Review: American Express Centurion Lounge at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

…Has some of what makes Centurion Lounges favorites…. but not the best in the network.

The American Express Centurion Lounge at LAX checks the boxes of what travelers expect in these lounges. However, this lounge is not the best in the network, hampered by a bizarre layout, a décor that does not match up with some its counterparts, and a smaller buffet.

The summary

The lounge is on Floor 2 of the Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT). This means you have to take an elevator down to enter the space. It is most easily accessible if you enter the TBIT from TSA pre-check security. Fortunately, there is good signage in the terminal to guide most travelers.

After presenting your credentials at reception, you can go to the right or left. After taking a left – again you can choose to take a right or a left. I chose right. Any repeat visitor to Centurion lounges will recognize much the of the familiar (and nice) design touches: the dog logo, the variety of seating, the suitcases used as displays. However, the first seating area, in front of the dog logo, is reserved for Centurion Card (fka, Black Card) holders. The next area (with the television and suitcase display) is where you will find the smaller of the two bars in the lounge as well as a rather large coffee and tea station.

As you venture further into the lounge, one comes into another room with a mounted television, a communal table and some other small tables. Across from this room is a series of semi-private work stations, which were all occupied during my visit. Keep walking and you will see a private room on the left (I think reserved for families).

A bit further down is one the lounge’s highlights: a relaxation room with several loungers, which is illuminated by a blue light and which has a ceiling designed to evoke the stars. The loungers were all occupied during my visit. Past this room was a lovely room with booths and tables – but it was cordoned off as being reserved for Centurion Card holders.

Going back to where we started. If you choose to go the left, you are directed into a featureless hallway enlivened by some pictures that pay homage to LA’s music scene. There were tables across from these pictures – but they were all occupied. Take another left and you will pass the entry to the washrooms and the showers.

The next room you enter has a lot of table and counter seating. This is the room that houses the main bar. I have say, I do love the classic American Express logo above the bar. Next to the bar is the buffet. The buffet had some sweets (brownies, cookies), salad fixings, feta mushroom with spinach, fried polenta, lemon herb chicken, and soup. It all looked tasty, but I have seen larger more inventive buffets in every other Centurion Lounge I have visited.

Keep walking past the buffet and you will find a large coffee, infused water and soft drink station on the right. A little bit further down, I was surprised to find another room. This room was bright with an interesting ceiling, wood paneling, and a lit display of greenery along the walls that added some welcome color. However, the furniture in the room was not remarkable.

I should add that the internet connection worked well and that there were plenty of charging outlets throughout the lounge. The staff seemed to working hard to keep with the crowds – these lounges are habitually crowded.

The overall décor of this lounge was a let down – even with the familiar touches that travelers are used to, other Centurion Lounges are more luxurious (JFK, LGA, ATL). In addition, although I liked what was on offer in the buffet, the choices at other Centurion Lounges were much more extensive.

The wrap

…The details. Date – May 10, 2025. Rating: Enjoyable (but disappointed). Access: Platinum Card (within 3 hours of departure)

..What I like: The familiar American Express branding, the star lit relaxation room

..What I don’t like: The limited buffet, the décor that does not match other Centurion Lounges.