Amex Centurion Lounges: Newark Opens in 2027, Heathrow Terminal 5 in 2028
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American Express will open the largest Centurion Lounge in its network at Newark in 2027, then a second Centurion Lounge at London Heathrow, in Terminal 5, in 2028. If you hold the Platinum Card from American Express issued in Canada, you will be able to use both, with no visit limit.
In its October 8, 2026 announcement, American Express also confirms bigger lounges in Philadelphia and Houston. The first change comes fast: the Philadelphia Centurion Lounge closes for renovation on October 16, 2026, until the end of 2027. Here is where these lounges will be, what you will find inside and how you get in with a Canadian card.
Newark: the largest Centurion Lounge in the network, in 2027
The new Centurion Lounge at Newark Liberty (EWR) will sit in Terminal A, across two floors. At more than 30,000 square feet, it will be the largest in the network. American Express first announced an 18,000-square-foot lounge: the project nearly doubled in size, and the opening moved to 2027, with no firm date yet.
Once Newark opens, American Express will have a Centurion Lounge at each of the three major New York airports, alongside LaGuardia and JFK. Newark's Terminal A handles Air Canada flights, among others.
Here is what you will find in the Newark lounge:
- Blue Roast coffee and wellness bar: espresso drinks, cold brew, smoothies, avocado toast and chia pudding.
- Three bars: a main bar for cocktails and wine, a specialty bar inspired by New Jersey diners, and a terrace bar serving gelato, Italian pastries and Italian-inspired cocktails.
- Food: dishes created by James Beard Award-winning chefs, including Kwame Onwuachi, Mike Solomonov, Mashama Bailey and Sarah Grueneberg.
Heathrow: a second Centurion Lounge, in Terminal 5, in 2028
At London Heathrow (LHR), American Express will open a second Centurion Lounge in Terminal 5, on top of the one already open in Terminal 3. The new lounge will cover more than 9,000 square feet, with a VIP area, work zones, a range of seating and a full food and drink offering. It is expected to open in 2028.
If you connect through London, you will have two Centurion Lounges at Heathrow, in Terminal 3 or Terminal 5, whichever matches your departure terminal.
Philadelphia and Houston: expansions and a temporary closure
In Philadelphia (PHL), the current 6,000-square-foot lounge will grow to more than 12,000 square feet over two floors. It closes for renovation on October 16, 2026, and should be fully updated by the end of 2027.
In Houston (IAH), the Terminal D lounge will grow from about 8,000 to more than 23,000 square feet, and you will find a second bar, a dining area with plated dishes and shower suites. Work should be finished in 2028.
Timeline of the announced Centurion Lounges
The table below gives you the four projects at a glance. The network counts 33 Centurion Lounges worldwide today, within the American Express Global Lounge Collection, which opens the door to more than 1,550 lounges in 140 countries.
| Airport | Project | Size | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newark Liberty (EWR), Terminal A | New lounge, over two floors | More than 30,000 sq. ft. | 2027 |
| London Heathrow (LHR), Terminal 5 | Second lounge at Heathrow | More than 9,000 sq. ft. | 2028 |
| Philadelphia (PHL) | Expansion, closed from October 16, 2026 | From 6,000 to more than 12,000 sq. ft. | End of 2027 |
| Houston (IAH), Terminal D | Expansion | From about 8,000 to more than 23,000 sq. ft. | 2028 |
Who gets in with a Canadian card
In Canada, you get into Centurion Lounges with the Platinum Card from American Express, as they are part of the Global Lounge Collection that comes with it. The Business Platinum Card from American Express gets you in as well.
Good news for your upcoming trips: starting January 1, 2027, only the free visits to Plaza Premium and Priority Pass lounges will be limited for Canadian Platinum Cardmembers. Access to Centurion Lounges stays unlimited, like the rest of the Global Lounge Collection. We broke down these Platinum Card lounge access limits for 2027.
- Annual fee
- $799
- Our valuationMilesopedia first-year estimate First-year valueWelcome bonus$1,190Total$1,190Plus $510 of bonus paid after the first year, not counted in this total.Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
- $1,190
- Welcome offerAfter $10,000 in 3 months
- Up to 100,000 points
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on American Express's website
Apply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).
Each time you visit a Centurion Lounge, you will need:
- An eligible card: the Platinum Card or the Business Platinum Card from American Express, shown at the desk.
- A same-day boarding pass: a confirmed booking with a seat or zone assigned, on any airline.
- The right timing: no more than 3 hours before departure, or no more than 5 hours before a connecting flight.
What it means for Canadian travellers
You are gaining two more lounges on routes you fly often, but the first concrete effect lands this fall: if you connect through Philadelphia, plan on another lounge from October 16, 2026. Newark follows in 2027 and Heathrow Terminal 5 in 2028.
Further out, the Newark Centurion Lounge becomes a strong option for your New York trips: the largest lounge in the network, in Terminal A, the one Air Canada uses. To get a feel for the Centurion experience, here is the entrance of the LaGuardia lounge, which we visited as a family.
Bottom Line
Mark three dates: October 16, 2026, when the Philadelphia lounge closes, 2027 for the Newark opening and 2028 for Heathrow Terminal 5. If lounge access weighs on your choice of card, we suggest you compare your options in our ranking of the best credit cards.
To hear about opening dates as soon as they are announced, create your free member account: you choose your newsletters there and get access to member-only offers.
When will the Newark Centurion Lounge open?
The Newark Liberty Centurion Lounge is scheduled to open in 2027, in Terminal A. American Express has not set an exact date yet. At more than 30,000 square feet over two floors, it will be the largest lounge in the network.
Where will the new Heathrow Centurion Lounge be?
The second Centurion Lounge at London Heathrow will be in Terminal 5 and is scheduled to open in 2028. It will cover more than 9,000 square feet. The Terminal 3 Centurion Lounge stays open.
Is the Philadelphia Centurion Lounge open?
Not from October 16, 2026. The lounge closes to grow from 6,000 to more than 12,000 square feet, and should be fully updated by the end of 2027.
Does a Canadian-issued American Express card get you into Centurion Lounges?
Yes, with the Platinum Card or the Business Platinum Card from American Express. Centurion Lounges are part of the Global Lounge Collection that comes with these cards in Canada.
Does the 2027 visit limit apply to Centurion Lounges?
No. Starting January 1, 2027, the limit only applies to Plaza Premium and Priority Pass lounges. Access to the other lounges in the Global Lounge Collection, Centurion Lounges included, stays unlimited.
How early can you get into a Centurion Lounge?
No more than 3 hours before your flight, with a same-day boarding pass on any airline. On a layover, the window extends to 5 hours before your connecting flight.
Which airlines fly out of Newark Terminal A?
Air Canada, American Airlines, Delta, JetBlue and United operate in Terminal A, according to the Newark airport website. That is where the new Centurion Lounge will be.
How many Centurion Lounges are there worldwide?
The network counts 33 Centurion Lounges. They are part of the American Express Global Lounge Collection, which gives access to more than 1,550 lounges in 140 countries.