Capital One Lounge at DFW
Jan 18, 2022, 10:36 am
#31
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: New York
Programs: EK Platinum, AA EXP, Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,148
Visited the lounge yesterday. It was nice, but really not that big. I can see it getting crowded, but was pretty empty around 2pm on a Sunday. The food was ok, I wasn't blown away by it. Also tried one of the to-go turkey sandwiches and the bread was dry/hard.
I too noticed quite a few fruit flies, and it doesn't look like they do a good job of cleaning as there were crumbs everywhere. Even on/in between seat cushions.
And then the part that annoyed me. There are only about 5/6 of the red lounge chairs that face the windows. I noticed someone had left and an attendant had "cleaned" it so I decided to move and sit there. FWIW it still looked pretty dirty with crumbs everywhere on the floor, chairs, table etc) That's when the attendant shouts from about 10ft away, "Sir I actually cleaned that table for another couple." Said couple showed up a few minutes later. I wasn't aware there was any sort of reservation system for those seats. Is there a card higher than the Venture X (like a centurion) that gives special reserved seats within this lounge? It's not like the attendant knew the other guy was leaving at a certain time, as when he was getting up the attendant asked "Are you heading out sir?" Something about that whole situation just rubbed me the wrong way.
Had another 3hrs until my delayed flight, but I decided to just head over to the centurion lounge. Even though it was more crowded, felt more welcome and the little cubby seats are much more comfortable than the majority of the capital one lounge seats.
I'll give this lounge another chance next month. But I think I still prefer the centurion.
I too noticed quite a few fruit flies, and it doesn't look like they do a good job of cleaning as there were crumbs everywhere. Even on/in between seat cushions.
And then the part that annoyed me. There are only about 5/6 of the red lounge chairs that face the windows. I noticed someone had left and an attendant had "cleaned" it so I decided to move and sit there. FWIW it still looked pretty dirty with crumbs everywhere on the floor, chairs, table etc) That's when the attendant shouts from about 10ft away, "Sir I actually cleaned that table for another couple." Said couple showed up a few minutes later. I wasn't aware there was any sort of reservation system for those seats. Is there a card higher than the Venture X (like a centurion) that gives special reserved seats within this lounge? It's not like the attendant knew the other guy was leaving at a certain time, as when he was getting up the attendant asked "Are you heading out sir?" Something about that whole situation just rubbed me the wrong way.
Had another 3hrs until my delayed flight, but I decided to just head over to the centurion lounge. Even though it was more crowded, felt more welcome and the little cubby seats are much more comfortable than the majority of the capital one lounge seats.
I'll give this lounge another chance next month. But I think I still prefer the centurion.
Feb 1, 2022, 10:59 am
#32
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: ELP
Programs: AA EXP/LT PLAT, Marriott Titanium/LT PLAT
Posts: 4,120
Great lounge
First time in the lounge. Used to visit
the Centurion but cancelled my card with the new yearly fee. Have access to Admirals Club but will try the FL lounge in MIA later today so no need to visit the DFW lounges.
I like this lounge .. more spacious than the Centurion and definitely not as crowded but that might change as more people learn about it.
A beautiful space and well thought out .. lots of food and drink options. I could definitely spend a long layover here.
Food was good but the hummus was a flop. Hard pita bread and the hummus could use some more salt, lemon juice and a bit longer in the blender.
The frozen Irish coffee should not be missed
the Centurion but cancelled my card with the new yearly fee. Have access to Admirals Club but will try the FL lounge in MIA later today so no need to visit the DFW lounges.
I like this lounge .. more spacious than the Centurion and definitely not as crowded but that might change as more people learn about it.
A beautiful space and well thought out .. lots of food and drink options. I could definitely spend a long layover here.
Food was good but the hummus was a flop. Hard pita bread and the hummus could use some more salt, lemon juice and a bit longer in the blender.
