Back in March 2026, we reported on American Express' move to reduce airport lounge access across much of its Australian card lineup. Two of those three changes applied to the Qantas Amex Ultimate Card, namely same-flight requirement for guests, and the 5-hour layover restriction. The third change applied to Platinum Cards, with Amex reducing the number of guests allowed from two to one.
Now, just months later, American Express isn't only tightening the rules for Qantas Ultimate Card Members, it's removing the benefit entirely. From 15 February 2027, the Qantas American Express Ultimate Card will no longer offer access to The Centurion Lounges in Sydney and Melbourne.
An American Express spokesperson said, “We remain committed to offering eligible Card Members a comfortable space to relax and recharge while travelling. To support this experience, starting 15 February 2027, Qantas American Express Ultimate Card Members will no longer be able to access the Centurion Lounges at Sydney and Melbourne International Airports but will continue to receive two complimentary Qantas Club Lounge invitations each year,"
When asked if there were plans to cut Centurion Lounge access from other cards, American Express told Flight Hacks that "There are no other changes being announced at this time relating to The Centurion Lounge access for other Cards.”
This change is actually positive news if you hold an Amex Platinum Card. Reading into American Express' statement, it is clear that they want to reduce lounge crowding and offer a relaxing environment for those holding a premium Platinum or Centurion card. Without expanding the lounges, the only way to do so is reducing access on mid-tier cards.
What This Change Means For Cardholders
Qantas Ultimate Card Members currently get two complimentary entries to the Amex Centurion Lounges in Sydney or Melbourne each year, on top of two Qantas Club lounge invitations. But from 15 February 2027, access to The Centurion Lounge will be removed as a benefit entirely. Therefore, the last date you can use your Centurion Lounge passes is 14 February 2027.
American Express told Flight Hacks that new approved Qantas Amex Ultimate Card Members, who take up a card between now and February, will still receive the two Centurion Lounge passes. Of course, they must be used by the same deadline.
There are no changes to the two Qantas Club Lounge Invitations available each card membership year.
Which Amex Cards Currently Offer Centurion Lounge Access?
The Qantas Ultimate Card isn't the only card that offers Centurion Lounge access. Below is a list of the Australian consumer/business cards that offer Centurion Lounge access:
Unlimited access (+1 guest on the same flight):
- American Express Centurion
- American Express Platinum
- American Express Platinum Business
Two complimentary entries per year (Sydney and Melbourne only, 1 January to 31 December):
- Qantas American Express Ultimate
- American Express Explorer
- American Express Business Explorer
- American Express Platinum Reserve
For the two-entry tier, entries can be used by the primary Card Member, an additional Card Member, or a guest travelling with them. Access is free for the Card Member's children aged 17 and under. Extra guests beyond that are charged at the lounge reception desk.
Once the Qantas Ultimate change takes effect on 29 July, it'll be the only card on this list to lose Centurion Lounge access altogether. From what we have been told, all other cards keep the benefit as-is, for now.
Summing Up: Is The Qantas Amex Ultimate Still Useful?
All things considered, this is a relatively minor change, as this perk was never that generous. The card offered just two passes a year, and only usable at the Sydney and Melbourne Centurion Lounges. If you weren't flying international out of one of those two cities a couple of times a year, you probably weren't getting much use out this benefit anyway.
The card's core value remains the high 1.25 Qantas Points per dollar earn rate, and the annual $450 Qantas travel credit. These benefits remain untouched, and the credit still effectively cancels out the $450 an annual fee.
This change does however sting for a different reason. This is yet another rewards credit card perk disappearing months after the RBA announced its plan to ban card surcharges.
To be clear, Amex hasn't linked this Centurion Lounge cut to the surcharge ban. It could simply be a coincidence, or a separate cost-cutting decision. But the pattern isn't hard to see, and it's not just Amex. Banks across the board have been trimming rewards, reducing earn rates, and adding fees since the surcharge ban was flagged, as issuers look to claw back a revenue stream that interchange fees used to cover.
