American Express is building a network of their own lounges across the United States and World. In the United States, select American Express card holders and Frequent Flyers are spoiled with access to the American Express Centurion lounges. The American Express Centurion Lounge network is still small but expanding each year with new locations. Despite the small footprint, the Amex lounges are some of the best domestic lounges in North America. The same cannot be said for international lounges.
Amex Lounge Sydney Airport
The American Express Lounge in Sydney airport is still fairly new. The lounge opened ia couple of years ago near gate 24. Each day the lounge is open from 06:00 – 23:00, 7 days a week. Although the lounge is new, and Australia’s first, the lounge is nothing like the USA’s first American Express lounge at Dallas-DFW. Do not expect spa treatments, craft cocktails or gourmet food items. Instead the Sydney American Express lounge is more on par with other American Express lounges located outside the United States. Such as the Mexico City American Express Lounge.
The Sydney Amex lounge is also extremely small. There’s only room for probably 50 people comfortably. The lounge makes the Seattle American Express Centurion Studio seem huge! Thankfully Seattle expanded the Amex lounge and includes a full bar now.
The lounge is a long hallway with several small sitting areas. Each sitting area has room for 6-12 people.
For solo travelers and fellow AVgeeks, the best seat in the house is against the window. There are great tarmac views and plenty of planes to be spotted at Terminal 1.
Food, Bar, and Amenities
At the far end of the lounge is a bar and food area. There is both hot and cold food. I personally did not eat anything as there were fruit-flies all over the food. It was extremely unappetizing. Food and alcoholic beverages are free.
The bar options are not nearly as extensive as the options in the United States. Beer, wine, and spirits are complimentary.
The food options and beverage options are very basic in contrast to the new Philadelphia American Express Centurion Lounge. Yet then again, this is not a Centurion lounge, it is only a American Express Lounge.
This lounge also does not have showers, but instead two tiny toilet stalls that are right off the bar. If you’re going to go number 2 and relieve yourself, just know, the entire bar is listening!
My personal favorite part of the lounge was the lollies (gummy candies) and airplane spotting!
American Express Lounge Sydney Access
The American Express Lounge is accessible free of charge to several American Express card holders. American Express Platinum card holders can access the lounge along with other card holders. Just note, some card holders have a limit to how many times per year they can use the lounge for free.
Currently there is not buy-in access for this lounge. If your American Express card is not on the sign above, you will not be able to pay your way in.
Final Thoughts
There are not a lot of options for lounges at the Sydney airport except for those aligned with airlines. The American Express Sydney Lounge is the first lounge at Sydney which is not limited for elite flyers and business class passengers. Although the lounge may not be stunning, or offer the amenities of Centurion lounges, it definitely beats sitting at a gate.
Have you been to Sydney American Express Lounge? What did you think of it?
