Amex Launches Centurion Lounge Wait Times in New Travel App

American Express Unveils New Travel App with Enhanced Lounge Access

American Express is set to make waves this week with several exciting updates, starting with a major enhancement to its Centurion Lounges. The company announced on Monday that it will be launching a brand-new mobile travel app called the Amex Travel App later this week on Thursday. Initially available for iOS devices, the Android version will follow in the coming weeks.

The Amex Travel App is packed with features designed to streamline and enhance the travel experience. One of the most anticipated additions is the ability to check estimated wait times at Centurion Lounges. This feature will allow members to know how long they might have to wait on the standby list before being admitted to an at-capacity lounge. While this functionality will initially be available within the traditional Amex app, it will eventually be integrated into the new Amex Travel App over the next few months.

Travelers can also join the lounge waitlist directly through the app. Although no one wants to rely on this feature, the reality is that lounge overcrowding seems to be a persistent issue. For frequent travelers like myself, this feature could be a game-changer. I’ve often found myself arriving at a lounge only to discover that I won’t be admitted until after my flight has already departed. Not only is this frustrating, but it also means less time to find another lounge nearby or return to my gate area.

Beyond the lounge wait times, the Amex Travel App offers a range of other useful tools. It includes destination inspiration, unified planning tools for flights, hotels, and transportation, and a seamless booking experience. The app also makes it easy to explore Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection properties, providing users with a curated selection of luxury accommodations.

Another unique feature being introduced is the ability to commemorate past travels via digital stamps. These stamps are collected for each country or region where you swipe your Amex card while traveling. Users can share these stamps on social media or via text, and they can even customize them with highlights from their trip. The stamps are stored as unique tokens on a public blockchain, ensuring that your travel history is permanently memorialized as a digital collectible.

Amex has hinted that more features will be added to the app in the future, including personalized hotel recommendations and embedded award benefits. However, the company has not yet provided specific details about what’s coming next. As a user, I would love to see an improved benefits tracker across all my cards, which could help me better manage and maximize my rewards.

Thursday is shaping up to be a big day for American Express. In addition to the launch of the Amex Travel App, the company has teased the potential announcement or introduction of a refreshed Platinum card. On social media, Amex shared a post with the message "coming 9.18.25" alongside a silhouette that appears to be the Platinum Card® from American Express. While I’m definitely looking forward to downloading the new app, I’ll also be keeping a close eye on any other updates from the company.

For those interested in exploring more about airport lounge access, there are several resources available. These include guides on lounge access with the Amex Platinum and Business Platinum cards, tips for navigating airport lounges, and lists of domestic lounges worth visiting. Additionally, readers can explore which American Express credit card best suits their needs.

It’s important to note that the opinions expressed here are solely those of the author and have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by any bank, credit card issuer, airline, or hotel chain.