home

ACE

Salt Lake City — 7/10

Check in – 

Checking in was standard. We always check in ahead of time on our phones, but you have to stop by the front counter when you have a bag to check. There wasn’t a wait so that was nice. You do have to carry your bags over to the check point though. I don’t love that process but at least it wasn’t very far. 

Security – 

TSA pre-check makes traveling very nice. The line was a little slow this morning out of SLC but the attendant was nice and conversational. I didn’t set off the alarm when I walked through so that’s a win. 

Car rental facility – 

Returning our rental in SLC was easy. I like that the facility is just across the street from the airport so you don’t have to grab a shuttle or anything. 

Food and Drink
Coffee – 

I’m not a coffee drinker, HOWEVER, I do enjoy my “froo-froo” drinks from Starbucks. So, I’m happy to report, SLC has a couple of “starbs” on the secure side. The one we went to was ok. It just inside of security which is likely why it had a particularly long line. It was also the closest one to our terminal (terminal 1). It didn’t have a great waiting space when you were done ordering so there was no way you didn’t feel like you were in the way. 

Restaurants – 

I didn’t eat anything in SLC. It is notable that they have a Krispy Kreme doughnut shop. Mike grabbed one so hopefully he lets you know if it’s any good.

Lounges – 

SLC didn’t have any lounges we could get into. Fine for me, lame for Mike. 

Cleanliness – 

It’s a pretty clean airport. The bathrooms weren’t bad either. No toilet paper or paper towel on the floor. No funky smells anywhere. Spacious enough that you didn’t feel gross because of crowds. Win.

Gate Space – 

It was a little crowded at our gate. Also, it was kind of hard to identify the actual location of the gate. Seating was average, but again, crowded so I guess not enough availability. There definitely wasn’t room for more though. The view here is notable though. SLC has one of the prettiest airport views. I don’t think there is window that doesn’t look at the mountains. It’s awesome.

Recreational Space – 

SLC has a lot of plants throughout the airport which I think is great. The air felt cleaner and smelled fresher. It makes it sound you don’t feel so cooped up (the view helps too though). They do have a common space area with tables and chairs that were separate from the gate area. They don’t have any space for pet relief, or yoga rooms, or the sort. 

Dallas Fort Worth — 6.5/10

Food and Drink

Coffee – 

Plenty of options here. I saw 2 starbs walking around terminal D. I didn’t get anything. Go me.

Restaurants – 

Hanging out with high maintenance Mike or cheapskate Mike so we didn’t eat anywhere because….LOUNGES

Lounges – 

We went to “The Club” and to “The Centurion Lounge”. I don’t have much for you in this regard. The Club was small and crowded, the Centurion Lounge was big and crowded. Food was meh. HOWEVER, The Centurion Lounge did have free smoothies and they were delicious.

Cleanliness – 

I don’t know what it is but I don’t feel like DFW is clean. It may be the dingy hue walking around because the windows only show a bunch of cement. Walking around there was a little trash on the ground too. 

Gate Space – 

No comment. We didn’t spend anytime at the gate except to board. We almost missed our plane hanging out in those fancy lounges.

Recreational Space – 

So I didn’t see it this time, but I’m pretty sure DFW does have a pet relief area. Not much in the way of plants though. They have a lot of sculptures which are neat. Or they just take up space. You choose. 

Gate to Gate Travel – 

I don’t know if it’s good or bad but you will likely have to take the Skylink to get to your next flight. I don’t love this because I like to walk a little between flights so if it’s not a long layover I feel sluggish throughout the whole travel period. But DFW is HUGE so I do appreciate the Skylink. It’s quick and comes by quite frequently so if you watch one pull away, it’s likely no more than 3 minutes before the next one shows up.






 

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport — 8/10

Cleanliness – 

It’s a clean airport, I’m impressed every time. Big windows, lots of sunlight, plants around, it’s nice. Bathrooms in the past have been good, but I didn’t stop by tonight, so who knows?

Gate Space – 

As long as everyone clears the fatal funnel, it’s easy to get through and on to your next adventure.

