The opening of American Express’ first Centurion Lounge in 2013 has been seen as transformative for the travel industry, with the creditor shaking up airport lounges forever — offering a chic, exclusive alternative to the dimly lit, often unaccommodating lounges that had been the dominion of airlines.

But ironically, over a decade later, the airport lounge has become a punchline. The Amex Centurion Lounge, which now boasts over two dozen locations, might still be practical, but it yearns for reinvention.

You wouldn’t begrudge anyone for saying the lounge situation has become laughable — maybe not even worth your time, even if you pay for the $895/yr Amex Platinum, which includes it as a courtesy benefit.

But there’s still hope — mainly thanks to fresh competition in the lounge space from competing creditors.

Chasing the capital: Maybe it’s fair to say the Amex lounge walked so that the Chase Sapphire Lounge and Capital One Lounge could run. While the Amex Centurion has been dragged down by congestion, aging spaces, and food that tastes like cost-cutting, there’s a real draw to these newer lounge spaces.

You can still fly economy (sorry, Delta One) and enjoy premium perks with a $395/yr Capital One Venture X or $795/yr Chase Sapphire Reserve. Out of curiosity, I arrived at New York’s JFK airport three hours before my flight to check out both lounges — and, in my opinion, they’ve elevated the entire concept. If you’re a cardholder or frequent flyer looking for an experience, they might be worth a peek.

• Both lounges were spacious and comfortable, boasting free Wi-Fi, plenty of places to plug in, and a mix of à la carte dining, a unique ‘order at a table’ service, and grab-and-go options.
• They also boasted thoughtful amenities — Capital One’s Cheesemonger station and the reservation-based charcuterie tasting were highlights — while Chase’s private work and relaxation areas were another nice touch.

Kudos All Around

One thing I really appreciate about both Capital One and Chase’s lounges is how service-oriented they are — no offense to Amex, but they’re definitely not the Centurion, which has started to feel more like a free-for-all. It wasn’t just the extensive options, the lack of a wait, or the excitement of exploring — small things simply went a long way.

• Staff at both lounges went above and beyond, offering tips on what to try or do during my brief visit — it really added something, if you ask me.
• Capital One scores extra points in my book for operating its JFK lounge 24 hours a day, making it a solid option for travelers affected by serious delays or flight cancellations.

One big condition: Capital One and Chase have really given folks a reason to show up early and enjoy these elegant spaces — hats off to them. However, their lounge networks are still small and nascent. Chase has just nine dedicated Chase Sapphire Lounges, while Capital One currently operates six (including a smaller “Landing” concept). There’s always the possibility that as these lounges scale, they’ll lose some of their illustriousness. However, for the moment, it’s worth basking in the benefits and dynamism — and maybe just the push Amex needs to step up its game.