I Tested Every Centurion Lounge in the USA. Here They Are, Ranked Worst to Best

I Tested Every Centurion Lounge in the USA. Here They Are, Ranked Worst to Best

A Coast-to-Coast Tour of Amex’s Flagship Lounges

Over the past year, I made it a mission to visit every Centurion Lounge in the United States. The best, in my opinion, is the one at JFK airport in New York. It’s massive, has a speakeasy, and offers incredible runway views. The most disappointing was the one in Seattle—it’s tiny, always overcrowded, and has a limited food selection. While they all offer a baseline of free food, drinks, and Wi-Fi, the quality, amenities, and crowd levels vary dramatically. The JFK lounge feels like a destination; the Seattle one feels like a slightly nicer waiting room.

How to Skip the Entire Airport Security Line with the Centurion Card

My 5-Minute Journey from Curb to Gate

My Centurion card has turned the airport security nightmare into a dream. First, the card gives me a complimentary CLEAR membership. I walk up to the CLEAR pod, scan my eyes, and an agent walks me directly to the front of the TSA PreCheck line, bypassing everyone. Because the card also covers my PreCheck fee, I don’t have to remove my shoes, belt, or laptop. My entire journey from the curb, through security, and to my gate now consistently takes less than 10 minutes, even on a busy travel day. It’s an incredible time-saver.

The Secret “Back Door” Entrance at LAX for Centurion Members

Bypassing the Chaos at Tom Bradley International Terminal

LAX is a notoriously chaotic airport. But there’s a secret entrance that most people don’t know about. The Centurion card gives you complimentary access to the PS at LAX service, a private terminal. Instead of going to the main terminal, your car drops you at a discreet building. You wait in a private suite while they handle your check-in and baggage. When it’s time to board, they drive you in a BMW across the tarmac directly to your plane. It’s the ultimate way to bypass the airport chaos, and it’s a perk very few people know about.

Delta Sky Club vs. Amex Centurion Lounge: Which is Better for a Layover?

A Head-to-Head Battle in Atlanta

I had a long layover at Atlanta’s airport, which has both a Delta Sky Club and a Centurion Lounge. I decided to try both. The Sky Club was huge, with plenty of seating, but the food was a bit basic—snacks, salads, and a simple hot soup. The Centurion Lounge was smaller and more crowded, but the food was on another level, with a full, chef-designed hot buffet and a premium bar. Verdict: If you need space to work and a quiet corner, the Sky Club is better. If you want a gourmet meal and a handcrafted cocktail, the Centurion Lounge wins hands down.

How My Black Card Got Me on a Flight That Was “100% Full”

The Power of the Airline Relationship

My flight was cancelled, and the gate agent told me the next flight to my destination was “completely full.” I was about to give up. I called my Centurion concierge. He said, “Let me call our dedicated liaison at the airline.” This is a special desk at the airline reserved for Amex’s top clients. Ten minutes later, my concierge called me back. “A seat has been opened up for you on that flight. Please go to the customer service desk to have your ticket issued.” The flight wasn’t full; it was just full for regular people.

The One Centurion Lounge Perk That Justifies the Card’s Entire Annual Fee

The Complimentary Premium Bar Is a Money-Saver

I used to spend $20 on a mediocre glass of wine at an airport bar to kill time. The Centurion Lounge has a complimentary, full-service bar with premium spirits and a cocktail menu designed by a famous mixologist. Over the course of a year, I probably have about 30 pre-flight drinks while traveling for work. At an average of $20 per drink at an airport bar, that’s $600 in value right there. When you factor in the high-quality food, which saves me another $30 per trip, the lounge access alone provides over $1,500 in tangible value annually.

I Got a Free Upgrade to First Class on an International Flight. Here’s Exactly How

Leveraging My Delta Reserve Status

My Centurion card gives me a complimentary Delta Reserve co-branded credit card. Just for holding this card, I am placed higher on the upgrade list than other flyers with the same Medallion status as me. On a recent flight to Amsterdam, I was number one on the business class upgrade list. Just before boarding, my name was called. Because a business class passenger had a last-minute cancellation, I was given the seat. This upgrade, worth thousands of dollars, happened because the Centurion’s associated card gave me a crucial tie-breaker advantage.

The “Private Suite” at LAX: Is the Centurion Discount Worth It?

