Flash your AMEX Platinum, Centurion card for Plaza Premium lounge access
By Chris C., July 29 2016
IN BRIEF | High-spending American Express cardholders can now flash their Platinum charge card or invitation-only Centurion Card at Plaza Premium’s international network of over 50 airport lounges to enjoy complimentary access prior to any domestic or international flight with any airline.
Have a Platinum or Black card from a Big Four Bank? That won't cut it, we're afraid...
Useful where your regular lounge is a bit crowded, your airline doesn’t have a lounge at all or even when simply stuck in economy, you’ll find Plaza Premium lounges in many cities popular with Aussie travellers including in Hong Kong, Singapore, Shanghai and London Heathrow, among others.
Closer to home, your Platinum or Centurion card also opens the doors to the new Plaza Premium Lounge at Brisbane Airport…
… currently serving as the de facto Qantas lounge while the airline’s own facility is refurbished.
AusBT review: Plaza Premium Lounge, Brisbane Airport
Joining the list are several new Plaza Premium-brand lounges in Rio de Janeiro, set to open ahead of the 2016 Summer Olympics for AMEX cardholders making the trek to Brazil.
An American Express Australia spokesperson confirmed to Australian Business Traveller that Platinum and Centurion cardholders can be joined by a guest in these lounges at no charge.
Also read: Inside the American Express Lounge at Sydney Airport
Follow Australian Business Traveller on Twitter: we're @AusBT
Chris is a a former contributor to Executive Traveller.
02 Jun 2013
Total posts 56
I must confess I get confused by the AMEX card lounge access rules. I have an AMEX Velocity Platinum card - is this an AMEX Platinum card for the purposes of Plaza Premium Lounge access?
24 Apr 2012
Total posts 2424
Nope, that's a Platinum credit card: you'll need a Platinum Charge card or a Centurion Card, pictured in the article: anything else doesn't cut the mustard, we're afraid.
(You can still use the AMEX Lounge in Sydney, however, but I see you're from Brisbane so that probably won't be much use!)
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
02 Jul 2011
Total posts 1374
Is this stil in addition to the PriorityPass benefits?
24 Apr 2012
Total posts 2424
Indeed: many Plaza Premium lounges are part of the Priority Pass network (which you can access by presenting your Priority Pass card), but some of them don't participate – including in Brisbane – which is where this AMEX tie-up comes in handy.
(It's also a great backup if you forget to pack your Priority Pass card but bring your AMEX, as you'll still have lounge access elsewhere too.)
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
28 Jan 2015
Total posts 106
Do you have the link to either AMEX/Plaza Premium where this is the case? I cant seem to find anything anywhere else saying this
24 Apr 2012
Total posts 2424
Our source for this is American Express HQ (Australia), which confirmed the above after we noticed AMEX signage appearing at the newly-opened Plaza Premium Lounge in Brisbane:
(AMEX has also retweeted this story from its official company Twitter account.)
As to whether AMEX's own website has been updated to reflect this, that's up to AMEX. :)
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
29 Nov 2013
Total posts 475
I had a quick look at the AMEX site and under the Platinum charge card benefits it only lists Priortity Pass and Virgin AU lounges as benefits...maybe they are slow to update their corporate content!
But when I log into my account and enter BNE it nominates the Plaza Premium lounge as being accessible!
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