Over the years, we’ve witnessed considerable innovation in the credit card airport lounge arena. Although Amex Centurion Lounges were the pioneers, it can be argued that Capital One Lounges and Chase Sapphire Lounges have elevated the standard in recent times.
With this in mind, in July 2025, Amex announced an intriguing plan to unveil a new lounge concept aimed at those pressed for time. Now, there’s a significant update, as the first of these lounges has officially opened.
## Amex’s new lounge idea for those in a hurry
Amex has just launched a new lounge idea, dubbed Sidecar by the Centurion Lounge. The concept is designed for distinct lounge areas at airports that already host Centurion Lounges, catering to travelers with limited time.
Sidecar by Centurion Lounge is accessible solely to passengers with flights leaving within 90 minutes, and it features a speakeasy-themed concept, offering a small plate menu, cocktails, and more. The goal is to provide a more intimate and personalized experience compared to a standard Centurion Lounge.
The inaugural lounge has recently opened at Las Vegas Airport (LAS) as of March 4, 2026. It offers a boutique feel, accommodating just 33 guests. The lounge operates daily from 8 AM to 10 PM and is situated in Concourse D, adjacent to gate D1.
The design of the space is characterized as an “oasis-in-the-desert,” featuring “desert tones, mixed natural stones, lush greenery, and vibrant shades of American Express blue, along with touches of Vegas glamour through brass accents, vintage mirrors, and warm lighting.”
Regarding food and beverages, orders can be made via QR code technology powered by Toast, with items delivered straight by servers. The menu will change frequently, featuring small plates from The Culinary Collective by The Centurion Lounge. New offerings include:
– Crushed cucumber salad with crispy rice pearls
– Avocado toast with schug labneh and black sesame seeds
– Mushroom & mustard greens egg bites with black garlic aioli
– Sidecar Cocktail, with cognac, Cointreau, and lemon
Coincidentally (or perhaps not), Las Vegas was also home to the first Centurion Lounge in the U.S. back in the day, making the launch of this new concept there quite exciting. Expect minimal amenities beyond restrooms. Access requirements for the Sidecar by the Centurion Lounge locations align with those at Centurion Lounges, the only difference being that a boarding pass for a departing flight within 90 minutes is necessary.
Here’s how Audrey Hendley, President of American Express Travel, conveys this:
“Since the debut of the first Centurion Lounge in Las Vegas in 2013, we have gained invaluable insights into how Card Members utilize our lounge areas, informing our innovations. Sidecar by The Centurion Lounge emerged from the understanding that a significant number of Centurion Lounge visitors stay for an hour or less. This not only represents an exciting return to LAS but also a fresh approach for travelers seeking an upscale and efficient refuge — even when they have limited time before boarding.”
## My perspective on Amex’s new lounge idea
I’m thrilled to see Amex innovating in the lounge sector, and this seems like a clever new idea. Here are some initial reflections that come to mind:
– It can often be challenging to discover large vacant lounge spaces at airports, so this provides a good method to increase capacity when smaller airport spaces become available.
– This should help mitigate congestion in the main Centurion Lounges, benefiting all with access.
– This seems reminiscent of the Capital One Landing concept recently introduced, though this is a more compact version of that idea.
– It’s intriguing that this concept focuses on airports already featuring Centurion Lounges instead of expanding to those that don’t.
– With only 33 seats, this is indeed a very limited capacity venue, and I suspect managing wait times will be challenging, particularly given the close departure requirement (no plans have been made to implement a reservation system).
I do hope that Amex rejuvenates its core Centurion Lounge concept, as I believe Capital One and Chase have made significant strides in innovation, while Amex hasn’t necessarily kept pace. Amex certainly has the benefit of a larger network scale, however.
## Bottom line
Amex has just launched a new lounge concept called Sidecar by the Centurion Lounge. The premise is that these facilities are established at airports