Nov 4, 2013, 12:16 pm
Last edit by: dayone
In March 2017 American Express contracted for a larger space at DFW Terminal D. It sounds as if the Centurion Lounge should relocate in mid-2018. Begin reading HERE.
Located mezzanine floor by gate D-17 (marked lift / elevator)
(All terminals at DFW can be accessed within the secured area)
Hours: 5:30am-10pm
Spa Hours: 9am-8pm
(Reservations required; two spa staff avail for 20m appointments)
http://thecenturionlounge.com/location/DFW
Last call for the bar is 9:30pm
Further access FAQ
Located mezzanine floor by gate D-17 (marked lift / elevator)
(All terminals at DFW can be accessed within the secured area)
Hours: 5:30am-10pm
Spa Hours: 9am-8pm
(Reservations required; two spa staff avail for 20m appointments)
http://thecenturionlounge.com/location/DFW
Last call for the bar is 9:30pm
Lounge Access
All American Express® Card Members with a valid American Express Credit or Charge Card are eligible to visit the Lounge. Any eligible American Express Card Member may purchase a one-day pass at the Lounge for $50, subject to capacity. If you are a Platinum Card® or Centurion® Member, access to The Centurion Lounge is complimentary as part of your Card Membership.
All American Express® Card Members with a valid American Express Credit or Charge Card are eligible to visit the Lounge. Any eligible American Express Card Member may purchase a one-day pass at the Lounge for $50, subject to capacity. If you are a Platinum Card® or Centurion® Member, access to The Centurion Lounge is complimentary as part of your Card Membership.
What is the guest policy?
Platinum® Card members who receive complimentary access may enter with up to two guests at no additional charge.
Centurion members may enter with up to two guests or immediate family (spouse or domestic partner, and children under 18) at no additional charge.
Guest access is per Card Member, not per Card. Family or guests may not enter or remain in the lounge unless accompanied in the lounge by the Card Member.
If you purchase a one-day pass, your children under 18 may accompany you at no additional charge. You must purchase a one-day pass for any additional guests.
Platinum® Card members who receive complimentary access may enter with up to two guests at no additional charge.
Centurion members may enter with up to two guests or immediate family (spouse or domestic partner, and children under 18) at no additional charge.
Guest access is per Card Member, not per Card. Family or guests may not enter or remain in the lounge unless accompanied in the lounge by the Card Member.
If you purchase a one-day pass, your children under 18 may accompany you at no additional charge. You must purchase a one-day pass for any additional guests.
Centurion Lounge at DFW (New larger location opened 27 September 2018)
Nov 12, 2013, 3:29 am
#106
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,528
Got in a few minutes after 5:00 tonight and first availability for spa treatments is at 7:20 so the wife gets it this time. Not enough openings for the both of us. Plenty of opportunities for me later but they may need more than one therapist if they have the facilities.
Nov 17, 2013, 8:14 pm
#107
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP, mid-tier with pretty much everyone else
Posts: 873
All, here's a (hopefully rules-compliant) post about my recent experience at the DFW Centurion Lounge (link to pictures in my signature)
At the beginning of a recent weekend trip to Europe (trip report in the works), I had the chance to check out American Express’s new Centurion Lounge at DFW International Airport. Pictures to follow, but first, some build-up…
Life as a frequent flyer based out of DFW
I live in Dallas and my primary airport is DFW, the fortress hub of American Airlines. This is both a blessing and a curse. The pros include being a 3-3.5 hour flight from either coast, usually on a nonstop flight, and DFW is fairly easy to navigate. The cons, though, can be severe at times. American doesn’t really have to try that hard at DFW. Take DFW-LGA, for example. My daytime job as a financial software consultant has me in and out of New York fairly often, so I know the DFW-LGA market well. American, for a long time, had a monopoly on nonstop flights on this route, and would routinely charge $200-300 more than its competitors, because they knew they could and they knew I (or, rather, my clients) would end up paying it. Even when Delta recently started flying this route they couldn’t muster up more than a regional jet for it. So most people just end up paying the premium for American (although we grumble like heck).
Similarly, American’s lounges at DFW aren’t to the flagship standard of some of their other lounges. There is not a Flagship First Class lounge at DFW airport. Even though they have four Admiral’s Clubs, very seldom will you see an offering suited to the premium passenger that American so covets. The reason? No one else has a nice lounge either. The closest you get is Terminal D where Qantas, Priority Pass, Star Alliance, and a few others have contract lounges that closely resemble small closets. American’s Admiral’s Clubs are nice, but don’t compare to the Flagship lounges at ORD, JFK, and LAX.
