Soon, Capital One got into the premium credit card lounge game. They opened their first lounge in Dallas (DFW) in 2021 and their second at Washington DC’s Dulles International Airport (IAD) in early 2023.

Capital One opened its third lounge at Denver International Airport (DEN) in November of 2023 and is Centurion’s top competitor.

Capital One Lounge

Concourse B Near Gate B34

I’ve just visited the new Capital One Lounge in April of 2024, and let me tell you – the word is out. This lounge is crowded, loud, and very difficult to find a place to sit. The lighting is bright, and it feels… not at all exclusive. 

Capital One Venture X, both business and personal versions, have unlimited access to the Capital One Lounges. If you have the Capital One Venture Rewards or Spark Business cards, you get two free visits per year.

This perk is going away as of January 2025 (after that, visits will cost these cardholders $45). 

With access, you can bring two guests free of charge, and beyond that, guests must pay $45. Anyone can purchase access for $65, and it is still probably cheaper than having a full meal with drinks at the airport.

At the top of the escalator, there was no line, and we were greeted by a very friendly agent who admitted us quickly. Behind the front desk, you’ll find grab-and-go snacks, and to the right of it a coffee station with hot and cold options.

When you enter the lounge and turn right, progressing clockwise, you first see the buffet and bar area to your left. The buffet has similar offerings to what we found in Dallas – small, locally sourced dishes in individual ramekin bowls or little pans. It is organized like a typical buffet, so you still deal with lines.

The lounge in Dallas, by contrast, has a central kiosk with separate stations for each dish – this really eliminated the serving line you often find at buffets. 

Small plates include Colorado bison sloppy joe sliders, broccolini with garlic, teriyaki stir fry, mac and cheese, and mac and cheese with bacon. There is a second buffet line with small individual salads, and tapas such as tomato confit crostini and buffalo deviled eggs.

At the end of the buffet, a drink station offers regular water, regular soda, craft soda, tea, fruit-infused iced water, and coffee.

The bar is massive and packed with people. They offer a variety of beer, wine, and craft cocktails. Drink offerings vary from lounge to lounge and have local flavor. This lounge’s choices include local microbrews, the tequila-based cocktail cleverly called the Juan Denver, and Colorado Cool-Aid. 

Continuing toward the back of the lounge, the six restrooms and two shower suites (all ADA compliant) are down a hallway to your left. There is something called a Parents’ room as well, which I’m guessing you will need to reserve up front. 

The restrooms are individual unisex rooms with toilets and sinks, which have spa music piped in. They are quite nice, and seem to be kept very clean. 

Past the hallway with the restrooms, you’ll find a dessert bar with cookies and brownies. The back area is very open, with bar tops on each side and lounge type seating with tables in the center.

A few comfy two-top tables line the windows, where you can watch people scurrying about on the concourse to your heart’s content. Opposite the dessert bar, you’ll find a tea station. 

Walking back toward the entryway, there are some more private seating pods and grouped chairs. There are work rooms and relaxation rooms that you can reserve at the front desks.

I could hear serene music coming from the relaxation rooms, and I swear I could smell the lavender. Unfortunately, I was not able to experience the relaxation rooms this time. 

Monitors scattered around the lounge keep you updated on your flight status. 

The staff at this lounge was the best part – very kind and helpful. They tried to help us find a place to sit, and finally found two barstools in the very back by the kitchen, and that is where I sit as I write this review. First impressions of this ‘new’ lounge – I am not overly impressed. 

I am comparing this lounge to the Capital One Lounge in Dallas (DFW), and it misses the mark. It seems like an older lounge that has been remodeled. The decor is somewhat chic and modern, but the lighting is too bright.

I love the fact that they have art by local artists and use locally sourced ingredients to craft locally inspired dishes and drinks, but I don’t love the arrangement of the lounge. I think they could have partitioned areas better and created spaces to minimize the crowded feel. 

But it is better than sitting at the gate! 

We had a little extra time, so we hoofed it on over to the Centurion Lounge on Concourse C. 

American Express Centurion Lounge

Concourse C Near Gate C46

To access the Amex Lounge, you will need to either have the American Express Platinum Card (business or personal), the exclusive, invite-only Centurion Card, or the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card (which gives access if you are flying Delta).

Authorized users on your platinum card also have access, each of whom are now charged a $175 annual fee (you used to be able to have up to 3 authorized users for one $175 fee).

Guests must pay $50 unless you hit the $75K annual spend, in which case you can bring two guests free of charge. 

We just beat a mad rush and walked right in, but we have waited up to an hour to get into this lounge in the past.

If you take the escalator up, the entry desks are directly in front of you. It is quite a grand entryway, complete with the vertical greening typical of Centurion Lounges.

After gaining access with your ID and boarding pass (and card, if you don’t have a QR code), take a right.

It is even more crowded than the Capital One Lounge, and is configured pretty much the same way – U-shaped and open in the center, with views down to the concourse. It is larger and better laid-out than Capital One.

You walk down a long corridor with seating to your right lining the windows, overlooking the concourse. To your left, there are several open areas with a variety of seating options – personal pods, dining tables, and co-working tables. 

One bar is just off of the first room, and serves a variety of wines, beers, and craft cocktails. This is a good place to grab some snacks – brownies, pretzels, etc. – for the flight.

There used to be a pool table and a few other table games in this area, but they have been removed in favor of additional dining tables. There’s a drink stand in the first seating area providing coffee, tea, and water. 

Continuing to the back of the lounge, you’ll find binary gendered restrooms and two shower suites, complete with L’Occitane toiletries. You can reserve your shower suite at the front desk. 

At the bottom of the U is a second bar, and more seats lining the windows. To the left of the bar are additional dining tables and a bar top overlooking the concourse. Heading back toward the entryway, you’ll find the buffet, additional seating, and another drink station. 

While this is not the nicest Centurion Lounge in the network, it is a known quantity and a solid choice. You can expect good food with a decent amount of protein, high-quality ingredients, and excellent drink selections with top-shelf choices.

If you can get in and find a place to sit, despite being busy the lounge does not feel as crowded, loud, and bright as the Capital One Lounge.

On our visit, the buffet included grilled rosemary chicken which was moist and flavorful, rice, roasted brussel sprouts, and a decent salad bar. There was a nice selection of desserts, but the best part was the made-to-order pasta station. 

Verdict

These lounges are both solid choices for a decent meal and drinks. During my visits, both were crowded, but so was every square inch of Denver Airport.

The Centurion wins in a head-to-head battle, mainly due to the space. It is larger, at 14,000 square feet, compared to the Capital One Lounge at 10,800 square feet.

I think the Centurion Lounge has a better layout, with multiple partitioned areas, so that it feels less crowded. But I can understand why the Capital One Lounge is so open, being two-thirds the size.

Moreover, the food choices at the Centurion Lounge are slightly superior, in my opinion. Both lounges boast stylish decor and have nice amenities, like shower suites and private work rooms. If you have time and access, check them both out and see what you think!

The exception is if you have Oneworld status or are flying in a premium cabin on American or its Oneworld partners. You can pay for Admirals Club access, but if you have other options, I’d choose another lounge. 

(Read with a serious Texas drawl…)

DFW ain’t half bad for killin’ some time. Y’oughta snag a longer layover so ya don’t go rarin’ around like a spooked steer.

I ain’t interested in sweatin’ over a measly fifteen-minute delay, yellin’ “Git outta my way, ya varmints!” at folks as I run through the terminal. Much better to mosey on down, take a slow stroll, watch the herd movin’ about, and soak up the scenery ‘fore hittin’ that fancy waitin’ room they call a lounge.

Read on to find out which lounges are the best and which one is right for you, pardner! 

Minute Suites

There are two Minute Suites locations at DFW – one in Terminal A near gate A39, and one in Terminal D near gate D23. The D terminal location has showers available, while the A terminal location does not.

Minute suites are not typical lounges. Instead, small rooms are provided for napping, watching TV, or a quiet workspace. Vending machine-type snacks are available for purchase.

Each suite consists of a daybed and a smart TV, where you can log into your own Netflix, Hulu, etc. and watch your favorite shows. You may have to ask for bedding at the front desk, if you plan to try and catch some zzzs. Each room has a thermostat and a noise masking system. 

Most locations only have one type of suite; however, Dallas offers a few larger options and adjoining rooms, which cannot be booked online. You have to actually place a phone call!

You can access Minute Suites in one of two ways.

You can pay what seems to me like a very high price for what you get – $55 for the first hour and $13.75 per 15 minutes after that. An 8-hour overnight stay is $175, and a shower will set you back an additional $20.

You can stop by and shower without renting a room for $30. These prices are per suite, not per person.

Priority Pass members get the first hour free and subsequent hours for $34. Interestingly, you can bring up to 3 guests with you… the rooms seem a bit small for four people, but this might work if you are traveling with kids or very close friends.

Of note, if your Priority Pass membership came with your Capital One Venture X or your Amex Platinum (personal or business), it does not include this benefit. 

There are a couple of nice perks they offer – nursing mothers can use a suite for 30 minutes for free. Military members and flight crew with valid IDs get a 20% discount. 

For me, Minute Suites do not make a lot of sense. The prices seem awfully high for what you get, and there are so many other options at DFW, I can’t see myself making use of this facility.

If I want to relax, I’ll use one of the other lounges. If I need to stay overnight at DFW, I’ll book the Grand Hyatt in Terminal D (this gorgeous hotel is adjacent to the airport and is super convenient!) and either earn or use valuable World of Hyatt points!

Gameway

Gameway is a unique concept in lounges. There are two locations at DFW, one by gate B42 and one near gate E16.

They consist of several gaming stations, each equipped with a PlayStation 4 Pro (loaded with games), a comfy chair, charging stations, and a place to store your luggage. 

The lounges are open from 6 am to 8 pm, and you can access two ways: 

1. Pay $15 for 30 minutes, $25 for an hour, and $45 for an unlimited amount of time. Military members get 10% off. 

2. Priority pass will get you an hour for free and 10% off each subsequent hour, but not if you got your membership through Amex Platinum or Capital One Venture X. PP also gets you a free snack and drink.

USO Lounge

DFW has a 6,000 square foot USO Lounge located near gate B47 that is open to active duty US military members and their dependents. Retirees can gain access as well, if space is available.

You must have your military ID card, and VA issued ID cards or driver’s licenses that indicate veteran status will not gain you entry. 

The lounge is comfortable and has cafe seating as well as poofy leather recliners for movie viewing. A children’s play area is provided, and board games are available to pass the time.

The selection of snacks varies, and it is pretty basic; but everything is donated, and military members greatly appreciate this. The lounge is also staffed by volunteers. 

Centurion Lounge

Amex opened its first Centurion Lounge in the Las Vegas airport back in 2013. DFW was the second airport to host this club, and it became so popular that they had to change locations to allow for a larger footprint. 

