Sidecar by Centurion Lounge: Amex’s New Lounge Concept for Travelers in a Rush

American Express just unveiled a new airport lounge concept called Sidecar by the Centurion Lounge, and it's built specifically for travelers who are short on time. If you’ve ever found yourself skipping the Centurion Lounge because your flight was boarding soon, this might be the answer.
 

Here’s everything we know so far, what makes Sidecar different, and how it fits into the growing airport lounge arms race between Amex, Capital One, and Chase.

What Is Sidecar by Centurion Lounge?

Sidecar is a smaller, more curated lounge experience that’s designed for flyers with less than 90 minutes before departure. Think of it as Centurion Lounge Lite — a speakeasy-inspired space with craft cocktails, small plates, and a more intimate vibe. It’s not meant to replace the main Centurion Lounge, but to complement it.
 

According to Amex, a large percentage of guests only spend 45–60 minutes in the lounge. Sidecar is optimized for that use case.
 

The first location is set to open in Las Vegas (LAS) in 2026, the same airport that hosted the original Centurion Lounge back in 2013.

Key Differences Between Sidecar and Centurion Lounge

Who Can Access Sidecar?

Access rules mirror the current Centurion Lounge policies:

The following Card Members are eligible for entry:

• The Platinum Card® from American Express
• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
• Corporate Platinum Card® Members
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members
• Must be flying on a same-day Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight.
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card Members
• Centurion® Card Members
   

Note: You’ll only be allowed in if your flight departs within 90 minutes of your lounge check-in time. This is the big differentiator.

Guest access and fees also follow existing Centurion Lounge rules. Read more details about lounge access in this article. 

Access policies may vary by location. Visit thecenturionlounge.com for full eligibility details. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more.

Why Amex Built This

Amex says the data shows that most lounge visitors don’t stay long. And as more airports become crowded, both in the terminals and inside lounges, space is at a premium.

Sidecar helps solve multiple problems:

1. Eases lounge overcrowding. By creating a new space for short-stay guests, the main lounge should feel less packed.
2. Better use of airport real estate. Some airports don’t have room for a full Centurion Lounge, but could support a smaller concept like Sidecar.
3. Improves the luxury travel card value proposition. Adding more lounge square footage makes the annual fee easier to justify.
4. Keeps pace with competitors. Chase has Sapphire Lounges and Terraces. Capital One has Landings and Lounges. Sidecar is Amex’s move to stay relevant and segmented.

What About the Food?

Starting July 29, 2025, Amex is also revamping its culinary program with something called the Culinary Collective: a team of four award-winning chefs overseeing the food across all U.S. Centurion Lounges, including Sidecar locations.
 

This replaces the old model of having a unique local chef at each location. For Sidecar, expect a rotating small plate menu tailored for speed and simplicity, not a full buffet, but likely more elevated than traditional airport snacks.
 

Cocktails will be designed by Harrison Ginsberg, formerly of NYC’s Overstory (ranked one of the world’s top bars).

My Thoughts

This is a smart move by Amex. Centurion Lounges are still popular, but they’ve struggled with overcrowding, especially in busy hubs like SFO, JFK, and MIA. If Amex can use Sidecar to offload 30–45 minute visitors, that improves the experience for everyone.
 

From a value perspective, it doesn’t move the needle much for the average Platinum cardholder, but for frequent travelers, especially business travelers with tight connections, this is a meaningful quality-of-life upgrade.
 

It also reinforces the lounge-first branding of the Platinum and Centurion ecosystem. And if Amex enforces the 90-minute rule strictly, Sidecar might actually stay peaceful, unlike many Centurion Lounges that now feel like pre-boarding zones.

Final Thoughts

If you're flying through Las Vegas in 2026 with less than 90 minutes before departure, you'll have a new place to relax, grab a cocktail, and snack on elevated small plates. Sidecar by Centurion Lounge is Amex’s answer to short-stay lounge needs, and a tactical move to reduce congestion in their core lounges.
 

More locations haven’t been announced yet, but if this rollout goes well, expect to see Sidecar pop up at other Centurion airports over the next few years.