The Dallas (DFW) American Express Centurion Lounge – Location, Hours, Amenities, and More

Key Takeaways

• The Centurion Lounge at DFW Airport is located in Terminal D near gate 12, spans nearly 13,000 square feet over 2 wings, and is open daily from 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• The left wing includes a spacious dining area, bar, and varied seating with power outlets, ideal for families and travelers with luggage.
• The right wing of the lounge has extra seating, a coffee station, a “nap” area with lounge-style chairs, and shower rooms.

American Express has made great strides with its outstanding Centurion Lounge. What started as a small lounge at DFW has grown to 9 havens across the globe.

Centurion Lounges are extremely popular, which had resulted in complaints of overcrowding — but this location was renovated and relocated in 2018 and is bigger and better than ever.

Let’s dig into all the details of what you’ll experience when you set foot in the DFW Centurion Lounge.

Location of the Amex Centurion Lounge at DFW

The Centurion Lounge is located near the previous location in Terminal D at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) — across gate 12 above the D15 security checkpoint.

Go through the security checkpoint, turn left, and you will see a distinctive blue wall entrance. There is an elevator to the lounge which takes you behind the reception desk. The lounge is almost 13,000 square feet, which is significantly larger than the previous one was at 9,000 square feet.

For those arriving or departing from another terminal, the Sky Train is nearby, and Terminal D is walkable from other terminals as well. Terminal D is great for long layovers since it’s much larger with more lounges and amenities.

As a reminder, here are the locations of all the American Express Centurion Lounges around the U.S.:

Guest and Check-in Requirements

When accessing the lounge, passengers need to hold a specific American Express card:

• The 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)

This includes all cards of these varieties issued in any country worldwide. In addition to one of the cards above, you’ll also need to present a valid boarding pass showing confirmed same-day air travel reservations and a valid government-issued I.D.

There are 2 important rules for access that will affect all travelers, no matter the card you used to gain entry:

• You cannot enter the lounge more than 3 hours prior to your scheduled flight, if originating. So, if your flight leaves at 10 a.m., you cannot enter earlier than 7 a.m.
• You cannot use the lounge upon arrival, only upon departure, if the city where the lounge is located is your final destination. If you’re flying from New York City to Dallas, and Dallas is your final destination, you cannot use the lounge upon landing.
• You can, however, use the lounge on connecting itineraries, and at any point during the connection at the connection city, regardless of the 3-hour rule.

Lounge Guest Policy

• Amex Platinum card and Amex Business Platinum cardmembers may enter with up to 2 complimentary guests if they have spent $75,000 in eligible purchases in a calendar year. Otherwise, a guest day pass can be purchased for $50 per adult or $30 per child between the ages of 2 and 17.
• Centurion cardmembers may enter with up to 2 guests or immediate family (spouse or domestic partner, and children under 18) at no additional charge.
• Delta Reserve cardholders may bring up to 2 guests at a per-visit rate of $50 per person, per location.
• Amex Platinum card, Amex Business Platinum card, and Centurion cardmembers may purchase a day pass for any additional guests for $50.

Hours of Operation

The lounge opens at 5:30 a.m. and closes at 10 p.m., but the spa closes at 8 p.m.

Inside the Lounge

The lounge is rectangular, and the interior design is amazing, with an attractive and unique look. There are 2 wings in the lounge: right and left.

In the left wing, you’ll find the dining area and a bar, with a wide variety of seating to fit solo travelers, couples, and groups. This side is best for people with luggage and families. Many seating options have power outlets near the windows, so you can eat as you charge your devices, too.

The bar and dining area is spacious and the location of the food is very convenient — it prevents a line from forming into the otherwise main hallway leading into the lounge. Past the dining area is another seating place with conference tables near the business center.

On the right side, there are some additional seats and a coffee station, as well as a “nap” area with more lounge-style chairs. However, even these seats aren’t entirely private — if you’re concerned about noise, this probably isn’t the best place to rest.

