American Express pioneered credit-card-branded airport lounges over a decade ago with its first-ever Centurion Lounge in Las Vegas. Only passengers with the right AmEx credit card can enter, meaning luxury at the airport no longer requires airline loyalty or a first-class ticket.
Despite AmEx's reputation, I have always been a loyal Chase Sapphire Reserve credit cardholder, happily paying the $550 annual fee for travel benefits like Priority Pass lounge access and trip and rental car insurance. Chase (and Capital One) have opened their own branded airport lounges to compete.
I wasn't totally convinced the $695 AmEx Platinum was worth looking more into until I visited a Centurion Lounge for the first time on Tuesday, but I now realize what I've been missing out on.
I visited the Centurion Lounge at New York's LaGuardia Airport. Since I don't have an eligible credit card, AmEx offered me access to without one. A Centurion representative gave me a tour before I explored for a bit on my own.
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