The new Centurion Lounge at DFW opened in 2019, and it is more spacious and has a more logical layout. You can check in ahead of time on the app to save a few seconds at the check-in desk, but you’ll still have to show your ID and boarding pass for a flight leaving that day.

If your flight originates in Dallas, you will only be admitted 3 hours in advance of that flight. For layovers, the 3-hour rule does not apply.

The lounge is open from 5:30 am to 10:00 pm. Continental breakfast is served from 5:30 am till 6:30 am and a full breakfast buffet from 6:00 till 11:00 am, when the buffet is switched over to lunch/dinner.

These dishes are available until 9:30 pm. Bar service is available from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm.

Access

Amex Platinum Cardholders

Unless you spend $75,000 per year on your Platinum card, guests will cost you $50 each, with authorized users being an exception. At the time of writing, each authorized user has an annual fee of $175.

These are relatively new changes implemented to reduce overcrowding. We have still had to put our names on waiting lists several times, but it seems like the desk agents are admitting less people to keep the lounge less crowded.

Centurion Members

For those of you holding the invitation-only black Centurion card, all bets are off. You can bring guests, and you’ll have reserved seating.

Rumor has it that only big spenders are invited to apply, and they must pay a $10,000 initiation fee and a $5,000 annual fee. No thanks!

Delta SkyMiles Reserve Cardholders

You can access the lounge when flying the same day on Delta or Delta-operated flights. 

I love the DFW Centurion and am happy to book longer layovers, so I have time to dine here. When you check in, you continue into the oblong, L-shaped lounge. Turning right will take you to the spa and shower rooms, and to the left is everything else.

You’ll find a coffee station and a variety of seating areas in the corridor, eventually making your way to the dining room/bar area. 

Past that is another set of bathrooms, another coffee station, and more seating. The back of the lounge opens up and has loungers, cubbies, and a coworking table, along with telephone rooms and a children’s’ area.

The last few times I’ve visited, there have been long lines for the buffet and bar. The buffet usually consists of good food, typically with regional flavor and chef inspired.

You’ll typically find a salad, two or three protein choices, several sides, and two or three dessert options. We never leave hungry.

All beer, wine, and spirits are included, so no upcharges.

Capital One Lounge

Looking for the cool kids? You’ll find them here. I was super excited to find out that Capital One lounges were coming to our hub.

The first Capital One Lounge opened in Dallas in November of 2021. At the time, I only had the Capital One Venture card, which gets you 2 annual passes. After our first visit, we knew we had to upgrade to the Venture X. 

We debated for a while, since we already had access to the Centurion Lounge. Was the $395 annual fee worth it? 

A few factors went into our decision…

No Guests For Free With Amex

The first was that Amex took away the guest benefit for Centurion lounges (unless you spend $75K on the card per year, which I don’t). So, unless you’re traveling companion had their own card or was an authorized user on your card ($175 per user), they would be subject to a $50 fee.

Capital One Venture X Travel Credit

Capital One Venture X has a $300 travel credit which can be used when booking travel through their travel portal. I don’t usually recommend booking through a credit card travel portal, but for rental cars, I don’t see a problem.

So, I book my rental cars through their portal and, in addition to using travel credit for a discount, I get 10X points.

Capital One Miles

Capital One miles are pretty valuable and transfer to an ever-increasing number of partners.

Less Crowded Lounges

The lounges are less crowded than Centurion (at the time of writing). Over the past couple of years, Centurion Lounges have become more and more popular and more crowded.

I have had to wait to be granted entry several times, only to have to wander aimlessly through the lounge for several minutes to find seats. As I mentioned, Amex is implementing changes to reduce overcrowding, so this could change.

Great Atomosphere

Honestly, I love the vibe. The Capital One Lounge just feels hip and trendy, and tends to be populated with young professionals.

The food selections are interesting and tapas-sized. The decor is clean, modern, and sophisticated.

Access

For unlimited use of the Capital One Lounges (Now at DFW, Denver International Airport, and Dulles in Washington DC), you must have the Capital One Venture X Personal or Business card. You can bring up to 2 guests for free, and additional guests must pay $45.

Until January 1, 2025, the regular Venture card as well as the Spark Miles for Business card get you two visits. Any more visits than that will cost you $45, and after Jan. 1, 2025, any visit will cost you $45.

Anyone can pay $65 to access the lounge.

The Capital One Lounge is located near gate D22 and shares an entryway and elevators with the American Airlines Flagship Lounge. Up the elevators, break left and you will enter the spacious, smartly designed space. 

You will need to show the attendant your boarding pass for a flight departing that day and Capital One Venture X card.

The guidelines say that your flight must depart within 3 hours, but we haven’t been denied entry when ours left later. If the lounge becomes more crowded, the rules may become stricter.

Continuing into the main part of the lounge, there is a central hub around which food stations are arranged. I love the way this is set up – it avoids the long buffet lines, and you can just grab a little metal tray and seek out the dishes you want.

The dishes are on small plates, in ramekin bowls, or cute little pots, and consist of regional, chef-inspired dishes like bibimbap, mac and cheese with bacon, chicken adobo, mini-caprese salad, etc. We have found the food to be very good! 

In addition to the main dishes, there are pastry stations with croissants and pastries in the morning, and cookies and brownies in the afternoon and evening. There’s a coffee station and self-serve beverage stations.

One of the coolest features is their grab and go section, where you can get salads, sandwiches, beverages, and all sorts of other snacks to take with you. 

Around the periphery of the lounge are numerous partitioned sections with a variety of seating areas. There are dining tables, conversation sets of couches and/or chairs, and chairs facing the floor-to-ceiling windows where you can watch activity on the runway.

Toward the back is a full service bar with a great selection of wine, beer, and spirits.

Other Lounges In Terminal D

The Club

The Club is on the mezzanine level near gate D27. You can access The Club with your priority pass or by paying $50. I rarely visit The Club, because if I go all the way to Terminal D, I’m going to Centurion or Capital One… but I needed to check it out. 

The verdict? It was fine. Definitely better than sitting at the gate, but not worth a hike to Terminal D if you are departing from another terminal.

The Club can be accessed through Priority Pass or by paying a $50 per visit fee. You can enter the lounge 3 hours before your flight, but if your flight is delayed you can stay longer.

Children under 2 are free, and kids aged 2-17 must pay full price and be accompanied by an adult 18 or older.

There are several seating areas, some overlooking the concourse below. The food was good enough to fill your belly, and the buffet changes over from breakfast to lunch/dinner/all-day dining at 11:00 am. When we visited, they were serving enchiladas, soup, salad, a variety of fruit, and small desserts.

There is a full bar serving a limited variety of beer, wine, and spirits. High-speed Wi-Fi is available, and showers are complimentary – just book at the front desk.

KAL Korean Air Lounge

This lounge has closed permanently. Business and First Class passengers flying Korean Airlines can use the Capital One Lounge.

Drew Pearson’s Sport 88 

This sports bar, which serves breakfast in addition to typical bar food, is located near gate E5 and is open from 6:00 am to 8:00 pm. If your Priority Pass membership comes with the restaurant benefit, you can take $28 credit per person.

The benefit includes a guest, so you and one travel companion can save $56 on your meal by presenting your Priority Pass card and a boarding pass. Again, PP memberships obtained through Amex Platinum or Capital One Venture X do not include this benefit. 

Other Lounges In Terminal E

If you are departing from Terminal E, be sure to check which gates you are departing from, because this will greatly influence the amount of time it takes you to get to your gate.

Gates E22-30 are actually located in Satellite Terminal E, and you should allow an extra 5-10 minutes to walk to these gates. If you arrive in another terminal, take the SkyLink train to Terminal E, then you’ll have to walk down the corridor next to gate E21 to get to the satellite. 

Plaza Premium Lounge

Located near gate E31 and open from 6:00 am to 8:00 pm is one of two Plaza Premium Lounges in the US. The other is in Orlando (MCO). 

After years of traveling, the founder of Plaza Premium decided to open a chain of lounges available to anyone, regardless of class of travel. He developed the first Plaza Premium Lounge in Hong Kong in 1998, and they can now be found all over the world.

The majority of these lounges is in Asia, focusing on China, but they can be found on every continent in many major airports. In the past, you could access these lounges with Priority Pass, but that partnership ended in 2021. 

Now, you can access these lounges through your Amex Platinum (personal or business) credit card, Capital One Venture X card, or by purchasing a membership or one-time pass. 

When accessing via your Amex Platinum or Capital One card, you are entitled to two guests, free of charge.

If you want to pay outright for your visit, it will cost $50 per person for a 3-hour visit, or $25 for one hour (no free guests), and you can pay at the lounge or book ahead online up to one year in advance. The question is, should you?

The lounge is nicely decorated and comfortable, but can get crowded. The food selection is nothing special, but if you have access through a credit card and need a quick bite, it is not a bad option for a balanced meal. I personally would not pay for entry.

United Club 

The DFW United Club is located between gates E6 and E7. This is a basic option that is convenient if you are a United Airlines loyalist or have access with a credit card or boarding pass.

It is not the nicest United Club, but it can provide a quiet place and a free snack if you need it. With the wealth of choices, I would not hang out here unless it was my only option.

Delta Sky Club

Ditto for Delta in Dallas… this lounge, located between gates E10 and E11. reminds me of a doctor’s office waiting room with a view of the tarmac.

Again, if you have access as a Delta loyalist or credit card holder, it will meet your basic needs, but I would not seek it out.

Verdict

If you have a wallet full of metal credit cards, DFW will spoil you for choice! In my opinion, the Capital One Lounge is choice #1, Centurion is choice #2, and the American Airlines Flagship Lounge #3.

If I am traveling from Terminal E with a less than 2-hour layover, I’ll visit the Admirals Club or Plaza Premium Lounge.

If you don’t have Amex Platinum or Capital One Venture X but travel from or through DFW often, you should consider one of these cards. If you just look at the cost of airport food and drink, this will likely offset the annual fee. Add in the travel credits, and you can at least break even, but most likely come out ahead.

I personally would not choose Minute Suites or Gameway under any circumstance I can think of (but I am not a gamer). I’d prefer an Admiral’s Club or Airport hotel. I might pop into the United Club or Delta SkyClub if necessary to grab a snack and a quick respite from the crowds, if I had a quick layover in Terminal E. 

With anything longer than 2 hours, I would hoof it over to Terminal D and have a full meal and beverage at one of the premium lounges in that terminal. 

DFW has 5 terminals and 178 gates, which can be daunting at first, but it is pretty easy to get around once you are familiar with the layout. 

Overview

Viewed aerially, the airport at Dallas-Fort Worth is basically 3 ovals (One is still a half-oval) straddling a highway down the center. Terminals are designated A, B, C, D, and E, with D being the International Terminal, and thus the nicest of the 5.