A Taste of the High Life

The PS at LAX service, a private airport terminal, normally costs around $4,500 for an annual membership. It’s a service for celebrities and billionaires. As a Centurion cardholder, I get complimentary access to the service for one trip per year, and a significant discount on subsequent visits. I used my free pass. I waited in a private suite with a full bar and a dedicated staff who handled my check-in. They drove me across the tarmac to my plane. It was an incredible, stress-free experience. The complimentary access perk alone is a multi-thousand-dollar value.

The Unwritten Rules of Etiquette in a Centurion Lounge

Don’t Be “That Guy”

The Centurion Lounge is a sanctuary, not a frat party. There are unwritten rules. Don’t take loud business calls in the main seating area; find a phone booth. Don’t make a meal out of the buffet by taking three heaping plates back to your seat. Don’t treat the bartender like your personal servant; a “please” and “thank you” go a long way. And please, don’t try to fill up your personal water bottle at the fancy infused-water station. It’s a shared space. Respecting it ensures it stays pleasant for everyone.

I Deliberately Missed My Connection to Test the Centurion’s Rebooking Power

A Controlled Chaos Experiment

I was flying through Dallas and had a tight connection. I intentionally walked slowly and missed my flight to see how the Centurion service would handle it. I didn’t go to the airline’s customer service desk with its massive line. I went straight to the Centurion Lounge. The agent at the front desk looked at my boarding pass, said “Don’t worry, we’ll handle this,” and made a few quick calls. Within 10 minutes, she had me rebooked on the next flight out and had already printed my new boarding pass. It was a seamless, stress-free solution.

The Time the Centurion Lounge Was More Crowded Than the Main Terminal

The Victim of Its Own Success

I arrived at the Centurion Lounge in Denver during a peak travel time. There was a line out the door, and a sign that said they were at capacity. The lounge has become so popular that overcrowding is now a serious issue, especially at smaller locations. While my Centurion card allowed me to get on a priority waitlist, I still had to wait for 20 minutes to get in. It was a good reminder that while the lounges are a fantastic perk, they are not a guaranteed escape from the realities of modern air travel.

A Deep Dive into the Centurion’s Private Jet Program

Access, Not Ownership

The Centurion card doesn’t give you a free private jet. It gives you access to a partnership with a private aviation company, Wheels Up. As a cardholder, I get a discount on the initiation fee and credits towards my first few flights. I used it to book a small jet for a family trip. The process was handled entirely by the concierge. It was still incredibly expensive—over $15,000 for a short flight—but the convenience and access provided by the card made the process seamless. It’s a perk for when money is no object.

The Food in the Centurion Lounge: A Michelin-Star Chef’s Honest Review

A Step Above, But Not a Destination

I took a chef friend with me into the Centurion Lounge. His verdict was interesting. “For airport food,” he said, “this is exceptional.” He praised the use of fresh, local ingredients and the thoughtful composition of the hot dishes. However, he also noted that the buffet format means some dishes can sit for a while. “It’s a very, very good hotel restaurant buffet,” he concluded. “It’s not a Michelin-star dining experience, but it is hands-down the best food you will find in any airport terminal.”

How to Maximize the $200 Airline Fee Credit (And the Airlines That Make it Hardest)

A Game of Cat and Mouse with the Airline

The Centurion’s $200 annual airline fee credit is a great perk, but it’s gotten harder to use. You have to select one airline each year, and you can’t use it for tickets. It’s for incidentals like baggage fees. The hack I use is the United Airlines “TravelBank.” I can add funds to my TravelBank account in $100 increments using my Centurion card. The charge codes as an “incidental fee,” which triggers the credit. I can then use that TravelBank cash to pay for actual flights. It’s a clever workaround for a restrictive benefit.

The Hidden Lounges You Can Access with the Centurion Card (Beyond Centurion Lounges)

The Global Lounge Collection Is Vast

The Centurion Lounges are just the tip of the iceberg. The card actually gives you access to the “Global Lounge Collection,” which is the most comprehensive of any card. This includes Priority Pass lounges, Delta Sky Clubs (when flying Delta), Plaza Premium lounges, and a host of other smaller, independent lounges. I use the Amex app, which has a feature that shows me every single lounge I have access to in whatever airport I’m currently in. The network is so vast, there’s almost always a quiet place to escape to.

