DFW Flagship Lounge vs Centurion Lounge Comparison
Aug 14, 2019, 8:14 pm
#2
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Hoboken, NJ
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 194
I have both the Amex PLT and have been in the new FL when flying internationally...
My take...
Food: About the same-better in FL if you have FFD, maybe slightly better in Centurion for the “normal areas.”
Booze: Centurion Lounge... I personally prefer a good bar to the self serve liquor in the FL... But maybe that’s reflective of my bartending skills.
Seating: About the same, both can be crowded at peak times... I think the seats are more comfortable in the Centurion lounge but I think it’s generally busier too. One nice thing about the Centurion Lounge is that the lounge staff will come to your seat and ask if you want/need any food/drinks refills. Haven’t seen this in the FL.
Amenities: Both have showers, Centurion has the spa (but tough to get reservations).
Views: Better from the Flagship Lounge... View of the tarmac vs. view of check-in area.
just my $.02
My take...
Food: About the same-better in FL if you have FFD, maybe slightly better in Centurion for the “normal areas.”
Booze: Centurion Lounge... I personally prefer a good bar to the self serve liquor in the FL... But maybe that’s reflective of my bartending skills.
Seating: About the same, both can be crowded at peak times... I think the seats are more comfortable in the Centurion lounge but I think it’s generally busier too. One nice thing about the Centurion Lounge is that the lounge staff will come to your seat and ask if you want/need any food/drinks refills. Haven’t seen this in the FL.
Amenities: Both have showers, Centurion has the spa (but tough to get reservations).
Views: Better from the Flagship Lounge... View of the tarmac vs. view of check-in area.
just my $.02
Aug 14, 2019, 8:42 pm
#5
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: SLC/HEL/Anywhere with a Beach
Programs: Marriott Ambassador; AA EXP 3MM; AS MVP, Hilton Gold, CH-47/UH-60/C-23/C-130 VET
Posts: 5,234
Interesting. I haven't been in the new DFW FL yet -- but will be next week! But, I have been to the DFW Centurion lounge several times. Food seems to me to be pretty limited, in a tight place, and always has a line. I've been to the JFK, MIA, ORD, and LAX FL several times and IMHO they are far superior in food compared to the DFW or other Centurion lounges with more choices, lines are OK, etc. We all have differences of opinion but are you suggesting the DFW FL is a step down from JFK, MIA, ORD, and LAX?
Aug 14, 2019, 8:51 pm
#6
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Hoboken, NJ
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 194
Interesting. I haven't been in the new DFW FL yet -- but will be next week! But, I have been to the DFW Centurion lounge several times. Food seems to me to be pretty limited, in a tight place, and always has a line. I've been to the JFK, MIA, ORD, and LAX FL several times and IMHO they are far superior in food compared to the DFW or other Centurion lounges with more choices, lines are OK, etc. We all have differences of opinion but are you suggesting the DFW FL is a step down from JFK, MIA, ORD, and LAX?
Ive only ever been in the JFK Flagship Lounge otherwise and that was for breakfast so I can’t judbe.
Overall, I think both lounges far exceed other domestic US lounges and given that it’s a five minute walk between them, the OP should try both if they have adequate connection time!
Aug 15, 2019, 4:28 am
#8
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: DL: Silver; AA: EX PLAT; UA: Silver; HY: DIA; HH: DIA; MR: TIT
Posts: 1,708
We just hit both this week and both me and my S/O liked the FL much better. AMEX was too crowded and while the food they had was quite good, the selection was severely limited. This always is the case with AMEX IMHO. I feel like AMEX is great when you want a full meal, but it's terrible when just in the mood for snacks.
We also liked the champagne/sparkling wine MUCH better at FL. We did not have access to FFD but if we did then it would have been night and day with AMEX based on my FFD experiences at LAX and JFK. For red wine, I'd say comparable but if forced to choose, I'd again go with FL.
Also, overheard that there is a secret champagne available for AMEX Black Card members. I wonder how it compares with the kind-of-crappy sparkler they were serving.
We also liked the champagne/sparkling wine MUCH better at FL. We did not have access to FFD but if we did then it would have been night and day with AMEX based on my FFD experiences at LAX and JFK. For red wine, I'd say comparable but if forced to choose, I'd again go with FL.
Also, overheard that there is a secret champagne available for AMEX Black Card members. I wonder how it compares with the kind-of-crappy sparkler they were serving.
Aug 15, 2019, 4:36 am
#9
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: London
Programs: AA EXP, SPG Plt
Posts: 2,607
Aug 15, 2019, 6:20 am
#10
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: RDU
Posts: 2,265
In general terms, Flagship Lounges trump Centurion, but it depends on what you want. FL's don't have 'spas'... and some don't have staffed bars. But definitely more space and more abundant food.
To me, the space constraints of the Centurion lounges can be a real dealbreaker. I know they've been trying to solve this with entry rules and enlarging clubs, but it's still an issue many times.
I've never had a space issue at any of the FL's.
To me, the space constraints of the Centurion lounges can be a real dealbreaker. I know they've been trying to solve this with entry rules and enlarging clubs, but it's still an issue many times.
I've never had a space issue at any of the FL's.
Aug 15, 2019, 7:36 am
#11
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: CoUniHound 1K 1MM, AA EXP 2MM, DL Plat, Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 1,625
IMO, if both were relatively empty, I'd chose the Centurion Lounge over the FL. But the CL is rarely relatively empty. Being able to reliably find a place to sit is a big plus for the FL.
Aug 15, 2019, 7:50 am
#12
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Wolverhampton
Programs: BA Silver, Hilton Diamond, Marriot Gold, Radisson Gold, Amex Platinum
Posts: 1,608
I think the FL serves self pour genuine Champagne, and the Centurion lounge serves only Prosecco, unless you have a Centurion card. So if that's your thing, then FL seems the basic choice.
I prefer self pour, but it lacks the cocktails choice, you don't have equipment or range to make your own...
I prefer self pour, but it lacks the cocktails choice, you don't have equipment or range to make your own...
Aug 15, 2019, 9:45 am
#14
Join Date: May 2011
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP, LT Gold
Posts: 3,148
I've been in both recently. The FL wins hands-down for me.
The CL is narrow and crowded almost always. Even for a 10pm departure. The FL is airy and spacious. I find the food to be similar.
Where the FL really wins is the big cooler down by the bathrooms with tons of bottled (or boxed, Lol) sparkling and still water.
The CL is narrow and crowded almost always. Even for a 10pm departure. The FL is airy and spacious. I find the food to be similar.
Where the FL really wins is the big cooler down by the bathrooms with tons of bottled (or boxed, Lol) sparkling and still water.