Smart With Points Podcast - Boost Your Miles & Points

Welcome to Smart With Points, the podcast that helps you travel the world for less with miles and points. I'm Jack, your host, and today I've got some fantastic news for all you frequent flyers out there who love a good airport lounge. We're talking about American Express expanding their premium Centurion Lounge network in Europe, and this time they're heading to Amsterdam. So grab your favourite travel mug, settle in, and let's dive into what this means for your future travels.

Now, if you're anything like me, you probably have a love-hate relationship with airport lounges. You love the idea of them, but sometimes they're so packed you're practically sitting on someone's lap while trying to enjoy your complimentary snacks. Well, American Express has just given us some brilliant news that should help ease those crowded lounge blues, especially if you're a UK-based traveller.

American Express has announced that Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport will be home to their second full Centurion Lounge in Europe. This is pretty significant timing, coming nearly four years after they launched their first European Centurion Lounge at London Heathrow Terminal Three. And let me tell you, as someone who's spent more time than I'd care to admit in various airport lounges, the Centurion Lounges really do set the bar high when it comes to premium airport experiences.

Now, why is Amsterdam such a strategic choice? Well, Schiphol Airport is Europe's fourth busiest airport, which means it's a major hub for travellers from all over the continent, including plenty of us from the UK. Whether you're heading to Southeast Asia, connecting through to North America, or just exploring Europe, there's a good chance you'll find yourself passing through Amsterdam at some point. Having a premium Centurion Lounge there is going to significantly enhance the value proposition for UK-based Platinum cardholders.

It's worth noting that while American Express does maintain a presence in Stockholm with their American Express Lounge by Pontus Frithiof, this new Amsterdam location will be a full-service Centurion Lounge. This means you can expect the premium experience that cardholders have come to expect from the brand's flagship locations. We're talking about proper dining options, premium drinks, comfortable seating areas, and all those little touches that make waiting for your flight feel less like a chore and more like part of the travel experience.

So who can actually access these lounges? Well, if you're a UK Platinum or Centurion cardholder, you'll be able to enjoy this new Amsterdam location. This really strengthens American Express's premium travel benefits for UK cardmembers, giving you more options when you're travelling through Europe.

The key takeaways from this announcement are pretty straightforward. This is the second full Centurion Lounge in Europe after London Heathrow Terminal Three. It's located at Amsterdam Schiphol, which, as I mentioned, is Europe's fourth busiest airport. It complements the existing European network, including that Stockholm American Express Lounge. Access is available to UK Platinum and Centurion cardholders, and it really does strengthen American Express's premium travel benefits for UK cardmembers.

This expansion shows that American Express is serious about enhancing the European travel experience for their premium cardholders. With more travellers than ever looking for ways to make their journeys more comfortable and enjoyable, having access to high-quality lounges at major European hubs like Amsterdam is a real game-changer.

That's all for today's episode of Smart With Points. Thanks for listening, and if you found this information helpful, please subscribe to our podcast on all major platforms or visit our website at smartwithpoints.co.uk. Don't forget to check out our show notes for more detailed information about today's topics.

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