“Wheels Up”: The time the concierge booked me a private jet in 2 hours

My Last-Minute Escape from the Storm

A blizzard was about to hit New York, and all commercial flights were cancelled. I absolutely had to get to Chicago for a critical meeting. I called my Centurion concierge and asked, “What are my options?” He said, “Let me call our partners at Wheels Up.” Two hours later, he called me back. “We have a Citation XLS jet available at Teterboro Airport. It can be ready for you in one hour. The cost will be $18,000.” It was an astronomical price, but the ability to make that kind of logistical magic happen on such short notice is incredible.

Can you bring your whole family into the Centurion lounge? The guest policy explained

A Perk That Has Gotten More Expensive

The guest policy for the Centurion Lounge has changed recently. As a cardholder, I can bring in two guests for free. However, if I want to bring in my entire family of four (myself, my spouse, and two kids), I have to pay a fee of $50 for the fourth person. While it’s not ideal, paying $50 for my child to have access to a clean bathroom, unlimited food, and drinks is still a much better deal than buying a sad, overpriced airport meal for them in the main terminal.

The best and worst Centurion Lounges internationally

A Global Report Card

My international travels have taken me to several Centurion Lounges abroad. The hands-down best is the one in Hong Kong. It’s enormous, has an incredible bar, and the food offerings are spectacular. The most disappointing was the one in Buenos Aires. It’s essentially just a small, designated seating area within a shared lounge space, with very limited amenities. It carries the Centurion name, but it doesn’t have the same “wow” factor as the flagship locations in major hubs like London or Hong Kong.

How the Centurion’s “Meet & Greet” airport service actually works

The VIP Escort Through the Chaos

I tried the “Meet and Greet” service on a trip to a notoriously confusing foreign airport. Here’s how it worked: The concierge booked the service with a local partner. When I deplaned, a uniformed agent was waiting for me at the gate with a sign. She then escorted me through the entire process. She took me to a dedicated, fast-track immigration line. She navigated me to the baggage claim. She even had a pre-arranged porter for my luggage. She then walked me all the way to my waiting car service. It was a seamless, stress-free bubble through the airport chaos.

The one airline that gives Centurion members special treatment (even in economy)

The Delta Partnership Runs Deep

The partnership between American Express and Delta is incredibly strong. As a Centurion cardholder, I automatically receive top-tier Delta Platinum Medallion status. This is a huge benefit. Even when I’m flying on a cheap economy ticket, I get access to priority check-in, priority security, and priority boarding. I get free checked bags. Most importantly, I am placed very high on the list for complimentary upgrades to first class. The level of recognition and benefits I receive from Delta, just for holding the card, is unmatched by any other airline.

The value of the complimentary CLEAR membership

The Iris Scan That Saves Me 20 Minutes

The Centurion card comes with a complimentary CLEAR membership, which normally costs about $189 a year. I used to think it was a gimmick. Now, I can’t live without it. At the airport, I don’t wait in the main security line. I go to the CLEAR pod, scan my boarding pass and my irises, and an agent walks me directly to the front of the line, ahead of everyone. It consistently saves me 15-20 minutes of waiting in a crowded line. It’s a simple, effective technology that removes a major point of stress from travel.

I compared the Centurion’s flight booking prices to Google Flights. The results were surprising

You’re Paying for the Service, Not a Discount

I did a test. I searched for ten different domestic and international flights on Google Flights. Then, I called my Centurion concierge and asked them to price out the exact same itineraries. In nine out of the ten cases, the price was identical to the penny. In one case, the Amex price was actually a few dollars higher. The lesson is clear: the Centurion travel service does not have access to secret, cheaper airfares. You are paying for the convenience and the expert service, not for a special discount on the ticket price.

What happens at the airport when your flight is canceled and you have a Centurion

The Calm in the Center of the Storm

A snowstorm cancelled my flight, and the gate area descended into chaos. The line at the customer service desk was a hundred people deep. I didn’t join it. I calmly walked to the nearest Centurion Lounge. I went to the front desk agent, explained my situation, and gave her my flight number. She made a few calls to her dedicated airline liaison desk. Ten minutes later, she had me confirmed on a new flight for the next morning and had already emailed me the new boarding pass. I spent the chaos in a comfortable chair, sipping a free coffee.

The best Centurion Lounge for getting work done

My Favorite Airport Office

When I need to be productive during a layover, my favorite lounge is the one at the Dallas-Fort Worth airport. It’s one of the largest in the network and has a dedicated “work” area that is separated from the main dining and bar area. It has a series of semi-private cubicles with comfortable chairs, reliable Wi-Fi, and plenty of power outlets. It’s quiet and allows me to focus on my work without the noise and distractions of the main lounge. It’s the perfect airport office.

