Which is the best airport lounge: Chase Sapphire vs AmEx Centurion

I fly frequently for work, and I invest the $550 annual fee into my clients’ conveniences, like travel protection, free Global Entry, and airport lounge access. The latter includes Priority Pass and Chase-owned airport lounges that have been popping up since 2023.

AmEx was the first credit card company to open a branded lounge in an airport when it launched Centurion in Las Vegas in 2013. Since starting the trend, AmEx has expanded its Centurion collection to about 30 locations worldwide, far surpassing Chase’s six.

The Centurion concept has changed the way people experience travel by making lounge access dependent on having a specific credit card rather than being loyal to an airline. Only AmEx Platinum, AmEx Business Platinum, AmEx Centurion, Delta SkyMiles Reserve or Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business credit card holders can enter Centurion.

Centurion and Chase only compete in national competitions in New York, and I have now experienced both venues at LaGuardia Airport.

I liked Chase’s unique services, but AmEx has a better airport lounge network overall. Given my travel habits, access to Centurion alone would be worth having both Chase and AmEx in my wallet.