Jon K.
Yelp
If you're an AMEX Platinum Card holder, or otherwise have access to AMEX's Centurion Suites, you're in luck. The Centurion Suite at Stapl...oops, I mean, the Crypto.com Arena , is one of the best kept secrets in LA.
Granted, to access this lounge, you'll need an AMEX Platinum Card (which carries an unspeakable annual fee...seriously, go look it up), but assuming you already have one, this is a GREAT way to upgrade your nosebleed seats and find yourself in the equivalent of the 200's section.
If this is your first time trying to get into the AMEX Lounge, READ THIS:
1) Make sure you pack your AMEX Platinum Card and ID. All will be for naught if you forget it.
2) Get to the Crypto.com Arena at least 30 minutes before doors open (approximately 1.5-2 hours before tip off). You're going to want to be one of the first in line to get into the building. If you're not, chances are you won't be able to find a seat in the lounge which only has seating for 50 even though they let 100 people in (i.e. half will be sitting, the rest will be standing and/or just going to their normal seats).
3) Find the Star Plaza Entrance. It's behind the Shaq and Magic statues off Figueroa and Chick Hearn Ct (It's basically the "back side" of the Crypo Arena). Get in line in any of the queues that lead in but be sure to get there at least 30 minutes BEFORE doors open. Doors opened at 5:30pm on a Tuesday for us so we were in line by 5:00pm. There were already some people lined up in the 10 or so doors leading into the Arena. We found the shortest one we could and ended up being second in line.
4) Once you're in, make a left and RUN to the Delta Suites/American Express entrance. It should be just 50-100 feet from the Star Plaza Entrance on the left. You'll have to wait in line as the doormen check your AMEX Platinum Card and ID and give you a bracelet. You might think to yourself you're all set but don't be fooled, you still need to claim a seat!
5) After you get your bracelet, go down the hallway and around the corner. Take the stairs or the escalator to the next level. Here's where it gets tricky. Once you're up the stairs, you'll see a lounge to your right. That is NOT the AMEX lounge. You need to go left and take the stairs to the next level. There's an elevator behind you but it's faster to go left and take the stairs. Once you climb those stairs, the AMEX Centurion Suite should be on your right. A doormen should be there to check your bracelets.
6) You are now on the doorstep of basketball viewing immortality. Once you're in the lounge, don't waste time looking around and ooh-ing and ah-ing as the Lakers warm up on court. There'll be time for that later. You my friend need to find a seat! If you're with a friend, have them camp out at the first open seats you find as you continue down the lounge looking for a better spot. Once you both find a spot you like, have a seat, take a breather, and soak in the view.
In Conclusion:
At this point you might be asking yourself, is this all worth it? Is getting to the Arena literally 2 hours before tipoff just to score a few drinks and a minor seat upgrade worth all the stress and anxiety? Honestly, I don't know. In my early 20's, the answer would have been a resounding YES. Now that I'm older and could probably afford nicer tickets if I really wanted to...eh, I'm not so sure. But I will say the "thrill of the chase" made even getting to tipoff that much more exciting and memorable. My brother and I went on to watch the Lakers get slaughtered (cmon Bron and Brodie...) but at least we got to do it from a good vantage point.
A few last things:
- 1 AMEX Platinum Card = up to 4 bracelets (i.e. you can bring up to 3 friends with you. They'll each need to have their own tickets to get into the game obviously, but that means you guys can buy the cheapest seats in the house but still get a 200's section type view. Not bad.)
- The Lounge is available for any event at the Crypto.com Arena unless otherwise specified (e.g. Clippers games--boo, Kings games, concerts, etc)
- The food in the lounge is pretty good as far as Stadium food goes. We got the loaded nachos $22 and they were delicious. Plenty for 1 person, enough for 2 if you also get something else like the garlic fries $11, yum!
- Each bracelet comes with 2 FREE DRINK TICKETS. You not only get to upgrade your view, but AMEX is buying you 2 drinks on them! Does it justify the outrageous annual fee for the card? Hell no! But it's a nice perk :).
Anyway, I hope this helps even at least one person navigate the labyrinth that is getting to the AMEX Centurion Lounge. Good luck, have fun, and GO LAKERS!!!