Lounge access via Priority Pass membership is one of the best perks that comes with holding the Chase Sapphire Reserve card (SEE: Should I pay the annual fee on my Chase Sapphire Reserve?), and I like to put it to use whenever I can. I did most recently on a work trip to Virginia, when I visited the Minute Suites DFW in Terminal A.

I’ve seen the Minute Suites at a couple other airports, most recently at Charlotte, but due to the space being constantly booked, I’d not been able to snag a suite. This time I finally did.

Priority Pass gives you one free hour in a Minute Suite. Additional hours are at a cost of $28 each. You can bring up to 3 guests with you into the Minute Suite. From what I’m reading, it does not appear you can use your Priority Pass guesting privileges to book more than one suite at a time.

Getting to Minute Suites DFW in Terminal A

As this was my first time connecting through DFW, I familiarized myself with the airport prior to arrival. The terminals are all connected by the Skylink train that connects all the terminals airside. This is a very convenient and efficient way to move from one terminal to another at the airport.

Since I’d arrived at Terminal C, I hopped on the train for two stops to Terminal A. I got off at the first stop in Terminal A (Gates A21-A39) and headed down the stairs. The Minute Suites DFW in Terminal A are located near the very southern end of the terminal.

I approached the desk and asked the agent if there was anything available. Turns out, he’d just given the last one to another Priority Pass member 2 minutes before I arrived. Luckily, there would be one available in ~20 minutes, from what he told me. I could be first on the list to be called once it opened up.

Since my layover was over 2 hours, I had the time to wait. I gave him my phone number and headed over to a desk area to work while I waited. Almost exactly 20 minutes later he called, and I headed back.

Check-in at the Minute Suites DFW in Terminal A was easy. The guy at the front desk swiped my Priority Pass card, and then scanned my boarding pass. He also took a credit card. In my naïveté, I asked him why. He said it was both for incidentals and damages. A couple weeks prior a guest had apparently broken a TV.

When all that was done, he escorted me to the suite. Each has a name. I’m sure they’re all pretty much the same, though.

My Minute Suite DFW

Stepping into my Minute Suite, I began to wonder at the name. Is it MIN-ute suite? Or is it my-NOOT suite? With a logo that includes a clock, one has to assume it is the former. But the suites are definitely tiny. The small size was expected, though.

The suite is perfect for one person. It’d probably still be great for two. But if I was traveling with a family, I wouldn’t book less than two Minute Suites. There is no way I’d stuff all five of us in that (plus, you only get 3 guests). My wife and I would go insane. The easy route would be to book two using different Priority Pass memberships, put on a show for the kids in one, and then have the other one to ourselves.

The daybed takes up roughly half of the suite. From what I understand, you can change it from a couch to a bed. I didn’t try, as I wasn’t planning on napping.

To one side of the daybed are two bottles of water, some mints and the clock. The water isn’t complimentary.

Across from the daybed are the desk and TV.

The desk contains the WiFi password, remotes for controlling the TV, and outlets for powering your likely drained devices. I didn’t check out what function the keyboard served. I’m assuming it is somehow connected to the TV.

There are a variety of snacks offered on the desk. Unfortunately, these are not complimentary. There is a sign right next to them making that perfectly clear.

All refreshments and snacks at the Minute Suites DFW come with a price tag. This is one reason they swipe your card at the desk. Making money on incidentals is part of the model. Prices aren’t cheap, but neither are they outrageous, considering you are in an airport.

The minibar is under the desk with a variety of non-alocholic beverages. I didn’t take any, as they are subject to the costs above.

The Minute Suites DFW offers both TV and Netflix. You don’t have to sign into your Netflix account, as they have on set up and available. I watched a BBC documentary on Alaska for about 30 minutes before moving on to work for the remaining time.

The view was of the parking garage. That is, if you kept the blind open. The blind could be closed completely to block nearly all of the light from the room, making it perfect for napping.

There is also a selection of games out in the hall, for those so interested. If traveling with a family, this might be a great way to pass the time.

What really stood out to me the most was that the Minute Suites DFW really is an island of tranquility in the middle of a busy airport. I could hardly hear anything outside of my suite. If you’re looking for solace above all else, even above the free food and booze in a lounge, the Minute Suites DFW has you covered.

My hour passed all too quickly, and soon I headed back out into the noisy terminal. It would have been nice to head to the Centurion Lounge DFW, but it is still currently closed.

My overall thoughts

I was impressed by the Minute Suites DFW in Terminal A. It is a truly private, comfortable space that you can enjoy during a layover. If you’re between flights on a long itinerary, it would be a great place to take a nap. If you need to get some work done, it is better than even a typical airport lounge, as you won’t be disturbed. Getting a complimentary hour via Priority Pass is a great perk.

Honestly, I have nothing negative to say about the Minute Suites DFW, and I hope all other locations where they are available are just as nice.

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