The frozen Irish coffee should not be missed
Feb 5, 2022, 5:41 pm
#33
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: I 35 south bound, finally stopped
Programs: LT Plt, 4mm, *A GLD, burned out medical provider, executing our estate plan
Posts: 1,665
I got a Venture X card just so I could use this lounge in DFW. Got my 100000 miles pretty quick. With the bonuses it makes this a $95 lounge membership and if I do it right free (prepaid). See my posts upthread. Back today heading to SCL. They had a little leak in the roof so a little part was partitioned off. Same great service, Great bar and bartender, decent food, not crowded. I did a lounge hop to the AC (fairly empty and quite sad compared to Venture X) and the Centurion. Massive crowd, food line 30 deep, no where to sit, crumbs all over the floor and screaming children without masks. Definitely a super spreader event. Almost certainly will downgrade my AMEX Plt card at the end of 2022. That was not an experience I want to repeat. Also I get better point use from the CSR. I see no value spending that much on the AMEX just to get mrs. boerne into the Centurion once a year. See post #31. We had a completely opposite experience. D lounge recap today- Centurion sucked, AC was sad, Venture X won. Ya'all please stay at the Centurion so the C1 lounge stays cool. Hope I didn't get Omicron at the Cent. All those maskless screaming kids......
Edit at 1928- Its very nice when the C1 lady comes by and asks if she can get us anything else. Also Cent closes at 730, booze over at 7, C1 open until 9.
Edit at 1928- Its very nice when the C1 lady comes by and asks if she can get us anything else. Also Cent closes at 730, booze over at 7, C1 open until 9.
Last edited by boerne; Feb 5, 2022 at 6:28 pm Reason: added data
Feb 7, 2022, 6:00 am
#34
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: ELP
Programs: AA EXP/LT PLAT, Marriott Titanium/LT PLAT
Posts: 4,120
Came in when it opened at 6am. Few people entered after me but not enough to make it crowded.
Breakfast pics below:
One of the ladies remembered me from my visit last time and made sure I had everything. She would come by while I was eating to ask if I wanted coffee and I told her I would get it when done. She made sure that she would swing by every so often to see if I was done so she could get me my coffee. She did catch me almost finished and took my coffee order and bought it to me.
I think until the AC FL opens and if I have access when travelling, this will be my go to lounge in DFW.
Breakfast pics below:
One of the ladies remembered me from my visit last time and made sure I had everything. She would come by while I was eating to ask if I wanted coffee and I told her I would get it when done. She made sure that she would swing by every so often to see if I was done so she could get me my coffee. She did catch me almost finished and took my coffee order and bought it to me.
I think until the AC FL opens and if I have access when travelling, this will be my go to lounge in DFW.
Feb 14, 2022, 1:16 pm
#36
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: DTW/MBS
Programs: UA 1K, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Formerly Starbucks Gold
Posts: 3,525
Feb 15, 2022, 3:00 pm
#37
Moderator: Alaska Mileage Plan
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 12,318
Mar 6, 2022, 8:29 pm
#39
Join Date: Oct 2021
Location: PHL/LAX/MAD (for now)
Programs: American Airlines Executive Platinum, AmEx Membership Rewards
Posts: 874
Alright, I can finally give my 2 cents in this convo after paying for a day pass on Friday. This lounge makes the Centurion look like a glorified nightclub. As a Amex Plt cardholder, I've been through the DFW quite a few times, and every time I go, it seems to get more and more crowded, and more and more unpleasant. The C1 is the exact opposite. Quiet, relaxed, with a fantastic vibe. The staff were all extremely friendly, and were super proactive, constantly asking us if they could get us anything. The food was a 8.5/10, which is pretty damn good for a lounge. Obviously, some items were better than the others, like the cauliflower, mac n cheese, and pot pie, but there was nothing inedible. The shower suite was a nice touch, and the bathrooms were exceptionally clean and very high tech. I didn't have any drinks, nor did I use the relaxation/workout room, so I can't comment on any of that, but this is a lounge that, once it expands, is going to blow AMEX out of the water (at least until the guest policy takes effect).