The game has officially changed. American Express has opened its new Centurion Lounge at DFW’s Terminal D, and it’s a big-time winner. American is not happy about the lounge opening, and for very good reason: they’ve been outclassed in their primary international terminal at their home airport!
How to access the lounge
The Centurion Lounge is a new program developed by American Express for its premium cardholders. Originally, access to the lounges (so far located at Las Vegas and DFW, with rumors of a San Francisco location surfacing as the next opening) was complimentary only for holders of Amex’s Centurion Card while other Amex cardholders could purchase a guest pass for $50. This changed in the autumn of 2013, with complimentary access expanded to Platinum cardholders as well. Those holding either a Centurion or Platinum card can access the lounge for free and bring along with them two family members or two guests. Additional guest passes can be purchased for $50, as can access for those who hold an Amex card that’s not a Centurion or Platinum.
The lounge is located near the Big Blue Glass Thing in Terminal D, near gates D14-D17. If you’re facing the Big Blue Glass Thing with your back to security check, to your left you’ll see an unmarked escalator (I have no doubt signage will be coming soon). If you look up from there, you’ll see the sign for the Centurion Lounge.
At the top of the escalator, you’ll see a really nice marble sign, followed by the Big Blue Doors allowing your entry into the lounge.
What’s inside those doors is one of the best lounge experiences in the USA, if not the world. It’s that good.
Arrivals Area
The entryway to the lounge is done very nicely with wood accents with bright green leafy plants. It was very tasteful without appearing chintzy. I was welcomed by one of the lounge attendants, who checked my flight status to ensure it was on-time and presented me with a Welcome Gift. She then briefly covered all the amenities available in the lounge and encouraged me to relax and let them know if I had any questions. First things first, breakfast.
Dining Area
The menu for the Centurion Lounge was created by Dallas-area celebrity chef Dean Fearing and has a wonderful selection of southwestern-style food.
Menus are located here, with different menus available for Breakfast and Lunch/Dinner. My favorite item available for breakfast was the Almond French Toast, as I’m a fan of all three of those words. There were almost too many options to choose from, but I tried a nibble of just about everything and couldn’t find anything I didn’t like. I compare this to the Admiral’s Club’s selection of store-bought muffins and bar snacks and it’s a laugh.
While I sat for breakfast, I opened my Welcome Gift and was happy to see a L’Occitane amenity kit that would rival a First Class amenity kit on most international airlines.
Next to the dining area is the bar, with a list of premium cocktails specially designed for the new lounge. All of it is complimentary.
It was 10am and I don’t have a drinking problem, so I didn’t have a chance to hit any of the heavy stuff at the bar, but found their selection of spirits very broad, with premium brands available for all. I can’t help but compare this to the Admiral’s Club in DFW, where well liquor is free but premium spirits tend to cost upwards of $7-10 (although you can get free drink coupons if traveling internationally, depending on your status.)
Around the lounge
The interior decor of the lounge is very modern. The various seating options take various shapes but all are comfy and don’t feel jammed together like you see in other airline lounges. Each chair/sofa/sitting-thing had sufficient space around it to get some work done or relax without people sitting around you.
Shower
I had showered before heading to the airport, but because I love my readers so much I took one for the team and showered again.
There was a slight plumbing problem, where the water would alternate between warm and BOILING, but I was able to time the boiling moments pretty well and avoided my skin melting off. In the bathroom area there were plenty of lotions and amenities available.
I was going to take a picture of the toilet but ew. This is the one area where the Admiral’s Club can almost compete. The showers at the Terminal A Admiral’s Club (which used to house a Flagship lounge) are wonderful, but I’d still prefer the Centurion Lounge for the amenities, assuming the plumbing issue is fixed.
After I had showered and put myself back together, I made my way to the spa for my complimentary treatment.
Spa treatments? Spa treatments.
To further distance itself from the competition, the Centurion Lounge offers complimentary 15-minute massages, facials, or nail treatments. I perused the menu and made my selection, a 15-minute facial treatment (since my face tends to dry out on long flights).
I showed up to the spa at the appropriate time and we got down to business. It was only the second week open, but the lady did wonders in 15 minutes. I wasn’t quite sure what to tip, but figure $5-10 would be ok, so I tipped $10 and she seemed happy enough with it.
Conclusion
The Centurion Lounge changes the game. It also strengthens the value of the American Express Platinum Card. I don’t know why someone living near DFW would ever purchase an Admiral’s Club membership now. For about $100 more you can still get access to Admirals Clubs as well as Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, US Airways clubs, Delta clubs, Hilton HHonors Gold Status, $200 airline credit, Global Entry membership, and the list goes on.