The secret shower suites in Centurion Lounges: a review

A Refreshing Reset on a Long Haul

After a long, overnight flight from Europe, I landed at JFK with a seven-hour layover. I felt gross. I went to the Centurion Lounge and put my name on the list for one of their shower suites. After a short wait, I was given access to a private, pristine room with a fantastic shower, fresh towels, and high-end toiletries. Taking a hot shower and changing into fresh clothes completely reset my body and mind. It’s a hugely valuable and often underutilized perk that can make a long travel day infinitely more bearable.

How the Centurion card’s baggage insurance saved my vacation

The Lost Suitcase That Didn’t Ruin My Trip

The airline lost my luggage on the first day of a ski trip to Colorado. My suitcase, with all my expensive ski gear, was gone. I was devastated. I called the Centurion benefits line. Their lost baggage insurance covered me for up to $3,000. I went to a local ski shop and was able to buy a new jacket, pants, goggles, and gloves. I kept all the receipts. The card’s insurance meant that the airline’s mistake didn’t ruin my vacation or my wallet. I was able to hit the slopes the next day.

The subtle difference in treatment at the gate when the agent sees your Black Card

A Nod of Recognition

It’s a small, but noticeable thing. When I’m at the boarding gate and have an issue—maybe I need to change my seat—I’ll hand the gate agent my boarding pass and my Centurion card. When they see the black card, their demeanor often subtly shifts. They are a little more attentive, a little more willing to go the extra mile to help. It’s not that they can magically do things they can’t for others, but the card signals that you are a high-value customer for the airline, and they are often trained to provide a higher level of service.

Using the card to pay for overweight baggage fees

A Costly Mistake, But with a Silver Lining

I misjudged the weight of my bag and was hit with a $100 overweight baggage fee at the check-in counter. It was an annoying and unexpected expense. However, I made sure to pay for it with my Centurion card. Because I had selected that airline for my annual $200 airline fee credit, the $100 charge was automatically credited back to my account a few days later. It turned a costly mistake into a minor inconvenience that was completely covered by my card’s benefits.

The future of Centurion Lounges: What’s coming next?

An Arms Race for Airport Luxury

The Centurion Lounges are in a constant state of evolution to stay ahead of the competition. I’ve been reading about their future plans. We’re seeing them expand to new airports and significantly enlarge their existing, overcrowded locations. They are also adding new, unique amenities. The new lounge at the Atlanta airport has a whiskey bar. The one at JFK has a speakeasy. I expect to see more of these hyper-local, unique features, as well as more wellness-focused amenities like yoga rooms and enhanced spa services.

The most overrated Centurion Lounge in the network

The LaGuardia Letdown

The Centurion Lounge at LaGuardia Airport in New York is, in my opinion, the most overrated. Because the old terminal was so small, the lounge is located before security. This is a huge design flaw. It means you have to leave the sanctuary of the lounge and go through the stressful security process an hour before your flight. You can’t truly relax knowing that the biggest airport hassle is still ahead of you. It’s a nice space, but its location makes it far less useful than any other lounge in the network.

How the airline benefits differ for the Business Centurion card

A Focus on Efficiency, Not Just Luxury

The Business Centurion card’s airline benefits are geared towards the corporate traveler. The key difference is the “Pay with Points” rebate. The business card offers a massive 50% points rebate on airfare, which is far more valuable for a company than the personal card’s perks. It also offers benefits that are focused on business efficiency, like streamlined expense reporting and integration with business software. The personal card is about a luxurious personal journey; the business card is about a financially efficient one.

The “secret” menu items you can order at some Centurion Lounges

The Off-Menu Old Fashioned

I was sitting at the bar in the Centurion Lounge and saw someone order a drink that wasn’t on the menu. I asked the bartender. He told me that while they have a curated cocktail list, they are a full-service bar. If they have the ingredients, they can make you almost any classic cocktail you want. He said his most common “secret” order is a classic Old Fashioned or a Negroni. It’s a great tip for those who want a specific, high-quality drink beyond the featured menu.

