Centurion Lounge access is one of the best benefits of The Platinum Card® from American Express. These lounges can provide a respite from the chaos of airports. The buffet of food curated by local chefs can be a far stronger motivation to get to the airport early than Transportation Security Administration recommendations. The open bar might be enough to wish your flight was delayed, as that might be one less drink you’d otherwise pay for.

But for better or worse, the Centurion Lounge perk significantly changed this year. Formerly, Centurion Lounges were accessible to Platinum Card members and up to two guests at no additional charge. But as of Feb. 1, 2023, that changed, threatening to take a big chunk out of the value against The Platinum Card® from American Express’s annual fee, $695. Terms apply.

(The Centurion Lounge guest policy changes also apply to The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, which has similar benefits and a $695 annual fee). Terms apply.

The complimentary Centurion Lounge guest policy has ended

As of Feb. 1, 2023, the ability to bring in two guests at no additional cost went away for most cardholders. Now, unless you spend $75,000 or more each calendar year on your card, you’ll need to pay $50 to bring an adult guest ($30 for children ages 2 through 17) into the Centurion Lounge. Terms apply.

The Centurion Lounge in Europe at London Heathrow Airport. (Photo courtesy of American Express)

In some ways, the Centurion Lounge guest policy change is good news for travelers who’ve been frustrated by lounges crowded enough to necessitate a queue. But for cardholders who regularly used the lounges with up to two buddies, that’s a big drawback.

For some, it’ll now be harder to justify The Platinum Card® from American Express’s $695 annual fee, particularly if your home airport had a lounge. Terms apply.

Lounge addicts who don’t typically travel solo are left with a conundrum: Should you give up on lounges, make your travel companion an authorized user or have your travel companions apply for their own card? Assuming you're not hitting that minimum spending requirement to bring guests, you still have a few options for how to lounge with friends, including paying the day pass fee, adding authorized users to your credit card or convincing them to apply for their own card.

Here are your options around how to navigate the Centurion Lounge guest policy, and how to decide which is most worthwhile:

Pay the Centurion Lounge guest fee

The guest fee is $50 per person (or $30 for children aged 2 through 17), assuming you didn't meet the minimum spend requirement of $75,000 per calendar year needed to bring in two complimentary guests per visit.

$50 for a perk that used to be complimentary can feel brutal, but it might be easier to justify considering the perks that go into the lounge.

At San Francisco's Centurion Lounge, you'll dine on dishes designed by Ravi Kapur, the Executive Chef at Liholiho Yacht Club. That restaurant is among the highest-rated in San Francisco, and — besides commanding a high price tag — it can be tough to even get a reservation. This lounge serves similar dishes, buffet-style.

Turmeric chicken skewers (right) and roasted tofu and pineapple (left) served at the San Francisco International Airport lounge. (Photo by Sally French)

Drinks are usually complimentary too. Over at the Centurion Lounge at New York-LaGuardia Airport, you can sip on signature cocktails designed by mixologist Jim Meehan. Options include alcohol-free mixed drinks and original cocktails like the Lower East Cider and Grand Central Express.

The bar at the Centurion Lounge at New York-LaGuardia Airport. (Photo by Elina Geller)

Most lounges also have showers, and the JFK Centurion Lounge even has a mini spa.

If your buddies can use all or most of what's offered inside, that alone can justify the $50 guest charge, particularly if you've got a long wait until your flight.

Add your friend as an authorized user

You might also opt to add your travel companion as an authorized user on your credit card. While many other credit cards allow you to add authorized users at no additional fee, that's hardly the case here. American Express will charge you an annual fee of $195 for each additional card you add to your account. Additional card holders must also be at least 13 years old. Terms apply.

The catch? Authorized users get a few of the card's benefits, but not all. You won’t get two sets of Uber credits, nor will you get two sets of Saks credits, among others. Terms apply.

But authorized users of The Platinum Card® from American Express do get a healthy chunk of the benefits, including:

Lounge access.

Ability to earn points per dollar spent on flights and prepaid hotels booked through the AmEx Travel Portal.

Either a $100 statement credit every four years for Global Entry or an $85 credit every four and a half years for TSA PreCheck.

Up to $300 in a calendar year as Equinox statement credits. Enrollment required.

$300 SoulCycle at-home bike credit, on up to 15 bike purchases annually (worth up to $4,500 per person, per year assuming you actually bought 15 bikes).

Terms apply. Enrollment required.

If you'd otherwise pay the one-time guest fee four times a year, it might make sense to consider adding your travel partner as an authorized user. That alone justifies the extra fee (considering the lounge guest fee is $50), and your buddy gets the other aforementioned benefits.