I visited airport lounges by AmEx and Chase. Both are great, but Centurion is better for 2 key reasons.

Taylor RainsSep 14, 2024, 18:04 IST

I'm convinced AmEx's Centurion Lounge network is worth paying $695 a year for.American Express<ul class="summary-list"><li>Chase Sapphire Reserve credit cardholders can use special Chase-branded airport lounges.</li><li>The six lounges compete with American Express' well-established Centurion Lounge network.</li></ul>I've been a <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/chase-lounge-jfk-laguardia-nyc-credit-card-review-2024-8">Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card loyalist</a> for years.<a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/british-airways-vs-virgin-atlantic-nyc-london-compared-2024-9">I fly frequently for my job</a> and invest the $550 annual fee for its comforts, like trip protection, free Global Entry, and airport lounge access. The latter includes Priority Pass and the <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/credit-cards/chase-sapphire-lounge">Chase-owned airport lounges</a> that have been popping up since 2023.However, I recently <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/american-express-amex-centurion-lounge-first-visit-see-inside-2024-9">toured an American Express Centurion Lounge</a> for the first time and realized what I've been missing out on.AmEx was the first credit card company to open a branded lounge at an airport when it <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/inside-the-american-express-centurion-lounge-las-vegas-airport-review-2021-3">launched Centurion in Las Vegas</a> in 2013. Since pioneering the trend, AmEx has expanded its <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/american-express-denver-airport-amex-centurion-lounge-photos-2021-3">Centurion collection</a> to about 30 locations worldwide, far exceeding Chase's six.The Centurion concept changed how people experience travel by making lounge access dependent on owning a specific credit card rather than on airline loyalty. Only those with an <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/credit-cards/best-american-express-cards">AmEx Platinum</a>, AmEx Business Platinum, AmEx Centurion, Delta SkyMiles Reserve, or Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business credit card can enter Centurion.Centurion and Chase only compete domestically in New York City, and I've now experienced <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/first-time-in-airport-lounge-surprising-things-chase-sapphire-2024-2">both locations at LaGuardia Airport.</a>I liked Chase's unique amenities, but AmEx has an overall better airport lounge network. Given <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/economy-class-airlines-compared-best-worst-2023-10">my travel habits</a>, Centurion access alone would be worth having both Chase and AmEx in my wallet.

Centurion and Chase are neighbors at LaGuardia.

The entrance to the Chase lounge at LaGuardia is to the left of Centurion.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

Chase's lounge is twice the size of Centurion.

The first (top) and second (bottom) floors in the Chase Sapphire Lounge at LaGuardia.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

I didn't mind the smaller Centurion.

Inside the LaGuardia Centurion Lounge.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

Both had ample seating across several rooms.

LaGuardia's Chase Sapphire Lounge (pictured) was spacious with more sitting room than Centurion.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

Chase has an arcade, a playroom, and a spa.

AmEx's playroom is the bottom right photo, the rest are Chase.Joey Hadden, Taylor Rains/Business Insider

You can reserve a wellness room at the Sapphire Lounge.

The rest pods at Chase LaGuardia.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Guests can pay extra for Chase's 'Retreat Suite.'

BI's Joey Hadden toured the suites during an exclusive visit in February.Joey Hadden/Business Insider

The food at Centurion was better.

Examples of the food and buffet at Chase (top) and Centurion (bottom).Taylor Rains/Business Insider

Chase had an a-la-carte menu.

The a-la-carte options at both the New York-JFK and LaGuardia locations, including JFK's salmon (top left) and bao (bottom) and LaGuardia's omelet (top right).Taylor Rains/Business Insider

Both have a nice-sized bar.

The Chase (top) and Centurion (bottom) bars.Taylor Rains/Business Insider, American Express

The service at Centurion was among the best.

People eat in the dining room at the Centurion Lounge.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

I liked Centurion's separate business center.

The business center had plenty of private nooks for working.Taylor Rains/Business Insider, American Express

I loved the cabin-like ambiance of both.

I liked the wood-like finishings and cabin-like decor in Chase (top) and Centurion (bottom). Both lounges have a lot of natural light.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

LaGuardia's Centurion Lounge just scratches the surface.

BI visited AmEx's Denver Centurion Lounge after it opened in 2021.Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

I think AmEx has an overall better network.

I visited an AmEx Centurion Lounge for the first time this month and was impressed.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

Chase's network is a good start, and I'm hoping for international growth.

I visited the Austin location in October 2023, which is exclusive to Reserve cardholders and not in the Priority Pass network.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

I'd pay for both AmEx and Chase.

I am seriously considering getting an AmEx Platinum card, but I won't give up Chase.Taylor Rains/Business Insider

Everyone thinks Boston's famed skinny house, sold for $1.25 million, was built out of spite — but that might be a century-old myth.

Cookies on the Business Insider India website