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Our First Look: The Remodeled Amex Centurion Lounge in Las Vegas! [Review]

Chris Carley by Chris Carley
May 18, 2021 - Updated on June 28, 2022
in Trip Reports
4
A couple walks into American Express’ The Centurion Lounge - Las Vegas airport club lounge at Las Vegas International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas, Nevada.

American Express Centurion Lounge Las Vegas

Eye of the Flyer, a division of Chatterbox Entertainment, Inc. has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Eye of the Flyer and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities.


American Express finished its (much needed) expansion and remodel of The Centurion Lounge – Las Vegas at McCarran International Airport (LAS). My family visited a few days ago — and were very impressed. Well, most of us were.

Here’s what the lounge looks like now — and what kind of experience you can expect during your visit!

Where is The Centurion Lounge – Las Vegas?

The Centurion Lounge – Las Vegas hasn’t moved locations. It’s still on the D concourse (“the D Gates”). You’ll find it across from gate D1 and next to the Alex and Ani shop.

Travelers are seen outside American Express’ The Centurion Lounge - Las Vegas airport club lounge at Las Vegas International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas, Nevada. You can access the D gates from the rest of the airport via the tram that connects the terminals. For example, we flew Southwest from the C Concourse that day — and the commute to our gate took about 10 minutes.

How Do You Get Access to The Centurion Lounge – Las Vegas?

Four publicly available American Express cards give primary cardholders complimentary access to the Centurion Lounge:

  • The Platinum Card® from American Express
    • Up to two guests may enter for free — through February 2023.
    • Cobranded Platinum cards (i.e. Mercedes-Benz, Schwab, etc) also receive the benefit.
  • The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
    • Up to two guests may enter for free. This policy expires in February 2023.
  • Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card 
    • Only when flying a same-day Delta Air Lines marketed or operated flight; the trip’s ticket must be purchased with an American Express card.
    • Up to two guests are permitted — at a price of $50 each.
  • Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
    • Only when flying a same-day Delta Air Lines marketed or operated flight; the trip’s ticket must be purchased with an American Express card.
    • Up to two guests are permitted — at a price of $50 each.

And, of course, the invitation-only American Express Centurion Card.

Cardholders may access the lounge only within three hours of a departing flight on which they have a confirmed seat (or boarding group position, if you’re flying Southwest).

Inside The Centurion Lounge – Las Vegas

Seating was often difficult to find before the club’s expansion (at least, when I visited). Amex, though, has done a seemingly great job at eliminating or significantly reducing that problem.

The Centurion Lounge is much bigger than before — and received some nice aesthetic touch-ups.

Inside the entrance is, of course, the signature ivy wall you’ll find at Centurion Lounges.

An ivy wall is seen inside American Express’ The Centurion Lounge - Las Vegas airport club lounge at Las Vegas International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas, Nevada.

In my travel group were my wife, our daughter, and me. (I presented The Business Platinum Card® from American Express to get us in.)

Social distancing rules were in effect when we visited. However, the usual six-foot rule was reduced to just three feet.

After checking in, a Centurion Lounge hostess asked us where we’d like to sit (dining room, near a window, or somewhere else). We told her somewhere with a view. She showed us a few available options before we selected this area.

A sofa, table, and chairs are seen during a visit to American Express’ The Centurion Lounge - Las Vegas airport club lounge at Las Vegas International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas, Nevada
The rice and glass of water weren’t on the table when we arrived. I took this picture just before we left. 🙂

But here’s a quick walk-around of the “new” Centurion Lounge.

There’s a private phone room for you to make calls, FaceTimes, Zooms, etc.

A private room for phone calls is seen during a visit to American Express’ The Centurion Lounge - Las Vegas airport club lounge at Las Vegas International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas, Nevada

There are two drink stations: one at the buffet (which we’ll visit in a minute) and another toward the front of the lounge.

A beverage station is seen during a visit to American Express’ The Centurion Lounge - Las Vegas airport club lounge at Las Vegas International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas, Nevada

The area where you once found daybeds now features some dining tables.

Dining tables are seen during a visit to American Express’ The Centurion Lounge - Las Vegas airport club lounge at Las Vegas International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas, Nevada

Speaking of that, let’s head into the dining room for the bar and buffet!

Buffet and Bar at The Centurion Lounge – Las Vegas

In the expanded dining area is where you’ll find a bar, buffet, and more seating.

A food buffet is seen inside the dining area during a visit to American Express’ The Centurion Lounge - Las Vegas airport club lounge at Las Vegas International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas, Nevada

Cafe tables are seen inside the dining room during a visit to American Express’ The Centurion Lounge - Las Vegas airport club lounge at Las Vegas International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas, NevadaThe buffet is no longer self-serve. A staff member is stationed behind the counter and plates whatever food you choose.

The menu was created by James Beard Award-nominated chef Kim Canteenwalla. Mr. Canteenwalla owns Vegas restaurants Honey Salt and Andiron Steak & Sea. He’s also a managing partner at Buddy “The Cake Boss” Valastro’s Buddy V’s Ristorante inside Palazzo.

A food buffet is seen inside the dining area during a visit to American Express’ The Centurion Lounge - Las Vegas airport club lounge at Las Vegas International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas, Nevada

The first thing you choose is dessert! (Perhaps more people enjoy a sweet treat than a full meal when visiting the lounge and this setup keeps the lines short?)

