American Express is flexing its lounge muscle mass with the opening of an unique membership inside one in every of New York City’s tallest skyscrapers.
The issuer is constructing what it is calling the “Centurion New York” contained in the 93-story One Vanderbilt constructing in midtown Manhattan, positioned just some blocks from Grand Central Terminal and Bryant Park.
While the house is called after the invite-only Centurion Card from American Express, the lounge will truly be open to everybody. Here’s what we all know to date.
The info for the Centurion Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or supplied by the cardboard issuer.
What is the opening date of the Centurion New York?
The Centurion New York is because of open in March 2023. Reservations are anticipated to open in late February.
What’s contained in the Centurion New York?
The unique Centurion Club will supply all Amex cardholders an opulent escape from the hustle and bustle of New York City.
The facilities embody a complete eating menu, an in depth drink listing and loads of areas to loosen up and mingle with different cardmembers.
Popular Michellin-starred chef Daniel Boulud, greatest recognized for his eponymous restaurant Daniel, will curate an off-the-cuff and tremendous eating menu for the Centurion New York, although it wasn’t instantly clear whether or not the meals choices will likely be complimentary.
The Centurion New York will likely be staffed by specifically skilled concierges who’ll be capable to assist cardholders with any private requests starting from eating reservations to journey plans.
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While the lounge’s measurement and format are a tightly saved secret, Amex advertises that the house was designed by famend studio Yabu Pushelberg. The partitions will likely be adorned with a rotating collection of art work curated by Artsy, a web-based artwork market. Should you have an interest, these items will likely be out there for buy.
Your olfactory senses may also be in for a shock as Diptyque created a particular scent that’ll be pumped into the lounge.
While many of the facilities will likely be out there to all cardholders, some will likely be reserved for these with the Centurion (“black”) Card.
This contains unique member-only occasions, one in every of which will likely be devoted to studying extra about wines, based on the data shared by a Centurion cardholder with TPG. Other occasions will give attention to artwork, tradition and life-style programming.
There’ll be a personal eating house within the lounge, which will likely be out there to order prematurely by Centurion cardholders for enterprise conferences or different particular events.
How do I get entry to the Centurion New York?
While some would possibly suppose that the Centurion New York will likely be restricted to those that have a black card, that is truly not the case.
All American Express cardmembers will be capable to entry the Centurion New York with an advance reservation made through Resy, based on folks accustomed to the matter, together with Amex membership professionals.
In truth, members of most people, together with those that don’t but have an Amex card, may also be capable to make reservations to go to the Centurion New York. Reservations are anticipated to open in late February, and we’ll replace this story with extra particulars as they turn into out there.
Once you have secured a reservation — there is not any phrase but on how difficult that’ll be — entry will likely be complimentary for all cardmembers and members of most people. It wasn’t instantly clear how lengthy every reservation window will final, or what number of company you’ll carry into the lounge.
While the lounge will likely be open to all cardmembers, those that have a Centurion Card will obtain precedence entry and expanded availability.
Though Amex by no means shares too many particulars in regards to the Centurion card expertise, the invite-only “black card” is usually reserved for very notable people and companies with a whole lot of hundreds of {dollars} in month-to-month bills and an ultra-high internet value.
The issuer has traditionally supplied Centurion playing cards to celebrities, CEOs and different VIPs. The Centurion Card comes with a $5,000 annual charge (on high of the $10,000 one-time initiation charge).
We’ll replace this story with extra entry particulars as they turn into out there, however most Amex cardmembers will probably be excited that the issuer is not going to maintain the membership restricted to these with top-of-the-line playing cards.
Where is the Centurion New York positioned?
The Centurion New York opens in March 2023 on the fifty fifth ground of the One Vanderbilt constructing, which is the fourth-tallest skyscraper in New York City.
One Vanderbilt is positioned just some steps from Grand Central Terminal within the Midtown East space of Manhattan.
In addition to the Centurion Club, the constructing contains a thrilling remark deck that opened in 2021. The so-called Summit One Vanderbilt can be house to Après, a terrace and lounge led by hospitality icon and restaurateur Danny Meyer’s Union Square Events.
Bottom line
As Amex faces increased competitors from Chase and Capital One within the premium bank card and airport lounge house, the corporate is as soon as once more elevating the bar for what it means to be a cardholder with the opening of the Centurion New York.
While we’ll reserve judgment till we totally assessment the brand new lounge, Centurion New York is poised to be a swanky house within the coronary heart of Manhattan that is certain to be fairly widespread with cardholders (and members of the general public) who reside or work in or go to New York City.
Though it is doable extra non-airport Centurion Clubs are within the pipeline, I’d think about that the preliminary focus will likely be on nailing down the expertise in New York. In the previous, Amex has opened pop-up lounges for cardmembers in locations like Vail, Deer Valley and Tokyo, although Centurion New York will turn into the issuer’s first everlasting membership outdoors of an airport.
It’s attention-grabbing that Amex may also welcome non-cardholders into the lounge, although it is probably that there will likely be far fewer reservations launched for members of most people. Of course, it is also doable that the issuer will attempt to monetize the expertise as soon as contained in the membership with costly meals and beverage choices.
As the opening approaches, keep tuned to TPG for extra particulars and a full assessment of the Centurion New York.
For extra about American Express Centurion Lounges, try: