Your Amex Card Gives You Access to a Speakeasy

Holding an American Express card comes with many benefits, from travel perks to shopping rewards. But did you know that it can also be your secret key to an exclusive speakeasy? That's right -- if you hold certain American Express cards, you can check out a secret bar called the 1850 Speakeasy Bar. It's hidden inside the American Express Centurion Lounge in Terminal 4 at JFK Airport in New York.

Here's everything you need to know.

Speakeasy details

This covert bar, named "1850" in homage to the founding year of American Express, is located in the Centurion Lounge at New York's JFK Airport in Terminal 4. Once you've passed through security, you'll find the lounge on the same level to the left, just beyond the escalators that guide passengers down toward the gates.

Access to the bar requires passing through a nondescript metal door on the lounge's lower level. Once inside, the atmosphere transforms, leaving behind any semblance of an airport lounge. The interior, adorned with dark finishes, wooden paneling, and secluded booths, creates the genuine feel of a classic cocktail bar, seemingly situated in any location but an airport.

Inside, the bar exudes a Prohibition-era ambiance through its design and concept, complemented by classic cocktails crafted by renowned New York City mixologist Jim Meehan, famed for his East Village speakeasy "PDT (Please Don't Tell)." Signature drinks include an espresso martini and a boulevardier, among others.

How to access the speakeasy

To access a Centurion Lounge, you'll need to show an eligible Amex card, a same-day travel boarding pass, and a government-issued ID.

Considering a more tech-savvy approach? The Amex mobile app allows check-in, but remember, it doesn't override the lounge's capacity rules. You must still present your boarding pass and ID. And it's wise to carry your physical Amex card, too, just in case.

The name on your Amex card and government ID must match, whether you use the app or the physical card.

It's important to note that access rules for Amex's Centurion Lounges can vary by the type of Amex card you have. For those with a Centurion or Amex Platinum Card, lounge access is yours if you're in the right terminal and have a confirmed flight for that day.

Which cards grant you access

Accessing the exclusive and less-crowded Centurion Lounge by American Express is a privilege limited to a select group of card members. This luxury is not available for purchase, making it an exclusive benefit for those with the right type of card. Here's a breakdown of who can enjoy these premium lounges:

• Holders of the Centurion and Amex Platinum Card: Those with the Centurion Card or any variant of the Amex Platinum Card, such as The Platinum Card® from American Express or The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, have direct access to the Centurion Lounges. Terms apply. It's no surprise you'll find this card on our list of the best cards for lounge access.
• Amex Delta SkyMiles Reserve Cardmembers: Exclusive access is also granted to Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card and Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card members. Terms apply. This is contingent on flying with Delta, either on a Delta-marketed or operated flight, and the ticket must be purchased with any U.S.-issued American Express card. Note that this access is limited to Centurion Lounges in the U.S., Hong Kong, and London.
• Authorized users: If you're an authorized Centurion or Amex Platinum Card account user, you're in luck. Up to three authorized users can be added to the personal Amex Platinum Card for $195 each per year. (Terms apply, see rates and fees.) However, this doesn't extend to holders of the Amex Platinum Card's complimentary Additional Gold Card.

Unfortunately, holders of other American Express cards, like the American Express® Gold Card or the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, do not have this lounge access. The exclusivity of the Centurion Lounge is maintained by restricting access only to certain card members, emphasizing the premium nature of the Centurion and Amex Platinum Cards. This exclusivity enhances the allure and value of these cards, offering a distinct advantage to those who hold them.

When determining the best credit card for you, you might want to consider how often you travel and if access to the Centurion Lounges are a worthy perk. If so, be sure to choose an Amex card that will get you in and you can review the speakeasy for yourself.