American Express is shaking up the airport lounge experience again, unveiling Sidecar by Centurion Lounge – a new spinoff of the bank’s popular Centurion Lounges set to open at Las Vegas (LAS) in 2026.
Sidecar isn’t your typical Centurion Lounge, though: It’s designed for cardholders pressed for time, offering premium cocktails and gourmet small plates curated by top chefs.
“Many of our visitors spend less than an hour in our Lounges, and we’ve created Sidecar specifically for them,” said Audrey Hendley, President of American Express Travel. “The first Centurion Lounge opened in Las Vegas in 2013, so it’s fitting that we’re launching this new lounge concept at LAS as we continue to innovate to meet our Card Members’ needs.”
Think of Sidecar as a speakeasy-inspired lounge where Amex Platinum and Centurion cardholders can grab a quick bite or drink – without committing to a full lounge visit. Access will be complimentary for eligible cardholders, with a 90-minute pre-flight window. And no, it’s not replacing the main Centurion Lounge at LAS — it’s an extra option that will hopefully help with overcrowding issues that have plagued Amex’s flagship lounges in recent years.
Related reading: How Amex Dropped the Ball With Centurion Lounges
If this concept sounds familiar, it is. Capital One introduced something similar late last year with its new Capital One Landing at Washington, D.C.’s Reagan National Airport(DCA). Capital One Landings are a hybrid lounge-restaurant concept with both a sit-down dining space and grab-and-go options for Capital One cardholders and non-cardholders alike. The food and beverage program is spearheaded by award-winning celebrity chef José Andrés and his José Andrés Group, with made-to-order Spanish-style tapas and drinks delivered directly to your seat.
How to Get In
Getting into these new Sidecar by The Centurion Lounge locations will look identical to Amex’s regular Centurion Lounges. Simply show your *amex platinum*, *biz platinum*, or American Express Centurion Card (invite-only), a boarding pass, and an ID.
Learn more about *amex platinum*.
You can also get into Amex Centurion Lounges with the top-tier *delta reserve card*, but there’s a hitch: You have to be flying Delta that day – and you must have paid for your ticket with your Reserve Card, too.
Guests typically cost $50 apiece (or $30 for minors) unless you charge a whopping $75,000 per year to your Amex Platinum Card – and we expect that to be the case at these new Sidecar outposts as well.
Read our full guide to Amex Centurion Lounges!
New Menus Coming to Centurion Lounges
That’s not the only big Centurion Lounge news: Beginning July 29, 2025, Amex is rolling out new menu items in all 15 U.S. Centurion Lounges, crafted by a team of James Beard Award-winning chefs as part of its new “Culinary Collective.” Chefs Mashama Bailey, Sarah Grueneberg, Kwame Onwuachi, and Mike Solomonov – along with renowned mixologist Harrison Ginsberg – are contributing dishes and cocktails inspired by their acclaimed restaurants.
From Kwame Onwuachi’s Suya Short Ribs to Sarah Grueneberg’s Lemony Orzo, these dishes will make up about half of each lounge’s rotating menu alongside local specialties. Select dishes and drinks from the Culinary Collective will also feature at Sidecar when it opens, giving travelers a premium dining option with a Centurion twist.
Bottom Line
Between Sidecar by Centurion Lounge and the new Culinary Collective, American Express is doubling down on premium perks for cardholders. Whether that’s worth sticking with the Platinum Card as fees rise is another story – but for travelers who care about food and drinks while flying, things just got a little more interesting.
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