American Airlines' Dallas Flagship Lounge to Open May 16
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American Airlines opened 15 new gates at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport this past week. The new gates were part of a larger renovation of the airport's Terminal E satellite gates, a small facility located off the main terminal. In addition to the new gate area, which features the popular Whataburger chain, American Airlines also announced the opening of the airline's long-awaited flagship lounge, which will open its doors to select passengers traveling through Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) on May 16.
At 24,570 square feet, the DFW lounge will be slightly smaller than American's flagship lounge in Miami (~29,000 sf) but larger than both the Chicago and Los Angeles locations, which measure 14,500 sf and 17,000 sf, respectively.

The Flagship Lounge and Flagship First Dining areas cater to the airline's top-tier elite frequent flyers as well as select premium cabin passengers. The new lounge and dining room are located in Terminal D, which houses the airport's international arrivals as well as the majority of international departures. Terminal D is the airport's newest terminal, having opened in 2005.
The brand-new space at DFW will likely feature décor similar to that found at the airline's existing flagship lounge facilities. Additionally, amenities will include a selection of hot and cold buffet options, made-to-order dishes at action stations, premium wine, spirits and liquors, and showers. Select passengers who receive access to the Flagship First Dining facility located within the lounge will be able to enjoy a sit-down restaurant-style experience featuring made-to-order plates, including items inspired by local cuisine.

Unfortunately, unlike other airline lounges, access to American's flagship lounge is restricted to top-tier elites and select premium cabin passengers. Access to Flagship Dining is even harder to come by, with only select elite frequent flyers and select international first class passengers receiving access.
Here is a list of travelers eligible to access the Flagship Lounge and Flagship Dining facilities:
- Concierge Key members are allowed access, regardless of class of service and itinerary. Guest access for Concierge Key members includes immediate family or two guests.
- AAdvantage Executive Platinum, Platinum Pro and Platinum members can access on qualifying international flights, regardless of class of service. Exec Platinum, Platinum Pro and Platinum members cannot access on solely North American itineraries.
- Oneworld Emerald and Sapphire members are allowed access if departing or connecting to any flight marketed or operated by AA or a Oneworld partner, regardless of cabin. Emerald and Sapphire members can bring in one guest.
- Flagship Dining Access: Eligible passengers include those traveling in Flagship® First on American's three-class international flights. Qualifying international flights include flights between the US and Asia, Australia, Europe, and South America. Travelers who are on eligible international itineraries are allowed to bring one guest.
For those unable to access to the flagship lounge, American Airlines will also open a renovated Admiral's Club in Terminal D. Access to American's Admiral's Clubs is far less restricted with day-passes available and access for select credit card holders, including the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®.
This week, The Points Guy team will travel to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport to experience the lounge firsthand. Be sure to keep up with TPG for a first look at the new American Airlines Flagship Lounge and Flagship Dining space at DFW in the coming days.
Disclaimer: The author of this post is related to a flight attendant who works for American Airlines.
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
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- Annual Fee is $325.
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Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.

