Originally Posted by
flyer703
While it's great that we're getting a Centurion Lounge, I'm not sure how popular it will be. One of the great things about DCA is that you don't need to build in lots of extra time, especially if you live close by. PreCheck is consistently quick, and it's a quick walk (less than 5 mins - with no "Mobile Lounge", tram, etc.) from the entrance to any gate. I often brag to my friends that I can get from my front door in Alexandria to my gate in 30 minutes or less - and that is almost always the case. So I don't see myself getting to the airport an hour early just to hang out at the lounge - as great as the Centurion may be. Perhaps it will be popular with transient fliers connecting thru on their layovers. Anyway, I do hope it's successful!
I think the Amex lounge at DCA will be much busier with DCA-originating traffic too because of all the relatively high-income earners with these Platinum/Centurion cards around DCA and how powerful the allure of "free" drink and food is in DC. And perhaps even because it's out out the way for AA passengers, they will either have to pad in more time for "getting their money's worth" out of the DCA lounge and use it for longer periods of time or not use it at all. I expect it to be one of the most packed Amex lounges I frequently encounter. Just a matter of when.
I used to be able to very reliably get from around Key Bridge (Georgetown/Arlington) to the gates at DCA within 16-18 minutes of launching into a taxi/car service. That era is gone and didn't come back with PreCheck; nor is it back with new DCA security in B/C.