Kudos has partnered with CardRatings and Red Ventures for our coverage of credit card products. Kudos, CardRatings, and Red Ventures may receive a commission from card issuers. Kudos may receive commission from card issuers. Some of the card offers that appear on Kudos are from advertisers and may impact how and where card products appear on the site. Kudos tries to include as many card companies and offers as we are aware of, including offers from issuers that don't pay us, but we may not cover all card companies or all available card offers. You don't have to use our links, but we're grateful when you do!
Amex at the 2026 US Open: Every Card Member Benefit and the Cards That Unlock Them
July 1, 2025
.webp)
What Amex Is Offering at the 2026 US Open
American Express has been the US Open's headline partner for years, and the 2026 edition is its biggest on-site program yet: two separate lounges, complimentary radios, a checkout-free shop, a spend offer worth $10, and even a free subway ride home.
The tournament runs August 23 through September 13, 2026 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows. Fan Week takes up August 23–29, and the main draw runs August 30 through the men's final on September 13 (the full event schedule is on the US Open site). That split matters, because several Amex benefits behave differently during Fan Week than they do during the main draw.
Everything below requires a valid US Open ticket to get on the grounds. What your card determines is what happens once you are inside.
Every Amex Benefit at the 2026 US Open
American Express Fan Experience — open to every fan
The American Express Fan Experience is on-site and open to anyone with a valid tournament ticket, subject to capacity. Card Members unlock the extra perks inside by presenting a valid American Express Card; everyone else can scan the QR code on on-site signage and register. Attendees under 18 need a parent or guardian. If you are still planning your visit, it sits in the main plaza area alongside the other fan activations.
American Express Card Member Lounge — any Amex card
On the second level of the Fan Experience. Present a valid American Express Card (prepaid cards excluded) and you can bring up to two guests. It is first-come, first-served and capacity-limited, so it is not guaranteed even if you are eligible.
The Centurion® Lounge at US Open — Platinum and Centurion only
This is the reservation-only one, and the rules are strict. Same-day, one-hour reservations open on Resy at 9:30am ET each day of the tournament, starting August 30. Platinum Card Members can book a table for two (you plus one guest) once per day; Centurion Members can book a table for up to four once per day and also get walk-in access, subject to capacity.
A few things that catch people out: you must have your Platinum or Centurion Card on file in Resy before reservations open, you have to book through the venue page directly rather than by searching Resy, your whole party must arrive within 10 minutes of the reservation time, and the reservation does not include access to Louis Armstrong Stadium. Reservation holders can also receive one complimentary gift bag — one per person for the entire tournament, not per visit.
Amex® Radios — any Amex card
Earpiece radios with the ESPN broadcast and live tournament updates, handed out at radio booths on site. One per Card Member per day while supplies last. Platinum and Centurion Members can pick up a second radio each day for a guest. During Fan Week, Card Members can also collect an Amex fan at the Court 13 radio booth, one per card per day.
American Express® Shop — any Amex card
A checkout-free store in Fountain Plaza selling concessions and exclusive Ralph Lauren merchandise, open from August 24. Tap your Amex Card at the entrance, take what you want, and it is charged automatically. Scan the on-site QR code for your receipt. All sales are final, and a preauthorization may be placed on your card when you enter.
$10 back after you spend $100 — enrolled Amex cards
A one-time $10 statement credit after spending at least $100 with participating on-site merchants between August 30 and September 13, 2026 (extended to September 14 if play runs long). You have to add the offer to your card first through Amex Offers — spending without enrolling earns nothing. It is not valid during Fan Week.
Free MTA ride — any Amex card
Between roughly 12pm and 5pm on select days across Fan Week and the main draw, Card Members can pick up a decal good for one free MTA subway or bus ride at the Fan Experience. One per card for the whole tournament, worth $3, valid through October 31, 2026.
Add the $10 back on $100 offer to your Amex card before you go through the gates. It is an Amex Offer, which means enrollment has to happen first — if you spend $100 on site and then try to add it afterward, the credit will not post.
Which Credit Cards Unlock These Benefits?
Almost everything on this list works with any eligible American Express Card issued in the U.S. — consumer or business, no-annual-fee cards included. Only the Centurion Lounge is tiered.
Any eligible American Express Card
The Card Member Lounge with two guests, the Amex Radios, the Amex Shop, the MTA decal, and the $10 spend offer are all available to Card Members generally. That includes cards like these:
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "118", "isExpanded": "true", "bestForCategoryId": "52", "bestForText": "Dining and Groceries", "headerHint" : "Everyday Amex Access" } ]]
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "120", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "52", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint": "Lowest-Fee Way In"} ]]
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "1010", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "52", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint": "Co-Brand Counts Too"} ]]
Co-branded American Express cards — the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card, Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card, and Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card lineups — count as American Express Cards for these on-site benefits, as do American Express® Business Gold Card. What does not count: American Express Prepaid Cards, Corporate Cards, debit cards, and Amex-branded cards issued by other financial institutions.
Platinum and Centurion only
The Centurion Lounge at US Open, and the second daily radio for a guest, are limited to Platinum Card® and Centurion® Members.
