American Express expands US Open 2026 with new lounges and transit perks

American Express is turning up the volume on its US Open hospitality for 2026, rolling out an expanded slate of lounges, transit perks, and fan experiences across New York City. The upgrade builds on a partnership that has anchored the tennis major for more than three decades, and it gives Card Members a longer list of reasons to swipe their cards before, during, and after matches. For anyone asking where to find the best American Express lounge US Open access this year, the answer stretches from a returning Centurion Lounge to a dedicated Card Member space with massage chairs and exclusive merchandise.

Key takeaways

• American Express is expanding US Open perks for 2026 with new lounges, fan activities, and free transit during selected tournament hours.
• Card Members get exclusive lounge access, custom merchandise, a digital game called Tennis Rhythm Rally, and a spending offer worth $10 back after spending $100 starting August 30.
• The Centurion Lounge returns with Resy chef-inspired dishes, with reservations opening at 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time through the Resy app from August 30 through September 13.
• Amex’s US Open partnership has run for more than three decades, reinforcing its broader strategy around premium access and hospitality.
• All lounge access, merchandise, and on-site shopping remain subject to capacity and supply limits.

American Express Builds Out Its US Open Fan Experience

American Express is opening its 2026 US Open activation with a wider set of interactive experiences built for casual attendees, not just Card Members. During US Open Fan Week, the company is bringing back its customized tennis balls and Dove refresh station, both familiar fixtures from past tournaments, while adding new digital entertainment to the mix.

Interactive Activities and Digital Gaming

The headline addition is Tennis Rhythm Rally, a digital game built to support up to seven players at once. It’s a public-facing feature meant to pull foot traffic toward the Amex activation zone, turning downtime between matches into something shareable and competitive for groups of fans wandering the grounds.

Fans can also stop by a dedicated station to personalize phone chains with tennis-themed charms, a low-cost but high-visibility touch that turns attendees into walking advertisements for the brand. Card Members get an edge here too: they receive an extra charm along with access to selected New York-inspired designs not available to general fans, a small but deliberate way of signaling tiered status inside a crowded, non-exclusive space.

Premium Lounge Access and Exclusive Hospitality for Card Members

The core of the American Express US Open playbook remains its lounges, and 2026 sees the return of two distinct tiers of access built specifically around cardholder status. This is where the brand’s premium positioning gets the most visible test, since lounge quality and reservation ease tend to shape how loyal Card Members talk about the experience afterward.

Centurion Lounge Reservations Through Resy

The Centurion Lounge is back with premium food and beverages, including dishes inspired by chefs from Resy’s partner network. Reservations open through the Resy app at 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time, running from August 30 through September 13, giving Card Members a two-week window to book seats before and during the tournament. Platinum members may bring one guest, while Centurion members can bring up to three, a distinction that keeps the top tier feeling notably more exclusive.

Card Member Lounge Perks

Separate from the Centurion space, American Express is operating a standard Card Member Lounge open to cardholders and up to two guests. It includes exclusive merchandise, a postcard station, and a paid Moët & Chandon drink option. Platinum and Centurion members get an added bonus of massage chairs paired with live tournament coverage on screen, a detail aimed squarely at fans who want a break from the New York heat without missing a set.

Why this matters: lounge access has become one of the clearest ways credit card issuers differentiate premium tiers from standard ones, and Amex’s layered approach at the US Open — general fan zones, a Card Member Lounge, and the more restrictive Centurion Lounge — mirrors how the company segments its broader cardholder base year-round.

Transportation and Spending Benefits During the Tournament

Beyond the lounges, American Express is extending its reach into how fans actually get to the tournament, a perk that touches a much wider slice of attendees than lounge access alone. Free subway or bus rides will be distributed during selected tournament hours, easing one of the more practical frustrations of attending a major event in New York.

Branded Transit and a Spending Cashback Offer

The company is also extending its tennis campaign into the city’s transit system itself, with branded subway cars and platform advertisements promoting the travel benefits tied to the tournament. It’s a marketing push that connects the US Open directly to daily commuter routines across the city, rather than confining the campaign to the tournament grounds.

On the spending side, eligible Card Members can get $10 back after spending $100 on qualifying purchases starting August 30. American Express is also running a checkout-free shop stocked with snacks, drinks, and exclusive apparel, along with radios and general on-site shopping access across the grounds. All of these on-site offers, along with lounge access, remain subject to capacity and supply limits, meaning early arrival matters more than in years past.

A Three-Decade Partnership Behind Amex’s Premium Strategy

American Express has held its US Open partnership for more than three decades, and the 2026 program reads as a continuation of that long-running relationship rather than a one-off marketing push. The company has consistently used the tournament to reinforce its identity around premium access, hospitality, dining, travel, and entertainment, and this year’s mix of lounges, transit perks, and digital fan experiences fits squarely into that pattern.

Why this matters for the wider industry: as competition among premium card issuers intensifies, experiential perks like tournament lounges and transit tie-ins have become a key differentiator for customer retention, arguably more persuasive to loyal spenders than a simple rewards rate. The US Open sits inside a broader Amex sports and entertainment portfolio spanning more than 50 properties, and the New York campaign shows how the company blends hospitality, merchandise, transportation, and payment-linked benefits into a single, cohesive brand moment during one of the city’s biggest annual events.

FAQ

What exclusive experiences does American Express offer Card Members at the 2026 US Open?

Card Members receive lounge access, exclusive merchandise, interactive games like Tennis Rhythm Rally, spending offers, and additional tennis-themed charms.

How can Card Members reserve access to the Centurion Lounge during the US Open?

Reservations open through the Resy app at 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time from August 30 through September 13.

Are there transportation benefits for American Express cardholders during the US Open?

Yes, American Express distributes free subway and bus rides during selected tournament hours and promotes travel benefits through branded subway cars and platform ads.

Are there any limitations on accessing lounges and merchandise at the US Open?

Lounge access and on-site shopping remain subject to capacity and supply limits.

Article produced with the assistance of artificial intelligence and reviewed by the editorial team.