If you fly AA often, chances are you’ve been through DFW at least a few times. It’s home to AA’s headquarters and also its largest hub. In 2013, American Express opened a Centurion Lounge at this major connecting airport, which was great news for frequent AA flyers. I happened to have a 1-hour layover at DFW, so I rushed over to check it out. Here’s the conclusion up front: this is one of the top airport lounges in the United States.
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Who can enter the Centurion Lounge?
- AMEX Platinum and AMEX Centurion cardholders get unlimited complimentary access, and may bring up to 2 guests for free as long as everyone has a same-day boarding pass.
- Other AMEX cardholders can pay $50 with their card for a same-day day pass.
How do you get to Centurion Lounge DFW?
The lounge is located in Terminal D. One great thing about DFW is that, since AA operates out of every terminal, all terminals are connected by the Skyline train. No matter which terminal you’re in, you can usually get to the lounge in about 10 minutes. It’s open daily from 5 AM to 10 PM. After getting off Skyline, you’ll find a small plaza near Gate D17 with shops and dining; look around and you should spot the lounge on the second floor. If luxury shopping is your thing, there’s also Swarovski nearby.
Then just take the elevator upstairs. At the entrance, present your credit card (I used my Platinum) and scan your boarding pass to enter. They’ll also give you a small card with the Wi-Fi password. I tested it myself and the speed was excellent—fast enough to download a TV episode without any trouble. The lounge itself is long and narrow, with a long hallway lined with sofas in various shapes and sizes.
Food
I arrived at DFW during the breakfast hours, and the food here was among the best you’ll find in a US airport. Here’s a look:
The lounge offered a traditional continental-style breakfast with eggs, bread, some vegetables, and fruit. There was also a wide selection of drinks, including alcohol. The staff were all very nice and frequently came by to refill drinks and ask if you needed anything. It’s a good idea to tip the staff who bring you drinks or alcohol.
SPA and showers
One especially impressive feature is that the lounge offers a complimentary 15-minute SPA treatment, so you can actually relax a bit even while at the airport. You can make a SPA appointment when you first enter the lounge. I’m not entirely sure about tipping etiquette for the SPA, but I’d still recommend leaving something ($5-10). The shower facilities are also very convenient, with towels, body wash, and shampoo provided.
Final thoughts
The Centurion Lounge truly lives up to its name. Both the service and the food quality are among the very best in the country. If you have a Centurion Card or a Platinum card and are passing through DFW, it’s definitely worth a visit. Feel free to share your own airport lounge experiences too!