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Amex Platinum Losing Lufthansa Lounge Access in 2026: Best Alternatives
July 1, 2025
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If you carry the American Express Platinum Card® and fly through Europe, here's something you need to know before your next trip: Amex Platinum cardholders are losing access to Lufthansa Lounges starting October 1, 2026.
It's the second benefit cut in two weeks for Amex Platinum holders, following the loss of the Saks Fifth Avenue credit. For a card that charges a hefty annual fee per year, that's starting to sting.
Here's what's changing, what you still have, and which cards are worth looking at if you're reconsidering.
What's Actually Changing
Effective October 1, 2026, American Express Platinum Card® and Centurion® Card from American Express members will no longer have access to Lufthansa Lounges through the American Express Global Lounge Collection.
Right now, Platinum cardholders can access:
- Lufthansa Business Lounges when flying any class on a Lufthansa Group airline
- Senator Lounges when flying business class on a Lufthansa Group airline
Centurion members currently get access to First Class, Senator, and Business Lounges regardless of travel class. All of that goes away on October 1.
Lufthansa Group includes Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Air Dolomiti, Edelweiss Air, Eurowings, Discover Airlines, Lufthansa, Lufthansa City Airlines, and Swiss International Air Lines. So if you connect through Frankfurt, Munich, Zurich, Vienna, or Brussels regularly, this is a real loss.
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What Amex Platinum Lounge Access Still Looks Like
Losing Lufthansa is a hit, but the Amex Platinum card still has one of the broadest lounge networks available. After October 1, cardholders will still have access to:
- American Express Centurion Lounges
- Priority Pass Select lounges (enrollment required) - 1,500+ locations worldwide
- Delta Sky Clubs - 10 visits per year when flying Delta
- Escape Lounges
- Plaza Premium lounges
If your travel is mostly domestic or through airports with Centurion Lounges, you may barely feel this change. If you fly Lufthansa Group frequently, it's a bigger deal.
Cards Worth Considering for Lounge Access
If the back-to-back benefit cuts have you questioning whether the hefty annual fee still makes sense, here are three alternatives worth a look.
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
The lounge network isn't as wide as Amex Platinum's, but the Chase Sapphire Reserve covers a solid lineup: Priority Pass Select, Chase Sapphire Lounge by the Club, Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges, and Air Canada Cafes when flying a Star Alliance airline. Guest access is typically included, which is a meaningful perk if you travel with someone.
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Citi Strata Elite℠ Card
The Citi Strata Elite includes Priority Pass Select membership with access for you and two guests at 1,500+ lounges worldwide. It also comes with four Admirals Club passes per calendar year, which cover a round-trip American Airlines journey for you and a companion.
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Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
The most affordable of the three. Venture X includes Priority Pass Select and Capital One Lounge access after enrollment. The catch: Complimentary guest access is not automatically included, so this one is best for solo travelers.
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How Kudos Can Help You Get More From Your Travel Card
Whichever card you carry, Kudos helps you make sure you're always using the right one at checkout. Our browser extension automatically recommends your best card based on the merchant, your rewards rates, and active card-linked offers.
If you're an Amex Platinum holder rethinking your setup, Kudos's Dream Wallet feature can show you how different cards stack up based on your actual spending, so you're not guessing at which annual fee is actually worth it for you.
The Bottom Line
Losing Lufthansa Lounge access is a real downgrade for Amex Platinum travelers in Europe, and it comes at a rough time, given the Saks credit cut two weeks earlier. The card still has strong lounge coverage overall, but if your travel patterns lean heavily on Lufthansa Group, it's worth a fresh look at your options.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve, Citi Strata Elite, and Capital One Venture X all offer competitive lounge access at lower annual fees. And with Kudos, you can track what you're actually getting out of every card you carry.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level vary by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
