What Is It Like to Visit the Centurion Lounge at DCA?

American Express has opened its 29th Centurion Lounge, the first credit-card-branded sanctuary at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). The sleek, sun-filled space overlooks the Potomac River and surrounding airfields.

Location

The lounge is located in Terminal 2’s National Hall, between the south security checkpoint and the entrance to gates B10 through B22. Guests can access the lounge, which occupies the departure hall’s newly constructed upper level, by elevator or modernist floating staircase. A living green wall at the entrance signals an escape from the hubbub of the terminal.

Photo: Courtesy of Washington-Reagan National Airport.

The space is convenient for travelers using Concourse B, which houses Delta, United, and Alaska Airlines. However, the lounge is also available to passengers flying out of the terminal’s three other concourses, which serve American Airlines and JetBlue flights.

Access Options

Entry is limited to certain cardholders and their guests. American Express Platinum and Business Platinum cardholders will be charged $50 per guest ($30 for children aged two through 17).

Centurion card members may bring two guests free of charge. Delta SkyMiles Reserve and SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express cardholders can also visit the lounge for free when ticketed for a Delta-operated flight. They may bring up to two guests for $50 per person.

The Lounge

The 12,000-square-foot retreat takes design inspiration from Washington, D.C.’s history and rich culture, featuring an art collection with pieces by established and emerging local artists. The entry gallery showcases pop impressionist painter Maggie O’Neill’s canvas of the Capitol Building. Visitors can learn more about each piece by scanning the QR codes underneath them.

Photo: Courtesy of American Express

Beyond the gallery is an array of seating areas, from cozy nooks to private rooms. The dining room, with an extensive buffet and full-service bar, serves as the heart of the lounge. Its grand ceiling sculpture, comprised of 260 unlit lanterns, is a tribute to the original boundary markers used to outline the city upon its founding. Centurion cardholders can access a more exclusive lounge near the buffet for additional privacy.

Food and Beverage

The Centurion Lounge at DCA pays homage to thoughtful cuisine, with not one but three celebrity chefs from other Centurion locations curating its daily menu.

Photo: Courtesy of American Express

Current highlights include sweet-potato hash, and tamari-honey glazed tofu from San Francisco chef Ravi Kapur, lemon ricotta pancakes and chimichurri grilled chicken from Miami chef Michelle Bernstein, and Shabazi-spiced salmon from Philadelphia chef and five-time James Beard Award recipient Michael Solomonov.

Pair the preflight meal with a specialty drink curated by Centurion Lounge mixologist Jim Meehan. The Haku Hanami is a martini inspired by D.C.’s cherry blossoms, featuring cherry blossom-infused vodka, vermouth, and maraschino liqueur. A selection of wines is also available.

Amenities

In addition to a complimentary full bar and buffet, the lounge provides amenities typically found in the Centurion Lounge network. That includes a conference room, soundproof phone room, and seating areas with power outlets and high-speed Wi-Fi. Visitors can also set up at dedicated workstations, take a shower, or use the well-stocked restrooms. The seating capacity is 250.

Verdict

American Express’s latest Centurion Lounge is a boon to Washington, D.C.-area business travelers. Perched above the main level of the departures hall, this glass-walled aerie is a respite for frequent flyers who want to catch up on work or rest and refuel in comfort before their next flight.