Visiting the Amex Centurion Lounge at the Houston Intercontinental Airport (IAH) for the first time was an eye-opening experience. Basically, I learned that not all Amex Lounges are created equal.
I found this one to be small, somewhat cramped, and not all that relaxing. While it looked very similar to other Amex Lounges that I’ve visited in the past, it had a “budget” vibe to it that none of the other ones seem to have.
The food though. If there was one redeeming quality of my visit, it was the heaping plate of deliciousness that very much lived up to the Amex Centurion name.
My full review of the American Express Centurion Lounge at IAH
I had high expectations as I was making my way to the entrance. However, while I wasn’t completely dissatisfied with my experience, it didn’t quite live up to my admittedly lofty expectations.
Location
Finding the Amex Centurion Lounge at IAH will be a bit of a struggle. Located in Concourse D, the entrance is actually buried deep within a duty-free shop near gate D12. It’s the single weirdest entrance to an airport lounge that I’ve ever seen.
I like how they assume anyone will actually see the sign pointing to the Centurion Lounge with all that duty free alcohol on display.
If you make it past the alcohol, take the elevator down one level to reach to lounge.The elevator will open, and…you’ll see this. You’re not there quite yet, cowboy.A full minute later and I’m still not there yet! It was at this point that I was thinking that I should’ve just grabbed some alcohol in the duty-free shop and called it a day.I’ve never been happier to see an airport lounge entrance in all my life. This better be good!OK yeah, this does look good. Hope you still have some energy left to mosey on up to the reception desk though – it’s a bit of a walk once you pass through the main entrance.
Layout
Unlike the Centurion Lounge at SFO, the one here at IAH is essentially one large room sectioned off into three individual spaces. The bar and food buffet is one section, and the other two sections are lounging areas with shared communal (and private) spaces.
If there’s one pic that captures the entire essence of this lounge, it’s gotta be this one. What you’re seeing is about 75% of the entire space.Here’s the other 25%. Assuming I did the math right, I declare this to be one of the smallest Amex lounges in existence.Think of it as one large(ish) room creatively broken up into individual sections. It’s basically what the Hawaiian Airlines Premier Club at HNL could’ve been if they actually gave a ****.Nothing says “we give a ****” more than seeing the same decor that I’ve shown you in my other American Express Centurion Lounge reviews. They’re getting a lot of mileage out of those black cube chairs!
Seating
Of all the Amex Centurion Lounges that I’ve visited so far, the one here at IAH offers the least amount of comfortable seating. The lack of space has obviously limited what kind of seating they were able to include, but they tried their best. Most of the seating is basic and not particularly good for stretching out and relaxing.
The first thing you’ll notice about the seating in this lounge is that there isn’t very much of it. This is the entirety of the cafeteria style seating.The view from the other direction shows how small the space really is. Prepare to rub elbows!As an introvert, this pic of the opposing couches (in the main room) gives me the willies. I’d much prefer scrubbing toilets than to look directly into the eyes of complete strangers.This communal work table isn’t any better. RIP to any females who dare squeezing into this sausage fest.Here’s a view of the same tech bro table from the other direction.Panning to the left a bit reveals more seating options along the wall. Think of these seats as the bullpen for the tech bro table.Hmm. If there’s one thing to be learned from this review so far, it’s that bony butt types (such as myself) aren’t likely to find a comfortable seat.That said, the fluffy chairs in the “Calm” branded meditation room look pretty sweet (and bony butt friendly).
Food
I don’t think I would be able to recommend this lounge at all if the food wasn’t good. I mean, if there’s one thing that every Amex Centurion Lounge does right, it’s the food. The one here at IAH is no exception – though I did find the buffet to be slightly smaller compared to other Centurion Lounges.
But wait! As you’re about to see, it’s the food that makes up for the lack of quality seating in this lounge.The salad bar looks pretty good……but it’s the hot bar items (and cookies) that you’ll want to load up on.Looks like I’m not the only one who can vouch for the cookies!I wonder how often they have to refill these fruit bowls? I’m guessing once a week. Tops.Here’s what I managed to scrape together. The fish was legit, BTW.Also spread throughout the lounge were these convenient beverage and snack stations (with more fruit bowls they likely never have to refill).Yup, there’s self serve coffee and tea as well!Speaking of drinks, this is the bar (along with the bartender seemingly telling that guy to shut up about how much nicer the bar in the LAX Centurion Lounge is).
