The US Open Centurion Lounge Turned a Premium Perk Into a Reservation Race

Analysis and opinion · Sources checked October 4, 2026.

Tennis has enough pressure points without making breakfast plans revolve around a lounge reservation release.

At the 2026 US Open, American Express's Centurion Lounge offered eligible cardholders a place to recharge inside Louis Armstrong Stadium. But holding the right card was only the first step. Same-day reservations opened through a dedicated Resy link at 9:30 a.m. Eastern, with visits limited to an hour. Amex itself warned that availability was extremely limited and filled quickly. The 2026 event rules.

That is not a scandal. It is, however, a useful reminder of what an exclusive benefit actually promises.

Eligibility is not a reservation

For this tournament's pop-up, Platinum cardholders could reserve for up to two people and Centurion members for up to four, once per day and subject to availability. The eligible card needed to be saved to the guest's Resy profile. Amex's US Open FAQ.

In other words, the card did not secure a seat. It secured participation in the process for trying to secure one.

There is a defensible reason for that arrangement. A temporary hospitality room has finite capacity. A reservation system and a one-hour limit can spread access more widely and avoid a large physical queue. That may be better for guests than letting everyone arrive at once and negotiate with the door staff.

But the marketing glow can obscure the work involved. An experience presented as a relaxing benefit asks the customer to prepare an account, watch the clock and compete for a slot. Exclusivity starts to feel suspiciously similar to extra administration.

The tennis should still be the main event

Exclusivity is a poor measure of how much an experience improves your day. At a major sporting event, an elusive reservation can feel like an achievement before you have even considered whether you want the appointment.

The better question is whether a visit improves the day you already planned.

For some guests, an hour in a calmer space with refreshments is a welcome break. For others, a fixed appointment can collide with a match, a practice session or time with friends. Getting something complimentary does not make every trade-off worthwhile.

Our view: treat an event lounge as an optional bonus. Do not let a reservation contest reorganize the experience you actually bought tickets to enjoy.

The 2026 tournament is over, so these details should not be mistaken for bookable future availability. Anyone attending a later edition should check that year's published rules; dates, eligibility and reservation mechanics can change.

A premium perk earns its reputation by making your day easier. When securing it becomes a miniature sporting event, remember which tournament you came to watch.

Related lounge guides

The Centurion Lounge (JFK) · The Centurion Lounge (LGA) · Delta One Lounge (JFK). These airport lounges are separate from the tournament venue discussed above.