Amex To Launch Sidecar by Centurion — A New Lounge Concept

The airport lounge wars are heating up, and American Express has just announced its newest airport lounge concept designed for those who are short on time or prefer a more expedited experience before their flight. It’s called Sidecar by Centurion.

While the full details of this new concept are still light at the moment, here is everything we know so far.

Amex’s New Lounge Concept: Sidecar by Centurion

This new lounge concept, called Sidecar by Centurion, will operate in airports where Amex already offers a Centurion Lounge. It will offer a Speakeasy concept, allowing guests to sit down in a premium space and enjoy a cocktail and a few small bites before heading off to their flight.

Since these Sidecar locations will operate in airports where Amex already offers a Centurion Lounge, the idea behind the new concept is to help cut down on crowding by providing 2 distinct offerings to serve travelers’ needs.

Audrey Hendley, president of American Express Travel, says, “Many of our visitors spend less than an hour in our Lounges, and we’ve created Sidecar specifically for them.”

Given that this new concept is an express option, you won’t find nearly as many amenities offered in the Sidecar as you’d find in a normal Centurion Lounge. However, guests can still expect food and drinks, fast Wi-Fi, and clean restrooms. To be clear, this is not a grab-and-go concept like you’ll find with Capital One Lounges.

In an effort to emphasize this as an express option, access to Sidecar by Centurion will be limited to 90 prior to your departing flight.

While exact opening dates have yet to be announced, American Express has said that the first Sidecar by Centioun location will open next year in Las Vegas at Harry Reid International Airport (LAS).

Unsurprisingly, as with standard Centurion lounges, you’ll need to hold The Platinum Card^® from American Express, The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express, the Centurion^® Card from American Express, or the Business Centurion^® Card from American Express in order to access the Sidecar by Centurion.

Upgrades to the Dining Experience at Current Centurion Lounges

The new lounge concept isn’t the only thing that American Express has up its sleeve, as the issuer also announced The Culinary Collective by The Centurion Lounge.

With the Culinary Collective, American Express has partnered with 4 chefs — Kwame Onwuachi, Mashama Bailey, Mike Solomonov, and Sarah Grueneberg — who will lead the in-lounge dining options in Centurion Lounges, along with Harrison Ginsberg leading the cocktail offerings in the bar.

What does this mean for Centurion Lounge customers? For starters, Amex isn’t moving away from its normal buffet concept that you’re accustomed to, nor will the lounges add à la carte options.

However, Amex says dishes from the Culinary Collective will now change seasonally and make up half the menu at U.S. Centurion lounges. The other half of the menu will be inspired by local cuisine at each lounge, and specific dish offerings will vary from location to location.

Final Thoughts

While American Express no doubt has the largest airport lounge network of the credit card issuers, Centurion Lounges have really suffered from overcrowding, and many frequent travelers would argue that these lounges have grown stale in comparison to newer offerings from Capital One and Chase.

It remains to be seen whether the addition of the Sidecar by Centurion and the emphasis on upgrading the dining options will improve things. Either way, it is great to see issuers continue to innovate and expand their offerings to customers.