The Centurion Lounge at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) might sound like a quiet, exclusive club for a lucky few — but it's one of the most crowded lounges I’ve ever visited.
I’ve been several times, and finding a seat is a real challenge; I often end up snagging the last one available. I even had to spread out research for this review over two visits because it was really difficult to get pictures without accidentally snapping portraits of unsuspecting travelers, instead of the space.
Still, if you don’t mind a slightly hectic atmosphere and a potential struggle to find a seat, it’s worth a visit for a good meal, free craft cocktails and fresh-churned ice cream.
Location
The DFW Centurion Lounge is located near Gate D12.
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The space
The 12,500-square-foot Centurion Lounge at DFW features a classic AmEx design with a blue color palette and wood accents. Unlike some newer locations that highlight local design elements from its parent city, this lounge doesn’t feel very Texan. But still, the sleek design and calming colors provide a rich ambiance away from the busy lounge below.
You’ll find a dining area, plus several seating areas with comfortable chairs and booths where you can spread out — if it’s not too crowded.
If you have some work to do before your flight, the far corner of the lounge features a large table and separate computer stations.
There’s also a private phone room if you need to make a call or join a meeting. With its small size and bare walls, the space feels very claustrophobic. But hey, at least you could take a meeting without your boss knowing where you are.
The family room features bright rainbow walls, cushy stools, plus toys and a TV to keep your kids occupied, a stark difference from the bleak phone room.
I did appreciate that the lounge has a bathroom at either end of the space. The one I visited had a calm atmosphere and ample stalls. Even at its busiest, I’ve never had to wait in a line.
Food and drink options
The buffet serves meat dishes as main courses, multiple sides and several salads. Unlike the decor, the buffet is very much Texan. Not every dish is inspired by the state, but you will find multiple dishes with Southwestern flair, complete with roasted jalapenos.
Last time I visited, I ate chicken in herb sauce, risotto, poblano soup, roasted vegetables and sweet potatoes. While everything I ate was good, the poblano soup was the standout for me. It was warm and filling without being too heavy — perfect before a flight.
The buffet also has multiple dessert options, including a cobbler. Around the corner, you can also get fresh-churned ice cream. Having a lot of dairy before a flight is a risky decision for me, but the ice cream was well worth it. I only wish it was served in the same line as the cobbler, so I could eat the two together without waiting in multiple lines.
The expanded lounge, expected in 2027, will feature a dedicated walk-up ice cream window — so that problem may soon be solved.
Bars
The bar is stocked with liquor, wine and beer, including some options from local breweries and, of course, the mainstay Texas beer, Shiner.
The cocktail menu features unique takes on classic cocktails, like a daiquiri with banana liqueur, plus several Texas-themed cocktails. I loved the Tex/Mex, a spicy, citrusy cocktail with vodka and tequila.
I find that most cocktails at Centurion Lounges tend to be strong and have multiple types of liquor, so I usually only order one drink per visit, if I drink at all. But the Tex/Mex was perfectly balanced and extremely sippable. I definitely would have ordered another if I didn’t have a plane to catch.
There’s also a second, smaller bar, but it was only serving bottled beer and wine. If you want a cocktail or draft beer, head to the main bar.
Nonalcoholic drink options
The lounge also has several nonalcoholic drink stations serving coffee, hot tea and water.
If you’re in the mood for a cold drink, some coffee stations have cold brew. Or you can grab a flavored iced tea or agua fresca. I had multiple glasses of the hibiscus punch tea.
How to get into the DFW Centurion Lounge
Only certain American Express cards offer Centurion Lounge access. Even with an eligible card, some restrictions apply:
You can only enter before a departing flight. You can’t land at an airport with a lounge and head inside (unless it’s a layover or connecting flight).
There’s a time limit. You can only visit within three hours of the stated departure time on your boarding pass.
The guest policy for Centurion Lounges has tightened significantly in recent years to curb overcrowding. For most eligible cards, there's typically a minimum annual spending requirement to unlock complimentary guest access. You might also be able to add someone as an authorized user to your card to get them lounge access, but that comes with an additional yearly fee.
Otherwise, cardholders can pay for guest passes. Adult guest passes are $50; children ages 2 through 17 are $30. All guests must be accompanied by a cardholder.
Reserve a spot in line
Cardholders can reserve a spot in line through the AmEx app. In the “Membership” section, click on “Airport Lounge Access.” It’ll pull up all of the lounges near your location. Once you find the Centurion Lounge, you’ll be given the option to check in from your phone. If there’s a wait, you’ll be put on a waitlist, and AmEx will send you a QR code when they’re ready for you. Once you get your QR code, you’ll have 10 minutes to check in before you lose your place in line.
The Dallas lounge wars: Where does Amex stand?
With the July 2026 opening of the massive Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club near Gate D25, credit card issuers are fighting tooth and nail for your wallet's loyalty.
Yep, the premium airport lounge market at DFW is something of a battleground, with the Centurion Lounge, the Capital One Lounge and the Chase Sapphire Lounge all located in DFW's Terminal D.
Frankly, Chase is easily the best of the bunch. Its new 18,000-square-foot, split-level layout is so unbelievably gorgeous that it leaves standard airport design in the dust. Plus, the space is so remarkably large that you can effortlessly find a spot that perfectly fits your vibe, whether that means sampling local pours in their hidden whiskey-tasting room, booking a complimentary Face Haus facial, finding a quiet corner with a cozy armchair or letting your kids blow off steam in the dedicated family room.
In comparison, the Capital One Lounge (near Gate D22) sits firmly in the middle. It features their standard brand look—which isn't showstoppingly beautiful like Chase, but has its own CB2-style "warm minimalism" flair. It doesn’t usually suffer from long queues, but the dining is built around tiny, individual small plates.
So where does the Centurion Lounge fit in? Amex still comfortably wins if you are hungry. While it lacks the delicate, artistic presentation of Chase’s plated dishes, Amex serves its food buffet-style, usually keeping a massive, hot vat of chicken, vegetables and grains on rotation.
If you’re facing a wait to get into the Centurion Lounge, DFW has quite a few other lounges to consider visiting. If you hold Priority Pass, you can also visit The Club DFW in Terminal D or the Plaza Premium lounge in Terminal E.
What's next for the DFW Centurion Lounge in 2027
The Centurion Lounge at DFW is well worth a visit if you’re primarily looking for a good meal, desserts and cocktails. But the crowds can make it difficult to take advantage of all of the amenities the lounge offers. That said — if crowds are your main concern — relief may be coming: AmEx has announced a major expansion expected in 2027 that will add nearly 50% more space, additional seating and a second full-service bar. Until then, people wanting a calm, comfortable place to spread out during a long layover might be better off visiting a different lounge.
How to maximize your rewards
You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2026:
Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
No annual fee: Wells Fargo Autograph® Card
Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Luxury perks: American Express Platinum Card®
Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