A train called SkyLink connects the terminals and skirts the periphery, with two stops at each terminal. Just look for the signs for SkyLink, and then you’ll take an escalator to board the train.

DFW has 19 lounges at the time of writing. Each terminal has lounges, but the best ones are in Terminal D.

It takes about 15 minutes or so, depending on how fast you move, to get from one terminal to the other. If you have time, or can schedule a longer layover, it is definitely worth it to make your way to terminal D to visit the lounges. 

If you have a little time but don’t want to make the hike, you can find American Airlines Admirals’ clubs in every terminal. Other options include Minute Suites, a USO Lounge, United and Delta clubs, and more.

DFW Lounges are as follows:

Terminal A

• Admirals Club
• Minute Suites

Terminal B

• Admirals Club
• Gameway
• USO Lounge

Terminal C

• Admirals Club

Terminal D

• Admirals Club
• American AIrlines Flagship Lounge
• American Airlines Flagship First DIning
• Capital One Lounge
• Centurion Lounge
• The Club
• Korean Air KAL Lounge
• Minute Suites

Terminal E

• Admirals Club
• Delta Sky Club
• Plaza Premium
• United Club
• Gameway

Admirals Clubs

Admirals Clubs are great escapes from the chaos of the airport. Before we had an Amex Platinum credit card, this was where we hung out. In general, the staff are friendly, there is typically no wait, and there is plenty of comfortable seating.

The bar is adequate, but the food offerings tend to be a little slim. Unless you are a very light eater, it is difficult to get a full meal here for free.

You can order off of a menu, with reasonably priced dishes such as chicken nuggets, sandwiches, and salads for $9-$13. The good news is that American Airlines is in the process of expanding their menu options…

One great benefit of Admirals Clubs is that the agents can help you out with flight delays or other problems and rebooking.

Last time we visited was in the middle of a major ice storm in the Southeastern US, which had significantly affected most flights into and out of DFW, and almost shut down the airport. This resulted in long, slow-moving lines at all of the customer service desks.

In the lounge, however, there was no line. Moreover, the agent was in a great mood since she was not dealing with a ton of frustrated travelers.

She was empathetic and very helpful. In addition, we were able to wait in comfort to find out if we had secured seats on the rebooked flight. 

How To Access Admirals Clubs

There are several ways to gain access to Admirals Clubs.

1. Buy A Membership Or Day Pass

Fees for an annual membership vary based upon your AAdvantage status and range from $300/year for Executive Platinum to $450/year for regular members.

For the member and their spouse, these numbers range from $450/year to $750/year. You can instead pay with AAdvantage miles, ranging from 45,000-70,000 for the member, and 65,000-110,000 for member and spouse.

Admirals Club memberships will also get you into Alaska Airlines clubs, Qantas Clubs, Japan Airlines, and several other partner lounges around the world. For some, like the Al Safwa First Class Lounge in Doha, you have to have boarding passes in premium cabins.

One advantage to having a membership is that you can bring up to two guests for free, if they are flying American or other Oneworld Airlines. Day passes can also be purchased online or at the club for $79 or 7,900 AA Miles.

You can bring a child (under 18 years of age) with you, given that you both are flying American or one of its Oneworld partners. Worth it? Not if you have other options.

2. Flying First Or Business

Customers flying First or Business Class on certain American or other Oneworld Airlines flights can have access, but this often gets you into other, posher, lounges. Check your LoungeBuddy app to explore your options.

Eligible flights are international flights, transcontinental flights within the US, and flights from certain cities on the mainland to Hawaii.

3. AAdvantage Platinum, Platinum Pro, Or Executive Platinum    

If you are an AAdvantage Platinum, Platinum Pro, or Executive Platinum member, you have access to Admirals Clubs when flying Internationally on American or its Oneworld Partners, regardless of cabin.

Same goes for flights marketed by Aer Lingus and operated by American. These folks can bring one guest traveling on the same flight.

4. Non-AAdvantage Oneworld Sapphire & Emerald

Non-AAdvantage Oneworld Sapphire and Emerald members when flying internationally on American or Oneworld airlines. Same guest policies as #3.

5. Citibank AAdvantage Executive

Citibank AAdvantage Executive cardholders flying on a flight operated by American or its Oneworld partners. I have this card and keep it for Admirals Club access, because I cannot bear to sit at the gate for longer than 20-30 minutes and I’d prefer to pay the $595 fee to keep my lounge ‘back-up plan’.

Right now, you can get 70,000 bonus miles after spending $7,000 in the first 3 months. Other perks of this card include priority check-in, free checked bags, no foreign transaction fees, and 4X miles on American Airlines purchases.

Cardmembers can bring 2 guests.

6. US Military

Members of the US military traveling in their uniform on a same-day flight operated by American can access domestic and international Admirals Clubs, based on capacity, except for the Airspace lounge in San Diego and the JAL Sakura Lounge in Honolulu.

They can bring their immediate family or two guests.

Amenities

Admirals Clubs have a limited selection of morning and afternoon snacks. Breakfast snacks usually consist of pastries, bagels, cereal, yogurt, and fruit.

In the afternoon/evening, you’ll find cheese cubes, fruit and crudité vegetables, dip, hummus, crackers, pasta salad, two types of soup, and desserts like cookies, brownies, and rice crispy treats. 

Non-alcoholic beverages are available, as well as domestic beer, house wine, and well spirits. For an upcharge, you can choose premium alcohol, and there is a limited menu of food items you can pay for.

Recently, little carts have been available that serve avocado toast in the morning and guacamole in the afternoons at select Admirals Clubs.

In late 2023, American Airlines began updating their Admirals Clubs and adding a more extensive selection of food. The updates began at DCA in Washington DC and are being extended through the network of Admirals Clubs at the time of writing (early 2024).

More hot menu items are being incorporated for both breakfast and lunch/dinner, with increased membership fees to accompany.

Comparing DFW Admirals Clubs

Terminal A

The Admirals Club in terminal A, opposite gate A24, is the most modern and tends to have a few extra snack options. It is pretty spacious, but the Wi-Fi tends to be a little slow.

Terminal B

The biggest problem with the lounge in terminal B is that it is pretty far out of the way, and takes quite a hike to reach. It is between gates B3 and B4, which is waaaaay at one end of terminal B, far from the Sky Link station.

When we visited for the first time, I thought for sure we had missed it. It is so far away, and the doorway and sign are pretty subtle.

I’d only use this one if I had to. It is small, quiet, and has one shower suite.

Terminal C

This is one of the better Admirals Clubs. Located between gates C19 and C20, it has a grander entrance than the others and is pretty spacious, with numerous different seating areas.

There are a couple of shower suites, snack areas, coffee stations, and a bar. It can get crowded, but doesn’t feel so to me, since the seating areas are partitioned off. 

Terminal D

This one is relatively new and large, and located between gates D23 and D24. It tends to be less crowded, likely because there are several lounge options in terminal D.

I think it is an excellent choice if you don’t have access to the other lounges. 

American Airlines Flagship Lounge

As opposed to the Admirals Clubs, the Flagship Lounge consistently rates as one of the best domestic lounges in the US. It is a few steps up from regular Admirals Clubs, and access is more restrictive. 

Customers flying First or Business Class on eligible flights, including American or Oneworld International flights, Transcontinental flights within the US, and flights from certain cities on the mainland to Hawaii have access.

AAdvantage Platinum, Platinum Pro, and Executive Platinum as well as Alaska Airlines MVP Gold and Gold 75K have access when flying the above mentioned flights in any cabin and can bring one guest.

Concierge Key customers can visit this lounge any time they are flying American or Oneworld flights, and can bring immediate family or two guests. 

If you have obtained Oneworld Sapphire or Emerald status on any airline other than American, you can visit the lounge any time you are flying American or Oneworld, and you can bring one guest.     

If you are flying American or Oneworld, you can purchase a day pass for $150 or 15,000 AAdvantage miles. 

Located near gate D21, in the same area as the Capital One Lounge, you can enjoy premium food and beverages here and, unlike the Admirals Clubs, everything is included. 

Upon entering the massive 25,000 square foot lounge, you are greeted with a glass of Piper Heidsieck champagne to set the tone for your visit. The decor is clean and modern, and there are lots of seating areas to choose from.

I can’t really see this lounge becoming overcrowded, despite Dallas being a massive American Airlines hub. There are two sets of restrooms and several shower suites which you can reserve at the front desk. 

The alcohol is self-service here, which is fine. Not ideal if you are looking for craft cocktails, but pretty easy if your taste in beverages is simpler. 

There’s a nice buffet with hot and cold dishes, including charcuterie and sushi. 

Overall, not quite on the same level as United Polaris, but probably on par with Centurion. I would not pay the $150 for a day pass unless it was my only option. 

American Airlines Flagship First Dining

Yet another step up from the Flagship Lounge is Flagship First Dining. This lounge within a lounge is reserved for guests flying Flagship First International on American Airlines, who can bring one guest, or Flagship First Transcontinental or Flagship Business Plus, who cannot bring a guest. 

The lounge is open from noon until 10pm and offers a sit-down, fine dining experience with locally sourced ingredients, James Beard chef inspired dishes, upscale wines, and craft cocktails. 

Verdict

If you are passing through the Lone Star State, two-step your way to one of American Airlines’ Lounges. While there are more posh choices than the Admirals Clubs, they still offer a quiet respite from the insanity of this massive hub.

You may not find enough food to fill your belly, but the provided snacks will tide you over, and the drink selection is more than adequate. My advice: don’t pay for the Admirals Club unless you have no other option, but if you have access, then they are worth a stopover. 

The Flagship Lounge and Flagship First Dining Room are another story! If you are flying in a premium cabin on American or other Oneworld Alliance airlines, pass the time here. 

For cash-paying customers: While you can pay $150 to access the Flagship Lounge, I’d go to the Capital One Lounge next door for $65. The food options are as good, if not better, and the vibe is cool and hip. 

Not an AAdvantage member? Check out my next article on DFW Lounges. There are plenty of (better) choices! 

So, when I was planning a complex trip to Asia, I researched them and decided to look for a seat from the US to the UK. I remembered a sleek, chic cabin with purplish mood lighting, a fun attitude, and comfy seats. 

I was extremely happy with the experience we had! The airplane felt fresh and new, and the environmentally conscious choices made a real impact on me. The menu felt inspired and trendy, and the service was on point – comfortable, yet attentive. 

The Airline

Sir Richard Branson and his Virgin Empire embody cool. An entrepreneur since the tender age of 16, his empire began with a mail order record company, which went on to become Virgin Records, signing acts including the Sex Pistols, The Rolling Stones, and Culture Club (one of my all-time favorites).

From trains to spaceships, this guy has done it all! His adults-only cruise line, Virgin Voyages, is geared toward the younger hip set and is on my bucket list for sure.

Branson founded Virgin Atlantic Airways in 1984, with the original name of British Atlantic Airways. Its main hub is London Heathrow, with a secondary hub in Manchester, UK.

