Visit the American Express lounge at Wimbledon – all you need to know

If you have tickets for Wimbledon this year – and if you don’t, read on, because Amex has extra tickets for sale each day – you can visit the free American Express lounge.

Amex launched their Wimbledon lounge back in 2019. I visited it as Amex’s guest, so I didn’t queue, and it was a smart place to hang out.

The only caveat I would give this year is that, with capacity halved, you may find fewer queues at the bars around the ground. If there is a queue for the Amex lounge it may not be worth it, although it is possible to book a timeslot in advance.

What do you get in the American Express lounge?

To quote:

“The specially designed Cardmember Lounge will offer American Express Cardmembers a unique place to relax during the day at The Championships.

With a panoramic view of the Grounds and private terrace access, it will be a comfortable and exclusive space for tennis loving Cardmembers and guests to unwind between matches. A variety of drinks, including the Cardmember Lounge-exclusive – the Sipsmith Gin Wimbledon Southside cocktail and Lanson Gold Label Vintage, along with a range of delicious sweet and savoury snacks will be available to purchase with an American Express Card.

To gain entry, Cardmembers should head to the Lounge located between Courts 3 and 12 to take advantage of the space. Access is provided on a first come, first served basis, subject to capacity.

Cardmembers can also book themselves a time slot on the day via restaurant booking system, Resy. Cardmembers can find out further information on how to book either at the Cardmember Lounge entrance or by visiting one of the American Express onsite kiosks. Cardmembers may obtain access by showing any valid American Express Card with up to one guest.”

Do I get any freebies?

Seems so, although you don’t need to enter the lounge to get one.

“Once again, this year, American Express is offering complimentary in-ear radios exclusively for Cardmembers, to bring them closer to all the on-court action. Fans will be able to tune-in to live commentary across the three official Wimbledon channels, with commentary provided by renowned broadcasters Marcus Buckland and Mary Rhodes. The radios will be available from the American Express Cardmember Lounge, mobile kiosks across the Grounds and at Wimbledon and Southfields stations, while stocks last.”

Other benefits include a 20% discount on purchases from the online Wimbledon Shop.

Exclusive access to returned tickets each day

This is potentially the most interesting bit.

Few people know that, for the last five years or so, Wimbledon has been selling excess and returned tickets for Centre Court and No 1 Court via Ticketmaster each day. You don’t need to queue overnight outside the grounds. You can buy here.

I think these seats come from the allocation which is held back for the media, players and other members of the great and good. I bought one once and ended up in an unused part of the press box on Centre Court, which meant I got extra legroom and a little desk!

Tickets go on sale at 10am, 48-hours before the ticketed day of play. This means that, if you are reading this on Sunday morning, tickets for Tuesday will go on sale at 10am.

You MUST pay with an American Express card.

Be very clear about the covid requirements before you try to buy tickets:

• you must be fully vaccinated more than 14 days ago, or have taken a recent lateral flow test, and be able to show vaccination or your test result via the NHS app (a test result on its own is not valid)
• you must bring photo ID
• whilst not all seats are being sold – except for the final two days – there is no formal social distancing and you are likely to be sat next to someone else

The Ticketmaster page you need at 10am today, and every day for the next 11 days, is here.

Discounted packages for 2022 will be available soon

American Express will also be offering cardmembers special access to Wimbledon 2022.

With corporate hospitality demand expected to remain weak in 2022, Amex and Keith Prowse have put together a ‘mid priced’ package called The Treehouse.

The cost isn’t clear, but as a standard hospitality package costs £2,000 to £4,000 per person, depending on the day, I would expect this to be in the £1,000 to £1,500 range depending on which court you choose.

The Treehouse is described as a ‘flexible and informal’ hospitality experience which comes with tickets to Centre Court or No 1 Court.

Tickets will be available from 12th July so expect to hear more from Amex around that time.

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