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DFW Airport Lounge Guide by Terminal: Find Your Best Option in 2025
December 12, 2024
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Navigating Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) Airport and wondering where to kick back? With five terminals (A, B, C, D, E), DFW can be a bit overwhelming, but the good news is every terminal has at least one lounge. In fact, there’s an Admirals Club in all 5 terminals, plus many other lounges concentrated in Terminal D and E.
This guide will break down the lounge options terminal by terminal and help you find the best lounge near your gate. Even if your terminal’s lounges are limited, remember you can always hop on the Skylink train and visit a better lounge in another terminal – all without leaving security.
Let’s dive in by terminal:
Terminal A – Admirals Club (and a Quick Nap)
Lounges in Terminal A:
- American Airlines Admirals Club – Gate A24
- Minute Suites – Gate A38 (near Skylink)
Best Option: The Admirals Club at A24 is the sole traditional lounge in Terminal A. It’s a recently renovated club featuring comfy seating, free snacks, coffee, soft drinks, and a full bar (with paid premium options). Like all Admirals Clubs, it offers Wi-Fi, quiet work areas, and customer service assistance for AA flights.
This lounge also has showers and a children’s play area, making it quite family-friendly. If you have Admirals Club access (via membership, Citi Executive card, or day pass), it’s a convenient haven steps from many A-gates.
For those without access to Admirals Club, Terminal A’s only other option is Minute Suites near Gate A38. Minute Suites are small private rooms you can rent to catch a nap or do focused work. They aren’t a lounge with food/drinks, but if you have Priority Pass, your membership gives you 1 hour free in a suite (each additional 15 minutes costs $12.50).
This can be great for a red-eye recovery or conference call. Otherwise, the rate is ~$48/hour for walk-ins. No Priority Pass? You might consider taking the Skylink to Terminal D, which has more lounges.
Terminal B – Admirals Club and Unique Spots (Spa, Gaming)
Lounges in Terminal B:
- American Airlines Admirals Club – between Gates B3 and B4
- Be Relax Spa – Gate B28
- Gameway Video Game Lounge – Gate B42
- USO Center – Gate B15 (for military members)
Best Option: The Admirals Club at B3/B4 is the main lounge in Terminal B. Like Terminal A’s club, it offers the standard Admirals Club amenities: comfortable seating, free snacks and drinks, and a full bar. One thing to note: the Terminal B Admirals Club does not have a dedicated kids’ room or showers, unlike some other Admirals Clubs.
It does feature a conference room you can reserve. It’s a solid spot for AA flyers waiting for their flight out of B. Access rules are the same as any Admirals Club (membership, Citi Exec card, or day pass required, or qualifying ticket/status).
Terminal B also has some non-traditional lounge options:
- Be Relax Spa (B28): This is a spa, not a lounge, but if you have Priority Pass (from a non-Amex card), you can stop in for a complimentary 10-minute massage (PP gives a $28 credit toward services). Even without PP, anyone can pay for treatments – think chair massages, manicures, etc. It’s a nice way to de-stress, and the spa environment is calm and comfortable.
- Gameway (B42): A video game lounge where you can play Xbox or PC games in a plush chair with noise-cancelling headphones. Priority Pass covers a free 2-hour gaming session here. It also includes free soft drinks and snacks. If you have a long layover with kids or you’re a gamer, this could easily beat sitting at the gate. Without PP, you can pay by the hour to play.
- USO Center (B15): Military service members (and dependents) can use the USO for free. It’s well-equipped with snacks, reading material, games, and even gaming consoles. If eligible, this is by far the best “free lounge” in Terminal B.
Connecting Tip: Terminal B is connected airside to Terminal D via Skylink as well – just a couple stops away. If you’re not flying AA or don’t have Admirals access, you might trek to Terminal D for the Capital One or Centurion lounge (especially if you’re a Venture X or Amex Platinum cardholder). From the far end of B to the lounges in D can be under 10 minutes via train. Just watch the clock and give yourself time to return for boarding.
