New AmEx Centurion Lounge in Amsterdam Only for Flyers Departing Schengen
However, these factors do not influence our editors' opinions or ratings, which are based on independent research and analysis. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews. Here is a list of our partners. The Centurion Lounge at Schiphol International Airport is the first AmEx lounge in continental Europe. Meghan CoyleEditor/Content Strategist & Smart Travel Podcast Host Published Sep 16, 2026Fact CheckedHow is this page expert verified?NerdWallet's content is fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness and relevance. It undergoes a thorough review process involving writers and editors to ensure the information is as clear and complete as possible.More on our editorial rigorAddas a preferred source on Google NerdWallet is committed to editorial integrity.Helpful ResourcesThe Best Travel Credit Card Welcome Offers Right Now11 Credit Cards That Provide Travel InsuranceChase Sapphire Preferred Review: Strong Option for Travel RewardsAirport Lounge Cards from our Partnersdiv:not(:last-child)]:border-neutral-lighter [&>div:not(:last-child)]:border-b [&>div]:py-2">Apply now on Citibank's application 5.0NerdWallet ratingNerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account the type of card being reviewed (such as cash back, travel or balance transfer) and the card's rates, fees, rewards and other features.Rewards rate1xEarn 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible AAdvantage® mile earned from purchases.MilesIntro offer125,000For a limited time, earn 125,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after $15,000 in purchases in the first 5 months of account opening.MilesApply now on Chase's website 4.7NerdWallet ratingNerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account the type of card being reviewed (such as cash back, travel or balance transfer) and the card's rates, fees, rewards and other features.Rewards rate1x-8xEarn 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel℠, including The Edit℠ and 4x points on flights and hotels booked direct. Plus, earn 3x points on dining worldwide & 1x points on all other purchases.PointsIntro offer100,000Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.PointsSee more Airport Lounge cardsAmerican Express is opening the first credit card lounge at Amsterdam’s Schiphol International Airport, and its location within the airport makes lounge access more exclusive. Not only will travelers need an eligible travel card to enter, they'll also need to have a flight leaving the Schengen Area, a travel zone in Europe consisting of 29 countries that have removed routine passport control between their borders. Still, this lounge is a welcome new expansion of the Centurion Lounge network. The Centurion Lounge in Amsterdam is the 33rd location in the network and the first in continental Europe. As one of Europe’s busiest airports, Schiphol handled 68.8 million passengers in 2025.At just 6,000 square feet — significantly smaller than most of the brand’s other locations — the new space takes a distinctly Dutch approach, with plenty of local artwork, canal-inspired design and a dedicated coffee bar.I was invited to visit the new AmEx lounge before it opens to the public on Sept. 17, 2026.How to visitThe Centurion Lounge is located in the central corridor space between Concourses E and F from 6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. daily.To enter, passengers will need to show a boarding pass for a flight leaving the Schengen Area. Passengers taking international flights to countries such as the U.S., U.K., China and Morocco will be able to visit. Even if you’re traveling on an American passport and flying from Amsterdam to Paris, you still won’t have access to the lounge.Only certain American Express cards offer Centurion Lounge access. Even with an eligible card, some restrictions apply:li>ol]:pl-4 [&>li>ul]:pl-4 [&>li]:mt-2">You can only enter before a departing flight. You can’t land at an airport with a lounge and head inside (unless it’s a layover or connecting flight).There’s a time limit. You can only visit within three hours of the stated departure time on your boarding pass.The guest policy for Centurion Lounges has tightened significantly in recent years to curb overcrowding. For most eligible cards, there's typically a minimum annual spending requirement to unlock complimentary guest access. You might also be able to add someone as an authorized user to your card to get them lounge access, but that comes with an additional yearly fee.Otherwise, cardholders can pay for guest passes. Adult guest passes are $50; children ages 2 through 17 are $30. All guests must be accompanied by a cardholder. » Learn more: How to get into the AmEx Centurion Lounge before your flightDesignDespite its smaller 6,000-square-foot footprint, the Centurion Lounge feels surprisingly open, thanks to its high ceilings, natural light and three distinct seating areAnas. The first features a coffee and tea bar manned by baristas, along with tables, individual loungers and more intimate booths.The second room feels more like a living room feel with a couch and accompanying lounge chairs arranged around it. (Photo by Annita Katee/NerdWallet)And the third room is a food and bar area. Between all three rooms, there’s enough variety in the seating to settle in for a longer stay or grab a quick bite before your flight.The design takes inspiration from Amsterdam throughout, with wood tones, wainscoting-style wall paneling, moodier tones and color-washed walls that represent the changing tides and water levels of the city’s canals. The statement color used throughout is Salamander by Benjamin Moore, a deep mix of black, blue and green.