Lounge Review: American Express The Centurion Lounge – SEA – LoungeReview.com (2024)

The American Express Centurion Lounge at Seattle-Tacoma airport is a luxurious retreat for holders of the Amex Platinum Card and Centurion Card. The club belongs to an ever-expanding network spanning over 25 locations worldwide, including major airports likeSan Francisco (SFO), Los Angeles (LAX), New York JFK, and Hong Kong (HKG.)

Situated at the center of the main terminal, the American Express Centurion Lounge Seattle opened in 2023, succeeding a much more modest original location in Concourse B. At Sea-Tac airport, all gates and terminals are connected airside, allowing travelers to access the lounge regardless of their airline or destination. To find the lounge, locate the Ever Greens Restaurant on the left side of the central atrium and take the elevator to the upper floor.

American Express Platinum Card holders can visit the lounge within three hours of their flight’s departure or at any time during a layover. Members who spend $75,000 or more on eligible purchases in a calendar year can bring two guests, while other customers can purchase access for guests for $50 per adult. Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card holders can access the club when flying Delta but cannot bring guests.

American Express The Centurion Lounge SEA design

Perched on a new mezzanine floor overlooking the central atrium and the tarmac, the Centurion Lounge at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport occupies prime real estate custom-built for American Express. Spanning an impressive 14,000 square feet, with seating for over 400 guests, the sprawling club is the third largest at SEA, behind the Delta Sky Club (21,000 sq. f.), and just shy of the flagship Alaska Lounge‘s 15,800 square feet.

Upon arrival at the top of the escalator, guests are greeted by American Express’ signature living wall and scent, consistent elements of the Centurion Lounge experience worldwide. From the lobby, patrons can appreciate the club’s airy feel and remarkable vantage point over the tarmac.

The reception area flows into a vibrant bar flanked by a small living room-like seating zone. Flooded with daylight, this dramatic space features a soaring window wall and cathedral ceilings, offering some of the airport’s best tarmac views. On clear days, patrons can enjoy inspiring views of Mount Rainier. Should the mountain be obscured by Seattle’s typical overcast skies, the sunsets are still a sight to behold.

The bar, accented by bronze-colored arches, serves as the hotspot of the lounge and the focal point of its design. Smooth jazzy tunes add to the ambiance, though the area is often crowded and noisy. Patrons have their choice of bar seating, communal or dining tables, or tabletop seating overlooking the tarmac, but the layout is tight and aims as packing as many customers as possible.

Adjacent to the bar is a living room area furnished with plush couches and marble coffee tables, offering a less cramped and more upscale co*cktail bar vibe, reserved for Amex Centurion holders. (Non-Black Card holders can find equally comfortable seating options if they explore further into the lounge.)

Behind the bar lies the buffet area and main dining room, a darker but impressive space featuring dining booths against a striking backdrop of fractal-like patterns. The décor deviates from the standard Centurion Lounge lookbook. With each new club opening, American Express has refined their approach to design, adding local flare and bespoke touches.

Beyond the dining room are three quieter work and relaxation rooms. With warmer colors and a more subdued ambiance, these spaces offer a retreat from the bustling main areas.

Walking towards the rear of the lounge, patrons will find another reserved section for Centurion cardholders, followed by a striking living room area along the windows. Featuring a sculptural dark blue sofa, cozy nooks, plush armchairs and couches, and American Express memorabilia, this space offers a serene environment with views of the tarmac. Don’t miss the artwork—a 40-square-foot Seattle cityscape made entirely of coffee beans crafted by local artist Harold Caudio, in a nod to the Pacific Northwest’s coffee culture.

The last and quietest room serves as both a relaxation and workspace, and is equipped with a communal table, cube chairs, several semi-private nooks, and fully private phone/work rooms available on a first-come, first-served basis (obtain a key at the reception desk). While this room lacks tarmac views as it overlooks an adjacent structure’s roof, it offers a tranquil setting for work or relaxation.