The COVID-19 pandemic nearly bankrupted the company, and they have since joined the SkyTeam Alliance, which is great news for points junkies! The airline is partially owned by Delta, which is also a key consideration when booking flights on Virgin with points.

The airline currently partners with all of the major transferable points ecosystems: American Express Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Capital One, Citibank ThankYou Rewards, Marriott Bonvoy points, and BILT Rewards. 

So, you can transfer any of those points to Virgin and get great redemption rates for flights that pass through LHR. In addition, you can often find great deals on Delta flights through the Virgin Atlantic site.

But look out for hefty fees and keep in mind that you cannot transfer Delta SkyMiles to Virgin. 

The Fleet

The Virgin Atlantic fleet consists of the Airbus A350-1000, the 787-9 Dreamliner, the Airbus A330-300, and the Airbus A330Neo, each of which is named after “iconic women in British culture, both real and imaginary”. Some examples include Billie Holiday, Eliza Doolittle, and Uptown Girl. 

The Details

The airline’s destinations include 32 cities over 5 continents, including Shanghai, Dubai, and Cape Town, and there is a surprising density of stops in the Caribbean. 

Virgin’s aircraft feature 3 classes of service: Economy, Premium (Premium Economy), and Upper Class (Business Class). Wi-Fi is provided onboard for a small fee, and every seat has an electrical outlet, so you can stay plugged in for the entire flight. 

Their frequent flyer club is called, creatively, ‘Flying Club‘, and has three tiers – Red, Silver, and Gold. Benefits increase with each tier and are similar to what you will find with other airlines.

Virgin Points can be earned by flying, through their branded credit cards, and by joining Virgin Red and earning points on everyday spend. You can shop through their shopping portal or transfer points from the abovementioned programs. 

Lounges

One of the best parts of traveling Business or First Class is the experience on the ground. Lounges introduce you to the airline and set the tone for your trip.

Virgin Atlantic has 5 lounges called Clubhouses at London Heathrow, JFK in New York City, San Francisco International Airport, Washington Dulles International Airport, and O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa. 

There is also an arrivals lounge at LHR called Revivals, which is open in the morning (5am till 12:30pm) and accessible to passengers flying Upper Class or members of the Flying Club Gold Tier. More about this later.

If the airport you are flying out of doesn’t have a Clubhouse and you are flying Upper Class, you can use Delta Sky Club. These are consistently nice, with a good selection of hot and cold items on the buffet, a full bar, and comfortable seating. 

Because Virgin Atlantic joined SkyTeam, passengers traveling on a SkyTeam airline in the Premium cabin and SkyTeam elite members can access their lounges, as well as Plaza Premium members (but only if your membership came through Capital One, not Amex), and Priority Pass members (during limited hours). 

I personally visited the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at JFK in Terminal 4 several years ago, and I was impressed. It was busy but did not feel crowded because of its open-floor plan and abundance of seating.

The decor was contemporary and trendy, decorated in shades of gray with pops of red and purple.

You can access the menu via a QR code and place your order. Shortly after, a server will bring your selected items. We found the service to be excellent and the food contemporary and delicious.

Showers were available, and when we visited the spa was still open. Unfortunately, the spas closed down during COVID and haven’t opened back up. 

Mission Statement / Unique philosophies

Virgin certainly stands out from other airlines. It has a very different vibe that I find refreshing and fun. But the differences go far deeper. 

I like the fact that they take steps to minimize their impact on the environment and are committed to sustainability. Their goal is to reach net zero carbon by 2050, which is an ambitious but admirable goal for an airline.

They offer responsibly sourced, recyclable products onboard, and have replaced 90% of their single-use plastic since 2019.

They have regulatory standards for the items used to create their menu, using ethically sourced foodstuffs, fair farming, and sustainable fish, among other measures. The menus in their lounges are 70% plant-based and use locally farmed items. 

I also love their dedication to inclusivity and diversity in the workplace. They are making efforts to honor gender neutrality, providing uniform choices that cross gender lines, and including preferred pronouns on employees’ name tags.

They support LGBTQ+ rights, gender equality, ethnic diversity, and embrace people with visible and invisible disabilities. This is great for the employees, and great for the customers, because happy employees provide better service!

Overall, I’d say Virgin is looking toward the future and I am thrilled to do my small part to support their efforts. 

Our Experience

Booking

We were on our way to Vietnam for an epic adventure. I found Upper Class seats on a Virgin Atlantic flight from Atlanta, Georgia to London Heathrow for 99,000 points and $98 each. I transferred points from my American Express card to book the seats on their website. 

When I search for the same flight today, I am seeing seats in Upper Class available for 47,500 or 89,000 points plus $997 (USD) for that same flight.

If it were an option, I would choose to book this flight in the other direction, from LHR to ATL, so I could make use of the Upper Class Wing and the Flagship Clubhouse at LHR. The fees are a bit hefty, though!

Departure Lounge

Unfortunately, there is no Clubhouse in Atlanta. The good news though is that Atlanta is a Delta hub, so we had our choice of Delta Sky Clubs. 

Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta has 9 Delta Sky Clubs. As one of Delta’s main hubs, there are Sky Clubs in every terminal – A, B, C, D, E, F and T.  Any of these lounges are fine, but if you have time, the lounge in Terminal B is worth the extra legwork (unless you need a shower – those can be found in the lounges in terminals E and F). 

This lounge is gorgeous! It boasts soaring ceilings and tons of seating options.

Its floor-to-ceiling windows offer views of the runway and the city skyline, while the buffet offers a nice selection of chef-created seasonal dishes alongside a bar menu that is more than adequate. The decor is modern and colorful, enhanced by local art. 

Our Flight

We made our way to the gate about 50 minutes before our flight. I drive my husband crazy, because I like to be at the gate as soon as boarding begins, even when flying coach!

I like to get settled in and claim my overhead bin space. When we are flying Premium, I want as much time as possible on the plane! I like being among the first to board. 

Our aircraft was an A350-1000. At the time, I didn’t know they named their aircraft, so I didn’t notice whose namesake ours was, which is a shame.

Entering the Upper Class cabin kinda felt like walking into a chic ultralounge, with the magenta mood lighting that I remembered from my first experience with Virgin. This cabin had 44 open suites in a 1-2-1 layout, with 6’7” long, 20” wide lie-flat beds. This may have been a little tight for larger customers, but there was plenty of room for me, at 5’2”.

I chose middle seats, 3D and 3G, since there were two of us. There was a divider between the two seats, which could be closed or opened.

I always choose seats near the front, but I avoid bulkheads. I find that the noise and light from the galley and toilets annoy me. And, when sitting in a regular seat, I like to put my bag under the seat in front of me for easy access, and you can’t do this when sitting in a bulkhead seat. So, rows 2 or 3 are my usual choices.

On some flights, there are larger suites called Retreat Suites. These are geared toward sharing, and have ottomans which double as a second seat, so that a companion can join you for dinner.

The screens are larger at 27”. Availability for these suites does not open up until 14 days in advance. So, if you are booked in Upper Class and want to select one of these as your seat, you need to get online at that time and snag the seat (for a fee).

The window seats had overhead bins, but there were none in the middle, which really gave the cabin an open feel. The seats were spacious and decorated in a minimalist fashion, which I like. The muted gray colors are soothing to the eye, and the dark eggplant leather of the seats add interest without overpowering the visual image. 

Plenty of storage was available, with little cubbies on the side and room under the footrest. The amenity kit and recyclable can of water were in the side cubby, a pillow was in the seat, and bedding was in the overhead bins.

The TV was 18.5 inches and had a touch screen. There was no remote, but you could pair your phone and use that instead. There were tons of movies, TV shows, documentaries, and music selections, and the headsets were fine – not super high-end, but fine. 

The amenity kits were not the most luxurious I’d seen, but I appreciated that they used sustainable and recyclable materials. Sometimes there is a trade-off, and I think Virgin has struck a great balance between luxury and environmental responsibility. 

The zip up pouch for the amenities was made out of recycled paper and labeled ‘Goodie bag‘. It contained basic items to make your flight more comfortable, including an eye mask, socks (mine were black and red striped!), ear plugs, a pen, a dental kit (including a bamboo toothbrush), and REN natural skincare products. 

The bedding was soft and comfy, with a fluffy white duvet and poofy pillow. The flight attendants will make your bed with a mattress pad if you’d like. 

Shortly after settling in, our flight attendant brought pajamas. My husband refers to the PJs we get on these flights as “dystopian future pajamas,” and these fit that moniker perfectly – soft, yet drab long-sleeve gray shirts and black pants.

There was no obvious branding that I noticed, but they were nice. They come in three sizes, and I chose the S/M. I think they tend to run large, so keep that in mind.

The Upper Class cabin had a seating area for eight called The Retreat, where you can mingle and share cocktails, or watch a movie on the big screen. We never noticed anyone sitting there, but it would be fun if you were traveling with a group. During the flight and between meals, you can find snacks in this area.

The Menu / meal service

Our flight attendant came around with a tray of pre-poured, pre-departure beverages including water, sparkling wine, and orange juice. Of course, I chose the sparkling wine.

Full transparency – I don’t know what type it was, but it was nice and pretty dry. There were four on offer (only one true champagne), all retailing for $40-50 USD per bottle.

Their menus change periodically, and ours was great. For dinner, I chose the smoked salmon with Asian slaw, sriracha mayo, and micro greens. For my main course, I had the three-cheese ravioli with a glass of the South African pinotage, and for dessert I chose the cheese plate.

The appetizer and cheese plate were delicious, while the ravioli was OK.

As this was an overnight flight, I watched a movie and settled into sleep. A neat feature available on our TVs was a screen notification that lets the flight attendants know whether you want to be woken up for breakfast, and I did. 

About an hour and a half before landing, I enjoyed the full English breakfast with a strong cup of black coffee, and we landed a little early at LHR.

Arrival Lounge

We had a long layover in London before our First Class experience on Emirates from London to Dubai. We landed at Terminal 3, passed through customs, and headed to the Arrivals Hall.

We had made reservations at Excess Baggage Company to leave our bags while we got out and explored London, which cost us 15 GBP per bag for 8 hours of storage. 

We noticed a sign for Arrivals Lounges. We had never visited one, and didn’t realize we had access, but we decided to check it out anyway. Look for a yellow sign that reads ‘Arrivals Lounges’. Underneath, you will see ‘Virgin Atlantic/Delta,’ and a set of elevators. Follow the signs and you will find it!

We entered the lounge, and the receptionist took our information, granting us access! 

