Lounge access rules change often — confirm in the lounge's app or the card's benefits page before you fly.
The Centurion Lounge IAH is on the mezzanine of Terminal D, reached by elevators near gate D12, and it's the only bank lounge at Houston Bush. It's worth the walk from any terminal, but it's small for a hub this size, so expect a waitlist at peak times until the big expansion lands around 2028.
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Quick answer
- Location: Terminal D (Mickey Leland International Terminal), mezzanine, elevators near gate D12
- Who gets in: Amex Platinum and Business Platinum cardholders on any airline; Delta SkyMiles Reserve cardholders only on a Delta flight
- Guests: $50 per adult, $30 per child (2–17), on your flight; two free after $75,000 in calendar-year spend
- Best card: Amex Platinum ($895), which also adds Priority Pass for the KLM lounge next door
At a glance
| Location | Terminal D mezzanine, elevators near gate D12 |
| Airside from | All five IAH terminals (Skyway train and walkways) |
| Size / opened | About 8,000–8,500 sq ft; opened June 2016 |
| Showers | Yes (one private shower at opening) |
| Food & bar | Buffet with local dishes, complimentary full bar |
| Entry window | 3 hours before departure; 5 hours on a connection |
| Guest fee | $50 adult / $30 child; free after $75k spend |
How to get in
- Amex Platinum or Business Platinum: Card, ID and a same-day boarding pass on any airline. Most people using this lounge are flying United from Terminals B, C or E.
- Delta SkyMiles Reserve: Only when flying Delta that day on a ticket bought with your Reserve card. Delta flies from Terminal A, and there's no Sky Club at IAH, so this is Delta flyers' best lounge here.
- Centurion (black) card: Free, plus two guests or immediate family.
- Not accepted: Priority Pass, Amex Gold or Green, Delta Platinum. No day passes and no arrival access.
Entry opens 3 hours before departure, or 5 hours before your onward flight if you're connecting. Check hours in the Amex app, especially once construction starts.
Guest policy
Since July 8, 2026, guests on a Platinum or Business Platinum cost $50 per adult and $30 per child aged 2–17, and they must be on your flight; under-2s are free. After $75,000 in calendar-year spend on the card, two guests per visit are free. Delta Reserve holders can bring up to two guests at $50 each. If you're traveling with a group, the KLM Crown Lounge a few gates away takes Priority Pass, and Platinum's Priority Pass includes two free guests — often the cheaper room for a family.
What it's like
When it opened in June 2016 as the network's seventh lounge, TPG described an 8,500-square-foot space a short walk from United's gates, with a complimentary full bar, a constantly restocked buffet, noise-buffering workspaces, a family room, tranquility areas and a private shower. The opening menu came from James Beard Award–winning Houston chef Justin Yu, built around seasonal and local Houston dishes; menus rotate, so don't plan around a specific item.
- Seating: Mostly work-friendly seats with plenty of outlets, plus a dining area. Upgraded Points (October 2026) highlights a tranquility area and a conference table.
- Showers: One private shower at opening; ask at the desk, since a single shower can have a wait.
- Crowds: At around 8,000 square feet it's small for United's second-largest hub, and US Centurion Lounges routinely run a digital waitlist when full. Join it in the Amex app, which shows live busyness; you get 10 minutes to check in once called.
The expansion (announced October 2026)
On Oct. 8, 2026, Houston Airports announced that Amex is expanding the lounge from about 8,000 to more than 23,000 square feet, "fully updated by 2028." Plans include a Blue Roast coffee and wellness bar, a specialty dining area with rotating plated Houston and Gulf Coast dishes alongside the buffet, a second full-service bar for cocktails and wine, and new premium shower suites. A state filing put the cost at $35 million, and a construction listing shows work from August 2026 to July 2028. Amex hasn't said whether the lounge will close or shrink during construction, so check the Amex app before you plan a long layover around it.
Getting there
Terminal D is IAH's international terminal. From Terminals A, B, C or E, take the airside Skyway train or the walkways to Terminal D, then look for the elevators near gate D12 and go up to the mezzanine. You don't need to clear security again. From United's Terminal E, it's a short walk.
Nearby alternatives
- KLM Crown Lounge (Terminal D near D15) — Priority Pass; the natural backup when the Centurion has a line.
- Air France Lounge (Terminal D opposite D18) — Priority Pass, limited hours tied to its Paris flight.
- United Clubs (A9, C1, C33, E11) and Polaris (E12) — for United members and premium long-haul passengers.
- Admirals Club (Terminal A near A25) — American flyers.
There's no Chase Sapphire or Capital One lounge in Houston. See all options in our Houston airport lounges guide.
FAQ
Where is the Centurion Lounge at IAH? In Terminal D on the mezzanine level, reached by the elevators near gate D12. All IAH terminals connect behind security, so you can walk or take the Skyway from any gate.
Is the IAH Centurion Lounge closing for renovation? Amex hasn't announced a closure. It has announced an expansion to more than 23,000 square feet, expected to be complete by 2028, and filings show construction running from August 2026 to July 2028. Check the Amex app for temporary changes before you go.
Can I use the Centurion Lounge IAH if I'm flying United? Yes. Platinum and Business Platinum cardholders get in on any airline with a same-day boarding pass, within 3 hours of departure.
What should I do if the Houston Centurion Lounge is full? Join the digital waitlist in the Amex app and wait in the KLM Crown Lounge nearby, which takes the Priority Pass that comes with your Platinum card.
Related guides
- Houston (IAH) airport lounges
- Centurion Lounge locations
- Amex Platinum guide
- Priority Pass lounges in the USA
- Centurion Lounge DFW
Lounge access rules, guest policies and locations change. Always confirm current details with the airline, lounge operator or card issuer before you travel.
