WHO GETS IN?
- Holders of The Platinum Card® from American Express
- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
- Centurion® (Black Card) Card members
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Cardholders (when flying Delta and ticket purchased with the card)
Remember, access is granted within three hours of your departure time, unless you’re connecting between flights.
I’ve been a Platinum Card holder for about three years, and while I’ve been in several private airport lounges prior to obtaining my Platinum Card, this only my third AMEX Centurion Lounge. Last year I was in the Miami Airport Centurion Lounge, twice during this trip I was in the Atlanta Airport Centurion Lounge. The Heathrow Centurion is an intimate 7,000 sq. ft. in size (Miami is 12,000 sq. ft. and ATL is the largest to date at 26,000 sq. ft.) and has a definite British design flair featuring white marble floors, stylish wall paintings, and a curated art gallery featuring works from British artists, including fashion photographer Norman Parkinson. Surprisingly, given that I was flying out on a Saturday morning, there were surprisingly few patrons in the lounge while I was there. So I didn’t have to wait in line at the breakfast buffet or to get water or orange juice from the bar.
In keeping with AMEX Centurion tradition, the Heathrow Centurion lounge embraces local culinary offerings curated by Michelin-starred chef Assaf Granit, presenting a fusion of British and Middle Eastern flavors. Expect dishes like shakshuka, grilled cauliflower, and a variety of vegetarian options. I can’t say that either British or Middle Easter food is at the top of my list, but I had an early flight and ate breakfast in the lounge. It’s hard to screw up breakfast, but none of the offerings looked particularly appetizing so I stuck with cereal. The lounge further embraces British traditions by features a tea cart serving a selection of teas accompanied by scones, jam, and clotted cream—a delightful nod to British afternoon tea culture. Just not what this “Yank” prefers for breakfast.
Despite the size (both the Seattle and Philadelphia Centurion lounges are smaller) the Heathrow lounge maintains the excellent facilities found at many other Centurion lounges. it didn’t feel small so again I may have just had the good fortune of hitting the lounge at the right time. Heathrow features two well-appointed shower suites, equipped with walk-in showers, sinks, and toilets. Guests can request a shower kit, including toiletries and grooming essentials, at check-in. You’ll also find private phone booths, communal tables with built-in charging stations, and quiet pods, facilitating productivity in a tranquil environment. The Heathrow Centurion Lounge also had a feature I’ve not previously seen in other previous lounges I’ve visited – a section reserved exclusively for AmEx Black Card holders:
Only a handful of AmEx Centurion lounges offer this particular feature, and the Heathrow location is one.
Soon after I finished my breakfast, other travelers began coming in to the lounge:
Unlike my previous experiences with Centurion lounges, I didn’t have any problems finding a comfortable spot to get some work done before my flight and of course, free Wi-Fi was available. And the weight at the bar was minimal so I was able to Get a Coke Zero followed by a refill while I worked.
My experience in the Heathrow American Express Centurion Lounge was probably the best out of the three I’ve visited so far. I felt like I did get value out of my Platinum Card annual fee with this visit. The breakfast wasn’t worse than what I typically grab at most hotels, I had nice place to work, free WiFi, free Coke Zero…clean, easily accessible bathrooms…nice. But I suspect that had I it this lounge at a different (busier) time, my experience might have been considerably different.
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