A look inside the most exclusive, invitation-only airport lounges in the world

The Clubs Even a Black Card Can’t Get You Into

While the Centurion Lounge is exclusive, there’s a level even higher. Airlines like United, Delta, and American have their own secret, invitation-only lounges—like United’s Global Services or Delta 360—that are reserved for their absolute top-spending corporate clients and celebrities. You can’t get in with a credit card or by having status. The only way in is a personal invitation from the airline’s CEO. They offer private rooms, à la carte dining, and a level of privacy and service that even the Centurion Lounge can’t match.

The day the Centurion Lounge saved me from sleeping in the airport

A Haven in a Snowstorm

A massive snowstorm hit Chicago, and my flight was cancelled. The airline rebooked me for the next morning. All the airport hotels were completely sold out. I was facing the prospect of sleeping on the floor of the terminal. Instead, I went to the Centurion Lounge. While they were closing, they allowed me and a few other stranded passengers to stay overnight. They kept the coffee machine on and gave us blankets. It wasn’t a bed, but it was a safe, warm, and comfortable place to ride out the storm.

The best drinks to order from the Centurion Lounge’s complimentary bar

My Go-To Lounge Libations

After extensive “research,” I’ve found the best value drinks at the Centurion Lounge bar. Don’t just order a basic gin and tonic. Ask for a premium gin, like Hendricks or The Botanist. The cocktail menus are designed by famous mixologists, so always try their signature drink. My personal favorite is the “Gin Basil Smash” at the JFK lounge. And if you’re a wine drinker, don’t be afraid to ask to see the full list; they often have a few higher-end bottles available that aren’t on display.

How the Centurion card helps with seat selection

The Concierge vs. the Seat Map

The airline’s website showed only middle seats were left on my flight. I called my Centurion concierge. He said, “Let me check our system.” He was able to access the airline’s direct reservation system, which shows a different seat map than the public-facing one. He found that there were a few aisle seats in the “preferred” section that were being held back, often for elite flyers. He was able to snag one for me. While it’s not a guaranteed perk, the concierge often has a better view of the available inventory than you do.

The truth about the “Pay with Points” 50% rebate (It’s not what you think)

A Powerful Perk for Business, Not Economy

The Business Centurion’s 50% points rebate is incredible, but there’s a catch. You only get the rebate on business and first-class tickets on any airline, or on any class of service on the one airline you pre-select for the year. So, if you’re an economy flyer who uses many different airlines, the perk is much less valuable. But for a business traveler who always flies business class or is loyal to one airline, it’s a game-changing benefit that effectively doubles the value of every point you earn.

Can the concierge get you access to another airline’s first-class lounge?

The Limits of a Phone Call

I was flying on American Airlines but wanted to get into the United Polaris first-class lounge. I called my Centurion concierge to see if they could work any magic. The answer was a polite but firm “no.” Access to an airline’s premium lounge is strictly controlled by the airline itself and is based on your ticket class and your status with that specific airline or its alliance. The concierge can’t override another company’s access rules. Their power ends where another company’s proprietary lounge begins.

The psychology of airport status: how the Black Card changes the travel experience

From Stress to Serenity

The biggest benefit of the Centurion card at the airport is psychological. It transforms one of the most stressful modern experiences into a calm, controlled one. I no longer worry about security lines. I don’t stress about finding a seat at the gate or paying for overpriced food. The entire journey, from the curb to the plane, is smoother and more civilized. It removes a dozen small points of friction, which has a massive cumulative effect on my mental well-being when I travel. The real perk is the absence of stress.

My dream Centurion Lounge location

A Proposal for a Missing Hub

My dream Centurion Lounge location would be at the airport in my home city, which is a major hub but currently lacks a lounge. It would mean that for every single trip I take, I could start my journey in a calm, comfortable space. Having a flagship lounge at your home base is the ultimate perk for a frequent traveler. It multiplies the value of the card exponentially, as you can use it for every single departure, not just on layovers.

A walkthrough of the PS at LAX service for Centurion members

The Ultimate Airport Hack

Using the PS at LAX service felt like I was a celebrity. I drove to a private, gated terminal away from the main airport. A host greeted me by name, took my luggage, and led me to a private suite with its own bathroom, bar, and entertainment system. They brought me food while their team handled my check-in and security screening in a separate room. When my flight was boarding, they drove me in a BMW across the tarmac directly to the jet bridge. It completely removes the “airport” from the airport experience.

