Lounge access rules change often — confirm in the lounge's app or the card's benefits page before you fly.
The Centurion Lounge Charlotte is on the top level of the connector between Concourses D and E, in the middle of American Airlines' second-largest hub. It's a mid-sized, well-run lounge that works best for connecting passengers, and since July 2026 you can enter up to 5 hours before your onward flight — useful at an airport where most travelers are changing planes.
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Quick answer
- Location: Top level of the Concourse D/E connector, near the central atrium; elevator or stairs up.
- Who gets in: Amex Platinum, Business Platinum and Centurion cardholders on any airline; Delta SkyMiles Reserve cardholders only on Delta flights booked with the card.
- Guests: $50 per adult, $30 per child 2–17, same flight only. Two free guests after $75,000 in calendar-year spend.
- Best card: The Amex Platinum. It's the only bank card with its own lounge at CLT today.
At a glance
| Location | Concourse D/E connector, top level |
| Terminal access | Airside from all concourses (A–E) |
| Size / opened | About 13,300 sq ft; opened February 2020 |
| Showers | Yes (shower suite) |
| Food & bar | Hot buffet with Southern dishes; full bar with complimentary drinks |
| Entry window | 3 hours before departure; 5 hours before your next flight on a layover |
| Guest fee | $50 adult / $30 child (2–17); under 2 free |
How to get in
- Amex Platinum ($895) and Business Platinum ($895): Free for the primary cardholder with a same-day boarding pass on any airline. Check hours in the Amex app.
- Centurion card: Free, with two guests or immediate family.
- Delta SkyMiles Reserve ($650): Only when flying Delta that day on a ticket bought with the card. Delta flies from Concourse A at CLT, so that's a long walk; most Reserve holders will find the Sky Club near A32 more convenient.
- What doesn't work: Priority Pass, Amex Gold and Delta Platinum. No day passes and no arrivals access.
Guest policy
Guests must be on the same flight as you (the rule since July 8, 2026). Platinum and Business Platinum holders pay $50 per adult and $30 per child aged 2–17; under-2s are free. Spending $75,000 on the card in a calendar year unlocks two complimentary guests per visit. Delta Reserve holders can bring up to two guests at $50 each.
The same-flight rule matters at a connecting hub: a colleague on a different onward flight can't come in on your card anymore, even if you arrived together.
What it's like
Size and layout. View from the Wing put it at 13,295 square feet when it opened in February 2020 — about average for the network. The Bulkhead Seat's October 2025 review calls it "not huge" but notes plenty of varied seating, several phone booths, private call areas, and a roped-off section for Centurion cardholders. The windows look out over the airfield and toward downtown Charlotte.
Food and bar. The lounge opened with a Southern menu from North Carolina chef Joe Kindred. Reviewers describe a hot buffet (breakfast includes hot dishes, oatmeal, pastries, yogurt and fruit) and a full bar with complimentary premium spirits and wine. Menus rotate, so don't plan around a particular dish.
Showers and family space. There's a shower suite; ask at the front desk. View from the Wing and Upgraded Points both list a family room.
Crowds. The 2025 reviewer found it busy but had no trouble getting a seat. Reviewers have flagged waits to get in at peak times, and Amex itself has said crowding is a network-wide problem it's building more space to fix. The most common complaint is mundane: the elevators up to the lounge are slow, so build in a few extra minutes.
Coming in 2027: a Sidecar in Concourse A
Charlotte's city council approved a lease in March 2026 for a roughly 4,600-square-foot Sidecar by The Centurion Lounge in Concourse A, where Delta, United, Southwest and most non-American airlines fly. Amex says it will open in 2027. Sidecars are smaller, restaurant-style spaces with a 90-minute entry window (see the one at Las Vegas). The main D/E lounge stays where it is.
Getting there
All CLT concourses connect airside around the central atrium. From the atrium, head toward D and E; the lounge is upstairs on the connector between them. If you're on an American flight from D or E, it's a few minutes' walk. From Concourse A it's the longest walk in the airport, so allow 10 to 15 minutes, especially if you're making a tight connection.
Nearby alternatives
- Admirals Clubs: Concourse B (B3–B5) and the C/D connector, plus Provisions near A1. Citi AAdvantage Executive gets you in; American has also announced a 40,000-square-foot club for the atrium mezzanine.
- Delta Sky Club: Concourse A near A32. Platinum gets 10 visits a year on Delta flights.
- The Club CLT (Priority Pass): Concourse A, the only Priority Pass lounge.
- Capital One Lounge: Announced for Concourse A, not open yet.
Full rundown in our CLT airport lounges guide.
FAQ
Where is the Centurion Lounge at Charlotte airport? On the top level of the connector between Concourses D and E, after security. Take the elevator or stairs up from the concourse.
Can I use the CLT Centurion Lounge on a layover? Yes. Since July 8, 2026, you can enter up to 5 hours before your connecting flight. On an originating flight the limit is 3 hours.
Does the Charlotte Centurion Lounge have showers? Yes, it has a shower suite. Ask the front desk to reserve it.
Is there a second Centurion Lounge coming to CLT? Yes, a smaller Sidecar by The Centurion Lounge in Concourse A, expected in 2027. It will have a 90-minute entry window.
Related guides
- CLT airport lounges
- Centurion Lounge locations
- Amex Platinum guide
- Admirals Club access
- Centurion Lounge ATL
Lounge access rules, guest policies and locations change. Always confirm current details with the airline, lounge operator or card issuer before you travel.