Cookie and other desserts are seen on the buffet inside the dining area during a visit to American Express’ The Centurion Lounge - Las Vegas airport club lounge at Las Vegas International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas, Nevada

After that are some salads and other starters.

A BLT chopped salad; baby kale, asparagus, and sun dried tomato salad; baby carrot and arugula salad, and other options are seen on the buffet inside the dining area during a visit to American Express’ The Centurion Lounge - Las Vegas airport club lounge at Las Vegas International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas, Nevada.
A BLT chopped salad; baby kale, asparagus, and sun-dried tomato salad; and baby carrot and arugula salad

Then the hot food appears.

Brussels sprouts and tomato soup are seen on the buffet inside the dining area during a visit to American Express’ The Centurion Lounge - Las Vegas airport club lounge at Las Vegas International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Brussels sprouts and tomato soup.

Then come the mains.

Chimichurri chicken, vegetable curry, and basmati rice are seen on the buffet inside the dining area during a visit to American Express’ The Centurion Lounge - Las Vegas airport club lounge at Las Vegas International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Chimichurri chicken, vegetable curry, and basmati rice.

A beverage station with coffee and an espresso machine is located behind the buffet. An employee will get you something from there if you wishA coffee and espresso station is seen on the buffet inside the dining area during a visit to American Express’ The Centurion Lounge - Las Vegas airport club lounge at Las Vegas International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas, Nevada.

If you’re in the mood for something with some alcohol in it, then head over to the bar (just to the left of the buffet).

The bar is seen inside the dining area during a visit to American Express’ The Centurion Lounge - Las Vegas airport club lounge at Las Vegas International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas, Nevada.

All drinks are complimentary. You can order whatever you want — but if you have a hard time deciding, here are some of The Centurion Lounge’s signature cocktails you may enjoy:

A signature cocktail menu for the bar is seen inside the dining area during a visit to American Express’ The Centurion Lounge - Las Vegas airport club lounge at Las Vegas International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas, Nevada.
What looks tasty to you?

The wine list was selected by Anthony Giglio. Mixologist Jim Meehan created the cocktail menu.

I ordered an Old Fashioned with Maker’s Mark bourbon. It was prepared by a bartender by Eric — a Centurion Lounge – LAS mainstay. I enjoyed a conversation with him before heading back to my table. Eric has worked in a number of airport club lounges; it was fun to hear about his experience and insights. (And he makes a darn tasty beverage, too!)

A tray of food and an Old Fashioned are seen on the buffet inside the dining area during a visit to American Express’ The Centurion Lounge - Las Vegas airport club lounge at Las Vegas International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Um, yum!

The meal was so good. The chicken could’ve maybe been a touch hotter — but it certainly was cooked. For my fellow bland-palated diners: have no fear. The chicken was quite flavorful but not spicy.

And the banana foster pie — oh my goodness. I was full and couldn’t finish it. I ate about half — and it was wonderful.

A Gripe About The Centurion Lounge – LAS

My daughter was not pleased with the lounge.

Why?

The family room with books, toys, and a TV has been converted to a private room reserved for Centurion Card members.

A private roomis seen during a visit to American Express’ The Centurion Lounge - Las Vegas airport club lounge at Las Vegas International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas, Nevada

Given that American Express announced a very family-unfriendly move effective in February 2023, this change isn’t completely surprising.

But she got over it. 🙂

Final Approach

I’m very impressed with The Centurion Lounge – LAS. The staff is great, the seating plentiful and comfortable, and the food & beverages are delicious.

Sadly, most of my business travel has disappeared — and a chunk of it went through Las Vegas. I’m disappointed I won’t be able to enjoy the Centurion Lounge as often as I hoped. And if you have a qualifying Amex card to get you in the club, it can save you a pretty penny on a meal and drinks you’d have to buy on The Strip or in the airport.

 

  • To see rates and fees for the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, please visit this link.
  • To see rates and fees for the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card, please visit this link.
  • To see rates and fees for The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, please visit this link.
  • To see the rates and fees for The Platinum Card® from American Express, please visit this link.
Eye of the Flyer, a division of Chatterbox Entertainment, Inc. has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Eye of the Flyer and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities.


Responses are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.

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Chris Carley

Chris Carley

Chris Carley is the owner, editor, and lead writer of Eye of the Flyer (formerly known as Rene's Points).

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Comments 4

  1. MaSa says:
    2 years ago

    On a Thursday morning at 11:00am the wait to get into this lounge was approximately 30 (thirty) minutes and I would have een placed on a waiting list with six people ahead of me. As Yogi Berra is rumored to have said, “No one goes there anymore. It’s too crowded “

    Reply
    • Chris Carley says:
      2 years ago

      Interesting — thanks for the data point. I wonder if that would’ve happened had social distancing not been in place.

      Reply
  2. tony says:
    2 years ago

    Thanks for the review look pretty much the same?

    It does seem weird self-serve beverage (multiple people touching handles, spouts, etc.) but food spoons, tongs etc. can’t be touched. I have no position either way. It seems Amex management should choose a direction, not one foot in and one foot out approach. Seems like they need to hire a better epidemiologist to give them some clear direction. Digesting food with any bacteria is far better than it is on your hands.

    Reply
    • Chris Carley says:
      2 years ago

      Some of the existing areas received seating refreshes.

      Reply

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