Mar 9, 2022, 4:53 pm
#40
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: DCA/IAD
Programs: Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, Delta Gold, AA Platinum, United Silver
Posts: 221
Alright, I can finally give my 2 cents in this convo after paying for a day pass on Friday. This lounge makes the Centurion look like a glorified nightclub. As a Amex Plt cardholder, I've been through the DFW quite a few times, and every time I go, it seems to get more and more crowded, and more and more unpleasant. The C1 is the exact opposite. Quiet, relaxed, with a fantastic vibe. The staff were all extremely friendly, and were super proactive, constantly asking us if they could get us anything. The food was a 8.5/10, which is pretty damn good for a lounge. Obviously, some items were better than the others, like the cauliflower, mac n cheese, and pot pie, but there was nothing inedible. The shower suite was a nice touch, and the bathrooms were exceptionally clean and very high tech. I didn't have any drinks, nor did I use the relaxation/workout room, so I can't comment on any of that, but this is a lounge that, once it expands, is going to blow AMEX out of the water (at least until the guest policy takes effect).
Mar 10, 2022, 3:28 pm
#41
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: I 35 south bound, finally stopped
Programs: LT Plt, 4mm, *A GLD, burned out medical provider, executing our estate plan
Posts: 1,665
Do you mean the Amex guest policy going in to effect next year? If so, I am probably downgrading my Amex simply for that. I max the 240 streaming, the 200 travel on UA, the Clear, and use the Hilton and Marriott frequently. I am still struggling with the $70000 to have a guest in the Centurion in 2023 simply because of the sub par Centurions in DFW, PHL, and IAH and their time limitations. I am also interested in the Chase lounges, although that may be a bust because they are likely PP too. Anyway for now flying through DFW this is #1 with the AC #2, Centurion if I am feeling lucky. The way I am using the Venture X makes the club membership $95. I have PTSD from my last entry to the Centurion. I can do better with 70k on the CSR, and have.
Mar 10, 2022, 4:35 pm
#42
Join Date: Oct 2021
Location: PHL/LAX/MAD (for now)
Programs: American Airlines Executive Platinum, AmEx Membership Rewards
Posts: 874
Do you mean the Amex guest policy going in to effect next year? If so, I am probably downgrading my Amex simply for that. I max the 240 streaming, the 200 travel on UA, the Clear, and use the Hilton and Marriott frequently. I am still struggling with the $70000 to have a guest in the Centurion in 2023 simply because of the sub par Centurions in DFW, PHL, and IAH and their time limitations. I am also interested in the Chase lounges, although that may be a bust because they are likely PP too. Anyway for now flying through DFW this is #1 with the AC #2, Centurion if I am feeling lucky. The way I am using the Venture X makes the club membership $95. I have PTSD from my last entry to the Centurion. I can do better with 70k on the CSR, and have.
Mar 14, 2022, 2:26 pm
#43
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Philadelphia
Posts: 2,506
Do you mean the Amex guest policy going in to effect next year? If so, I am probably downgrading my Amex simply for that. I max the 240 streaming, the 200 travel on UA, the Clear, and use the Hilton and Marriott frequently. I am still struggling with the $70000 to have a guest in the Centurion in 2023 simply because of the sub par Centurions in DFW, PHL, and IAH and their time limitations. I am also interested in the Chase lounges, although that may be a bust because they are likely PP too. Anyway for now flying through DFW this is #1 with the AC #2, Centurion if I am feeling lucky. The way I am using the Venture X makes the club membership $95. I have PTSD from my last entry to the Centurion. I can do better with 70k on the CSR, and have.
Also, it's not $75k spend to get a guest, it's $75k spend to waive the $50 entry fee for guests. Unless you buy well over $50k/year of airfare or will use 20+ free guest comps every year (valuing MR at a very conservative 1 cpp), it simply is not worth the effort to put that spend on the Plat as it costs north of 100k points transferring spend from higher earning cards to the Plat. You'd be better off just paying the $50 fee each time.