American Express Platinum Card®
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "106", "isExpanded": "true", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint" : "The Lounge Card" } ]]
The Centurion Card is invitation-only, so for practical purposes the Platinum Card is the one card that changes what you can do at this tournament. If you are weighing whether it earns its fee, our guide to the Amex Platinum $200 airline fee credit is a good place to start.
Key Takeaways:
- Any eligible U.S.-issued Amex card gets you the Card Member Lounge, radios, the Amex Shop, the MTA decal, and the $10 spend offer
- Only Platinum and Centurion Members can reserve the Centurion Lounge at US Open
- Co-branded Amex cards count; prepaid, corporate, and debit cards do not
- No Amex card at all? The Fan Experience is still open to every ticketed fan
How to Actually Get the Most Out of It
A few things worth doing before you head to Flushing Meadows:
- Add the $10 back on $100 offer to your card in Amex Offers before you arrive. Enrollment has to come first, and it is one enrollment per Card Member regardless of how many eligible cards you hold.
- If you have a Platinum Card, set up Resy now — account created, Platinum Card saved as a payment method — so you are not doing it at 9:30am while reservations disappear.
- Download the US Open 2026 app and tap the Amex icon to register as a Card Member. Non-members can fill out a short form in the app instead.
- Go on a weekday if you can. Card Member Lounge access is first-come, first-served, and weekend crowds are the reason most people who are technically eligible never get in.
- Grab your radio early in the day. They are while-supplies-last, and the booths run out.
One realistic expectation to set: the Centurion Lounge reservations are extremely limited and released once a day. Plenty of eligible Platinum Members will not get one. Treat it as a bonus rather than the reason you bought the ticket. Amex runs similar activations year-round through Amex Experiences if you miss out on this one.
Consider Using Kudos
Event perks like these are a reminder that the card in your wallet does more than earn points — but only if you know what it unlocks and remember to use it. Kudos is a free AI-powered smart wallet that keeps track of what each of your cards does and tells you which one to use whenever you shop online.
With Kudos, you can:
- Receive personalized credit card recommendations for each purchase
- Multiply your rewards up to 5X during exclusive "Flash Boost" events
- Discover new cards that align with your spending habits
- Work with over 15,000 stores to maximize your rewards
If the US Open has you eyeing a new Amex, Kudos can show you how each card would actually perform against the way you already spend.
Our Expert Takeaway
The 2026 US Open lineup is unusually generous for entry-level cardholders. A no-annual-fee Amex gets you a lounge with two guests, a free radio, a free subway ride, and $10 back — which is more than most event partnerships hand to anyone outside the premium tier.
The Centurion Lounge is the genuinely exclusive piece, and it is also the hardest to actually use: same-day reservations, one hour, released at 9:30am ET, extremely limited. If you already carry American Express Platinum Card®, it is a nice bonus on a card you hold for other reasons. It is not, on its own, a reason to pay the annual fee.
Our advice: enroll in the spend offer, show up early on a weekday, and treat the Card Member Lounge as the reliable benefit and the Centurion Lounge as the lottery ticket.
[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "106", "isExpanded": "true", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint" : "The Lounge Card" } ]]
Amex US Open Benefits FAQ
Do I need a US Open ticket to use these benefits?
Yes. Every benefit here is on-site at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center and requires a valid tournament ticket to reach.
Which Amex cards get into the Card Member Lounge?
Any valid American Express Card except prepaid cards. That includes no-annual-fee and co-branded cards like the Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card. You can bring up to two guests, subject to capacity.
How do I reserve the Centurion Lounge at US Open?
Through Resy only, on the venue's own page rather than by searching. Same-day one-hour reservations are released at 9:30am ET each day starting August 30, and you need your Platinum or Centurion Card saved in your Resy account beforehand.
Can I use the $10 back offer during Fan Week?
No. The spend offer only applies to qualifying purchases made between August 30 and September 13, 2026 (or September 14 if the final day is extended). Fan Week is excluded.
What purchases count toward the $100 spend?
Merchandise and concessions from participating on-site merchants. It excludes US Open Event Cards, USTA memberships, parking, bag drop, ticket sales, charitable donations, and premium suites and banquets. The full terms are on the US Open site.
When will the statement credit post?
Typically within 30 days of the qualifying purchase, though it can take up to 90 days after the offer ends in some cases.
Are business or co-branded Amex cards eligible?
Yes for the on-site benefits, and consumer and business cards are both eligible for the spend offer. Corporate Cards, prepaid cards, debit cards, and Amex-branded cards issued by other banks are not.
What if I do not have an Amex card?
The American Express Fan Experience is open to all ticketed fans — scan the QR code on on-site signage to register and access the general perks. The lounges and card-linked offers are not available. If you are shopping for one, you can compare Amex cards on Kudos.
If you are looking to get more out of your credit cards, Kudos is the best free shopping app to use when you shop online. And, they are currently offering $20 back after your first eligible purchase — just sign-up for free with code "GET20" and make a purchase at a Boost merchant.
Unlock your extra benefits when you become a Kudos member
Turn your online shopping into even more rewards
Join over 400,000 members simplifying their finances
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