The lounge is only open from 5:30am to 12:30pm and is designed for those of us leaving overnight flights to freshen up for the day. You can access the Revivals Lounge if you:

• Are a Virgin Atlantic Upper Class passenger
• Are a Delta One passenger
• Are a Flying Club Gold member on a Virgin Atlantic or Delta flight into Heathrow
• Have a Delta SkyMiles Platinum Medallion card and are flying from the US to London to Heathrow on a Delta or Virgin Atlantic flight
• Have a Delta SkyMiles Diamond Medallion card and are flying from the US to London to Heathrow on a Delta or Virgin Atlantic flight
• Have a Virgin Australia Velocity The Club card and are flying into London Heathrow on a Virgin Atlantic flight
• Have a Virgin Australia Velocity Club Platinum card and are flying into London Heathrow on a Virgin Atlantic flight

This was a nice, unexpected treat! The lounge is decorated in Virgin’s Signature style, splashes of red and purple on a palette of neutral grays.

The seating and dining areas were relatively small, as this lounge is more purpose-oriented than loungey. It is more of a ‘get in, freshen up, grab a snack, and get on with your day’ kinda place.

There are 20 shower rooms available, and we made use of two. The shower rooms were spacious and sparkly clean, stocked with REN toiletries and fresh white towels. They will even press your clothes while you shower, but we didn’t make use of this service. 

As for breakfast, you can order directly from a server, or scan the QR code provided on your table and order that way. We chose the latter, and noshed on Eggs Benedict and coffee before making our way to the train so we could explore the British Museum and grab some fish and chips. 

Verdict

Virgin Atlantic play by their own set of rules, and are working hard to provide a unique, luxurious, modern experience, while minimizing their environmental impact and giving back to the community. The hip vibe, modern decor, and social awareness are enlightened and current. 

Feelings and cultural sensitivity aside, the hard and soft products are top notch, luxurious without being wasteful, and in vogue. Looking toward the future, I hope Virgin adds more destinations to its portfolio and continues to make luxury travel more environmentally sound.

This trip actually started out as a completely different adventure – a flight to Quito, Ecuador for a cruise in the Galapagos Islands. But hey, that’s the beauty of travel, right? Sometimes things take a detour (like when your travel buddy throws out their shoulder – ouch!).

Luckily, we were able to use our flight credit for a fabulous trip to Rio de Janeiro for New Year’s Eve and a cruise to Buenos Aires, Argentina!

Polaris Overview

Now, about that Business Class – let me tell you, I was surprised and very pleased.

United States carriers are not known for their premium products. Typically Asian, Middle Eastern, and European airlines receive more accolades and have superior hard and soft products. United Airlines has stepped up their game with their Polaris Business Class.

Back in 2016, bigwigs at United realized they needed to improve their Business Class product. After numerous snafus and setbacks, the new product was rolled out in 2017, and United’s entire fleet of widebody aircraft was upgraded to Polaris by July of 2023.

So, all of their 767s, 777s, and 787s currently feature Polaris.

United has discontinued its First Class cabin on International flights, so Polaris is the highest level you will find in their premium cabins. 

We originally paid around $2,000 for the seats to Quito, which might seem steep, but trust me, it was worth it. Especially considering the economy seats on this Rio flight were over $1,200!

Plus, when we rebooked, we only had to pay an extra $400 each for a flight that was twice as long. Score!

United Lounges & How To Access Them

United has three types of lounges: United Club, United Club Fly, and Polaris. 

United Club fly Lounges have the same access rules as United Clubs, and at the time of writing, there is only one Club Fly, located in the Denver International Airport.

This is a grab-and-go lounge where you can stop by and grab snacks for your next flight.

There are 45 United Clubs in 30 airports around the US, and here are the methods of access:

Membership

You can purchase membership for $650 or 85,000 miles per year. This also gives you access to COPA and Star Alliance Lounges around the world.

How You Fly

By flying international Business or First Class on United or Star Alliance partners, including flights to and from Canada.

Certain Credit Cards

The United Club Infinite Card and the United Club Business Card give you United Club membership.

These are United’s premium cards and come with hefty annual fees, which could be worth it if you fly United often. Fees are $525 for the personal card and $450 for the business version.

They also give you priority check-in and numerous other perks.

Other credit cards give you two annual passes: The United Explorer Card and the United Business Card, which have lower annual fees of $0 the first year and $95 each year after that for the personal card and $99 for the business card.

Other Memberships & Status

If you have Star Alliance Gold status and are flying United or a Star Alliance partner, you can bring one guest.

If you are an Air Canada Maple Leaf member flying on a Star Alliance flight.

Virgin Australia Velocity Platinum, Gold, and VIP members can visit United Club locations and United Club Fly at departure airports.

You will need a same-day boarding pass for an international United or Virgin Australia-operated flight. You can bring one guest to United Club locations.

Single Entry Fee

Purchase one-time access for $65 when flying United or a Star Alliance partner.

Note: United Clubs are not part of the Priority Pass Lounge network.

United Polaris Lounges are located in 6 airports in the US and 5 outside of the US: 

Check In

To use United’s Premier Access check-in line, you must:

• Be flying United Polaris Business Class or domestic First Class;
• Be flying in the premium cabin of a Star Alliance partner airline;
• Carry Elite status on Star Alliance;
• Have one of the United Airlines Premium credit cards; or
• Have purchased Premier Access.

When flying United Polaris, you can check two bags weighing up to 70 pounds each, for free.

United Economy Class from Little Rock, Arkansas to Houston, Texas

The first leg of our trip from Little Rock to Houston was in Economy Class.

Even in coach, the flight attendants were awesome! They kept us well-informed, the service was friendly, and the snacks were surprisingly good.

Now, the actual seats themselves? Not so great. They were on the small side, legroom included, and even for a short stack like me (5’2″!), it felt a bit cramped. 

The stroopwafels eased my pain a bit! I was informed that the proper way to eat a stroopwafel is to place it over the top of your hot cup of coffee for a few minutes, allowing the caramel filling to warm up and melt just a little. Divine!

United Polaris Lounge, Houston, Texas

Our first flight landed in one terminal and departed from another, and Houston has basic United Clubs in Terminals A, B, C, and E since it is a United hub.

We could have used any of those United clubs but, knowing we had a luxurious oasis waiting in Terminal E, we hopped on the airport train for a little detour to the Polaris Lounge. Let me tell you, it was absolutely worth the extra legwork!

Dining Options

In addition to snack and beverage stations set up around the lounge, there were two main choices for your dining pleasure: the buffet and the main dining room.

Buffet

They had a fantastic buffet spread with something for everyone. Cheese lovers rejoice!

There was an impressive selection, alongside cured meats, perfect for a light nosh. But it wasn’t all finger food. For a more substantial bite, they offered an extensive hot buffet with a number of South American-inspired dishes including ‘pollo arvejado’ – a Chilean chicken stew.

And of course, no meal is complete without dessert. The Polaris Lounge offered a decadent choice between pumpkin pie (a classic for a reason) and a creamy Italian custard that looked delicious.

The Main Dining Room

The buffet was great, but if you have time for a full dining experience, take the time for a three-course dinner in their bistro-style restaurant. 

The menu changes throughout the day, offering breakfast options like French toast served with fig and drizzled with caramel, or a more heart-healthy grain bowl.

Lighter fare like yogurt and pastries are also available.

Dinner and lunch take a more adventurous turn. Starters like butternut squash soup or ceviche whet your appetite, while cheese plates offer a classic indulgence.

The main course options on our visit were truly tempting: cauliflower with gochujang, short ribs, sea bass, and the legendary Signature Polaris Burger.

Speaking of legendary, that Polaris Burger lives up to its fame. A juicy patty comes loaded with all the classic toppings – bacon, cheese, veggies – plus some exciting extras like egg and avocado. The fries were perfectly seasoned but a touch undercooked.

I opted for the pan-roasted sea bass, served with sides of couscous and wilted kale, which was a light and flavorful dish that left room for dessert.

It was impossible to resist trying both options: the cheesecake with apple crisp and the fig tart. They were both delightful little bites, the perfect ending to a fantastic meal.

The impeccable service by our server, Jay, just added to the overall restaurant-quality experience.

This lounge was not just about the food (although it was amazing!). The entire experience was designed for relaxation and comfort.

The bar offered a curated selection of beer, wine, and liquor, perfect for unwinding before your flight. Feeling adventurous? The creative cocktail menu, updated regularly, offered exciting options.

While the lounge itself was surprisingly busy, there was ample seating to choose from. We even spotted a few families with children, but thankfully none were disruptive.

The seating arrangements were varied, with conversation sets for two to four, as well as individual pods with tables for those needing to get some work done. The overall décor was a step up from your typical United Club, offering a classy and sophisticated atmosphere.

Beyond the food and drinks, the lounge boasted other amenities.

If you needed to make any travel changes, friendly agents were on hand to assist you. Feeling a bit travel-worn? The Polaris Lounge offered shower suites, perfect for freshening up before your flight, and plenty of sparkly clean restrooms.

United Polaris Business Class from Houston to Rio de Janeiro

After what felt like a quick visit, we made our way to Terminal C for our departure. We arrived just in time for boarding, and walked right onto the plane.

Our 10-hour flight was on a Boeing 767. The Economy Class cabin had 184 seats and Business Class had 30 lie-flat semi-private seats, carrying a total of 214 passengers.

We had a slight delay, which only prolonged our enjoyment of this experience!

The Premium cabin had 10 rows of seats, arranged in a 1-1-1 configuration, with each seat having access to the aisle. For folks traveling together, you really don’t have options for sitting close enough for conversation.

Bedding

The passenger seat was designed in partnership with Acumen Design Associates and Priestman Goode, and manufactured by Zodiac Seats in the UK. It was furnished with premium bedding from Saks Fifth Avenue.

This included a small pillow, a lightweight throw blanket with a colorful design, and a sealed kit containing a larger cooling gel pillow and a comforter. Notably, pajamas were not provided on this particular flight, but you will receive them on extended journeys exceeding 14 hours.

If you would like a mattress pad, be sure to request one ahead of time.
I hear United does not carry enough for every seat. I didn’t need one.

Amenity Kit

United has upgraded its amenity kits since we traveled three months ago – now amenity kits are larger and include an ‘Away‘ brand hard travel case.

When we traveled, we received practical items including socks, ear plugs, a dental kit, a sleep mask, tissues, and a baggie containing Therabody brand facial moisturizer, revitalizing eye serum, facial mist, hand lotion, lip balm, and a face wipe. All of these items were contained in a stylish gray fanny pack.

Personal Storage

The seat pod offered ample storage space for passenger belongings. A small cabinet located on the aisle side housed a bottle of water and headphones.

Additional storage options included cubbies beneath the armrest and under the footrest for carry-on items, and a compartment nestled under the personal entertainment system display, suitable for smaller electronics such as mobile phones.

For added convenience, the seat provided a standard electrical outlet for charging devices, a reading light for nighttime travel, and a remote control for the in-flight entertainment system.

Pre-Flight Fun

I’m a sucker for a good in-flight menu! Especially when you’re flying in Business or First Class, browsing those options beforehand really gets me excited for the trip.

