Isabella Weng boarded her Tokyo to San Francisco connection last week on five hours of sleep. She had not eaten all day. A financial analyst based in Singapore, Isabella flies internationally at least twice a month. This time, a four-hour layover at Haneda offered a brief pause. The plan was to unwind. The newly announced American Express Centurion Lounge Tokyo seemed ideal. A quiet space could help reset. A major presentation awaited just six hours after landing.
“I searched the terminal,” she said. “Gate 112. Then 114. I asked someone at the information desk, and they hadn’t heard of it. I pulled up the app, and it said nothing.”
Like thousands of other American Express Platinum and Centurion cardholders, Isabella was flying through Haneda Airport this summer. She was looking for Centurion Lounge Tokyo, a space that, while heavily promoted and eagerly anticipated, has not yet opened.
Why Has the American Express Centurion Lounge Tokyo Not Opened Yet?
American Express first announced plans to open a Centurion Lounge at Haneda’s Terminal 3 in early 2024. The announcement drew interest from frequent travelers. At the time, Amex projected a mid-2025 opening. However, it has not provided an official launch date since. Still, internal sources, job listings, and statements from industry partners confirm that a July 2025 target remains in place.
In many Western airports, construction progress is often visible, marked by plywood barriers and “Coming Soon” posters. By contrast, Japan’s terminals take a more discreet approach.
Specifically at Haneda, officials typically conceal lounge infrastructure until they complete final inspection approvals. Travelers rarely see signs of upcoming openings until just before launch.
Still, the silence has led to confusion.
“I follow aviation blogs religiously,” said Dan O’Reilly, a frequent flyer and Amex Business Platinum cardholder. “I kept seeing articles from 2024 saying the lounge was coming ‘soon.’ But I was just there last month. No signage. No one at ANA even knew what I was talking about.”
Travel forums confirm the same – while Delta, ANA, and JAL lounges remain operational in Terminal 3, travelers have not spotted any visible Amex presence as of mid-July 2025.
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What Makes the American Express Centurion Lounge Tokyo Different?
The American Express Centurion Lounge Tokyo will be the company’s first in Japan, and only its third in Asia, after Hong Kong and Delhi. Set to occupy around 7,000 square feet, the lounge is expected to seat roughly 120 guests.
It is designed not to impress with scale, but with experience.
Preliminary details released by American Express include –
- A chef-curated menu highlighting local ingredients and Japanese comfort food
- Sake and Japanese whisky tastings
- A runway-facing terrace, rare in Japanese airports
- Showers, workspaces, and quiet zones for business travelers
- A dedicated concierge and travel desk
- Minimalist Japanese design, emphasizing calm and acoustic clarity
“It’s not Dallas in disguise,” one travel consultant said. “It’s a Tokyo-first experience for people who need quiet, food, and function between continents.”
That function matters.
According to the 2023 J.D. Power Airport Satisfaction Study, 64% of frequent international travelers report that high-quality lounges significantly improve travel productivity.
That jumps to 79% among travelers connecting between 10+ hour flights.
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Who Can Access the Lounge?
Before arriving, it’s essential first to know who qualifies for entry. Lounge access may seem automatic. But the rules often vary by region. They also depend on your card type. Knowing your eligibility early helps avoid surprises at the door.
Entry will be restricted to the following –
- American Express Platinum (personal and business) cardholders
- Centurion Card members
- Select international Amex affiliates
Guest policies may vary depending on the region. For example, in the U.S., Platinum cardholders must meet a $75,000 annual spend threshold to bring a guest for free. However, whether Japan enforces the same criteria has not yet been disclosed.
Besides, the lounge will use a digital queuing system via the Amex app. When the lounge reaches capacity, access will pause. Members can check availability in real time. After that, they can join a virtual waitlist. A notification will alert them once a seat opens.
This queue system has been deployed in other locations like Los Angeles and JFK. It has proven useful, especially at peak travel hours.
How Does It Compare to Existing Lounges at Haneda?
Before your flight, it’s helpful first to know how lounge options differ. Not all lounges offer the same access. Some have more perks than others. In many cases, eligibility varies. It can depend entirely on your airline or ticket class.
Therefore, knowing these differences can greatly improve how you plan your time at the airport.
Terminal 3 at Haneda offers lounges from –
- All Nippon Airways (ANA)
- Japan Airlines (JAL)
- Delta Air Lines
These are tiered based on cabin class and alliance status. Generally, most economy-class passengers without airline status cannot access them. However, some can still enter by paying a fee or using certain co-branded credit cards.
By contrast, the Centurion Lounge model is different. Instead of airline or ticket class, it offers access based on card status. It means even a traveler flying economy on a budget carrier could enter, if they carry the right Amex card.
This distinction matters, particularly for frequent travelers who prioritize card loyalty over airline loyalty.
What Are Travelers Saying?
Even though the lounge remains closed, expectations continue to rise.
On a popular travel forum, one user wrote – “This better be the quietest lounge in the world. I want slippers and soft soba, not another airport buffet.”
Some travelers have voiced frustration. They feel there has been little clear communication from American Express. Even so, many remain hopeful about the American Express Centurion Lounge Tokyo. The projected opening date is drawing closer.
“It’s not about snacks,” said Isabella, an analyst from Singapore. “It’s about arriving somewhere that feels right. I don’t care if it’s small. I care if it works.”
Recommended read – Amazon Business Prime American Express Card Review and Insights
When Will the American Express Centurion Lounge Tokyo Open?
Based on internal job listings, industry commentary, and member speculation, the current estimate is late July 2025. However, American Express Centurion Lounge Tokyo has not publicly confirmed a date.
Travelers with upcoming routes through Haneda should –
- Monitor the Amex mobile app for access updates
- Review guest policy terms before traveling
- Tap into other lounges like Delta or Priority Pass when allowed.
- Check forums like Flyertalk, where soft launch photos often appear.
Given Amex’s history, a “soft opening” may occur just days before full operational launch.
Final Thoughts
In a world of points, upgrades, and shifting loyalty programs, the value of a lounge lies in its meaning beyond the amenities.
American Express is building the Centurion Lounge Tokyo with a purpose, which explains the delay. American Express won’t make it the biggest Centurion Lounge. It may not have the longest buffet line. Thousands of cardholders connect through Tokyo each month. For them, it will offer something rare, such as space, comfort, and a few uninterrupted minutes before the next flight.
And when it opens, it will be a quiet pause that travelers like Isabella, Dan, and others have already been waiting for.
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Sources –
- American Express Newsroom
- Business Traveler USA
- Upgraded Points
- Doctor of Credit
- J.D. Power 2023 Airport Satisfaction Study