I’ve been to some of the great lounges in the world and this one is up there. I look forward to seeing how it settles into part of the DFW experience. I will absolutely show up earlier to the airport just to take advantage of it, it’s that good.
Here’s hoping American takes notice and no longer takes DFW for granted (although, with Doug Parker leading the new airline, it’s doubtful). American Express outdid itself and outdistanced the competition by a mile.
At the beginning of a recent weekend trip to Europe (trip report in the works), I had the chance to check out American Express’s new Centurion Lounge at DFW International Airport. Pictures to follow, but first, some build-up…
Life as a frequent flyer based out of DFW
I live in Dallas and my primary airport is DFW, the fortress hub of American Airlines. This is both a blessing and a curse. The pros include being a 3-3.5 hour flight from either coast, usually on a nonstop flight, and DFW is fairly easy to navigate. The cons, though, can be severe at times. American doesn’t really have to try that hard at DFW. Take DFW-LGA, for example. My daytime job as a financial software consultant has me in and out of New York fairly often, so I know the DFW-LGA market well. American, for a long time, had a monopoly on nonstop flights on this route, and would routinely charge $200-300 more than its competitors, because they knew they could and they knew I (or, rather, my clients) would end up paying it. Even when Delta recently started flying this route they couldn’t muster up more than a regional jet for it. So most people just end up paying the premium for American (although we grumble like heck).
Similarly, American’s lounges at DFW aren’t to the flagship standard of some of their other lounges. There is not a Flagship First Class lounge at DFW airport. Even though they have four Admiral’s Clubs, very seldom will you see an offering suited to the premium passenger that American so covets. The reason? No one else has a nice lounge either. The closest you get is Terminal D where Qantas, Priority Pass, Star Alliance, and a few others have contract lounges that closely resemble small closets. American’s Admiral’s Clubs are nice, but don’t compare to the Flagship lounges at ORD, JFK, and LAX.
The game has officially changed. American Express has opened its new Centurion Lounge at DFW’s Terminal D, and it’s a big-time winner. American is not happy about the lounge opening, and for very good reason: they’ve been outclassed in their primary international terminal at their home airport!
How to access the lounge
The Centurion Lounge is a new program developed by American Express for its premium cardholders. Originally, access to the lounges (so far located at Las Vegas and DFW, with rumors of a San Francisco location surfacing as the next opening) was complimentary only for holders of Amex’s Centurion Card while other Amex cardholders could purchase a guest pass for $50. This changed in the autumn of 2013, with complimentary access expanded to Platinum cardholders as well. Those holding either a Centurion or Platinum card can access the lounge for free and bring along with them two family members or two guests. Additional guest passes can be purchased for $50, as can access for those who hold an Amex card that’s not a Centurion or Platinum.
The lounge is located near the Big Blue Glass Thing in Terminal D, near gates D14-D17. If you’re facing the Big Blue Glass Thing with your back to security check, to your left you’ll see an unmarked escalator (I have no doubt signage will be coming soon). If you look up from there, you’ll see the sign for the Centurion Lounge.
At the top of the escalator, you’ll see a really nice marble sign, followed by the Big Blue Doors allowing your entry into the lounge.
What’s inside those doors is one of the best lounge experiences in the USA, if not the world. It’s that good.
Arrivals Area
The entryway to the lounge is done very nicely with wood accents with bright green leafy plants. It was very tasteful without appearing chintzy. I was welcomed by one of the lounge attendants, who checked my flight status to ensure it was on-time and presented me with a Welcome Gift. She then briefly covered all the amenities available in the lounge and encouraged me to relax and let them know if I had any questions. First things first, breakfast.
Dining Area
The menu for the Centurion Lounge was created by Dallas-area celebrity chef Dean Fearing and has a wonderful selection of southwestern-style food.
Menus are located here, with different menus available for Breakfast and Lunch/Dinner. My favorite item available for breakfast was the Almond French Toast, as I’m a fan of all three of those words. There were almost too many options to choose from, but I tried a nibble of just about everything and couldn’t find anything I didn’t like. I compare this to the Admiral’s Club’s selection of store-bought muffins and bar snacks and it’s a laugh.
While I sat for breakfast, I opened my Welcome Gift and was happy to see a L’Occitane amenity kit that would rival a First Class amenity kit on most international airlines.
Next to the dining area is the bar, with a list of premium cocktails specially designed for the new lounge. All of it is complimentary.