Plus, it guarantees you get your first choice – popular dishes can disappear fast. On this flight, I went with the short ribs, which sounded incredible.

Boarding & Take-Off

Shortly after we were seated, the flight attendant brought around a tray of pre-departure beverages. I chose champagne, and she also offered orange juice.

Our delay just meant more time to enjoy the comfy seats and dig into the entertainment options! They had a great selection of movies, so I wasted no time getting stuck in!

Turbulent Start, Expedited Service

We hit some bumpy air early on, which pushed meal service back a couple of hours.

The silver lining? Once they got the go-ahead, the flight attendants really hustled to expedite our meal service. They knew we were probably eager to get some sleep.

Even on flights where meals are served on time, you can request ‘Express Dining‘ if you’re looking to rest earlier.

The Meal

The food itself was delicious! I started with the salad with prawn lemon zest confit, which was refreshing.

But the real star was the main course – those seared short ribs with Asian flare. They were melt-in-your-mouth tender, juicy, and bursting with flavor. The stir-fried vegetables and steamed jasmine rice were great accompaniments.

To finish things off, I treated myself to the selection of cheeses, fruit, and crackers, which hit the spot. The whole meal was paired with a nice Bordeaux – a delightful choice.

Snacks were available any time, but I was way too satisfied from the main meal to even think about them! I hear there is a made-to-order sundae menu available, but I didn’t even consider it. 

Breakfast & Landing

About 45-60 minutes before landing, the flight attendants came around with breakfast. I opted for the egg bites, made with egg whites, peppers, and Monterey Jack cheese, which were a light and delicious way to end the flight.

Overall, a fantastic in-flight dining experience!

Verdict

United Airlines has significantly upgraded their long-haul international Business Class offering with the introduction of Polaris Business Class.

Inspired by the North Star and designed for maximum comfort, Polaris Business Class boasts features like lie-flat seats, luxurious Saks Fifth Avenue bedding, and personal entertainment systems. The in-flight dining experience is also noteworthy, featuring chef-designed menus with global flavors.

Overall, this new offering positions United Airlines to compete more effectively with renowned premium cabins from Asian, European, and Middle Eastern airlines.

While the Polaris Lounges don’t quite match the extravagance of Qatar Airways or Singapore Airlines lounges, they still offer a few steps above the standard US airline lounge experience, with a focus on local touches that create a more interesting atmosphere.

In short, United is playing for keeps with Polaris, and that’s great news for flyers who crave comfort and luxury on long international flights.

I don’t remember the type of aircraft, but my friend and I were flying in Club World, which is their Business Class. I remember having to literally climb over her to access the aisle to go to the restroom.

So, when I upgraded my mom and myself to business class on British Airways on our recent trip, my expectations were low. However, BA far exceeded my expectations and won me over as a loyal customer.

How I Booked

My husband and I enjoy traveling with our parents and like to treat them to a vacation every other year or so. This year, we were going to take them on a Royal Caribbean cruise of the Norwegian Fjords, which left out of Southampton, UK.

To make the most of our travels, we decided to fly into London a few days early and explore the city. 

Royal Caribbean offers packages through their ‘Air2Sea’ program, which they offer as an all-inclusive deal which takes you from your home airport to the ship and back with little effort on your part.

It typically includes flights, transfers to and from the hotel to airports and to the port, and sometimes also includes accommodation. 

I do not usually use this program, because I like to book my own flights. I prefer long layovers and getting to the airport early so we can enjoy the lounges and have a more relaxed experience. 

But, in this case, we were dealing with older folks and the flights were a little complicated. My husband and I were flying from Little Rock, Arkansas to Charlotte, North Carolina, where we would meet my mom and fly together to London.

His parents were flying from Seattle, Washington direct to London. Getting a taxi or Uber with so many of us, including those of us of a more mature age who had some trouble getting around, sounded too complicated. I wanted to leave nothing to chance.

So, I used Royal Caribbean’s Air2Sea program to book flights and transfers along with our cruise. We booked Economy Class tickets for my husband, my mom, and myself on American Airlines. The round trip tickets came out to $1,497 each.

How I upgraded

My status on American Airlines as Executive Platinum allowed me to earn ‘system-wide upgrades’, which could be used on flights marketed and operated by American Airlines. At the time of writing (March 2024), system-wide upgrades can be used on transatlantic British Airways flights, as long as one of the flights on your itinerary is on American. 

These are one-cabin upgrades, so you could go from Economy to Premium Economy, Premium Economy to Business, or Business to First. Our return flight was in Premium Economy, and there were only two seats available in Business Class.

My husband graciously agreed to stay in the cattle car so my mom and I could share the upgraded experience for this 8-hour flight. But this article is not about British Airways Business Class, or Club World, is it?

British Airways Fleet and Classes of Service

British Airways has four classes of service: Economy, Premium Economy, Business, and First. For flights within Europe, Economy is Euro Traveller, while for International flights it is World Traveller.

Premium Economy is World Traveller Plus. Business Class for flights within Europe is Club Europe, and Business for International is Club World. First is, well, First.

Along with numerous narrow-body, short-haul planes, BA’s 122-strong fleet consists of a variety of wide-body planes.

These include the Airbus A350-1000, the A380, 777-9, 777-200, 777-300, 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10. Some have three cabins (eliminating First Class), and some have four.

There have been three major upgrades to BA’s First Class seat, which occurred in 2010, 2015, and 2020. The A380s and many of the 777-200 and 300s were upgraded in 2010, the 787-9 and 10 in 2015, and more of the 777-300s in 2020.

The cabins updated in 2010 have 14 suites, while those updated in 2015 and 2020 only have 8. Those refurbished in 2020 are the only ones with doors.

Our aircraft was updated in 2010, which was 14 years ago, but it felt new, clean, and modern, not at all dated. The hard product was great, and the soft product excellent!

Boarding Area / Boarding Process

We arrived at our gate at London Heathrow, after a fantastic cruise. We were all exhausted and looking forward to resting on the plane.

We didn’t have time to visit the lounges, because the coach that the cruise line had arranged for us was late. That was definitely a disappointment. Thank fully though, check-in was a breeze, since we got to use the dedicated First/Business Class line.

The boarding area was a bit chaotic, and soon after we arrived, I heard an announcement calling my name.

I approached the desk and the agent said there had been an aircraft change and my mom and I had new seat assignments. I was handed First Class boarding passes, seats 3E and 3F.

This was the second time an aircraft change worked in my favor! This flight was originally on the A350-1000, and we had window seats in the Club World (Business Class) cabin.

The new metal was the 2010 four-class Boeing 777-300, which was equipped with 14 open suites, and we snagged two of them!

Because my mom needs a little extra time to get down the runway, we were placed in a holding area. The attendants were so friendly and kind to my mom.

She was concerned because we had to board a bus and climb stairs to board the plane. This very sweet older gentleman reassured her that he would take care of her, and he did. Climbing the steep staircase was a challenge for her, but we helped and she did fine. 

The Cabin

The 777 First Class cabin was in a 1-2-1 configuration, with 4 rows of window suites on each side, and 3 rows of 2 suites in the center, so everyone had aisle access.

No more climbing over people to go to the toilet! The overall feel was sleek, serene, and exclusive.

The Suites and Amenity Kits

We were both pretty excited to see our seats! I was surprised to see that they were suites, and over the moon that I could share this with my mom. Honestly, no matter how many times I fly, I still get a little giddy, especially when I am trying out a new premium cabin. 

The suites were spacious, but did not have doors. Instead, the sides were open to the aisles, and the walls were probably about 5 feet high.

Since we had center seats, there was a divider between us that could be raised or lowered. We had a good deal of privacy, and I rarely saw another passenger. 

The window suites had large rectangular openings with blinds over 2 ovoid windows.

Blankets, pillows, slippers, Meridian noise-canceling headphones, and amenity kits were already in our seats, and I opened my amenity kit like a kid at Christmas.

The female amenity kits were made by Temperley of London, and each of the makeup bags is slightly different. Ours had floral patterns with butterflies, and were filled with practical and indulgent items.

They included an eye mask, dental kit, a pen, a compact mirror, socks, and ear plugs. There were travel-sized luxury Elemis products including travel-size deodorant, facial/makeup remover wipes, hand lotion, facial mist, facial moisturizer, eye cream, and lip balm.

Very nice! You can buy one on eBay for $45 (USD).

Right away, we met our flight attendant, who raised the flight experience to that extra level! This darling man reminded me of Patton Oswalt and seemed to really enjoy my mother’s company.

She is bubbly and fun, and had never experienced anything like this. Her excitement was infectious, and we both caught it!

Our flight attendant (we will call him Patton so I don’t have to keep saying “our flight attendant”) brought us warm towels, champagne (mom had coke), a packet of nuts, and navy blue Temperley London ‘sleep suits’.

Mom and I giggled about this term, as we had never heard pajamas called sleep suits. Of course, I changed into mine before take-off.

The champagne was lovely, Laurent-Perrier Grand Siècle NV, which retails for $250 here in the states. 

The seats were comfortable and spacious. One advantage of being 5’2” tall is that most airline seats have plenty of room for me to stretch my legs. One disadvantage is that I cannot reach the footrest in most First Class suites!

These seats, however, had multiple intuitive functions to allow you to adjust the seat to your comfort, so after take-off, I just raised my footrest.

The full length of the bed is 6’6” or 198 cm, which was way more than enough length for this petite frame, and the width is advertised as 22 inches or 56 cm – but I left my measuring tape at home, so we will have to take their word for it.

There were multiple options for storage, including cubbies under the side table and footrest, a cabinet on the aisle side of the seat, and a mini-wardrobe for hanging clothes.

The toilets were nothing special, but were clean and stocked with dental kits, Elemis lotion and facial mist, and other necessities one would expect.

Service and Menu

The service on this flight was impeccable! Friendly, yet elegant and not at all stuffy or uptight.

After all, isn’t the point of service and, for that matter, etiquette to make others feel comfortable, special, and taken care of? The staff on this flight seemed to understand this, and executed perfectly!

Soon after take-off, Patton presented us with our multi-page menus on fine white paper. We were presented with a trio of canapes, consisting of bresaola (a type of cured raw beef) with melon, smoked salmon with cream cheese and cucumber, and a red pepper roulade with goat cheese.

For my first meal, I chose the double-baked souffle with asparagus and morel mushroom sauce for my starter, which tasted far better than it looked.

For my main course, my choice was the duo of lamb, which included a rack of lamb and braised lamb served with feta and pomegranate jus, with a side of potatoes. Tender, hot, and flavorful.

For my final course, I enjoyed a cheese plate, with a variety of cheeses served with crackers, fruit, and plum chutney. I couldn’t finish it all!

To accompany my meal, I had a glass (or two) of the Chateau Chauvin Bordeaux, which was bold, tannic, and dry, just how I like it. Perfection. 

