AMEX Centurion Lounge Mexico City: My Honest Review

I fly in and out of Mexico City pretty regularly (I spend about 4 months every year exploring the amazing things to do in CDMX), so having reliable lounge access at Terminal 1 is basically essential for my sanity.

The Centurion lounge Mexico City in Terminal 1 has been on my radar since it opened, and I’ve had plenty of opportunities to test it out thanks to The Platinum Card® from American Express.

Let me be upfront: I love this lounge, and it’s a total privilege to have access. But if I’m being honest, it felt more like a really nice Priority Pass lounge than the premium Centurion experience I’m used to in the States.

Centurion lounges tend to be way better in the U.S. than internationally, so this wasn’t exactly shocking, but it’s worth knowing what you’re getting into.

To be clear, it’s still lovely, and still way better than waiting it out in the airport chaos.

American Express Centurion Lounge Mexico City: Terminal 1 

There’s almost nothing I love more than a nice airport lounge where I can relax before a flight (I have a guide here to the cards that get you free airport lounge access). Rather than being devastated at leaving Mexico City, I’m excited to enjoy my last round of Mexican food and drinks before my trip.

There are a few Amex lounges in Mexico City airport, and this review is for the lounge in Terminal one. This lounge used to be before security (which was incredibly annoying if you’ve ever dealt with CDMX’s security lines), and, thankfully, now it’s after security. That change alone makes the whole experience infinitely better.

There are a few other bigger and better lounges in the CDMX airport, with an especially larger one in Terminal 2, but I’ll go to any one that’s available!

Centurion Lounge Mexico City: Space & Design: 6/10

Centurion Lounge Mexico City: Food: 7/10

Unlike most lounges in the U.S., the Amex Centurion lounge does table service instead of a buffet setup, which is really lovely (more on this in the service section below). 

I got the steak tacos, which were alright but felt a little simple for a premium lounge. 

My boyfriend ordered the Caesar salad and absolutely inhaled it (so we can assume it was good), but said the veggie burger was not great. The fries that came with it were legitimately delicious though.

He also ordered the lemon pie dessert that was truly beautiful and he was dying over; I barely got a bite in. All told, he had a pretty nice 3 course meal before our long 10-hour flight to Paris.

The menu isn’t huge, but everything I’ve tried has been freshly made and pretty good. The soup is poured out of a lovely pitcher and is a must for the presentation alone. 

It’s definitely better than typical airport food and a lovely way to kick off a flight. 

Centurion Lounge Mexico City: Drinks: 8/10

This is where the lounge almost came to Centurion standards. 

The bar setup is great, and the bartenders actually know what they’re doing. I got a Negroni that was genuinely well made, properly balanced and made with good ingredients. My boyfriend had three (I know) gin and tonics, which tells you everything you need to know about both the quality and his approval.

The only downside is there’s no specialty cocktail menu or signature drinks like you’d see at other premium lounges. That being said, I feel confident they could make anything you want.

Centurion Lounge Mexico City: Service: 10/10

They’re incredibly attentive and really kind. Since it’s table service rather than self-serve, they’re actually working throughout your visit, and it shows. They’re quick with orders, helpful with menu questions, and just nice to deal with.

Note: You should tip! They’re working hard and definitely deserve it, just like in any other bar. Think $5-$10 per person.

Centurion Lounge Mexico City: Cost & Access: 5/10

Here’s where things get frustrating. If you have the personal Platinum Card® from American Express, you get in for free, as it should be (and one of the things that makes the Amex platinum worth it).

But if you have the The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, you still have to pay for your food, which feels absolutely crazy given the annual fee on that card (though I still think this card is worth having thanks to the high welcome bonus).

This weird policy is honestly one of the top reasons we still keep our personal Amex Platinum. Each dish runs about $7, which isn’t terrible, but paying for food with such an expensive card just feels wrong.

Overall Score: Centurion Lounge Mexico City: 7/10

The Centurion lounge Mexico City is a solid option if you already have the Amex Platinum, but it feels more like a nice Priority Pass lounge than a premium Centurion experience. 

Great service and drinks, decent food, but small space and weird payment policies for business cardholders. 

The Centurion lounge Mexico City is solid, well-designed, and definitely beats hanging out at the gate. Just manage your expectations. It’s good, but it’s not going to blow you away like the U.S. locations do.

Cheers to your next adventure! 🥂✈️