What happened
American Express implemented two key changes to Centurion Lounge access rules effective July 8, 2026, affecting lounges in the U.S., London Heathrow, Tokyo Haneda, Hong Kong, Sydney, and Melbourne. 1. Same-Flight Guest Rule: Guests must now be booked on the cardholder's specific flight, ending the previous allowance for guests flying anywhere that day. 2. Layover Cap: Connecting passengers can now only enter the lounge within five hours of their onward departure, replacing the previous unlimited window. Origin departures remain subject to the existing three-hour window. The changes apply to Platinum Card, Business Platinum, Corporate Platinum, and Delta SkyMiles Reserve cardholders