The American Express Centurion lounge network has been expanding in recent years with new lounges across the United States, Hong Kong, London and beyond. Yet today I learned that The Centurion Lounge at Sao Paulo–Guarulhos (GRU) closed on Feb 28, 2025. Leaving their long time home in terminal 3 and one of their only lounges in South America shuttered close. The space is no longer and card holders are being accommodate elsewhere.
Since March 1, American Express Platinum Card credit card customers can access the much smaller W Premium Pier lounge in terminal 3, which is located between gates 323 and 324. This lounge is already busy as it is a priority pass lounge.
Additional, American Express is card holders can access the former Star Alliance lounge, which has ben operating as the Espaco Banco Safra for several years now. The lounge is VERY busy though. Even before the closure of the American Express lounge the Espaco Banco Safra lounge was available to priority pass holder. Plus nearly every Star Alliance carrier operating from terminal 3 utilizes this lounge.
I last visited the Espaco Banco Safra lounge before a South African Airways flight to Cape Town in October 2024. The food and drinks are plentiful, but the seating can be difficult. I can only imagine that this lounge will be operating at peak capacity going forward.
Along with the closure at GRU, American Express has extended it’s partnership with W Premium lounges across Brazil. Platinum card holder can now access the W Premium group VIP lounges located in Fortaleza , Recife , Belém and Porto Alegre.
The American Express Centurion Lounge at GRU was not my favorite Amex Centurion lounge. It was often crowded and needed a refresh. It did have good food, drinks and a place to shower. Things that most people like before a flight. The lounge though was one I often avoided as I would opt to use the LATAM lounge whenever possible. Yet, losing any lounge in a busy airport terminal is never good. Especially as I often travel through here several times a year to see family.
Did you know that the GRU American Express Centurion Lounge was closing?
