Amex has been on a roll lately, opening new Centurion Lounges in Atlanta (ATL), Washington, DC-Reagan (DCA) and most recently in Mexico City (MEX). The bank has also announced plans to open a new branch in Tokyo (HND) next year.
But why stop here? On Wednesday, American Express announced plans to open a Centurion Lounge at Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) sometime in 2025The newly constructed lounge will be located in the new Concourse B and will be part of the fourth phase of the airport’s redevelopment program “The New SLC”.
This will be a welcome sight for travelers, as the airport currently hosts only a single Delta Sky Club and USO Lounge, which are exclusively open to U.S. military personnel and their families.
At nearly 15,000 square feet, the new lounge will not be the largest Centurion Lounge in Amex’s portfolio, but it should be a reasonable size, and the planned year-round outdoor terrace with scenic views of the Wasatch Mountains will no doubt help make it feel larger.
The new Salt Lake City lounge is expected to feature all the usual amenities that set Centurion lounges apart from the competition, including great food and beverages, high-speed Wi-Fi, quiet work areas, a shower area, and a little local flair, like a Blue Roast by American Express coffee bar with specialty coffee drinks from a local roaster.
As for food, the SLC Centurion Lounge plans to partner with an award-winning chef to offer a menu full of fresh, local ingredients. Guests can expect a rotating selection of hot breakfast items, main courses, sides, salads and soups, as well as freshly prepared desserts throughout the day.
If you’re thirsty, there are not one but two different bars offering a wide selection of locally inspired cocktails, wines and soft drinks.
I don’t want to spoil the mood – this is all good news – but it’s worth noting that Amex’s Centurion Lounges have become the poster child for crowded lounges lately as travelers have added the top lounges *Amex Platinum* in record numbers into their wallets.
The problem of overcrowding and long queues is likely to be a problem here as well, as American Express is closely tied to the Salt Lake City region and its headquarters are just a few miles away in Sandy, California.
“American Express has strong roots in the Salt Lake City community. Many of our colleagues and cardmembers live here, and it is a popular vacation destination for U.S. and international cardmembers,” said Audrey Hendley, president of American Express Travel, in a statement. “The new Centurion Lounge offers eligible cardmembers a taste of what this beautiful destination has to offer, providing first-class amenities for all types of travelers.”
Those local ties, coupled with Delta’s dominance in Salt Lake City, are sure to be a recipe for disaster. Since the bank and airline have reciprocal access agreements for their top cardholders, there will likely be plenty of travelers waiting outside on opening day and beyond.
How to get in
Access to this new Centurion Lounge in SLC will likely be similar to other Amex lounges. Simply show your *Amex Platinum*, *Biz-Platinum*or American Express Centurion card (by invitation only), a boarding pass and an ID card.
Saving tip: Don’t have your Amex card with you? With the Amex app, you can still get in by scanning a QR code on your phone. That way, you don’t have to show your card at the check-in counter.
You can also stay in Amex Centurion Lounges with the top level *Delta Reserve Card*but there’s a catch: you have to fly with Delta that day – and you have to have paid for your ticket with your Reserve Card.
Guests typically cost $50 per person (or $30 for minors), unless you charge a whopping $75,000 per year to your Amex Platinum Card.
Read our complete guide to Amex Centurion Lounges!
Conclusion
Amex just announced plans to open a new Centurion Lounge in the new Concourse B in Salt Lake City in 2025.
While it’s not the largest lounge in Amex’s portfolio, when it opens guests can expect the usual amenities, including excellent food and drinks, fast Wi-Fi, showers, workstations, and comfortable seating to relax before a flight. That is, when you get in.
Cover image courtesy of American Express
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