American Express Centurion Lounge to Transform Schiphol: The Ultimate Experience for Eligible Cardmembers

Published on July 10, 2025

In 2026, Schiphol Amsterdam will be the home of the latest symbol in high-end travel: the first Centurion Lounge from American Express. The highly anticipated lounge will offer Eligible Cardmembers the ultimate experience, featuring world-level amenities and local touches in its design. For the city renowned for busy airports and cultural appeal, the addition is the latest in Schiphol’s lounge experience.

Between Concourses F and E, the Centurion Lounge at Schiphol will occupy near 6,000 square feet. The ideal location will cater to Schengen and non-Schengen flights, providing convenience to travelers traveling internationally. The Centurion Lounge will be distinguished from the rest of the airport lounges by its architecture in the style of Amsterdam’s legendary canal houses, adding some history and culture of the Netherlands to the traveling experience.

A New Standard of Comfort at Schiphol

As the fourth busiest airport in Europe, Schiphol already has a variety of lounges to suit all shapes and sizes, from the massive KLM Crown Lounges to the Aspire Lounges available via Priority Pass. The only lounges not owned by multinational credit card corporations come in the form of American Express, who will mark history by being the first company of its kind to create a proprietary lounge at Schiphol with the Centurion Lounge’s future launch.

Dave Stroop, Terminal Development Manager at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, was excited to announce the new facility: “We’re proud to welcome American Express as the first international credit card company to launch a proprietary lounge at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol with an iconic Centurion Lounge. Created to focus on comfort, luxury amenities, and elite service, we’re confident the Centurion Lounge will redefine the airport experience for eligible Card Members.”

A Taste of Dutch Luxury with a Platinum Touch

The American Express Centurion Lounge becomes the differentiating point for Schiphol travelers. The architecture will have its contemporary touch but in non-typically Dutch style, inspired by the city’s characteristic canal houses. The colors of blues, green, and earth tones will reflect the waterscape of the city, giving travelers the immersion experience with a touch of elegance and local culture.

The living room would be filled with floor-to-ceiling windows to naturally light the room to create the warmth and sense of space. The coffee bar would also be one of its features, in tribute to the Netherlands’ celebrated coffee culture. The word “gezellig,” the warmth of being connected and snug, would be captured in the room’s atmosphere—it’s not just the exclusivity of being in luxury, but the experience as well.

President of American Express Travel Audrey Hendley stated: “We know travelers look for local, authentic experiences on trips. The next iteration of the Centurion Lounge will deliver high-end amenities and experience with a touch of the culture and history of the Netherlands.”

What to Expect Inside the Centurion Lounge

The Centurion Lounge at Schiphol will feature a full suite of premium amenities that are expected from any Centurion Lounge, including:

• Premium Dining: A selection of high-quality food and drink menus tailored to the discerning tastes of travelers.
• Exclusive Bar: A fully stocked bar offering top-tier spirits and wines.
• Complimentary High-Speed Wi-Fi: For work or leisure, travelers can stay connected without interruptions.
• Dedicated Workstations: Spaces designed to allow guests to work in comfort, with ample power outlets and USB ports.
• Relaxation Zones: Multiple seating areas for travelers looking to relax before their flights.

The lounge’s unique design, along with its comprehensive amenities, will cater to both those seeking relaxation and those needing a productive environment before a long flight. American Express’ attention to detail promises to make this lounge an oasis in the busy environment of Schiphol.

Expanding Amex’s Global Lounge Network

The Schiphol Centurion Lounge is American Express’s latest addition to its global effort to expand its Centurion Lounges network. Already with over 29 Centurion Lounges in the world, the Schiphol Centurion Lounge in Amsterdam is the newest addition to the list of increasingly popular locations where eligible cardmembers get to enjoy the benefits of first-class traveling.

In addition to Schiphol, American Express has Centurion Lounges in the pipeline to open at more key international gateways, including Tokyo Haneda (HND) and Salt Lake City (SLC) in 2025, and Newark Liberty (EWR) in 2026. These openings reflect American Express’s growing footprint in the high-end air travel space, as they continue to grow their global lounge network.

Strategic Move for Schiphol

The partnership of Schiphol with American Express comes at the right time. The airport, which in 2024 served over 66 million travelers, has been renowned for its world-grade connectivity and services for quite some time now but never had its own exclusive lounge by a multinational credit card company. The venture will alter the competitive landscape at one of the busiest airports in Europe, more so as American Express confronts airline-branded lounges at one of the SkyTeam hubs.

For frequent transatlantic travelers from the U.S. to Europe, the addition of the Centurion Lounge could be the deciding factor. Schiphol’s strategically positioned status as the hub of Europe, with direct flights to more than 300 cities, puts the new lounge in the ideal position to attract an international following. Luxury and convenience in one offer may be the deal-maker for travelers choosing where in Europe to fly from.

What This Means for Travelers

For travelers, the Centurion Lounge’s 2026 launch is one major stride for the improving the entire journey experience at Schiphol. The Centurion Lounge will offer cardholders the ultimate space to relax, work, or enjoy a quiet meal prior to flights. Given the airlines’ and credit card companies’ competitive offer of the best services, other EU and global airports would soon follow Schiphol’s lead to provide more exclusive rewards to travelers.

And in the coming near future, American Express card members will enjoy priority access to one of the most advanced in-flight relaxation lounges to merge relaxation with authenticity, the advent of ultra-premium flights of one of the most important air hubs in Europe.

Impact on Travel: An Analysis of Premium Lounge Availability

Lounge Availability at Major Airports:

This chart shows the number of existing lounges at major airports globally and the introduction of premium lounges by American Express, illustrating the growing competition in luxury airport services.