Mar 23, 2022, 4:35 pm
#44
Moderator: Alaska Mileage Plan
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 12,318
This afternoon, the lounge was the busiest that I have ever seen it. Not full, not crowded, but busy. More C1 cardholders than usual and the regular number of foreign carrier J passengers (LH and QR). Menu is the same, which is fine by me. If I were king, I would put signs above the food stations that said, "You Can Come Back for More." Too many people think that they are choosing their last meal.
I was troubled when I saw three AA crewmembers sit at the next table. I think one was a Venture X cardholder and two were her guests. I learned that uniformed crew with C1 cards are currently allowed to use the lounge. I was able to speak to a senior manager of Plaza Premium Group (the lounge operator) and shared my surprise and concern that uniformed crew are allowed entry. I shared that the Centurion Lounge and all the airline clubs prohibit uniformed crew members in the lounge. I also mentioned that once this becomes common knowledge among AA crew, they could overwhelm the lounge.
He asked me to write him an email about this issue, which I did, and I copied a PPG executive in Hong Kong. He also shared that Denver will likely be next C1 Lounge to open, maybe in 3Q, followed by Dulles, which is behind schedule, hopefully in Q4. He would neither confirm nor deny my rumor of the fourth location.
I was troubled when I saw three AA crewmembers sit at the next table. I think one was a Venture X cardholder and two were her guests. I learned that uniformed crew with C1 cards are currently allowed to use the lounge. I was able to speak to a senior manager of Plaza Premium Group (the lounge operator) and shared my surprise and concern that uniformed crew are allowed entry. I shared that the Centurion Lounge and all the airline clubs prohibit uniformed crew members in the lounge. I also mentioned that once this becomes common knowledge among AA crew, they could overwhelm the lounge.
He asked me to write him an email about this issue, which I did, and I copied a PPG executive in Hong Kong. He also shared that Denver will likely be next C1 Lounge to open, maybe in 3Q, followed by Dulles, which is behind schedule, hopefully in Q4. He would neither confirm nor deny my rumor of the fourth location.
Mar 23, 2022, 5:08 pm
#45
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: District of Columbia
Programs: AA ExecPl, AT Gold, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Diamond, Hilton Diamond, National
Posts: 2,440
This afternoon, the lounge was the busiest that I have ever seen it. Not full, not crowded, but busy. More C1 cardholders than usual and the regular number of foreign carrier J passengers (LH and QR). Menu is the same, which is fine by me. If I were king, I would put signs above the food stations that said, "You Can Come Back for More." Too many people think that they are choosing their last meal.
I was troubled when I saw three AA crewmembers sit at the next table. I think one was a Venture X cardholder and two were her guests. I learned that uniformed crew with C1 cards are currently allowed to use the lounge. I was able to speak to a senior manager of Plaza Premium Group (the lounge operator) and shared my surprise and concern that uniformed crew are allowed entry. I shared that the Centurion Lounge and all the airline clubs prohibit uniformed crew members in the lounge. I also mentioned that once this becomes common knowledge among AA crew, they could overwhelm the lounge.
He asked me to write him an email about this issue, which I did, and I copied a PPG executive in Hong Kong. He also shared that Denver will likely be next C1 Lounge to open, maybe in 3Q, followed by Dulles, which is behind schedule, hopefully in Q4. He would neither confirm nor deny my rumor of the fourth location.
I was troubled when I saw three AA crewmembers sit at the next table. I think one was a Venture X cardholder and two were her guests. I learned that uniformed crew with C1 cards are currently allowed to use the lounge. I was able to speak to a senior manager of Plaza Premium Group (the lounge operator) and shared my surprise and concern that uniformed crew are allowed entry. I shared that the Centurion Lounge and all the airline clubs prohibit uniformed crew members in the lounge. I also mentioned that once this becomes common knowledge among AA crew, they could overwhelm the lounge.
He asked me to write him an email about this issue, which I did, and I copied a PPG executive in Hong Kong. He also shared that Denver will likely be next C1 Lounge to open, maybe in 3Q, followed by Dulles, which is behind schedule, hopefully in Q4. He would neither confirm nor deny my rumor of the fourth location.