I’d read all the opinions—some folks raved, others said, “It’s just okay.” We were flying back home to NYC from Mexico City. I made it a point to check out the Centurion Lounge at MEX airport. As a mom who appreciates good food, decent vibes, and a moment to breathe before a flight, I was curious. Is this luxury airport experience worth it when you’re traveling with kids? Or is this just another overhyped airport perk?
Spoiler alert: my expectations were completely reset, and not just because of the food.
First Impressions: The Journey to Get There
Let me be real with you: Getting to the Centurion Lounge in Terminal 2 is a bit of a trek, especially when you’re managing carry-ons and a 5-year-old who’s already tired from vacation. After security, you take escalators to the mezzanine level, walk down a long hallway, climb more stairs, and then navigate an elevator. My 14-year-old handled it fine, but she definitely gave me the “seriously, Mom?” look by the time we arrived.
The lounge spans two levels with bars on both floors, though interestingly, no one was seated at the bar areas during our visit. Everything here operates on table service; no fighting for buffet space or carrying trays while juggling kids. American Express operates four lounges total at this airport, with three in Terminal 1, so this Terminal 2 location felt a bit more exclusive.
Family-Friendly Factor: There’s a dedicated kids’ room with two Xbox consoles, though my daughters preferred staying close to us with their own devices. No supervision or sign-up system for the gaming area, which could get interesting during peak times.
Lounge Access Made Simple
Here’s what you need to know about getting in: You need a valid Amex Platinum Card, a same-day boarding pass, and a government ID. Card members must arrive within four hours of departure.
Both my husband and I carry Platinum cards, but we only needed one for our family of four. The attendant was lovely about it, though I’ve heard experiences vary depending on who’s working. Personal Platinum cardholders can bring two guests, plus their own children, free. Business cardholders don’t get complimentary guest access, but additional guests are $70 each (subject to availability).
Pro tip: Kindness goes a long way everywhere, but especially when traveling.
The Food Experience: When Airport Dining Becomes Memorable
The Centurion Lounge Mexico City features a menu curated by Michelin-starred chef Jonatan Gomez Luna of Le Chique, and honestly, it shows. We got lucky, arriving early enough to catch both the breakfast and lunch menus.
Breakfast win: The French Toast with homemade three-milk, toffee, pecan, and strawberry coulis was essentially tres leches cake reimagined for breakfast. My whole family was obsessed.
Lunch highlights: I went with the tuna tartare, while the kids ordered pizza and burgers. My husband chose the rib-eye tacos. The one hiccup? My kids thought their Margherita pizza tasted “fishy.” I didn’t taste it myself, but the staff immediately offered to replace it with something else from the menu without any fuss.
The service style: Everything is made-to-order and brought to your table. I actually loved this restaurant-style approach versus typical buffet setups, though it does mean planning extra time if your boarding is approaching.
This matters more than you might think when you’re traveling with kids and flight times cross into mealtime. Having quality food available (not just airport fast food) makes such a difference in keeping everyone happy and well-fed. This is especially important when meals are no longer served on international flights.
Service That Sets the Standard
I need to say this loud and clear: Hospitality in Mexico City is unmatched, and the lounge staff embodied this completely. Our server was attentive, made great drink recommendations (she suggested something refreshing for my husband that he absolutely loved), and handled our pizza situation with grace.
Compared to the only other Centurion Lounge we’ve visited (Las Vegas), this Mexico City location felt more like dining at an actual restaurant. The Vegas lounge was fine, but the service here was notably more personal and attentive.
For drinks, I started with a carajillo. You really can’t have them anywhere but Mexico. Though it was just okay, so I switched to an Old Fashioned that hit the spot. Our server excelled at recommendations. She suggested a refreshing mezcal cocktail to my husband that he absolutely loved and kept raving about. My teenager enjoyed plenty of Mexican Coca-Cola. She swears it tastes better than the US version. My 5-year-old stayed happy with her orange juice and water throughout our visit.
The Real Question: Would I Lounge Here Again?
For families: Absolutely worth it, especially if you have Platinum card access. The clean bathrooms alone are worth it when traveling with kids, but add in comfortable seating away from gate crowds, reliable WiFi, device charging, and quality food? It’s a game-changer.
Best for: This works whether you’re traveling solo, coupled up, or with a family. The two-level layout provides space without feeling cramped, and the table service means you’re not competing for resources.
Ideal timing: This is perfect if you arrive early or face delays. Just remember that made-to-order service requires time, so don’t cut it too close to boarding.
My kids genuinely enjoyed having a calm space to decompress, charge their devices, and eat proper food instead of rushing through airport terminals. Sometimes the small luxuries, like a clean bathroom and sitting somewhere that doesn’t feel chaotic, make all the difference in family travel.
The Beauty in the Bump
Here’s what I’m learning about traveling with intention: the bump isn’t always about the destination; sometimes it’s about creating moments of calm in the chaos. This lounge experience reminded me that investing in comfort during travel, especially with kids, isn’t indulgent; it’s strategic. When everyone’s well-fed, rested, and comfortable, the whole trip flows better.
The unexpected beauty was watching my daughters experience hospitality at its finest. They saw how good service works, how food can be an experience rather than just fuel, and how taking time to enjoy moments—even in airports—matters.
The Verdict: Worth It or Skip It?
Pros: Exceptional service, quality made-to-order food, clean facilities, comfortable seating away from crowds, family-friendly amenities
Cons: Long walk to reach the lounge, single shower availability, everything is table service (which some might find slow)
Bottom line: After experiencing this level of airport hospitality, I now actively seek out lounges when we travel. The American Express Centurion Lounge at Mexico City Airport sets a high bar for what airport dining and service can be, especially for families.
This experience definitely shaped my expectations for international Centurion Lounges going forward—I expect the same level of quality and service at other locations worldwide.
Have you tried the Centurion Lounge in Mexico City or another international location?
I’d love to hear about your experience! Drop a comment below or send me a DM on Instagram @beautyandthebumpnyc. And if you’re traveling with kids, let me know your favorite family-friendly airport lounges. Let’s swap notes to make family travel smoother and more enjoyable!