After dinner, I asked Patton to make my bed, which he did during my toilet break. There were full-length mattress pads, soft, fluffy duvets, and nice pillows which made for a cozy cocoon and a great nap. 

The TV was 23 inches and had a touch screen, although there was also a remote control that reminded me of the portable PlayStations our kids used to have. This was helpful for me, because I have a small frame and the screen seemed to be a mile away.

The entertainment options were endless, and I chose a movie until I fell asleep, donning my eye mask and earbuds, putting up the divider, and closing my door. 

About an hour or so before we were scheduled to land, Patton offered us afternoon tea, which was very lovely. 

Patton brought out two-tiered tea trays with finger sandwiches, pastries, and scones, clotted cream, and jam. The tea was very nice, and mom and I felt oh so British. What a pleasant end to a perfect flight.

Verdict

British Airways has really stepped up its game with its refurbished First Class suites. The hard product is solid, and the soft product excellent.

Our sleep suits and amenity kits were luxurious, and the menu impressive. We enjoyed restaurant-quality, inventive cuisine and excellent wine in a comfortable suite with plenty of entertainment choices. 

If you haven’t flown British Airways recently, give them another try! You won’t be disappointed. I plan to seek out the 777-300 with the 2020 closed suites as soon as I can, and I will let you know how they compare.

BUT, to get to those places and people, we’ve gotta fly. That means spending hours in airports, which can be hectic, crowded, and frustrating. Airport food is overpriced and often of questionable quality, seating can be uncomfortable (if you can even find a seat), and drinks can cost more than a night in a hostel. 

There is a solution… Airport Lounges! Once reserved for people flying business or first class, they are now available to a much wider selection of customers.

You can gain access to some lounges by purchasing access on-site, by being loyal to an airline, by joining a lounge network like Priority Pass for a fee, or by having certain credit cards.

One family of credit cards that offers lounge access is American Express. But which American Express cards grant lounge access, how does it work, and where are the lounges? Read on to find out as we explore how lounge access with American Express credit cards works…

Types of American Express Cards

There are many types of American Express cards. Only a few grant access to lounges, and the higher-tier cards come with more perks and higher fees.

The American Express cards with the most extensive lounge access are the American Express Platinum Card and the American Express Business Platinum Card. The Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card does alright.

There is another card, but I am only going to mention it once… The Centurion Card. This card is available by invitation only, has a ludicrous initiation fee of $10,000, a hefty annual fee of $5000, and an annual spend of $500K-$1 million!

Let’s take a look at all the different types of Amex cards available, and what they do and do not offer:

Amex Cards With Cashback

American Express cards that give cashback include:

• Blue Cash Preferred Card (personal or business)
• Blue Cash Everyday Card (personal or business)
• Cash Magnet Card
• Plum Business Card

Cashback cards have their place, and can nicely round out your credit card portfolio. BUT, they do not earn Membership Rewards Points or grant you lounge access.

Entry-Level

Entry-level American Express cards include:

• American Express Everyday Card
• American Express Everyday Preferred Card
• American Express Green Card (personal or business)

‘Entry level’ will mean you’ll have low annual fees with these cards, with low spends for your sign-up bonus (SUB). These do not grant you lounge access.

Gold-Level

Gold-level American Express cards include:

• American Express Gold Card
• American Express Gold Business Card

Gold cards offer more perks, higher annual fees, and higher spends for your SUBs. These cards do not grant you lounge access, with a caveat – members in the UK and Canada get Priority Pass Membership with a few free visits (see below).

Platinum-Level

Platinum-level American Express cards include:

• American Express Platinum Card
• American Express Business Platinum Card

Here is where the fun begins! These cards have a higher annual fee ($695 at the time of writing), but the perks can far exceed this value if you take full advantage. These cards do offer lounge access. Details to follow…

Hotel Co-Branded

Hotel Co-branded American Express cards include:

• Marriott Bonvoy American Express Card (personal or business)
• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card
• Marriott Bonvoy Bevy American Express Card
• Hilton Honors American Express Card (personal or business)
• Hilton Honors Aspire American Express Card
• Hilton Honors Surpass American Express Card

Two of these cards offer lounge access via Priority Pass with limitations: the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex Card and the Hilton Honors Business Amex Card.

Airline Co-Branded

Airline Co-branded American Express Cards include:

• Delta Blue American Express Card 
• Delta Gold American Express Card (personal or business)
• Delta Platinum American Express Card (personal or business)
• Delta Reserve American Express Card (personal or business)

The only Delta co-branded card that still gets you lounge access is the Delta Reserve American Express Card, and there are limitations. 

Other Amex Cards

• Lowes American Express Business Card
• Amazon American Express Business Card
• Amazon Prime American Express Business Card

These cards do not grant lounge access.

Which Of These Offer Lounge Access?

SO… in summary, there are FOUR American Express Cards that grant lounge access, and an additional four that give you limited lounge access:

Full Lounge Access

• American Express Platinum Card
• American Express Business Platinum Card
• Delta Reserve American Express Card
• Delta Reserve American Express Business Card

Limited Lounge Access

• American Express Gold Card
• American Express Business Gold Card
• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card
• Hilton Hhonors Business American Express Card

The remainder of this article is going to focus on all these.

Categories of Lounges 

American Express Global Lounge Collection

This category includes all lounges to which you have access with the Amex Platinum, and American Express offer a very helpful, searchable database.

While the Amex Global Lounge Collection includes Centurion Lounges and Priority Pass, I am still going to separate those two out below, since some cards only give access to one or both of those lounge types.

Other lounges included in the Amex Global Lounge Collection are Delta Sky Clubs (with restrictions), Lufthansa Lounges, Escape Lounges, Aspire Lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges, and Centurion Clubs.  

The Amex website claims 1,400+ lounges in their Global Lounge Collection, but new lounges are added every day. Priority Pass alone claims 1,500+ lounges, so Amex’s number is actually way higher.

Centurion Lounges

Amex Platinum Cardholders (personal or business) have access to Centurion Lounges. Delta Reserve Amex cardholders have access to Centurion Lounges when flying on a Delta-operated flight the same day if they booked their ticket using their Amex card.

American Express was the first credit card issuer to develop airport lounges. Prior to this, the only options were airline-specific lounges, with privately-owned lounges popping up here and there.

In 2013, Amex introduced the exclusive, swanky Centurion Lounge and raised the bar. Their first location was in Las Vegas’s Harry Reid International Airport (LAS), and the network has since expanded to 25 locations in 14 states and 11 countries:

Centurion Lounges, especially in the USA, offer a pretty consistent product. The decor is upscale and contemporary, often with local flair.

The menus change with the seasons, and are inspired by collaboration with local chefs. Craft cocktails, top shelf spirits, decent wine and champagne are all included, without the upcharge you find in some lounges.

Most Centurion Lounges offer shower suites, which you can book at the front desk, and some even have spas, where you can choose a complementary 15-minute service.

Amex are working hard to bring their international Centurion Lounges up to the standards they set for themselves here in the US.  

Overcrowding has become a pretty significant issue in the past couple of years. It is common to find a line of people waiting for entry, and to have to add your name to a waiting list. A lot of this is due to the size of the lounge and limited available space in airports. 

This is one of the reasons Amex has started limiting access. In the past, Platinum cardholders could bring two guests at no additional charge; however, last year, that changed.

Now, Platinum cardholders must pay a $50 fee per guest, unless they meet the $75,000 spend. If that spend is met, they can bring two guests for free. Alternatively, anyone you add as an authorized user (for a $195 annual fee) can get in on their own accord. 

Priority Pass Lounges

Priority Pass has an amazing network of lounges all over the world, with over 1,500 locations in 6 continents. 

Many Premium credit cards offer Priority Pass Select membership, and the perks may vary slightly depending on the issuing credit card. Check your particular card for details.

Priority Pass Select is the type of membership that comes with credit cards. If you purchase your membership directly through the Priority Pass website, there are three tiers of membership, and the perks vary slightly.

American Express cards that come with access to Priority Pass include the personal and business Platinum Cards, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card, and the Hilton Honors Business Card. Non-US North American holders of the International Dollar Card (Gold Amex) also have Priority Pass.

Regardless of which card you have, you must enroll in Priority Pass. If Priority Pass is included with your card, you will see it listed under your membership benefits, where you’ll need to click on the provided link and sign up for it. Whether or not you question is Priority Pass worth it – it definitely is when it’s included as a free perk.

You will receive your Priority Pass card and membership packet in the mail; however, you can now access the lounge as soon as your membership is active! 

You can access your digital Priority Pass card by downloading the app and looking under ‘Card‘ or ‘My priority pass‘. Either screenshot the QR code or download the card to your Apple or Google Wallet. If you don’t have a smartphone, you can print out a copy of your digital card to use until your physical card arrives.

Ways to Locate Lounges

With all of these lounges, how do you find one? And furthermore, how do you choose the best one when multiple choices are available? Well, you could wander the airport looking for them, or check out airport maps in person.

Luckily, there are apps and websites to help you find lounges.

The LoungeBuddy app is one of my favorite tools to use while traveling. When you download the app, you can enter your personal information such as frequent flyer status with airlines, credit cards you have, and memberships.

With each trip, you can enter your flight information. Then, when you search the airports you’ll be passing through, LoungeBuddy will give you a list of lounges to which you have access, which ones you can purchase access to, and lounges you cannot visit.

The app tells you what amenities are available, where the lounge is located, and how to access it. I use it every time I travel. Look for it in the app store!

You’ve also got the searchable database I mentioned earlier, or you can text FINDALOUNGE to 86509 to receive a link to download it onto your iPhone or android.

The Priority Pass app also has a search function and gives all the pertinent info about your selected lounge.

Which Cards Give Which Type of Access?

The American Express Platinum Card

In both its personal and business forms, Amex’s Platinum Card grants unlimited access to all of the above lounges for the cardholder, with one exception: Platinum cardholders can only access Delta Sky Club 10 times per calendar year, and only when flying on Delta or Delta-operated flights.

To bring a guest, unless you meet the $75K spend or have added your travel companion as an Authorized User, you’ll have to pay a fee of $50. Simply show up with your card, your ID, and your boarding pass and, if it is not too crowded, you’ll walk right in!

Better yet, as soon as you land, go to your Amex app. Open your Platinum Card, click on the membership icon, and scroll down to ‘Airport Lounge Access‘. You can get a QR code which slightly expedites the process, although it does not save your place in line. 

If it is crowded, the representative will take your phone number and give you an estimate of the wait time. Then, when space is available for you, you’ll get a text and have 15 minutes to get back to the lounge. 

The Delta Reserve American Express Card

Personal or business, the Delta Reserve will get you 15 visits to the Delta Sky Club. Or, if you spend $75,000 in a calendar year, you will receive unlimited visits.