Nearly all seats feature power outlets and USB ports, except in the bar area.

Overall, the Amex Centurion Lounge at Seattle-Tacoma airport scores a high mark when it comes to design. It’s spacious, well laid out, and features both vibrant, open spaces, and more secluded zones with semi-private nooks. The modern yet residential décor incorporates several local touches, giving the club a distinct sense of place.

American Express The Centurion Lounge SEA amenities

A far cry from its humble roots as a “Centurion Studio,” the expansive American Express Centurion Lounge at Seattle-Tacoma Airport boasts an excellent array of luxurious amenities, all complimentary.

American Express has built its reputation as an airport lounge operator on its elevated food and beverage selection, setting a high standard for airlines and other operators to match. In Seattle, the lounge offers the typical hot spread for which Amex is famous, with added local touches to suit the Pacific Northwest culture.

In addition to the hot buffet, the Centurion Lounge SEA features a “Wellness Café” offering a variety of healthy and vegetarian fare. During our visit, the menu included a chia power bowl, kale chips, gluten-free blueberry pastries, three types of smoothies, and other light plates, providing a welcome alternative to typical, heavier lounge food. The buffet, curated by a local chef, is impressive, too. Standout items include Trinidadian-spiced pork belly and a blackened chicken cobb salad.

The lounge also boasts a full-service complimentary coffee shop, fitting for the Emerald City outpost. The menu includes classics like lattes, cappuccinos, macchiatos, and mochas, as well as extras like chai tea lattes, kombucha, and cold brew.

Unfortunately, it’s worth noting that the Wellness Café and coffee shop close at 7 p.m., well ahead of the lounge’s closure.

The well-stocked bar serves a variety of beers and wines, as well as classic and bespoke co*cktails curated by long-time Centurion Lounge mixologist Jim Meehan. The Seattle location maintains American Express Centurion Lounges’ reputation for excellence in the alcoholic beverage department.

Catering to business travelers, the Centurion Lounge offers a range of thoughtful amenities, including fast Wi-Fi, a wireless printer, plentiful power points, and two private, fully enclosed work booths located in the quiet area of the club. To use these private workspaces, inquire with the receptionists. The rooms are available on a first come, first served basis.

The club features a single shower room equipped with a rain shower, toilet, and sink, stocked with L’Occitane bath products. Given the lounge’s size, it’s unfortunate that American Express has chosen to offer only one shower room (as a comparison, the Delta Sky Club has six shower suites.) It’s advisable to inquire early, especially in the evenings ahead of red-eye flights when demand for the shower is high. Additionally, there is a spacious bathroom, a notable improvement from the former Centurion Studio where long lines were common.

Finally, the Centurion Lounge offers a so-called “multi-purpose room,” which is essentially the successor to the family room found in previous Centurion Lounges in the US. This fully private space features plush sofas, coffee tables, stools, and a TV, and serves as a VIP room, meeting room, or family area. Inquire with the American Express representatives if you wish to use this amenity. However, note that there are no toys or games for children.

American Express The Centurion Lounge SEA bottom line

The Centurion Lounge by American Express at Seattle-Tacoma Airport stands as a superb facility and the best lounge at SEA in our opinion. While the flagship Delta Sky Club is a strong competitor, American Express delivers a slightly more sophisticated experience. The Centurion Lounge offers healthier fare, a fully complimentary bar, private workspaces, and a serene, residential décor, though the Sky Club boasts a more dramatic design and more shower rooms.

The evolution of the Centurion Lounge from its humble “Centurion Studio” beginnings in 2015 is a testament to the intense competition in the airport lounge sphere and to American Express’ commitment to its product.

Unfortunately, regardless of the intrinsic qualities of the Centurion Lounge SEA, some American Express card members are bound to be disappointed. Despite its impressive 14,000 square foot footprint and recent restrictions on guest admittance, the Centurion Lounge struggles to meet demand at peak hours. Visitors are often placed on a waitlist, and finding a seat in a quiet area can be challenging.