Bag Claim – 

You have to go downstairs to get your bags which can be a little confusing and you can miss the signs if you aren’t aware of the process. Once you get your bags, you have to go back upstairs to leave the airport. It’s just a little messy and if you’re bags are heavy it’s a pain. 

MIKE

Salt Lake City — 6/10

Check in –

The AA agent was friendly and was training a new guy. She put us on standby for the earlier flight but let us know the flight was over sold so it didn’t look good. She remembered to put the Priority tags on our bags, that always makes me happy.

Security –

I felt like the line was pretty short with only a few people ahead of us.  We did get a chuckle when the TSA agent was a little concerned how our hypervolt looked through the X-ray machine.

Car rental facility –

Turn in went smoothly with Dollar.  I didn’t need the receipt for anything so I relied on the email receipt instead of waiting for the printed.  The final receipt showed up about 45 minutes after check in, I thought that was pretty good.  Quick note on fueling up; there is a gas station right next to the airport, but it will cost you an extra 20 cents a gallon.

Food and Drink
Coffee-

Kandace navigated us to the closest Starbucks, she has a nose for this kind of thing, even though she doesn’t drink regular coffee…  The line was long, but went quick enough.  Super glad they had blonde roast on tap. 

Restaurants –

They had a good selection of restaurants, but I only stopped us for a Krispy Kreme doughnut. 

Lounges –

This is a bust for SLC.  No American, Priority Pass, or Centurion lounges.

Cleanliness –

Clean facility, including the bathrooms.  I would point out the stalls were pretty small…

Gate Space

Adequate space between gates, even right before boarding when the crowd is super excited to get in the aluminum tube.  The chairs were average and I didn’t see too many places to charge electronics.  I liked the programming on the TVs.  They played two to five minute video stories from Ellen to a story about creepy dolls hung all over an island.

Recreational Space –

Between terminals most of the walkways have windows facing the mountains with small tables.

Dallas For Worth — 9/10

Coffee –

Lots of coffee options, from Starbucks to Lavazza. I keep my wallet in my pocket though since the lounges have espresso machines.

Restaurants –

Almost an unlimited amount of restaurants to pick from. Sit down and quick to go options. I like how the signs tell you how many minute walk it is to your next food option.

Lounges –

This is where DFW shines. Multiple American lounges in most of the terminals. In terminal D we have access to “The Club” and the Centurion Lounge. The Club has premium spirits included in admission if you are there to get a drink. The food is limited to light snacks and soup. The Centurion Lounge offers domestic draft and well spirits for free, but has a great buffet. We made it for dinner; chicken, roasted brussel sprouts, roasted veggies, chips, bread pudding, and fresh cookies. Thank you American Express for your hospitality!

Cleanliness –

With its high ceilings and modern design, DFW feels clean to me. The bathrooms are crowded, but clean enough.

Gate Space –

We didn’t get a chance to take a look since we spent all our time in the lounge, the flight was in final boarding when we strolled up to the gate.

Recreational Space –

I didn’t see any activity space, but the airport is so big you can just walk and walk and walk if you are there for an extended layover. They also have a decent USO for servicemembers.

Gate to Gate Travel –

Pay attention to your gate when you arrive, and where you are departing. With 5 huge terminals you may need to take the Skylink to get where you need to be. Our gate changed at least once. Luckily we noticed or it could’ve been a little more hectic making it to the gate! Google your flight number and it will tell you the gate information if you don’t want to stare at a info screen forever.

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport – 8/10

Cleanliness –

The terminal always feels clean in DCA, but I don’t get the same feeling from baggage claim. In their defense, lots of construction going on.

Gate Space –

I get confused almost every time I exit the gate in DCA. I just don’t quite know where I am at until I get past the first few food shops.

Bag Claim –

Down the escalators, then grab a Snickers…. The baggage claim is rarely the one announced or the one on the screen, so I like playing that game. Today our luggage beat us home since we tried to fly standby. The baggage attendant was not super attentive, and I may have disturbed her from snap chat…

We walked a few hundred feet, grabbed a taxi and made it home!!