DCA Amex Centurion Lounge Review and Guide

The DCA Amex Centurion Lounge is a game-changer for travelers. Located in the heart of Reagan National Airport, this lounge offers a peaceful escape from the chaos of air travel.

The lounge is open from 5:30 am to 8:30 pm, Monday through Friday, making it an ideal spot to start or end your day. You can access the lounge with your American Express Centurion card.

Inside, you'll find a spacious and stylishly decorated lounge with comfortable seating and plenty of natural light. The lounge offers a variety of food and drink options, including a breakfast buffet and a selection of craft beers.

To access the Centurion Lounge at DCA, you'll need to have one of the eligible American Express cards. These cards include the Platinum Card from American Express, the Business Platinum Card from American Express, and the Centurion Card from American Express, among others.

If you have one of these cards, you can enter the lounge by showing your card, same-day boarding pass, and government-issued I.D. at the door. You can also access the lounge with internationally-issued cards.

Some cards, like the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card, require you to book your Delta flight with your card to enter the lounge. Additionally, if your flight originates from DCA, you can only enter the lounge within 3 hours of your scheduled flight's departure.

To access the Centurion Lounge at DCA, you'll need to have the right American Express card. Cards that offer Centurion Lounge access include the Centurion Card from American Express, the American Express Corporate Platinum Card, and other AmEx cards with steep annual fees.

You can also get in with certain premium American Express cards, such as the Platinum Card from American Express, the Business Platinum Card from American Express, and the American Express Platinum Card by Charles Schwab. These cards offer a slew of fantastic benefits, including Centurion Lounge access.

To be eligible, you'll need to show your card, same-day boarding pass, and government-issued I.D. at the door. If you have any other "flavors" of an Amex Platinum card, such as internationally-issued cards, you're also eligible to enter.

Here are the eligible cards:

Note that you can only access the lounge prior to departure and on connections, and you can only enter the lounge up to three hours before your scheduled departure time. If you're connecting or laying over, the three-hour limit isn't enforced.

As I reflect on my experience with access to the lounge, I think it's worth noting that this lounge is a welcome addition to Reagan National Airport.

The lounge is a nice space, but it would be even better with more artwork highlighting Washington, D.C. to really make you feel like you're in a lounge in the nation's capital.

I can attest that the lounge is likely to get crowded quickly, especially during peak hours.

The DCA Centurion Lounge is a haven for travelers looking to relax and get some work done before their flight. With ample seating areas wrapping around the central dining space, you'll find plenty of room to spread out.

High-backed chairs offer a comfortable and relatively private spot to sit, while couches, tables, and armchairs provide ample seating options. You can even find a printer available for use if you need to print out some documents.

Power outlets can be found all throughout the lounge, so you can keep your devices charged while you work or browse. Seats with in-arm outlets in the Centurion Card members' section of the lounge are a nice touch, making it easy to stay connected.

The lounge features three beverage stations, offering guests a selection of coffee, express drinks, teas, and other refreshments. You can top off your coffee or tea at one of the stations, making it easy to stay fueled throughout your stay.

With complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi, you can stay connected and productive during your visit. The lounge also boasts a conference room, shower suite, quiet relaxation nooks, and dedicated workstations, making it the perfect spot to get some work done.

The Centurion Lounge at DCA is a spacious haven with nearly 12,000 square feet of floor space.

You'll find power outlets scattered throughout the lounge, whether in tables or on the floors and walls, so you can keep your devices charged.

High-backed chairs in the main seating area offer a comfortable and relatively private spot to sit.

Seating is ample, with couches, tables, and armchairs scattered throughout the area, including seats with in-arm outlets in the Centurion Card members' section.

The lounge features a Washington, D.C.-inspired art gallery with commissioned artwork from several local artists.

A ceiling sculpture made up of 260 lanterns located in the central dining area is one of the lounge's artistic highlights, designed to reflect the original boundary markers that outlined the city when it was founded in 1791.

A multipurpose room, meeting room, and phone room are available on a first-come-first-served basis, offering a more private space if needed.

With complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi, you can stay connected while enjoying your respite from the airport crowds.

The lounge spans nearly 12,000 square feet, boasting floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the airfield and the Potomac River.

