American Express does, indeed, work in mysterious ways.
The company has decided to launch a pop-up ‘Centurion Lounge’ in London for six days in the run up to Christmas. Free alcohol is the main attraction, to be honest, as you will see below.
American Express has only told its US cardholders about this. (EDIT: apparently it was in the Vista newsletter yesterday, apologies! My spam filter refuses to deliver Vista. It is not on the Platinum website.)
American Express is taking over private members’ club, The Hospital Club, near Covent Garden. The lounge will be open from Friday 24th November to Sunday 26th November and from Friday 1st December to Sunday 3rd December, from 11am to 8pm.
You will apparently get access with a Platinum or Centurion card. Each cardholder can bring two guests, so presumably if your partner has a supplementary Platinum card then you’d be allowed four guests between you.
The action seems a little uneventful. We’re talking, and I’m not making this up:
snow globe making
make your own home fragrance
beauty services
brunch with Father Christmas
“holiday tips related to shopping, clothing, and decorating”
Personally, I’ll be sticking to the free drinks “from Centurion Lounge renowned mixologist Jim Meehan”. There is apparently free food and drink all day with a special ‘cocktail and canapes’ happy hour between 5pm and 7pm.
I reckon that Head for Points has at least 1,000 London-based American Express Platinum cardholders amongst its readership.
I suggest we head down there for cocktails and canapes at 5pm on Friday 24th November. If you don’t have a Platinum card, come along anyway if you’re nearby – I’m sure someone can guest you in …..
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Can genghis (or other) please remind us how to add oneself as supp?
just add a sup in your name and put ‘other’ as type. I did it last week and it has now arrived.
Rob, I am in the UK and I got an email from Amex with the details of the lounge yesterday. It was right at the end of the email. I am not sure why I read all the way to the end, I don’t normally, but for once I did and there it was!
See you on the 24th!
Here’s the text of the email:
VISTA, your benefit guide for exclusive events – November 2017
THE CENTURION(R) LOUNGE
The Centurion(R) Lounge
Your festive retreat from the Christmas chaos
The Centurion Lounge, designed exclusively for American Express® Cardmembers, is coming to London for two weekends this Holiday season. Platinum Charge Cardmembers are invited to escape from the hustle and bustle of London’s Convent Garden, and unwind in the surroundings of our pop-up Centurion Lounge at one of London’s top private members’ club, The Hospital Club.
Once inside, relax and enjoy the finest food, drink and festive entertainment, while the little ones learn how to make snow globes or play in our festive family area. The magic doesn’t end there, with our beauty treatments and grooming stations to get you Christmas party ready. Plus, visit our perfume experts who will help you create your own home fragrance.
Friday 24 November: 6pm Influencer talk: What to wear this festive season
Saturday 25 November: 11am and 1pm Brunch with Santa
Sunday 26 November: 11am Snow Globe making for the children
2pm Home fragrance making for the adults
Friday 1 December: 6pm Influencer talk on the top gifts this Christmas
Saturday 2 December: 11am and 1pm Brunch with Santa
Sunday 3 December: 11am Snow Globe making for the children
2pm Home fragrance making for the adults
6pm Influencer talk on how to dress your home at Christmas
Stop by as many times as you please throughout the two weekends to relax and recharge for the festive period in uniquely British style. See Terms and Conditions.*
Where: The Hospital Club, 24 Endell Street, London WC2H 9HQ
When: Friday 24 – Sunday 26 November and Friday 1 – Sunday 3 December 2017, 11am – 8pm daily
Price: Complimentary access
Please contact your Platinum Concierge service with any questions on 0800 917 8054
I don’t know if it’s just me but I hate the word “influencer”.
sounds a bit too much like influenza
Hope I can find it in the “hustle and bustle of London’s CoNvent Garden”!
I can make either 24th or 1st, if someone doesn’t mind guesting me in. I’ll queue for the drinks at the inevitably ramped bar in return!
*rammed* bar.
I’m also happy to make 1st if someone does not mind guesting me in and happily queue for the drinks!
Rob,
Dont forget to remind amex to order more booze on the 24th as they will have 1000 extra visitors at (or 3000 if each brings two guests!).
Can’t make either dates. Tempted to try it out another day when I’m in London. Will certainly be cheaper than my bar bill at the Savoy the other week, although the bar was great with the pianist.
Lounge related – BCN in T2 is terrible for food and WiFi. Drink selection was good and pour yourself. When I went it was rather busy but suspect due to the conference in the city this week.
Nope – slight difference in the card fees… 😉
Think I’ll take a friend down there for late lunch drinks on the 24th. Happy to guest someone in on 1st Dec. though. Just pm me on FT.
Always wondered about the choice of name ‘VISTA’ by Amex, given that it is only one letter (or sleepy skim read) away from VISA.
What is the Vista newsletter?
The Amex Platinum special events newsletter, which my spam filter eats.
Thanks, Rob.
Apparently, that newsletter is exclusive to Amex Platinum Business cardholders. Other platinum cards do not get that newsletter.
Here’s a quote from Amex chat:
“The Insider Email Newsletter is a benefit that is currently only available for business platinum card members. It’s currently not available on the personal or corporate platinum cards.”
No, Vista is the personal one. They are confusing Vista with something else.