If you are flying out of Sydney or Melbourne in October and were counting on Amex Centurion Lounge access, you might need to rethink your plans. American Express has confirmed both its Sydney and Melbourne airport lounges will close for refurbishment on 6 October.
The closure notice quietly appeared on Amex's Australian Centurion Lounge page this week, which states the Sydney and Melbourne lounges will undergo refurbishment works "to enhance the experience” for travellers.
- Sydney: closed from 6 October 2026, reopening 20 October 2026
- Melbourne: closed from 6 October 2026, reopening 21 October 2026
It's the first time either lounge has shut its doors since they were rebranded to Centurion lounges in 2022, and for now, we don’t know what Amex has up its sleeve. Flight Hacks is awaiting comment from American Express on the nature and scale of these renovations.
Will Amex Offer An Alternative Lounge?
While Amex's lounges are closed in Sydney and Melbourne, some cardholders will have access to an alternative lounge as part of their existing perks. Other members will be left to find the nearest Maccas for a pre-flight cheeseburger.
It all comes down to which Amex card is in your wallet. The American Express Platinum Card and Platinum Business Card both come with access to the Plaza Premium Lounges, of which there is one in both Sydney and Melbourne.
These cards also offer Priority Pass membership free of charge to the primary cardholder after enrolment. Priority Pass is a global lounge program that provides access to a network of over 1,900+ airport lounges worldwide, regardless of the airline or the ticket class you're travelling on.
Qantas American Express Ultimate cardholders can draw on their two annual Qantas Club Complimentary Lounge Invitations, provided they are travelling on an eligible flight. Note that Amex will strip Centurion access from the Qantas American Express Ultimate as of 15 February 2027.
For those packing the Amex Explorer, there will be no lounge access available during renovations.
Summing Up
In the grand scheme of things, a fortnight lounge closure isn't a big deal, especially when the space is being improved. Two weeks is a remarkably fast turnaround for any lounge refresh, which could be a hint that the enhancements won’t be too exciting. Either way, it's great to see American Express investing in its airport lounges in Australia.