If you are flying on a Delta or Delta-operated flight, your visit is complimentary, and you can bring up to 2 guests for $50 each. If you are flying on a partner airline, you can access the lounge for $50, and if you surpass your 15 visit limit, you can pay $50 to enter.  

Additionally, this card gives you access to Centurion and Escape lounges IF you purchased the flight with this card and the flight is operated by Delta. In this case, you can bring a guest into Centurion for $50 and Escape for whatever the going rate is for that particular lounge.

The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card

This one comes with a Priority Pass Select membership (which you must enroll in) and gives you unlimited access to the Priority Pass network of lounges. Most of these lounges allow two guests for free, but a few charge a fee.

The Hilton Honors Business American Express Card

The Hilton Honors Business comes with a Priority Pass Select membership; however, you are limited to 10 free visits. After that, you will be charged the guest fee to access the lounge.

The American Express Gold Card

The American Express Gold Card, personal or business, does not grant US citizens lounge access; however, Canadian and UK cardholders get a free Priority Pass membership but have to pay for lounge access.

You will receive four free visits to Plaza Premium lounges per year. 

Verdict

The American Express Platinum Card is the best card for lounge access, in my opinion. The annual fee of $695 is more than offset by all of the perks and benefits you receive. Personally, I think lounge access alone justifies the fee!

The Delta Reserve Amex Card is competitive as well, if you fly Delta often.

In some cases, the $195 Authorized User fee or the $50 guest fee can also be worth it, when you consider the price of airport food and drinks and the intangible cost of languishing on uncomfortable airport furniture, trying to sleep in chairs or on the floor.

Would you rather have a $15 burger and an $8 beer, or a full buffet with a well-rounded meal, salad, dessert, and a nice glass of wine? No brainer…

With all of this said, Capital One and Chase have recently started opening their own airport lounges, and they are giving Amex Centurion a run for its money! Stay tuned for info about these cards and reviews of their lounges!

With world-class shopping and dining, and the new ‘Orchard’, a 100,000 square foot indoor tropical garden, you could spend hours just exploring the terminal. One alternative provided by Qatar Airways, if your layover is long enough, is to take a tour of Doha.

There is another option! If your ticket meets certain criteria, you can relax like royalty in Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge. This beautiful space is filled with amenities and provides a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of the airport.

Read on to find out how to access this lounge, and why you absolutely should in my Al Safwa Lounge review.

The Flights

I have been in the points game for a while, but had never flown Qatar Airways prior to this trip. I snagged two seats in the Business Class cabin for our return flight from Cairo to Dallas, with an 8-hour layover in Doha.

The flight from Egypt was coded as Business and was not in a QSuite. The flight back to the US was also coded business, but was in a QSuite.

I paid 95K British Airways Avios and around $400 per person for each Business Class ticket, using the British Airways site to book. You can book directly on the Qatar Airways site, or find your flight via British Airways, like I did.

I hear that you can find flights on the American Airlines site (Qatar is part of the Oneworld Alliance), but I have not been able to!

Have you heard of people being “Qatared“? This is something the airline is notorious for…

People will book a QSuite and, a few weeks before their flight, they receive notice that there has been an aircraft change, and that the new equipment doesn’t have QSuites. This can result in significant disappointment and, sometimes, even anger.

A few weeks before our trip, we were “Reverse Qatared”! On our flight from Egypt, due to an aircraft change, our normal Business Class seats became QSuites!

Now, if you are flying QSuites to or from Doha on a long haul flight, this is considered Business Class and will not get you access to this lounge; however, flying QSuites from another country in the Middle East is considered First Class and will give you access to Al Safwa!

The first leg of our flight was about 3 hours, followed by about 8 hours in Doha, then a 15-hour flight to Dallas. This may sound like a nightmare to some, but to me, it was a dream!

The first leg of our flight was fantastic and, when we disembarked, there was a special bus waiting for passengers in the premium cabin. This shuttle bus had swiveling leather chairs and only seated about 15 people.

I thought we were fancy, but the sheik sitting in front of us was picked up in a black four-door Audi A7 sedan.

Finding and Accessing the Lounge

We walked into the atrium at Hamad International Airport (DOH) in Doha, Qatar and were greeted by a giant yellow teddy bear, who keeps an eye on the atrium of the main terminal. That teddy bear is actually a 20-ton cast bronze sculpture worth millions, created by Urs Fischer, a visual artist based out of New York!

The airport is incredibly easy to navigate, and finding the lounges is a breeze. There is a ton of clearly marked signage.

If you are flying Qatar Airways Business Class, you can use the Al Mourjan Lounge, aka The Garden, which I am sure is perfectly lovely. However, if you meet one of the following criteria, you have access to Al Safwa First Lounge!

You may access this lounge if you are flying:

• In the First Class cabin on Qatar Airways or any of its OneWorld Partners.
• Business Class on Qatar Airways and are a platinum-level Privilege Club member.
• Business class on Qatar Airways and pay a hefty fee. At the time of writing, that is about $165 (USD).

To the right of the yellow bear, we noticed a sign for Al Safwa First Lounge. A representative was waiting at the bottom of the escalator. She checked our boarding passes and granted us access. We proceeded up the escalator to the lounge lobby, where we were checked in.

We were transiting through Doha. If you are departing from Doha, you have a whole different experience waiting for you!

First and Business Class Check-in at Hamad International Airport

When you are flying Qatar Airways First or Business Class originating in Doha, or if you opt to leave the airport on your layover and see the city, you can enter the terminal at Hamad International Airport through the first set of doors, clearly marked “Qatar Airways First & Business Class”. This will lead you to the dedicated portion of the terminal for checking into their premium cabins.

The color scheme is similar to what you’ll find in the lounge, and check-in areas for Business and First Class are clearly marked. You will be led to a private desk, where you’ll be given a cool towel and a special luggage tag while you check in.

After you’ve checked in, you will be directed to a dedicated customs and immigrations line, which exits right next to the escalator to Al Safwa First Lounge. Say hi to the giant bear on your way up!

The Lounge

One of the very friendly, extremely respectful attendants (we will call her Aisha) gave us a tour of the lounge. She led us down a cavernous hallway which felt more like a museum than an airport lounge. We later learned that the decor of this lounge was actually patterned after the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha.

I want to take a moment here to share how stunning this space actually was. With soaring ceilings and a muted color palette reminiscent of the desert, the lounge felt opulent and serene. Hues of tan, ecru, browns, and ivory were punctuated by pops of color in the form of purple orchids and stunning abstract paintings adorning the walls.

The lighting was subtle, warm, and somewhat dim. The warmth of the lighting and colors balanced the coolness of the hard surfaces and made the massive space feel almost cozy.

I felt the stress of the long journey melt away as I looked around me and sighed. Aisha let us through the atrium, pointing out a few works of Islamic art in display cabinets on either wall. There was a large fountain, which reminded me of a desert oasis, dominating the central space. The sound of flowing water enhanced the peaceful ambiance.

Several seating areas were scattered throughout the main atrium, mostly in groupings of two or four. One area, which was our favorite, had individual pods with comfy chairs and ottomans.

There was even a terrace that opened up to the main terminal and had lots of seating and a self-serve bar.

It was around midnight when we arrived, so most of the seating areas were empty, and the lounge was not crowded at all. It can get a little busy early in the morning and later in the evening, but I cannot imagine this space ever feeling crowded.

The lounge has lots of signage for all of the restaurants and amenities, and was very easy to navigate.

Dining

Several options were available for dining. The main dining room had a massive bar as its centerpiece, and numerous tables in different configurations, with seating for around 250 people.

The bistro is a self-service area with a buffet, which also has a few made-to-order items. When we visited, offerings included sushi, sandwiches, salads, desserts, and beverages.

The menu changes periodically. You can see the current version here:

The selection of alcoholic beverages was fantastic! Excellent wines, champagnes, and whiskeys, with your basic classic cocktails available to order.

Unfortunately (or fortunately), they had fed us so well on the flight that we were not hungry for dinner; however, we did enjoy a sumptuous breakfast in the main dining room (next to a table full of sheiks).

The coffee was beautiful – I had a flat white and my husband had a double espresso. Our meals were accompanied by croissants and fresh-squeezed juices.

I had the Balaleet, which consists of an omelet over vermicelli and topped with almonds, and my husband had the Eggs Royale, a slight variation on Eggs Benedict which had salmon and a bagel.

Private Rooms

Probably about 30 minutes after we had settled into our semi-private pods, one of the male staff members approached my husband to let him know that a private room was available if we wanted to rest.

We had not asked for a room and didn’t even realize they were an option! Now that is service!

He led us into what was essentially a small hotel room, equipped with everything you might possibly need for a quick overnight stay. There were two single beds and a luxurious bathroom furnished with Diptyque Paris amenities, a lovely shower, and fluffy robes. We showered and napped.

There are twelve private rooms, four with two beds and the rest with one. If you want to reserve a room, sign up at the reception desk in the spa as soon as you arrive – the rooms are first come, first served.

When your room is ready, they issue you a key, so you can come and go as you please. Rooms are available to guests staying at least four hours, and you can keep them for up to six hours.

Other Amenities

The lounge has a full spa, where you can have treatments at a cost. We did not partake, but we will next time! Check out the spa menu here:

If you don’t have enough time or cannot get a private room, showers are available in the spa’s locker rooms. Just ask at the desk! They provide toiletry kits in case you need them, and clean fluffy towels.

There is a large and well-equipped children’s play area, with toys for the little ones, and foosball and video games for the older ones.

We have passed that phase of life (aaaah, the empty nest), so we did not make use of those areas. However, this could be a game changer for travelers with small children!

The lounge even has a dedicated duty-free shopping area, so you can quickly browse and make your purchases without wasting a lot of time in line.

Other amenities include a very elegant, sophisticated cigar bar/smoking room, with plush leather couches and good ventilation, a business center, and semi-private living rooms you can reserve, which have couches and TVs.

In Summary

The Al Safwa First Lounge is the best airport lounge I have ever been to! Now, I have not been to La Premiere at Charles de Gualle yet, but I have been to many fantastic lounges.

The Singapore Suites Lounge at Changi Airport in Singapore is amazing, and Emirates Lounges never disappoint. But this lounge is on a different level.

The lounge was not crowded, which lent an air of exclusivity. The decor was understated and sophisticated, and the service was impeccable. Every detail came together to make us feel comfortable, relaxed, and special.

The overall vibe was unpretentious elegance and serenity. I only wish we had been hungrier, so we could have experienced more of the cuisine!

Luckily, by the time we boarded our flight to Dallas and settled into our QSuites, we had developed an appetite! Stay tuned to read about our experience!

If you’d like to read about our trip to Morocco and Egypt, check out my blog at www.jenniferspath.org.

Verdict

Al Safwa First Lounge is one of the best airport lounges in the world, located in one of the best airports in the world. If your travels take you to or through Qatar, book a long layover and live like a sheik!