First Look at the New Centurion Lounge at Washington Reagan National Airport

American Express has finally opened the doors to its new Centurion Lounge at Washington Reagan National Airport (DCA)! The long-awaited lounge opening is exciting for business and leisure travelers alike, and with this lounge uniquely positioned at the primary domestic gateway airport for the nation’s capital, it’s sure to get a lot of use.

The Washington Reagan Centurion Lounge opens July 17, 2024, but we got a first look inside. Here’s what we found.

Location of the Amex Centurion Lounge at DCA

The Centurion Lounge is very easy to locate at DCA. In Terminal 2, head through the south security TSA checkpoint, immediately turn right, and you’ll see the lounge. You can’t miss it.

Terminal 2 is home to most airlines at Reagan National, including American Airlines, United, Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and JetBlue. If you’re flying Southwest, Frontier, or Air Canada, your flight will leave out of Terminal 1, which unfortunately isn’t connected airside. If you’re flying out of Terminal 1, you will not have access to the Centurion Lounge.

While Terminal 2 does have north and south security checkpoints, going through either will lead you into the same secure area. If you are going through security at the north checkpoint, simply go right after you pass through the sliding doors, and then walk all the way down to the other end of the terminal. Immediately past the south security checkpoint exit, you’ll see the lounge on your right-hand side.

The lounge is closest to departing flights on Delta, United, and Alaska, though it’s only a short walk from American’s departure area.

Guest and Check-in Requirements

Not all passengers can access the Centurion Lounge, and you’ll need one of these American Express cards to enter:

• Platinum Card^® from American Express
• The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express
• Centurion^® Card from American Express
• Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card (when you book your Delta flight with your Delta Reserve card)
• Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve Business American Express Card (when you book your Delta flight with your Delta Reserve Business card)

If you have any of the international versions of these cards, you can also enter. Be sure to have appropriate photo identification to show along with your card and your eligible boarding pass.

Like all Centurion Lounges, there are a few rules that you’ll need to abide by at Washington Reagan:

• If your flight originates from DCA, you can only enter the lounge within 3 hours of your scheduled flight’s departure. However, if you’re on a connecting itinerary through DCA, you can use the lounge anytime during your connection.
• The Centurion Lounge is not accessible upon arrival, so if your final destination is Washington Reagan, you won’t be able to utilize the lounge.

Lounge Guest Policy

• When you enter the lounge, Amex Platinum card and Amex Business Platinum cardholders only get access for 2 complimentary guests if they have spent $75,000 in eligible purchases within the last calendar year. This spending can be tracked via the Amex app.
• If you’re a Centurion cardholder, you can enter with 2 guests or immediate family, at no extra cost, without any minimum spending requirement.
• If you hold a Delta Reserve card, you’re charged $50 per guest and can only bring in 2 guests.
• If space is available, Amex Platinum card, Amex Business Platinum card, and Centurion cardmembers can bring in extra guests for a charge of $50 per person.

Hours of Operation

The lounge is open Sunday through Friday from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. local time and Saturday from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Inside the Lounge

This lounge is approximately 12,000 square feet and supposedly has approximately 250 seats, though more on that in a bit.

Entering the lounge from the ground level, you can choose to take an elevator to the reception desk or go up the stairs. On the landing above, you’ll check in with the staff there.

To the right of the check-in area is a single shower suite, which is first come, first served. You’ll need to put your name on the list at the front desk for access. The shower suite was occupied during my visit.

To the left of the check-in desk is a large seating area with couches, individual chairs, tables, and plenty of wall outlets. It’s a good place to sit and relax if you only plan on being in the lounge for a few minutes. This area has several customized art pieces on the wall from local artists, including an Amex bulldog made from old American Express leaflets and papers.

Beyond this, you’ll enter the main part of the lounge. On the left side, lining the windows and looking into the terminals, is a large row of seating.

To the right, you’ll find the restrooms and a multi-purpose room that could be good for families (though it isn’t specific to families, and there aren’t any family amenities).

On the back side is another seating area with floor-to-ceiling windows that look out onto the arrival levels. It’s a mixed seating arrangement, ranging from single chairs to couches to higher-back chairs that provide privacy. A wall of televisions and departure boards separate a second seating area, which includes an open conference table.

There’s a small meeting room off to the right and a single phone room, both available on a first-come, first-served basis.

At first glance, the lounge appears to lack seating for the number of passengers who will likely use it. While there are various seating options, speaking with several media members at an opening preview event raised concerns about how many people this lounge can comfortably hold.

Around the corner from the phone room are several seats reserved for Centurion cardholders. This isn’t a private area, but the seats are reserved with dedicated signs, and Centurion cardholders are provided an option so they don’t have to wait for other seats to open up.

There are a few beverage stations scattered throughout the lounge, primarily offering coffee, juice, and iced tea. These are all self-service.

The buffet and bar area is the central focal point of the lounge. Here, you’ll find a long bar with bar seating, dining tables, and a buffet line.

If you look up, there’s a chandelier that is supposed to be reminiscent of the outline of D.C. and the Potomac River, though it is a bit abstract.

Food at this lounge is uniquely curated by 3 chefs, including Chef Michelle Bernstein, Chef Ravi Kapur, and Chef Michael Solomonov. On offer were several salads and soups, salmon, chicken, rice, and potatoes, as well as various desserts. Typical food to be served at this lounge includes Creamy Polenta, Shabazi Spiced Salmon with Pomegranate BBQ Sauce, and Tamari-Honey Glazed Tofu & Pineapple, as well as Lemon Ricotta Pancakes and Chimichurri Grilled Chicken.

Cocktails are curated by Mixologist Jim Meehan, including a drink called the Haku Hanami, which was inspired by D.C.’s cherry blossoms, and Ambrosia Spritz, which features bitters and liqueurs from local producer Don Ciccio & Figli. Wines are curated by Centurion Lounge Wine Director Anthony Giglio and a rotating selection of wines from vineyards throughout Virginia is featured.

Final Thoughts

While the lounge is certainly nice, I can’t help but think of 2 things that would make this lounge better. The lounge should feature more artwork highlighting Washington, D.C. (such as images of the White House, Capitol, or Cherry Blossoms), making you truly feel like you’re in a lounge in D.C. In addition, this lounge is sure to get crowded very quickly; I can’t help but think that this lounge will be overrun during peak hours. That said, it’s a welcome addition to Reagan National Airport and will offer a respite to eligible American Express cardholders.