Review of the American Express Centurion Lounge in Dallas.
Continuing my journey to find the best Centurion Lounge in the world, this time I went to Dallas DFW, the [...]
DFW
United States of America
My journey in search of the world's best Centurion Lounge continues., this time I was in Dallas DFW, the second busiest airport in the world in 2022. This was the second Centurion Lounge to open in 2013, and was completely renovated in 2019.
Location
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When arriving from Europe, transiting through Dallas, the route one has to take at this airport is quite obligatory. Once through customs you collect your luggage, even if it has already been tagged for the final destination, unless you continue in connection with American Airlines on an international route. In this case, your suitcase travels to your destination without needing to do anything else.
Once you put your luggage back on the road, you go upstairs and stand in line for security screening, whichever terminal your connecting flight will depart from.
Once you pass through the controls you come out into Terminal D, the main one for American Airlines and the one also used by all (or almost all) European carriers. The Centurion Lounge is located above gate D12, impossible to miss since there is a wall with a mega sign on the store floor.
Moving between terminals
DFW is a huge airport, to move between terminals you can use the SkyLink, so no problem if you leave far from terminal D you can go to this lounge then take the automatic train and get to the departure gate, only precaution is to estimate the time well.
Moving from point to point can take upwards of 20 minutes, so watch your watch and the road ahead.
Access
The Amex Centurion Lounge at DFW is open daily from 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Physical card must be presented to gain access, so no digital wallet. Holders of this card issued in Italy. Are entitled to free access with an accompanying person.
Platinum supplementary cardholders, corporate platinums and, of course, Centurion cardholders are also eligible.
It is possible to access from From 3 hours before flight departure, however if you are in transit this constraint does not exist and you can stay in the lounge as long as you want, just present the boarding pass of the arrival flight and that of the next destination.
The lounge
The lounge is L-shaped. Past the entrance you turn left and walk down the corridor until you get to the buffet area, and walking past you will come to the larger room with still plenty of seating.
The style is classic Centurion, but it could use a refresh. For the size of this airport it is far too small, not to mention that it looks like an immense hallway with a few clearings where the buffet, bar, and one more spacious area have been placed.
One side of the lounge faces the terminal, with the outer wall being an immense single pane of glass.
During my visit I struggled to find a place to sit, the lounge was really very crowded, a problem that is increasingly present in the U.S. and of little use to the changes in access rules made by Amex and the airlines. The lounges are undersized for the number of people who are eligible to access them.
The dining area is located in front of the bar, here there are the largest number of seats, but zero power outlets.
I ended up getting a stool by the window, at least here I had power outlets and could also watch people move around the terminal.
There is a coworking table somewhat tucked away toward the back of the hall. This is a great place to sit when all the normal seats are occupied, but again it is undersized for the amount of people.
The lounge is nice, as all Centurions are, but if it is so full it is really chaotic without considering the lack of natural light as it faces inside the terminal.
Services
For starters, there are some luggage storage lockers, this is a benefit I really appreciate especially when I travel with a backpack and trolley, being able to leave something in the lockers lightens my commute.
There are booths where you can isolate yourself to work or make phone calls away from prying ears and a small room dedicated to children. There are three showers, use is free of charge, and all you need to do is make a reservation at the front desk.
The highlight of the lounge's services is definitely the spa, operated in partnership between Amex and Exhale. Again, to enjoy a free 15-minute treatment you have to reserve your spot at the front desk, and if you don't have a long connection it is difficult to get a seat. There are a maximum of three massage chairs and it is only open from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm.
Food & Beverage
As with other Centurion lounges, the menu is curated by a local chef. In this case, it is James Beard Award-winning chef Dean Fearing, known for his Southwestern cuisine.
In conclusion
When a lounge is so crowded it is difficult to make a positive assessment. I used the spa and the massage was honest, the buffet was constantly assaulted and I didn't get to eat anything, but judging by the locusts that kept serving themselves it must not have been bad.
