good food selection, we wanted to spend all the time tasting the lounge's food and drinks.
Rating
Centurion Lounge by American Express in London Heathrow (LHR) is a non-airline lounge. Usually, the lounges maintained by ground service companies are typically not as good as airline lounges. However, the Centurion Lounge at Heathrow Airport makes an exception. Since this lounge is exclusively meant for American Express customers, it doesn't get easily crowded, and the service level is much better than that of many airline lounges. Based on our lounge visit, our service and personal attention in Centurion Lounge are significantly higher than most airline lounges we have visited.
The lounge was clean, and the interior was well-designed. The food and drink selection was great. In addition to this, there is a full bar. There was ample seating regardless of the purpose of your lounge visit - working, relaxation and or dining. There were many outlets to charge up and a well-working Wi-Fi in the lounge. These, together with nice customer service and attentive staff, make Centurion Lounge a perfect place to spend the layover.
Common Questions
- Where is the American Express Centurion Lounge at London Heathrow Airport?
- The lounge is in Terminal 3, Area A, above the terminal's main floor.
- Who can visit Centurion Lounge?
- American Express Platinum cardholders and their guests are welcome to Centurion Lounge.
- Can I take a guest with me to Centurion Lounge?
- Yes, you can. Check the exact terms from your card issuer.
- Does Centurion Lounge accept Priority Pass?
- No, it does not.
- Is there free Wi-Fi in the lounge?
- Yes, they have fast and stable Wi-Fi.
- Is there hot food in the lounge?
- Yes, there are different food options for vegans or vegetarians.
- Are there alcoholic drinks in the lounge?
- Yes. Centurion Lounge has a manned full bar.
- Are there power sockets in the lounge?
- Yes, many of them. But they are UK sockets.
- Can you work easily in the lounge?
- Yes, there are premises for working too.
- What is the decoration like in the lounge?
- The lounge has a brown-grey colour theme with crystal lightning and British art.
- Is there a flight information screen in the lounge?
- Yes, there are a few of them.
Bottom Line
If you hold an American Express Platinum card and are flying from Terminal 3 of Heathrow Airport, you must visit Centurion Lounge. It is one of the best lounges at Heathrow and may be the best Amex cardholders to visit at the airport. Our check-in was efficiently carried out by two welcoming female staff. Upon entering the lounge, while it is not overly large, it is well laid out and spacious. The lounge has all your needed services, and the customer service is nice.
The food selection in the lounge was quite impressive, with plenty to choose from, both hot and cold. We particularly liked that each of the food items was properly labelled. There were many tables and seating, including mini booths for solo travellers. As the lounge is exclusive for Amex Card holders, you'll be impressed with its calm and quietness.
Centurion Lounge is centrally located in Terminal 3 of Heathrow Airport so that you can access your gate in 15 minutes after a lounge visit. Following your flight status is accessible from the flight information screen in the lounge. Recharging your devices is easy with plenty of outlets, not forgetting their fast Wi-Fi. If you need to freshen up, you can avail of the shower facilities and spotless toilets. We will revisit it if we happen to have a flight connection at Terminal 3 of Heathrow Airport .
Have you been to Centurion Lounge at London Heathrow? Comment below on what you liked the most about this lounge.
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