Capacity at the DCA Centurion Lounge is capped at 302 people, ensuring a comfortable and intimate atmosphere.

The lounge offers three beverage stations where you can grab a quick drink. One of these stations is reserved for Centurion Card guests in their designated section.

You'll find the other two stations in the dining area and main lounge seating area. They offer a variety of coffee, express drinks, teas, and other refreshments.

Whether you're in the mood for a hot cup of coffee or something a bit more exotic, the beverage stations have got you covered.

The food and beverage options at the DCA Amex Centurion Lounge are a highlight of the space.

You can enjoy dishes developed by three notable chefs, including James Beard Award winners Michelle Bernstein and Michael Solomonov, and Ravi Kapur, the chef behind a James Beard Best New Restaurant nominee.

The lounge features a buffet-style dining area with a wide variety of options, including signature dishes from the featured chefs.

Chef Bernstein brings her expertise in contemporary Latin cuisine to the menu, offering dishes like chimichurri grilled chicken.

Chef Solomonov contributes his expertise in Israeli fare, with options like shabazi spiced salmon with pomegranate BBQ sauce and carrot and saffron soup.

Chef Kapur showcases his take on Hawaiian cuisine, with dishes like tamari-honey glazed tofu and pineapple and grilled ginger-lemongrass asparagus with charred vine tomato.

In addition to the buffet, you can also visit one of the lounge's three beverage stations, which offer a selection of coffee, express drinks, teas, and other refreshments.

One of the beverage stations is reserved for Centurion Card guests in a designated cardholder section.

You can also try one of the lounge's specialty cocktails, designed by a mixologist just for the DCA location.

The cocktail menu includes unique drinks like the Haku Hanami, inspired by the Washington, D.C. cherry blossoms, and the Ambrosia Spritz, which features bitters and liqueurs from local producer Don Ciccio & Figli.

As a Centurion Card member, you'll have access to a private seating space that's all your own, complete with a beverage station to keep you refreshed.

This exclusive area is tucked away from the main seating area, allowing you to escape the hustle and bustle of the airport.

With its own beverage station, you can grab a drink without having to leave your private space, making it a convenient perk for Centurion Card members.

The Centurion Lounge at DCA is located in Terminal 2, and if you enter through the South Security Checkpoint, you'll find it directly to the right once you pass security. Take the stairs or elevator up to the mezzanine level, where you can check in at the lounge's front desk.

Guests are called into the lounge by a floor-to-ceiling living wall of greenery, which adds a nice touch to the overall ambiance. To get lounge access, you'll need to be a cardholder of one of the eligible cards, such as the Amex Platinum, Amex Business Platinum, or Centurion card.

Here's a quick rundown of the guest policies for each card type:

Getting to DCA is relatively straightforward. The Centurion Lounge is located in Terminal 2.

You'll want to enter through the South Security Checkpoint, as this is the most direct route. Once you pass security, the lounge will be directly to your right.

The lounge is a bit of a hidden gem, and it's easy to miss if you don't know what you're looking for. Guests are called into the lounge by a unique floor-to-ceiling living wall of greenery.

To access the lounge, you'll need to take the stairs or elevator up to the mezzanine level. This is where you'll find the lounge's front desk, where you can check in and get settled.

If you're an Amex Platinum cardholder, you can bring in up to two complimentary guests if you've spent $75,000 in eligible purchases within the last calendar year. This spending can be tracked via the Amex app.

Guest access policies vary by card, but generally, you'll need to pay $50 per guest, or $30 for children aged 2 through 17. Delta Reserve cardholders, however, can enter at no extra cost and bring up to two additional guests, with each guest charged $50 for a day pass.

Children under 2 are admitted at no cost with an eligible adult, and authorized users of the Platinum-branded card can also use the Centurion Lounge, but must pay $50 (or $30 for children aged 2 through 17) for guest access.

Here's a breakdown of guest policies for international Centurion Lounge locations:

The American Express Centurion Lounge at DCA is a great place to unwind before your flight. You'll find many of the same signature amenities as other Centurion Lounge locations.

Complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi is available throughout the lounge, making it easy to stay connected.

A conference room is also available for those who need to make a call or hold a meeting.