American Express is opening its newest Centurion Lounge at Washington Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) tomorrow! The new lounge will be located in Terminal 2, near the south security checkpoint. American Express provided a sneak peak prior to opening the doors.
The lounge spans almost 12,000 square feet and includes design elements that celebrates the rich history and architecture of the nation’s capital. It also features a collection of art commissioned by local artists.
The Centurion Lounge at Washington Reagan Airport features floor to ceiling glass windows that provide sweeping views of the airfield, the Potomac River, and Washington D.C. The lounge is open daily between 5:00a and 9:00p local time except for Saturday when the lounge closes at 7:00p.
Audrey Hendley, President of American Express Travel, had this to say about the new lounge:
“The Centurion Lounge is one of our Card Members’ favorite travel benefits, and the new location at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport offers Card Members the premium amenities they love in an airport they frequently travel through. With a menu curated by three award-winning chefs, dedicated workstations, access to complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi, quiet nooks for relaxation and more, there’s something for every type of traveler to enjoy.”
Audrey Hendley, American Express Travel President
Jack Potter, President and CEO of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, added:
“The Centurion Lounge provides a premium experience for our travelers, Congratulations to American Express for creating a lounge that reflects the Washington, D.C. region. We are confident that customers will enjoy this new amenity.”
Jack Potter, MWAA President and CEO
The lounge will feature dishes by three different award winning chefs along with a specialty drink menu and wine list that reflects the DC metro area.
American Express Centurion Lounge Washington Reagan Food and Drinks
In a first for a Centurion Lounge, guests can enjoy menus from three award winning chefs, Michelle Bernstein, Ravi Kapur, and Michael Solomonov, during their visit (typically each lounge partners with a single chef).
Michelle Bernstein, a James Beard Award-winning chef from Miami that counts Café La Trova and La Cañita, as well as Miami Beach cocktail bar Sweet Liberty as part of her successful restaurant portfolio, said this about her partnership with American Express:
“Traveling has always had such a strong influence on my cooking and the mix of flavors that go into the dishes I serve guests at my restaurants throughout Miami and in the Centurion Lounge. I’m thrilled for the opportunity to bring some of my most popular dishes like Lemon Ricotta Pancakes and Chimichurri Grilled Chicken to Washington D.C. with the opening of the new Centurion Lounge at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.”
Michelle Bernstein
Chef Bernstein’s dishes are also on display at the American Express Centurion Lounge in Miami (MIA).
Chef Ravi Kapoor, whose cuisine I had the chance to try during a visit to the San Francisco Centurion Lounge and Chef Michael Solomonov, the Executive Chef of the Philadelphia Centurion Lounge will also have their dishes on the menu at the new lounge in Washington.
In addition to the complimentary full bar, a variety of cocktails have been designed with D.C. in mind by Centurion Lounge Mixologist Jim Meehan. These include the Haku Hanami, inspired by D.C.’s cherry blossoms, and Ambrosia Spritz, featuring bitters and liqueurs from local producer Don Ciccio & Figli.
If wine is more of your thing, Centurion Lounge Wine Director Anthony Giglio has curated a selection of wines including wines from local vineyards in Virginia.
American Express Centurion Lounge Washington Reagan Entry Requirements
Access to the lounge is available to American Express Platinum and Centurion cardholders. Platinum cardholders spending more than $75,000 annually on the card can bring two guests free of charge (Centurion cardholders can bring guests without meeting this threshold).
Delta SkyMiles Reserve cards (Personal and Business) can access the lounge when flying on a same day Delta marketed and/or operated flight. The flight must be booked on an American Express charge/credit card, though it doesn’t have to be booked with the Reserve card.
One-time guest passes can be purchased for $50. Children between 2 and 17 cost $30 while ages 2 and under are admitted free of charge.
Summary
American Express is opening its newest Centurion Lounge at Washington’s Ronald Reagan National Airport tomorrow. The attention to detail and focus on global and local touches is evident throughout the lounge. The lounge looks fantastic in the pictures and, while I won’t get to visit during my 37 minute layover at DCA next month, I look forward to trying it out on another visit.
(Photos courtesy American Express)
