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Amex Announces New Sidecar by Centurion Lounge Concept
American Express has revealed plans to expand its Centurion Lounge network with a new spin-off concept.
About Sidecar by The Centurion Lounge:
A different kind of Centurion Lounge experience is on the way. Today, American Express announced the upcoming launch of Sidecar by The Centurion Lounge. These new airport lounges are designed for travelers who want to quickly grab a bite of food or a drink before their flight, with Sidecar location set to feature small plates as well as signature drinks.
Amex notes that Sidecar locations are specifically intended for Card Members with a limited amount of time. Because of this, entry to Sidecar by The Centurion Lounge will be limited to those with flights departing in 90 minutes or less. In contrast, traditional Centurion Lounges allow passengers to visit up to three hours before departure.
The first Sidecar by The Centurion Lounge location will debut in Las Vegas at Harry Reid International Airport — which is also where the very first Centurion Lounge opened in 2013. This new concept is expected to arrive in 2026. When it does, Amex notes that it will be the only credit card issuer with two lounge locations at LAS.
In addition to this news, Amex also announced that it was partnering with top chefs from popular Resy locations to create The Culinary Collective by The Centurion Lounge. This collective will craft dishes and cocktails inspired by their respective restaurants and bring them to Centurion locations. The first of these new menu items will arrive at locations in the United States on July 29th. Select Culinary Collective creations will also be available at Sidecar spots in the future.
What They’re Saying:
Sharing on the idea behind Sidecar by The Centurion Lounge, American Express Travel president Audrey Hendley said, “Many of our visitors spend less than an hour in our Lounges, and we’ve created Sidecar specifically for them.”
Meanwhile, speaking on the updated food offerings, Hendley stated, “We know how much Card Members love the food and drinks at the Centurion Lounges and look forward to seeing what’s new. With help from our Resy chef partners, we’ve brought together a group of some of the most exciting culinary minds in America to create incredible menus, available all in one place for the first time ever.”
My Thoughts:
As an American Express Platinum Card member, I’m excited to see how this “intimate” Sidecard by The Centurion Lounge concept works out. Obviously, the hope is that this alternative will take some of the pressure off the regular Centurion locations, which have often seen overcrowding in recent years. In theory, this should at least partially assist with that — at least initially, as cardholders will want to check out the newest product.
Personally, while the Sidecard concept art does look nice, I feel as though I’m more likely to gravitate towards the traditional Centurions as food isn’t really a top priority for me. Then again, location will also be a factor, so if Sidecard ends up being closer to my gate, perhaps I’ll give that a shot instead. Either way, I’m glad to see the American Express Global Lounge Collection growing. Now we just have to wait and see how this expected Platinum Card refresh works out…
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