It was 10am and I don’t have a drinking problem, so I didn’t have a chance to hit any of the heavy stuff at the bar, but found their selection of spirits very broad, with premium brands available for all. I can’t help but compare this to the Admiral’s Club in DFW, where well liquor is free but premium spirits tend to cost upwards of $7-10 (although you can get free drink coupons if traveling internationally, depending on your status.)
Around the lounge
The interior decor of the lounge is very modern. The various seating options take various shapes but all are comfy and don’t feel jammed together like you see in other airline lounges. Each chair/sofa/sitting-thing had sufficient space around it to get some work done or relax without people sitting around you.
Shower
I had showered before heading to the airport, but because I love my readers so much I took one for the team and showered again.
There was a slight plumbing problem, where the water would alternate between warm and BOILING, but I was able to time the boiling moments pretty well and avoided my skin melting off. In the bathroom area there were plenty of lotions and amenities available.
I was going to take a picture of the toilet but ew. This is the one area where the Admiral’s Club can almost compete. The showers at the Terminal A Admiral’s Club (which used to house a Flagship lounge) are wonderful, but I’d still prefer the Centurion Lounge for the amenities, assuming the plumbing issue is fixed.
After I had showered and put myself back together, I made my way to the spa for my complimentary treatment.
Spa treatments? Spa treatments.
To further distance itself from the competition, the Centurion Lounge offers complimentary 15-minute massages, facials, or nail treatments. I perused the menu and made my selection, a 15-minute facial treatment (since my face tends to dry out on long flights).
I showed up to the spa at the appropriate time and we got down to business. It was only the second week open, but the lady did wonders in 15 minutes. I wasn’t quite sure what to tip, but figure $5-10 would be ok, so I tipped $10 and she seemed happy enough with it.
Conclusion
The Centurion Lounge changes the game. It also strengthens the value of the American Express Platinum Card. I don’t know why someone living near DFW would ever purchase an Admiral’s Club membership now. For about $100 more you can still get access to Admirals Clubs as well as Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, US Airways clubs, Delta clubs, Hilton HHonors Gold Status, $200 airline credit, Global Entry membership, and the list goes on.
I’ve been to some of the great lounges in the world and this one is up there. I look forward to seeing how it settles into part of the DFW experience. I will absolutely show up earlier to the airport just to take advantage of it, it’s that good.
Here’s hoping American takes notice and no longer takes DFW for granted (although, with Doug Parker leading the new airline, it’s doubtful). American Express outdid itself and outdistanced the competition by a mile.
Nov 18, 2013, 2:11 pm
#108
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE, AA EXP MM, UA Gold MM, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Titanium, HH Dia, IHG Plat
Posts: 4,777
Visited the DFW lounge just before 7 pm on November 11 with my wife. The front desk attendant asked to see ID along with the Platinum Card, and we were not offered gifts (it was our first visit). The attendant did ask if we were interested in a spa treatment. We decided to think about it for a minute, but by the time we returned in 10 minutes, all the appointments for the day were taken (spa services end at 8 pm).
As soon as we sat down near the dining area, a very friendly attendant asked what drink we wanted. She promptly went to get them while we checked out the food area and later sampled the fine Tex-Mex fare. The soup was particularly good, while the other hot dishes could have been a bit warmer. The attendant kept on coming back (we tipped her $5), but I decided to get drinks for ourselves at the bar so I could check out things a bit more. Great setup and drink selection there.
Lounge seating and twosome alcoves are excellent, as is the children's play area. I attempted to get one of the two shower rooms before we had to leave at 8:30 for our SFO flight, but both rooms were taken, apparently by guests traveling to Sydney on the QF nonstop. Two shower rooms are likely to prove inadequate in the evening, I suspect. We were able to peek inside one cleaned room just before we left, and it was nice.
As soon as we sat down near the dining area, a very friendly attendant asked what drink we wanted. She promptly went to get them while we checked out the food area and later sampled the fine Tex-Mex fare. The soup was particularly good, while the other hot dishes could have been a bit warmer. The attendant kept on coming back (we tipped her $5), but I decided to get drinks for ourselves at the bar so I could check out things a bit more. Great setup and drink selection there.
Lounge seating and twosome alcoves are excellent, as is the children's play area. I attempted to get one of the two shower rooms before we had to leave at 8:30 for our SFO flight, but both rooms were taken, apparently by guests traveling to Sydney on the QF nonstop. Two shower rooms are likely to prove inadequate in the evening, I suspect. We were able to peek inside one cleaned room just before we left, and it was nice.
Nov 19, 2013, 2:13 pm
#109
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Southern California
Programs: AA EXP - 6 MM | Amex Platinum | Hyatt Globalist | Hilton Diamond | IHG Spire Elite | Bonvoy Plat.
