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Did you know that Amex Platinum cards still offer free guest access to Escape Lounges? In recent years, Escape Lounges were rebranded to the unwieldy “Escape Lounges – The Centurion® Studio Partner.” At that point I assumed that guest access rules for Centurion Lounges and Escape Lounges would be the same, but they’re not. With Centurion Lounges, Platinum cardholders can no longer bring in guests for free unless they’ve spent $75K on their card in the past year. With Escape Lounges, though, Platinum cardholders can still bring up to two guests for free.
Overview
Escape Lounges are airport lounges which are affiliated with American Express in the United States (they also have lounges in the UK, but these have different entry requirements). In my experience most Escape Lounges are physically very small and so can get overcrowded, but they usually have pretty good food and so they can be worth a stop.
Locations
At the time of this writing, there are Escape Lounges in the following U.S. airports:
- Bradley International Airport (BDL), Connecticut
- Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG), Ohio
- Columbus International Airport (CMH), Ohio
- Fort Lauderdale International Airport (FLL), Florida
- Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP), South Carolina
- Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP), Minnesota
- Oakland International Airport (OAK), California
- Palm Beach International Airport (PBI), Florida
- Phoenix-Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), Arizona
- Rhode Island T.F. Green Airport (PVD), Rhode Island
- Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO), Nevada
- Sacramento International Airport (SMF), California
- Coming Soon: Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR), New York
Access Policy
Escape Lounges in the U.S. have the following access criteria:
- American Express Platinum Card Members and Centurion® Card Members receive complimentary entry for themselves and up to two guests.
- Complimentary entry for American Express Delta SkyMiles@ Reserve Card and $30 for additional guests (Must be on a Delta marketed ticket for that day).
- $45 per person if paid at the door.
- $40 per person if booked online at EscapeLounges.com at least 24 hours prior to entry.
- TAV Passport Card Members receive complimentary entry for themselves and one guest.
- Dreamfolks Card Holders receive access based on their plan. Contact Dreamfolks to learn more about your benefits.
- Children under 24 months receive free entry.
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[…] Escape lounges have been rebranded as Centurion Studios, Platinum cardmembers still get two guests at Escape […]
[…] Escape lounges have been rebranded as Centurion Studios, Platinum cardmembers still get two guests at Escape […]
I was at the MSP location about a month ago…food was very subpar, although the lounge itself was not overcrowded and pleasant enough to stay for a few hours.
The lounge in PHX is co-located with the Centurion lounge, they share and entrance and a kitchen. You can only visit one of the two on the same day. The Escape lounge is consistently less crowded, servicing the same food, and with a tended bar. Definitely prefer it to the Centurion lounge in that location.
I have frequented SMF and PVD both small and many times they close very early(no staff of course) or no hot food as the chef did not come to work!! Disappointing when they are the only lounge in that airport.
Biz plat t&c says 2 guests OR family:
Escape Lounges – The Centurion® Studio Partner
This benefit is available to Business Platinum Card® Members. Additional Gold Cards and Additional Green Cards on Business Platinum accounts, and Additional Gold Cards on Consumer Platinum accounts, are not eligible for complimentary access through The Global Lounge Collection benefit. Card Members receive complimentary access to any US location of the Escape Lounges. Card Member must present his or her valid Card, a boarding pass showing a confirmed reservation for same-day travel on any carrier and government-issued I.D. In some cases, Card Member must be 21 years of age to enter without a parent or guardian. Card Members may bring either (i) up to two guests or (ii) *immediate family members, which are spouse or domestic partner and all children under the age of 18,* as complimentary guests.
sorry, not T&C, it’s in IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING RATES, FEES, AND OTHER COST INFORMATION
https://creditcard.americanexpress.com/d/business-platinum-card/
At my home airport (Ontario – ONT), they closed the Escape Lounge and rebranded it an “Aspire” lounge. They take both Priority Pass; and I THINK they accept AMEX Platinum as well. They are a Swiss company with 34 lounges worldwide. Only three in the US. Two in ONT and one at San Diego Airport. I think the parent company is called Executive Lounges by Swissport. Their website that lists the locations is here: https://www.executivelounges.com/ Since they took over the Escape Lounge in ONT, it has gotten a little better with regards to thew food offerings. Nothing fantastic, but a decent breakfast most of the time.
I’ve confirmed that they take AMEX Plat to get in. The San Diego lounge does as well. Not so for the worldwide ones as far as I can tell (I didn’t check all of them though).
The SMF escape lounge is my home airport lounge. Note that if you are an AU on the platinum, you also can bring in two guests for free. I’ve seen passes sold on Groupon for $30 but tbh I don’t think the value is there for this lounge.
Nifty! I had not even heard of these, thank you!
I find myself in Escape lounges probably more frequently than any other lounge as I spend a lot of time flying intra-California (which for those unfamiliar, is a peculiar market compared to other “shuttle” markets and tends to have tons of frequency between side airports via Southwest).
I really hoped that the Amex fold-in would have meant they would put some effort into expanding the footprint as a Centurion-light for medium-sized airports, but they seem to put about as much attention into it as their other oddball assets like Resy and LoungeBuddy.
I’ve used Amex platinum to use the escape lounge in Oakland with family. Not glamorous, but nice to grab something quick before a flight. Good to know there’s more of these
Was the OAK lounge overcrowded when you visited with your family? I am considering if I should get the Amex Plat for lounge access in addition to the big sign up bonus.
It’s crowded, but it kept my four year old occupied. It’s in terminal 1, so if you’re flying southwest it’s a hike.
Thank you for this! I just booked a trip via the Rhode Island Airport and noticed an Escape lounge in there. I am still not an AU on P2 Plat b/c of 5/24 and assumed I would have to pay at the door. Thanks for the info!
The Escape Lounge PVD is one of my favorite lounges in the US. Sit at the bar and chat with the bartender… I forget her name but she is amazing!
I’ve used the Escape Lounge in PVD a few times, once with my 2 kids. It’s quite hidden but it’s a good spot. Light fare but good service.
I’ve never actually had time to ask for a drink at the bar. Are alcoholic drinks complimentary such as in Delta Sky Lounges?
Yeah, the alcoholic drinks at the PVD Escape Lounge are great. I asked the bartender for a recommendation and she made me one of the best airport lounge cocktails I’ve ever had, a fantastic Pineapple Margarita.