<br><br>An oil painting of an American Bulldog that pays homage to 17th-century Dutch culture greets guests as they enter, while the brand’s signature bulldog statue sits on the bar shelves. Fun fact: There’s one placed somewhere in every Centurion Lounge. Food and beverage The food is buffet-style with a kind of generous spread you’d expect from an AmEx lounge. Beyond a decent selection of ready-made and a make-your-own salad station, there were sweets and cakes, as well as hot dishes including vegetarian lasagna and Italian meatballs.(Photo by Annita Katee/NerdWallet)The menu is expected to change every three weeks, but one Dutch staple will remain: bitterballen, a Dutch comfort food and popular bar snack. The crispy exterior looks like an arancini ball, but the inside is filled with beef ragü – and out of everything I tried, they were my favorite. I also sampled some of the salads, an Amsterdam slider with Dutch pickles, and slaw, truffle mac and cheese, and the meatballs. The offerings are a good mix for international travelers, with Dutch touches worked in where possible. As for drinks, the Blue Roast Coffee Bar also celebrates Amsterdam’s coffee culture, with baristas making everything from teas and flat whites to macchiatos and espressos with locally sourced teas and coffees, each served alongside one of Amsterdam’s famous stroopwafels.(Photo by Annita Katee/NerdWallet)At the bar, there’s a healthy selection of wine and cocktails, plus a noticeable focus on nonalcoholic options, too. Each Centurion Lounge has at least two signature mocktails for guests to choose. The cucumber mint cooler was a real hit. WorkstationsFor those who need to get some work done before their flight, the first room on the right is particularly well suited for opening a laptop, with multiple desk styles and built-in outlets and USB-C ports. (Photo by Annita Katee/NerdWallet)The room furthest to the right also has a small private space called The Phone Room. (Photo by Annita Katee/NerdWallet)Despite its name, there’s no door for private conversations, but it’s a unique nook with a one-of-a-kind dog-patterned wallpaper and two chairs. The light fixture was created by a Dutch designer and 3D-printed from recycled plastic, adding another small local touch to the space.<br>Bathroom(Photo by Annita Katee/NerdWallet)The bathrooms are where things get a little more compact. All of the stalls are gender-neutral, and there’s no communal wash station; instead, each stall has its own sink. The lounge doesn’t have showers either. Final thoughts on Schiphol’s AmEx Centurion LoungeI’ll admit, having visited lounges of a similar size, I was worried it’d feel too crowded or claustrophobic. But to my surprise, it didn’t feel that way at all. Granted, I was moving through the lounge without luggage, but the layout feels intentionally designed to make the most of the space. Amsterdam’s Schiphol is a large and very busy airport, so the limited access based on where you’re flying to will also help with crowd control.It's also a great airport for a new Centurion Lounge based on the other benefits of holding an eligible AmEx card. For example, Schiphol is the hub for KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, a member airline of the SkyTeam alliance and a popular choice among points travelers redeeming Flying Blue points. Flying Blue, Delta SkyMiles and other loyalty programs that are AmEx transfer partners offer plenty of award flights to and from Amsterdam.Overall, if you have an eligible credit card, it’s definitely worth a visit. It’s a very well-designed respite with plenty of Dutch character.How to maximize your rewardsYou want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2026:li>ol]:pl-4 [&>li>ul]:pl-4 [&>li]:mt-2">Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® CardNo annual fee: Wells Fargo Autograph® Card Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit CardBonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve® Luxury perks: American Express Platinum Card®Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit CardExplore more onTravelAddas a preferred source on Google NerdWallet Compare, Inc. NMLS ID# 1617539NMLS Consumer Access |Licenses and Disclosures California: California Finance Lender loans arranged pursuant to Department of Financial Protection and Innovation Finance Lenders License #60DBO-74812 Insurance Services offered through NerdWallet Insurance Services, Inc. (CA resident license no.OK92033) Insurance Licenses California: California Finance Lender loans arranged pursuant to the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation Finance Lenders License #603L288 You also can open a Cash Account offered by Atomic Brokerage which allows you to earn interest on your cash through a cash sweep program. View Important Cash Account Disclosures. Neither Atomic Invest nor Atomic Brokerage, nor any of their affiliates is a bank. Investments in securities: Not FDIC Insured, Not Bank Guaranteed, May Lose Value. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Before investing, consider your investment objectives and the fees and expenses charged. NerdWallet™ | 4150 N Drinkwater Blvd, Suite 200, Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Source: NerdWallet
This article has been carefully curated and reformatted for educational and informational purposes. Full credit goes to the original publisher.
📚 Visit more helpful articles on Joab Peters Blog
No comments