The overcrowded American Express Centurion Lounge in Dallas, with eager hordes lining up at the feeding trough and nary a chair in sight, makes me realize how little I actually miss my American Express Platinum card.
American Express Centurion Lounge Dallas Review (DFW)
I love the concept of the American Express Centurion Lounge. When the first one opened in San Francisco many years ago, it instantly became my favorite lounge at SFO. Over the years, I enjoyed many great meals and drinks in Centurion Lounges across the country and around the world.
But in my experience, there is lounge crowding and then there is AMEX lounge crowding. With the Platinum card so easy to obtain and with people (reasonably, I might add) wanting to maximize their annual fee, I see crowding in Centurion Lounges unlike in any other lounge (save perhaps the Delta lounges at New York JFK).
I visited this lounge because I wanted to review it (I have not been in it since it was remodeled and expanded), but we did not stay long because we literally could not find a seat for the first 30 minutes of our visit (you might recall we got yelled at for standing in the “handicapped area” of the bar while we waited for other seats to open).
> Read More: American Express Centurion Lounge Overcrowding Is Out Of Control
With that gripe aside, let’s move on to the review.
The lounge is located in Terminal D, across from gate D12 and open daily from 5:30 am to 10:00 pm. To access the lounge you will need to go upstairs and present a confirmed boarding pass, your ID, and your American Express Platinum or Centurion card.
At 4:00 pm, there was quite a line to get in.
Once inside, you can head left or right for seating. The buffet and bar are to your left.
I limited the number of pictures I took because the lounge was just packed.
It was not until 4:30 pm that a few seats opened on the far side of the lounge.
In terms of food and drinks, everything is complimentary. I had an aperitivo and my friend Champagne.
The buffet included soup, salad, beef brisket, polenta, green peppers, rice, and broccolini, plus cookies, pastries, and oranges for dessert.
I braved the line to try the brisket…it was decent. Not great, but not bad. As I was about to step onto a longhaul Qatar Airways flight, I did not eat anything else.
There were coffee, tea, and water stations on both sides of the lounge.
I had neglected to print my arrivals form into Qatar and was thankful the lounge had a wireless printing facility which I used to print my document.
One of my favorite things about this lounge, pre-COVID, was the complimentary massage treatments available to guests at the Exhale Spa (15-minute massage or manicure). During my visit, the spa was open, but the only treatments offered were 15-minute massage chair sessions, which of course do not require a massage technician. I did not end up waiting for this and it is not clear to me if “real” massages and manicures have returned since my visit.
Restrooms and shower suites are available. Request a shower at the front desk. There was a lengthy wait for a shower so unfortunately, I do not have any pictures of a shower suite.
Finally, lockers are available near the front.
CONCLUSION
It’s not that I dislike this lounge…in terms of food, drink, and clean restrooms it was just fine. But the crowding was really bad and I simply found it mildly exasperating to have to search so long for a seat. Thus, we moved on to the American Airlines AAdmirals Club…not that the crowding was any better there.
Wait till we see how crowded the new Centurion lounge at DCA will be when it opens up. Though unlike some of these airports with international flights, I don’t think people hang around at DCA for long periods of time.
Welcome to the jungle. Amex is harvesting what they planted. I avid that zoo.
I keep getting 150k MR signup bonus mail from AmEX (for Platinum). AmEX is probably thinking their lounges aren’t crowded enough.
I keep getting business platinum card signup offers as well even though they stopped me from getting more than three.
The food and bar are to the left as you enter the lounge after checking in
The lounge in Charlotte is always popular to crowded but considering the lack of options I love the place.
I think my favorite part of AA’s expansion in AUS is not that I don’t have to connect in DFW every time I fly, but that I’m not tempted to go to this lounge every time I fly, only to regret it immediately. This lounge is a mess. I’m embarrassed to be seen in there.
Either 60% of the people in these photos are military freebies or “high and tight” is the new “in” hairstyle.
Good observation!
I’ve often thought about throwing out a reply to the torrent of e-columns/blogs/FT posts about lounge crowding: “eliminate the free card benefit to members of the military” but figure that’s a ‘politically incorrect’ take, so I haven’t, until today.
Another option, instead of eliminating the card benefit to military members, is to provide a menu of benefits for paid card membership, and a lower value tier of benefits for free membership.
Outside of these options, or building super-sized clubs and lounges, what other options are there?
Nobody wants to call a spade a spade. AMEX should absolutely comply with the SCRA and MLA by extending them credit and limiting interest…….via the green card. There is nothing in either one of those two pieces of legislation that mentions lounge access, Saks credits , airline and FHR reimbursement. Nothing. There are E2’s with 5 platinums and the wife has another 5. Does anyone think this was the intent of SCRA/MLA? They’re opportunist and taking advantage. It only so happens that they applied for a job and wear a uniform to it. Read any military blogs and see fir yourself. The sense of entitlement us staggering.
Follow the law but also support your other *paying customers.
It will be interesting to see if the change that is coming February 1, 2023 to the Centurion lounge program will alleviate some of the crowding – As American Express platinum customers will no longer be able to bring in up to two guests complementary unless they spend $75000 per year on their cards. I don’t know how much the $50 per person entry fee will deter people from going into the lounge. We will have to wait and see.
“with eager hordes lining up at the feeding trough”
Given the various levels of gluttony we’ve seen from you on your travels, that comment made me laugh.
Amex is reaping what they sowed. They either need to expand their lounges (which, good luck) or start limiting who can enter their lounges.
Matt,
You’re still killing it with the up-to-date reviews. Keep on keeping on.
You’re so, so welcome. I’m so excited that you appreciate timely reviews.
How long ago was this? I see everyone wearing masks, which is certainly not the case say DFW anymore.
I gave up on AMEX Plat after several horrendous experiences. One at the LAS club was final straw. And I’d been a loyal AMEX customer for decades. And it just isn;t AMEX. All are zoos. Was in IAH United Club early morning and some family had blankets laid out and kids sleeping and playing like a kindergarten romper room. Yep, they’ve a right to be there and do whatever. They paid their money. And I’ll reserve the right to avoid the place and not pay member fees anymore.
Lounge access is worth only the agent help during bad weather / IRROPS. Otherwise I’d just as soon find a seat in a terminal restaurant or an inactive gate area.
How old are these pictures?
March 2022