It has been about eight years since our last visit to the American Express Centurion Lounge Las Vegas. Our last visit occurred when this location was one of the initial Centurion Lounges in the system. Since then, the American Express Centurion Lounge Las Vegas has undergone a mild expansion to address capacity issues. How would the lounge fare after all these years, and did the American Express Centurion Lounge still deliver?

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This post is one chapter on our trip during the end of the pandemic to Las Vegas, United States of America. This trip was enhanced through Marriott Bonvoy Elite Status, Hertz Gold Plus Rewards and Alaska Mileage Plan. For more information on how this trip was booked, please see our trip introduction here. For other parts of the trip, please see this index.

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Review: American Express Centurion Lounge, Terminal 1 – “D” Gates, Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States of America.

This marked a return visit to the American Express Centurion Lounge Las Vegas. For a review of our initial visit to the Lounge, please see our earlier review of the American Express Centurion Lounge Las Vegas.

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I had arrived to the airport and checked into my flight on Alaska Airlines at the Terminal 3 – “E” Gates check in area. After a visit to The Club at LAS Lounge Terminal 3 – “E” Gates, and The Club at LAS Lounge Terminal 1 – “D” Gates, I headed over to the American Express Centurion Lounge.

The American Express Centurion Lounge Las Vegas under went an expansion in 2019 and increased in size from its’ initial 9,000 square feet, to a more comfortable sized 13,400 square feet. As the American Express Centurion Lounges occasionally get concerns of overcrowding, this expansion was welcomed.

Locating the American Express Centurion Lounge:

The Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport is split into three buildings and two terminals. Our Alaska Airlines flight had us departing through the newer Terminal 3; which exists of a stand alone building.

The other Terminal 1 building is split between a primary building and an in-field concourse called “D” Gates. The second The Club at LAS – Terminal 1 “D” Gates was located within this in field terminal.

The Terminal 1 – “D” Gates building is shaped as an “X” and consists of a main retail area in the middle part. The American Express Centurion Lounge Las Vegas is located immediately adjacent to Gate D1. It is located in a space that is opposite from the terminal to The Club at LAS – Terminal 1 “D” Gates; a space that contains a similar footprint on the other side of the terminal.

After checking in, immediately after passing through TSA Pre-Check at Terminal 3, I took the underground train that connects Terminal 3 to Terminal 1 D Terminal. This process took about 12 minutes. There was a train that was waiting for me on arrival to the underground train station area, making the wait as short as possible.

The American Express Centurion Lounge is very easily found with strong American Express branding on the outside of the lounge. The wall features a large version of the American Express Centurion emblazoned in bright blue.

The lounge entry has been upgraded since my last visit, where it featured a more subtile white entrance.

Accessing the Lounge:

The American Express Centurion Lounge is accessible by holding American Express Platinum or Centurion Cards. Access with these cards are complimentary up to three hours before your flight, and include up to two guests. Additional guests may be invited in for $50 USD. If you are on a connecting flight, you are exempt from the three hour time limit.

On my visit today, there was no wait to be admitted into the lounge. After showing my American Express Card, photo identification and boarding pass, I was admitted without delay and offered a copy of the wifi password.

Inside the American Express Centurion Lounge Las Vegas:

Since our last visit, the American Express Centurion Lounge Las Vegas had expanded from it’s initial 9,000 square feet, to a more comfortable 13,400 square feet. The expansion was marketed as an almost a 50% increase in floor space.

Indeed, the additional space led to a lot more elbow room in what is traditionally a very busy space. There was additional seating that could be found and a much more spacious orientation surrounding the restaurant area.

The older part of the lounge surrounding the outdoor windows remained unchanged. This space contained the familiar seating typically found in American Express lounges, and offered dedicated reserved seating for American Express Centurion Card members.

In terms of wear and tear, the American Express Centurion Lounge is showing remarkably well for a lounge that is almost ten years old. The condition of the lounge is in great condition, and it shows much better than an airline lounge that typically doesn’t get upgraded as quickly as the American Express Lounges.

Food and Beverage:

The food and beverage program at the American Express Centurion Lounges are exceptional. Each lounge features a prominent bar, which is usually the focal point of the beverage program. The American Express Centurion Lounge Las Vegas was no exception to this rule, featuring an attractive looking space. The space has been opened up, and features a brighter setting accented with natural light.

The bar offered a comfortable list of interesting cocktails, which are one of my favourite features of the American Express Centurion Lounge. There is usually an interesting cocktail available on the menu, and it’s a refreshing treat to be able to enjoy a cocktail, when most other airline lounges offer a limited an unexciting beer, wine and spirit collection.

In addition, the upgraded American Express Centurion Lounge featured an expanded food area featuring a self service buffet. The space was upgraded since our last visit, and offers room for lots of people to easily access the food area.

The American Express Centurion Lounge Las Vegas offered a comfortable buffet of attractive looking snacks and salads. Today’s food offers included sweet potato purée, couscous, and Mediterranean olives, peppers and an assortment of mesculin salad.

I really appreciate the efforts that American Express Centurion Lounges put into their food and beverage program. There is often enough in the lounge to substitute as a meal replacement for those that are on the go and don’t have time to stop for a proper sit down meal.

How Does the Centurion Lounge Compare to The Club at LAS?

For those holding an American Express Platinum Card, and are considering whether to visit the American Express Centurion Lounge or the other lounges accessed through Priority Pass, it is obvious that the American Express Centurion Lounge is miles ahead of The Club at LAS Terminal C – “E” Gates and The Club at LAS Terminal 1 – “D” Gates.

The American Express Centurion Lounge offers a nicer space that is nicely decorated. Despite being placed in the same footprint of The Club at LAS Terminal 1 – “D” Gates, American Express has made their lounge space much more exclusive and comfortable looking. The food and beverage program is far ahead of the other spaces. As a result, it’s easy to recommend the Centurion Lounge over the competing spaces.

My Thoughts on the American Express Centurion Lounge Las Vegas:

The American Express Centurion Lounge Las Vegas has easily maintained its standards as a premium travel lounge. Thanks to its recent expansion, the space is even more comfortable. The food and beverage program continues to deliver, and the lounge is wearing well as it nears its tenth birthday.

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If you’ve visited the American Express Centurion Lounge Las Vegas after the expansion, did you notice that your visit was more comfortable ?

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