Better late than never, American Express.
More than three years after it was first announced and almost two years past its original opening date, the highly anticipated Amex Centurion Lounge at Washington, D.C.-Reagan (DCA) is finally ready to welcome guests on Wednesday, July 17, according to a news release. The 12,000-square-foot lounge is located in Terminal 2, past the South Security Checkpoint on the main concourse across from the entrance to the B gates.
While not the biggest lounge in Amex's network, the DCA Centurion Lounge has all the usual amenities that make Centurion Lounges stand out among the competition, including stellar food and drinks, high-speed Wi-Fi, quiet workspaces, a shower suite, and some local flair from the nation's capital.
The lounge will be open from Sunday through Friday from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. and on Saturdays from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. Don't expect to have the place to yourself, though.
Amex Centurion Lounges have become the poster child of overcrowded lounges lately as travelers have added the top-tier *amex platinum* to their wallets in record numbers. This new D.C. lounge's relatively modest footprint could easily result in lines to get inside.
“The Centurion Lounge is one of our Card Members’ favorite travel benefits, and the new location at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport offers Card Members the premium amenities they love in an airport they frequently travel through,” Audrey Hendley, President of American Express Travel, said in a statement. “With a menu curated by three award-winning chefs, dedicated workstations, access to complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi, quiet nooks for relaxation, and more, there’s something for every type of traveler to enjoy.”
It's the first non-airline lounge at the D.C. area's centrally located airport. Capital One is also planning to open one of its new dining concepts, Capital One Landings, at the airport, but no opening date has been announced.
The airport isn't huge by any means, but the Centurion Lounge's central location makes it relatively easy to access no matter which airline you're flying. The lounge is located in a newly constructed space on the third floor near the departures area, meaning you'll need to go up a flight of stairs or take an elevator up to reach the check in desk.
Inside, the lounge has floor-to-ceiling windows that provide plenty of natural light and offer views of the airfield and the Potomac River.
There's an art gallery with commissioned artwork from local D.C. artists. The main dining area features a ceiling sculpture made up of 260 lanterns to reflect the original boundary markers used to outline the city when it was founded in 1791, according to the release.
As for food and drink, the DCA Centurion Lounge features a menu curated by three award-winning chefs: Michelle Bernstein, Ravi Kapur, and Michael Solomonov. The complimentary full bar will also serve up specialty cocktails with a nod the nation's capital, including Haku Hanami, a drink inspired by inspired by D.C.’s cherry blossoms.
Amex had announced its plans to open a Centurion Lounge at DCA back in early 2021, initially targeting an opening date in late 2022. In the time since, the bank has opened several additional lounges, including new locations in New York City-JFK (JFK), Denver (DEN), London-Heathrow (LHR), and recently Atlanta (ATL) while relocating or expanding others.
How to Get In
Getting into the new Centurion Lounge at DCA will likely look similar to other Amex lounges. Simply show your *amex platinum*, *biz platinum*, or American Express Centurion Card (invite-only), a boarding pass, and an ID.
Thrifty Tip: Don't have your Amex card on you? You can book a spot in the lounge with the Amex mobile app and scan your way in with a QR code, bypassing the need to show your card at the check-in desk.
You can also get into Amex Centurion Lounges with the top-tier *delta reserve card*, but there's a hitch: You have to be flying Delta that day – and you must have paid for your ticket with your Reserve Card, too.
Guests typically cost $50 apiece (or $30 for minors) unless you charged a whopping $75,000 per year to your Amex Platinum Card.
Read our full guide to Amex Centurion Lounges!
Bottom Line
The new Amex Centurion Lounge at Washington, D.C.-Reagan (DCA) opens to the public on Wednesday. And it's about time.
While not the biggest lounge in Amex's portfolio, guests can expect the usual amenities including excellent food and drinks, speedy Wi-Fi, showers, workstations, and plenty of comfy places to relax before your flight.
Lead photo courtesy of American Express
