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The Complete Guide to Enjoying the New DFW Plaza Premium Lounge in Terminal D [Review]

Keri Stooksbury's image
Keri Stooksbury
Edited by: Jessica Merritt
& Ben Neighbors-Giles
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I had a long layover in Dallas in March 2026, ahead of a late-night flight to Fiji. I was excited to check out the newest lounge to open at DFW, the Plaza Premium Lounge — a Priority Pass option that had just opened 2 weeks prior to my visit.

Like most lounges, if you’re looking for a bite to eat and a few drinks in a relaxing environment, you’ll find what you’re after here. However, a few things about this lounge make it better for solo travelers or couples, so let’s see if it’s a good fit for you on your next trip through the Big D.

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Location of Plaza Premium Lounge in Terminal D

The Plaza Premium Lounge I visited is in Terminal D (international departures) at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), opposite gate 15. I was flying out of Terminal D, but if your flight is in another terminal, you can hop on the Skylink train or walk between terminals (though walking takes much longer).

Plaza Premium Lounge DFW Terminal D map
Image Credit: Plaza Premium Group

After transferring from my arrival terminal, I first came across an elevator with lounge signage, though it was cordoned off. Guests were instead directed to the escalators behind this area, opposite gate 15.

Plaza Premium Lounge DFW false entrance
Elevator with confusing signage directing guests to the escalators.

Keep an eye out for the Coca-Cola Around the World Experience, then look up to see the lounge on the next level. It occupies the former space of the Centurion Lounge DFW, which relocated near gate 12 in 2018.

Plaza Premium Lounge DFW entrance
Entry escalators.
Hot Tip:

The new Plaza Premium Lounge and the colocated Plaza Premium First opened in Terminal D in March 2026. This location is the first-ever Plaza Premium First in the U.S. and the second in North America. An additional Plaza Premium Lounge is in Terminal E near gate E31.

How To Access the Lounge

Passengers may access the lounge up to 3 hours before their scheduled flight. I arrived much earlier from my connecting flight and was told to return within the 3-hour window.

I entered using the Priority Pass™ lounge benefit I enrolled in with my Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, which grants me access to participating lounges after enrollment.

Access is also available at the following walk-in rates:

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Walk-in Rates

Per Person Price*

Smart Traveller Members

Lounge access (2 hours)

$70

$56

Additional hours

$35 per hour

Lounge access (2 hours) and shower service (30 minutes)

$90

$72

Shower service (30 minutes)

$30

Upgrade to Plaza Premium First

$45 additional

* Children 2 to 11 receive a 30% discount on walk-in rates.

Business class passengers and airline and alliance elite passengers of Aeromexico, EVA Air, Finnair, Korean Air, Lufthansa, and Turkish Airlines are eligible for access.

Lounge partners include DreamFolks, Dragonpass, Get Your Guide, LoungeKey, LoungeMe, MGM Golden Lion, and TAV Passport.

Plaza Premium Lounge DFW check in desk
After checking in, guests are directed to the left for the Plaza Premium Lounge or the right for Plaza Premium First.
Hot Tip:

At the time of my late March 2026 visit, posted hours were 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., making this one of the latest-operating Terminal D lounges, though as of April 2026, the website indicated a closing time of 10 p.m.

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Seating

The seating snaked along somewhat narrow spaces, overlooking Terminal D below. The primary corridor had pairs of small, low seats across from cubbies with individual banquette seats. What I liked about these cubicle seats is that they had a fixed armrest and a movable side table, ideal for working on a device while keeping food or drinks separate.

Dining tables with chairs and banquette seats were across from the buffet area, and a high-top table with stools was en route toward the bar, which had more stools.

Unless my family of 5 split into pairs or sat at the high-top table, this would not have been a great place for us to land, as there was no primary seating area with comfy chairs grouped together.

The lounge was under 3 weeks old when I visited, and I appreciated seeing the aesthetic before age and wear inevitably set in. This bookshelf, featuring travel guides, coffee table books, cookbooks, and books with a Texas theme, was interestingly curated.

Plaza Premium Lounge DFW bookshelf
Bookshelf near the entrance.

Food and Beverages

The lounge offers a rotating breakfast and an all-day buffet, with premium items available for purchase à la carte.

Buffet

I visited around 9 p.m. and reviewed the all-day buffet. It had plenty to choose from, with chicken adobo, Thai chickpea curry, rice, and vegetables. There was a selection of breads, cookies, and chilled desserts, and a more varied salad bar with prepared salads, raw vegetable sticks, dips, and dressings. Allergens were clearly marked, and the lounge highlighted its vegetarian and halal options.

A premium menu offered dumplings, fried green tomatoes, crispy Brussels sprouts, a smash burger, a Korean fried chicken sandwich, and a chickpea shawarma priced from $6 to $12.

Plaza Premium Lounge DFW food menu
All-day premium and buffet menu.

Beverages

The bar had complimentary draft beer, house wine, and spirits. Premium beverages were available for a fee. Local brands included Hop & Sting craft beer, TX Whiskey, and Garrison Brothers Cowboy Bourbon.

Plaza Premium Lounge DFW premium bar menu
Premium beverage menu.
Hot Tip:

Alcohol is restricted on Sundays before 11 a.m. unless served with food.

Nonalcoholic self-serve options included La Colombe coffee, tea service, and dispensers of water, fruit juice, and Coca-Cola products.

Amenities

The lounge was fairly light on amenities, with in-lounge individual unisex restrooms, a nursing room, and a prayer room. Guests can pay $30 to book a shower on the Plaza Premium First side.

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I found the Wi-Fi considerably slower than my cell phone, with download speeds of 17.1 Mbps and upload speeds of 5.65 Mbps.

Final Thoughts

Plaza Premium Lounge in Terminal D at DFW still has that “new lounge” polish and occupies a unique space, with most seats offering views of the terminal below. I wouldn’t consider this a great lounge for larger families, given its seating configuration, but solo travelers or pairs will find a comfortable, upscale space to relax away from the terminal.

Priority Pass access may be restricted at times, so consider The Club DFW near gate 27 or another DFW lounge if you run into access issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is the Plaza Premium Lounge at DFW?

Day rates for the Plaza Premium Lounge at DFW start at $68 for 2 hours at the Terminal D location and $62 for 3 hours at the Terminal E location (when booked online).

What is the nicest lounge in DFW?

The nicest lounges at DFW include the American Airlines Flagship Lounge, the Centurion Lounge, the Capital One Lounge, and the new Plaza Premium First.

Does the Plaza Premium Lounge at DFW have food?

Yes, the Plaza Premium Lounge offers a breakfast buffet and an all-day buffet, along with à la carte items for purchase. The all-day buffet features hot main dishes, a salad bar, soup, baked goods, and desserts.

Does DFW airport have a Priority Pass lounge?

DFW has several Priority Pass lounges, experiences, and a restaurant. Click here for a full list.

Members have access to Plaza Premium Lounges in terminals D and E and The Club DFW in Terminal D.

Additional nonlounge options (not included with most credit card memberships) include Be Relax Spa in terminals B and D, The Chiroport in Terminal A, Drew Pearson’s Sports 88 in Terminal E, Gameway in terminals B and E, Minute Suites in terminals A and D, and XpresSpa in Terminal A.

Keri Stooksbury's image

About Keri Stooksbury

Editing with Upgraded Points for over 6 years, as editor-in-chief, Keri manages the editorial calendar and oversees the efforts of the editing team and over 15 content contributors, reviewing thousands of articles in the process.

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