Terminal C – Admirals Club (Only)
Lounges in Terminal C:
- American Airlines Admirals Club – near Gate C20
Terminal C is one of American’s busiest domestic terminals, and it unfortunately has just one lounge: the Admirals Club at C20. If you have Admirals Club access, you’re set – this lounge is known to open earlier than others (4 a.m.) to serve the first bank of AA flights. It’s a bit smaller than the clubs in A or D, but you’ll find the usual amenities: free snacks (like cereal, fruit, yogurt in the morning; pretzels and cookies later in the day), coffee/tea, and a cash bar for premium drinks. This club does not have showers as far as reported, but it has the basics for a quick respite.
If you don’t have access to Admirals Club, you might consider hopping to Terminal D. Terminal C is directly connected to D via walkway at the far end (C2 connects toward D gates) and via Skylink. In fact, the DFW Skylink stops in Terminal C are near Gates C8 and C27 – from either, it’s just one stop to Terminal D where the Centurion and Capital One lounges await. Given the limited options in C, it’s common for travelers with time to spare to make the pilgrimage to D for a better lounge.
Good to know: Terminal C is quite long (running C1 to C39). If your gate is in the high C20s or 30s, it’s very close to Terminal D already. You could even walk to D’s lounges via the connecting walkway in the C/D connector (though the Skylink train is faster and inside security). Always keep an eye on boarding time if you leave the terminal.
Terminal D – The Motherlode of Lounges
Lounges in Terminal D: (the most of any terminal)
- American Airlines Admirals Club – Gate D24
- American Airlines Flagship Lounge – Gate D21 (adjacent to Admirals Club)
- Capital One Lounge – Gate D22
- Amex Centurion Lounge – Gate D18 (mezzanine level)
- The Club at DFW – Gate D27 (mezzanine level)
- Minute Suites – Gate D23
- Be Relax Spa – Gate D21 (near Flagship)
- Korean Air Lounge – Gate D22 (across from Cap One) – note: open only for Korean Air premium passengers during specific hours.
Terminal D is the international terminal and home to the majority of DFW’s lounges. If you’re a lounge hopper or have a long layover, Terminal D is where you want to be. Here’s how to choose:
Best Options Overall: The top two here are the Capital One Lounge and the Centurion Lounge – both described in detail in earlier sections. In short, Capital One Lounge (D22) is arguably the best lounge in DFW with gourmet food and craft drinks, but requires a Venture X card or paid entry. Centurion Lounge (D18) is excellent for Amex Platinum cardholders, with its premium amenities like a spa and hot meals.
For American Airlines flyers:
- Admirals Club (D24) – This is a large Admirals Club and a convenient choice if you’re departing D gates on AA. It has all the standard Admirals offerings (including showers and a kids room). You’ll likely enter here if you’re a Citi Executive cardholder or Admirals member flying international before heading to your flight.
- Flagship Lounge (D21) – Located next to/above the Admirals Club, this is AA’s premier lounge (see earlier description). It’s only for eligible international business/first passengers and top elites. If you can get in, definitely enjoy the higher-end buffet and champagne. It’s typically less crowded than the Admirals Club because of its restricted entry.
Priority Pass options:
- The Club at DFW (D27) – Open to Priority Pass members (and anyone who pays ~$33 for a walk-in). It’s a decent lounge but can get congested. Remember to reserve a time slot online if you plan to use The Club, or have a backup plan (like Plaza Premium in E) in case it’s full.
- Minute Suites (D23) – Same concept as Terminal A. Good for a nap or private time; 1 hour free for Priority Pass.
- Be Relax Spa (D21) – Like Terminal B’s spa, PP (non-Amex) gives a $28 credit here. Located near the Flagship Lounge area.
Other:
- Korean Air Lounge (D22) – Unless you’re flying Korean Air business class or are a SkyTeam Elite Plus, you likely won’t use this lounge. It opens only around Korean Air flight departures (a few hours before the Seoul flight, a few days a week).
Terminal E – Diverse Lounges for Non-AA Travelers
Lounges in Terminal E:
- American Airlines Admirals Club – Terminal E Satellite (near Gate E(–Satellite) )
- Delta Sky Club – Gate E11
- United Club – Gate E7
- Plaza Premium Lounge – Gate E31
- Gameway Video Game Lounge – Gate E16
Terminal E is the primary home for airlines like Delta, United, Spirit, JetBlue, Air Canada, Frontier and other non-AA carriers at DFW. It has an interesting mix of lounges catering to different audiences:
- For Delta Flyers – Sky Club (E11): Delta’s Sky Club is the go-to if you’re flying Delta and have lounge access via your Delta SkyMiles Reserve card or Sky Club membership. It has decent snacks and beverages and even some business amenities (printers, etc.).
