American Express Doubles Down on Premium Travel Perks with First Lounge in Amsterdam Airport

American Express is expanding its network of airport lounges with plans to build a new lounge for cardholders in Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.

Access to airport lounges can be a valuable feature credit card issuers offer customers looking for a place to recharge on lengthy journeys.

The lounges help credit card issuers differentiate their offerings from those of their competitors. They also provide issuers with brand awareness opportunities that can splash their company’s logo and marketing messages in highly trafficked airport terminals around the world. 

With its announcement, American Express becomes the first global credit card institution to unveil plans to open a proprietary lounge in the Amsterdam airport, according to a press release announcing the development. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is the fourth-busiest airport in Europe.

Though exclusive airport lounges operated by credit card companies can be an eye-catching benefit, they may have been on your radar for another reason in recent months. 

Capital One recently informed cardholders of adjustments it plans to introduce in 2026 that prevent cardholders from bringing guests with them into airport lounges unless the cardholder meets certain conditions, such as spending at least $75,000 per year with their card or paying additional fees for accompanying guests.

Those changes came about in part to address the increasing popularity of airport lounges, which have become overcrowded, an industry analyst told The New York Times.

A credit card issuer may want to see its lounges reasonably full. But if lounges become so crammed that travelers have difficulty accessing their amenities or finding a place to park their belongings while they await the next leg of their journey, then cardholders may see them as less of a benefit.

Credit card issuers may struggle at times to stand out in a competitive market. And not every issuer has the resources to build an airport lounge, much less network of lounges. 

But lounges, and how they cater to cardholders, can serve as an example of how bespoke benefits can create a culture around credit card ownership that satisfies customers beyond their practical payment needs. And satisfied customers can become more loyal to a company over time.

An industry study found that more than half of frequent travelers surveyed from around the globe spend time in airport lounges while traveling. Among those surveyed, 78% said they frequent lounges for the food choices they offer and 68% spend time in lounges to enjoy their amenities.

American Express’s Amsterdam airport lounge, which will be part of the company’s Centurion Lounge network, will offer eligible cardholders many of the standard benefits available at other Amex lounges, including complimentary access to wifi, dedicated workstations, and premium dining options.

More than half of frequent travelers spend time in airport lounges during their journeys.

The lounge will also incorporate details that make Amsterdam a sought-after vacation destination. Its design aims to evoke the waterways of Amsterdam while paying homage to the city’s rich culture by displaying works by local artists and offering food and beverages inspired by the region.

Many American Express customers travel through the Amsterdam airport every year, and the company sees its latest lounge as a vital part of its Centurion network, said Audrey Hendley, President, American Express Travel, in the release.

“We know travelers are looking for authentic, local experiences when they travel, and the new Centurion Lounge will deliver a premium experience and amenities with a taste of Dutch history and culture,” Hendley added.

American Express plans to open its lounge in Amsterdam Airport Schiphol in 2026.