Posts: 765
This sounds great. Do you know if you can make spa reservations ahead of arrival or do they just make appointments the same day when you arrive?
Dec 4, 2013, 3:11 pm
#111
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: ATL
Programs: AA Exec Plat CK 4.0M+; Delta DM; Marriott Ambassador; Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 83
Spent about 45 mins in the lounge earlier today and I would echo the comments made by the other posters. Well worth a visit and return visits.
One other point that hasn't been mentioned. The wifi is really good with excellent download speeds!
One other point that hasn't been mentioned. The wifi is really good with excellent download speeds!
Dec 4, 2013, 3:28 pm
#112
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: DFW
Posts: 1,145
Johnnie Walker Blue
Just wanted to make one quick data point...if you hold the centurion card, you get the Johnnie Walker Blue for free. There might be other special drinks that are offered to centurion holders, but i don't have those details, just know about the blue label.
Dec 11, 2013, 9:56 pm
#113
Join Date: May 2005
Location: ONT/NYC
Programs: DL GLD; AA GLD; CO GLD
Posts: 278
I have been to this lounge a few times and enjoy it. My question is this: does anyone have experience using it as an arrivals lounge? Strictly interpreted, the rules would seem to allow it (same day airline ticket on any carrier) but I'm not sure what the practice is.
Basically I'm arriving at DFW about 90 min before a friend of mine and have some time to kill.
Basically I'm arriving at DFW about 90 min before a friend of mine and have some time to kill.
Dec 11, 2013, 10:32 pm
#114
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: District of Columbia
Programs: AA ExecPl, AT Gold, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Diamond, Hilton Diamond, National
Posts: 2,440
I have been to this lounge a few times and enjoy it. My question is this: does anyone have experience using it as an arrivals lounge? Strictly interpreted, the rules would seem to allow it (same day airline ticket on any carrier) but I'm not sure what the practice is.
Basically I'm arriving at DFW about 90 min before a friend of mine and have some time to kill.
Basically I'm arriving at DFW about 90 min before a friend of mine and have some time to kill.
Dec 12, 2013, 1:51 pm
#115
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: DFW, ORD, IND
Programs: AMEX PL, Avis First, AA GLD
Posts: 249
Tried out the the club on Oct. 30th. Had a travel companion with me and had no issues getting in. The bar has a good selection of drinks. The food tasted amazing. Had a manicure at the spa and had a nice chat with the spa attendant. Found out she works for Emirates as a FA as well. This is my go to lounge now.
Jan 1, 2014, 9:40 am
#117
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Programs: OWEmerald; STARGold; BonvoyPlat; IHGPlat/Amb; HiltonGold; A|ClubPat; AirMilesPlat
Posts: 38,186
Same experience here at the DFW club tonight. Received the Plat gift bag on our first visit but no gift tonight on our second. No worries here.
The food and free premium drinks are the selling point for me. And if anyone is dining in the evening, seek out the server named Angie. She is wonderful and exemplifies good service. She kept me stuffed on chocolate chip bread pudding all evening
The food and free premium drinks are the selling point for me. And if anyone is dining in the evening, seek out the server named Angie. She is wonderful and exemplifies good service. She kept me stuffed on chocolate chip bread pudding all evening
Jan 7, 2014, 5:16 pm
#118
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: DAL/DFW
Programs: Unloyal, disloyal
Posts: 84
This place sounds fantastic and I'll definitely hit it up next time I'm in Terminal D. My question is, how is it for crowdedness? I've stopped going to the Admirals Club in DFW D because it's so busy and loud all the time - not to mention the appalling choice of free 'food'. My concern here is that the offerings are just so much better than both the AC and the Priority Pass lounges that they will be overcrowded. Has that happened yet?
Jan 8, 2014, 11:41 am
#119
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Brooklyn
Programs: Delta Diamond, Bonvoy something good; sometimes other things too
Posts: 5,050
This place sounds fantastic and I'll definitely hit it up next time I'm in Terminal D. My question is, how is it for crowdedness? I've stopped going to the Admirals Club in DFW D because it's so busy and loud all the time - not to mention the appalling choice of free 'food'. My concern here is that the offerings are just so much better than both the AC and the Priority Pass lounges that they will be overcrowded. Has that happened yet?
And I agree that for Amex Platinum card holders who currently have a choice of three lounges in Terminal D, the Centurion Club is by far the best and obvious choice, which may be emptying out the other two lounges a bit. But, there are still many other means of getting access to the other two lounges. Presumably a large share of the crowds in those lounges are using some of those other means, and won't be instantly switching over to the Centurion Club, protecting it somewhat from overcrowding.