- For United Flyers – United Club (E7): United’s Club is useful for those with a United Club card or Star Alliance Gold status. It’s a standard lounge with basic refreshments. If you have no membership, you’re out of luck here (no day passes available at the door). In that case, again, Plaza Premium Lounge can be your savior.
- For Everyone (All Airlines) – Plaza Premium Lounge (E31): The Plaza Premium is arguably the best lounge in Terminal E, and importantly, it’s open to all passengers for either a fee or via membership. If you hold Priority Pass (through many Visa/Mastercard premium cards), you get in free. Otherwise, you can pay ~$50 for a stay. The lounge has a nice modern design, good food (reports say the food here is better than The Club in D), and a full bar.
- Gameway (E16): Just like Terminal B, Terminal E hosts a Gameway video game lounge at Gate E16. Priority Pass covers it, so if you have a PP card and maybe the Sky Club is full (or you have teens in tow), you can spend time here playing games. It’s also open to anyone for a fee.
- Admirals Club (E Satellite): American Airlines has an Admirals Club in Terminal E’s satellite concourse, but note: this is only accessible if you’re actually in that satellite (which handles some AA Eagle regional flights). It’s a smaller club, convenient if you happen to depart from the E satellite gates.
FAQs: Using Lounges by Terminal at DFW
Can I use a lounge in a different terminal at DFW than the one I’m flying from?
Yes! DFW’s post-security Skylink train connects all terminals in a loop. It runs every few minutes and takes about 2 minutes between adjacent terminals. This means if, say, you’re flying out of Terminal A, you can still go to the great lounges in Terminal D (Centurion, Capital One) and then take Skylink back to A for your flight.
Which DFW terminal has the best lounges?
Terminal D has the majority of DFW’s best lounges – including the Capital One Lounge, Centurion Lounge, and American’s Flagship Lounge. It’s the international terminal and a hub of premium amenities. Terminal E’s Plaza Premium Lounge is also excellent. Terminals A, B, C each mainly have Admirals Clubs (nice if you have access, but not as lavish as the D terminal options).
Is there an Admirals Club in every terminal at DFW?
Yes, American Airlines conveniently has Admirals Club lounges in Terminals A, B, C, D, and E (the E one is in the satellite). So no matter where your AA flight departs, there’s an Admirals Club nearby. Note that the Admirals Club in Terminal D and the one in Terminal A are generally considered the nicest due to their size and amenities, but all offer a similar experience.
I’m flying Delta from Terminal E – can I use the Capital One or Amex lounge in Terminal D?
Absolutely, if you have the right access. Before your Delta flight, you could take Skylink to Terminal D and use the Capital One Lounge (if you have Venture X or pay $90) or the Centurion Lounge (with Amex Platinum) since neither requires you to be on a specific airline. After enjoying the lounge, hop back on Skylink to Terminal E (one or two stops away) for your Delta departure. Just keep an eye on the time – don’t miss boarding!
What lounges can Priority Pass get me into at DFW and where are they?
With Priority Pass, you can access The Club at DFW (Terminal D, Gate D27) and Plaza Premium Lounge (Terminal E, Gate E31) for free. Both are part of the PP network. Additionally, Priority Pass covers Minute Suites (Terminal A & D) for a 1-hr stay and Gameway (Terminals B & E) for gaming. Remember, if your PP is via Amex, you don’t get the Gameway or spa credits, but you still get The Club and Plaza lounges. So even a PP from Amex Platinum will allow entry at those two lounges.
How long does it take to go from one terminal to another at DFW?
The Skylink train that connects the terminals takes about 5–7 minutes to travel between farthest points. For example, going from Terminal A to Terminal D might be 2–3 stops (~5 minutes ride). Trains run frequently (every 2 minutes or so). Factor in a few extra minutes to get to the station and down to the lounge or gate. Generally, you can move between any two terminals in under 10 minutes via Skylink, making lounge-hopping quite feasible.
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