Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) is American Airlines’ largest hub, and the second-busiest airport in the world. It services 254 destinations and 28 airlines.

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!