The shower rooms are also in the right wing.

Food and Beverage

DFW’s Centurion Lounge has a full buffet that is accompanied by exotic food from different parts of the world, which rotates on a seasonal basis. Light snacks are also available, so you’ll have a wide variety of food to choose from.

The food options are usually pretty mouthwatering — if you like experiencing different types of food, this is DFW’s best airline lounge by far. And this is definitely the best place for foodies, thanks to the rotation of celebrity chef offerings sometimes available.

You’ll find a welcoming and fun atmosphere at the bar, which has a long granite countertop and several bar-top seats. Standing tables are nearby for those who want to socialize as they enjoy their drinks.

The cocktail menu is a definite upgrade from your traditional airline lounge (such as the nearby Admirals Club). If you love fun drinks, you’ll be tempted to have a taste of at least 5 of them! But they also have beer on tap, sparkling wine, vodka, and other options.

Amenities

Per American Express, here’s what’s on offer inside the DFW Centurion Lounge:

Bottom Line: The best benefits of the Centurion Lounge are the upgraded food, shower facilities, and free spa treatments.

Free Wi-Fi

As you enter the lounge, you’ll get a business card with Wi-Fi information. You can use the complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi for work or play — it’s actually pretty fast, especially considering the number of travelers that can be packed into the lounge.

Exhale Spa

To book a spa appointment at the reception desk, you just need to fill out a form with an emergency contact. The team in the spa is amazing and accommodating — they offer high-quality services and let you choose the products you want.

And the prices are wallet-friendly, especially since most of the simple treatments are included with your visit! Here’s a list of services that are complimentary, according to Exhale (the company that runs the spa):

Body

• Flow Chair Massage — The signature Exhale massage, using slow pressure throughout your body
• Deep Tissue Chair Massage — Great for relieving pain throughout the body
• Fusion Chair Massage — Relax in one of Exhale’s massage chairs

Face

• Get Glowing — Includes a deep cleanse and exfoliating mask
• Soothe + Treat — Includes a deep cleanse and  acne treatment
• Red-Eye Ready — Includes a deep clean of the face, plus the application of creams (perfect for overnight travel)

Hands

• Perfectly Polished — For ladies who want a manicure
• Perfectly Groomed — For both ladies and gents to buff up cuticles and ensure a clean set of hands

Showers

To take a shower, you have to first check in at the reception desk and a team member will either unlock an empty room or place you on a waiting list. The showers are equipped with towels and soaps, so you don’t need to bring anything extra.

Restrooms

There are not, perhaps, enough restrooms in this lounge given its size. In the men’s bathroom, for instance, there are only 2 stalls and 2 urinals — and there is generally a wait to use them.

Conference Space

As you enter the lounge and turn left, you’ll notice a small meeting facility at the end of the hall. The room is equipped with a circular conference table and chairs surrounding it, with a phone in the corner and pads of paper and pens in the middle. On the wall, a television displays the daily news, although you’re free to change this, for sure.

There’s no fee to use the conference facility itself, however, it is first come, first serve and can be reserved by speaking with one of the Member Services agents at the front desk.

Generally, the room is limited to an hour of usage, though can be extended or reserved for longer if there isn’t a wait.

Family Room

For the young at heart, there’s actually a kids’ play room located within the lounge — a great idea to keep the noisy young ones from disturbing those working in the rest of the lounge.

The small kids’ area is equipped with fun themed wallpaper, colored stools, and a mix of books, games, and small toys to keep one occupied.

The room doesn’t need to be reserved — you can simply step inside and let your child play, though you do need to remain around for adult supervision.

Final Thoughts

This lounge is by far the best one in Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, and it’s definitely the way to go when you’ve got a layover long enough to enjoy the food and amenities inside.

Holding an eligible Amex card is the simplest way to gain entry — the Amex Platinum card is a must-have card if you value premium lounge access.