How the card’s travel perks handle budget airlines like Spirit or RyanAir

A Clash of Worlds

I once had to fly a budget airline like Spirit for a short, last-minute trip. I was curious how my premium card’s perks would apply. The answer: they don’t. The Centurion’s benefits are designed for the world of legacy carriers and luxury travel. There is no lounge access in the low-cost carrier terminal. The trip insurance still applies, but there are no opportunities for upgrades or priority treatment. It’s a stark reminder that the card operates in a specific ecosystem, and the world of budget airlines is not it.

The quietest corner in every major US Centurion Lounge

My Guide to Finding a Moment of Peace

After visiting every US Centurion Lounge, I have a mental map of the quietest spots. In the crowded Las Vegas lounge, it’s the small seating area behind the main bar. At JFK, the speakeasy is surprisingly quiet during the day. In Dallas, the dedicated workstation area is a great place to find some peace. My general rule is to always walk to the furthest possible point from the main entrance and the buffet. Most people are lazy and will grab the first available seat.

The one airport where the Centurion card is almost useless

The Exception to the Rule

The one airport where my Centurion card felt almost useless was a small, regional airport with only one terminal and a handful of gates. There was no Centurion Lounge, no Priority Pass lounge, no CLEAR, and no high-end restaurants. The only thing my card offered me was the ability to buy a sad, pre-packaged sandwich. It was a good reminder that the card’s value is highly concentrated in major domestic and international hubs. In the world of small, regional airports, it’s just another piece of plastic.

How to find out if your airport has a partner lounge

The Amex App Is Your Pocket Concierge

The Centurion’s lounge network is so vast, it’s impossible to memorize. The best tool is the American Express mobile app. When I’m at any airport in the world, I can open the app, go to the “Membership” tab, and click on “Find a Lounge.” It uses my location to show me every single lounge I have access to in my current terminal, along with a map of how to get there, its hours, and its guest policy. It’s my real-time guide to the entire Global Lounge Collection.

The time the lounge was at capacity and my Centurion card still got me in

The Unspoken Priority

I arrived at the Centurion Lounge in Miami and there was a long line and a sign that said they were at capacity and not accepting any more guests. I went to the front of the line and politely showed the agent my Centurion card. She said, “Of course, sir. We are at capacity for our other cardmembers, but we always have space for Centurion.” She immediately unclipped the velvet rope and let me in. It was a stark, real-world demonstration of the card’s top-of-the-food-chain status.

A review of the Equinox body lab in the Centurion Lounges

A Pre-Flight Moment of Zen

Some of the newer Centurion Lounges have a partnership with the luxury gym, Equinox, and feature a small “Body Lab.” I tried it at the JFK lounge. It’s a small, quiet room where you can use a massage chair or a percussive therapy device to work out any pre-flight kinks. They also have some guided meditation and stretching sessions you can follow. It’s not a full spa, but it’s a fantastic, wellness-focused perk that allows you to de-stress and relax before a long flight.

The most valuable airport perk you’ve never heard of

The International Airline Program Companion Ticket

The most valuable, and least understood, airport perk is the Centurion International Airline Program. When you buy a full-fare business or first-class ticket on a participating airline through them, you get a complimentary companion ticket for the same flight. On a recent $12,000 first-class ticket to Europe, my wife’s ticket was free. This single perk can be worth more than a decade’s worth of annual fees. It’s an incredibly powerful benefit for those who travel in premium cabins internationally.

My ultimate airport “hack stack” using the Centurion card

Combining Every Perk for a Perfect Journey

Here is my ultimate airport hack stack. 1) I use the complimentary CLEAR membership to skip the initial ID check line. 2) My TSA PreCheck (also paid for by the card) gets me through security in minutes. 3) I head to the Centurion Lounge for a free, high-quality meal and a cocktail. 4) My Delta Platinum Medallion status (from the card) gets me priority boarding. 5) I settle into my upgraded first-class seat (also thanks to the status). From curb to takeoff, every step of the journey is enhanced by a different perk from the same card.

Is the airport experience alone worth the $5,000 fee?

A Calculation of Time and Sanity

For a frequent traveler, the airport perks can absolutely be worth the fee. Let’s say you take 20 round trips a year. The time saved by CLEAR and PreCheck, plus the money saved on food and drinks in the lounge, could easily be worth over $3,000. Add in the value of the travel insurance protections and the incredible peace of mind that comes from having a concierge to handle any disruptions, and you can easily justify the cost. For the road warrior, the improved airport experience is one of the card’s core value propositions.