How to get in
One of the problems I have with airport lounges (in general) is the amount of research it takes to figure out if I have the credentials to get in. Getting into an American Express Centurion Lounge is relatively straightforward though. I like how the rules are consistent from location to location.
You’ll need one of the following American Express cards to get in (along with a same day boarding pass and government issued ID):
On the subject of entry requirements, you’re going to have to make an appointment to use the showers. Those of you looking for a coed free-for-all are going to have to look elsewhere.Maybe you could get something going with a few willing participants in the phone room? It looks to be private enough for a good time.I’d bet anything that nobody has ever had a good time here at this printer station though. I can feel the life being sucked right out of me just by looking at it.
Pros and cons of the Amex IAH Centurion Lounge
Long story short, I’m of the opinion that the only legitimate reason to visit this lounge is for the food and drinks. It’s not all that great of a place for relaxation – mainly because of how small and crowded it is. That said, here’s my specific list of pros and cons:
Pros
The food is excellent, and very much on par with other lounges in the Amex Centurion network.
The large bar area makes it an excellent place to pop in for a drink or two (or three).
The lounge attendants were incredibly kind and helpful, offering me drink refills and anything else I might need during my visit.
Cons
It’s cozy. Another way of saying it is that it’s small. And yet another way is to say it’s cramped. None of those statements are false.
I found the atmosphere to be too noisy and busy to be able to relax.
The buffet seemed a little small compared to other Centurion Lounges.
Not a terribly impressive looking lounge. I would have thought AMEX might try switching things up a bit. The green wall is kind of a signature item, but the black cube chairs you called out and the suitcase wall are a little too familiar. At least it wasn’t as crowded as I’ve seen other Centurion lounges recently.
Yeah, if there’s one thing I like about the Centurion Lounges, it’s that they’re extremely consistent. This one is definitely cozier than some of the others that I’ve visited, but all the decor (and a lot of the food) is the essentially the same.
I’ll forever remember how challenging it was to find though (lol).
Tried to visit last week (midafternoon). The Amex app said it wasn’t busy, but when I got there the line was out the door and staff was warning that it was at least a 30 minute wait. I was about 50’ away when I heard that, and both I and the guy I rode down in the elevator with turned around and went back up. Hopefully they’ll get a better space when/if all the IAH construction finishes.
Yeah, the IAH Amex Lounge is definitely not worth a 30 minute wait! I would have turned around as well (and ran as fast as I could in the other direction lol).
I quite like the concept of the Amex Lounges – and it appears that many others do as well. The overcrowding sucks for sure.
Jason B
Not a terribly impressive looking lounge. I would have thought AMEX might try switching things up a bit. The green wall is kind of a signature item, but the black cube chairs you called out and the suitcase wall are a little too familiar. At least it wasn’t as crowded as I’ve seen other Centurion lounges recently.
Scott (SANspotter)
Yeah, if there’s one thing I like about the Centurion Lounges, it’s that they’re extremely consistent. This one is definitely cozier than some of the others that I’ve visited, but all the decor (and a lot of the food) is the essentially the same.
I’ll forever remember how challenging it was to find though (lol).
Kevin
Tried to visit last week (midafternoon). The Amex app said it wasn’t busy, but when I got there the line was out the door and staff was warning that it was at least a 30 minute wait. I was about 50’ away when I heard that, and both I and the guy I rode down in the elevator with turned around and went back up. Hopefully they’ll get a better space when/if all the IAH construction finishes.
Scott (SANspotter)
Yeah, the IAH Amex Lounge is definitely not worth a 30 minute wait! I would have turned around as well (and ran as fast as I could in the other direction lol).
I quite like the concept of the Amex Lounges – and it appears that many others do as well. The overcrowding sucks for sure.