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The first big evolution of The Centurion® Lounge is a lot smaller than you'd think.
Nearly 13 years to the day after opening its very first Centurion Lounge at Las Vegas' Harry Reid International Airport (LAS), American Express returned with something different. On March 4, 2026, it opened the doors to a compact new concept called Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge.
But what makes this tiny lounge special are the upscale bites and big flavors it offers travelers on the move.
Here's a peek inside Amex's bespoke new Sidecar concept — and how this new concept came to life.
Inside the Amex Sidecar Lounge at Las Vegas Airport
The Las Vegas airport is now home to not one but two Amex lounges. And the newest one — Sidecar by The Centurion Lounge — sits just around the corner from the issuer's first-ever proprietary airport lounge.
You'll find the branded entryway in the atrium of Terminal 1's Concourse D — opposite the Las Vegas Capital One Lounge. The space is open daily between 8 AM and 10 PM.
But what's behind the speakeasy-style entryway to the Sidecar lounge is quite different from what you'll find inside the Centurion Lounge.
For starters, the Sidecar lounge in Las Vegas is small. Very small. As for the square footage, well, Amex hasn't publicly disclosed it.
And in many ways, it's hard to even call it a lounge. Because it's not really a lounge so much as an exclusive restaurant whose primary purpose is to give the growing majority of Card Members — those who spend an average of 90 minutes or less in an Amex lounge — the opportunity to enjoy an upscale dining experience.
Exclusive is the key word here. Sidecar has space for just 33 travelers. But if you're able to get in (which might be the biggest hurdle for Card Members), you're in for a treat.
The space itself is gorgeous. Amex's interior design team created what it calls an “oasis in the desert.” Throughout the space, you'll see deep hues, intricate tile work, foliage, and warm lighting.
But the Sidecar's primary calling card is its menu, which rivals the aesthetic.
Related: Amex Centurion Lounges: Locations, Rules, and Guest Policy
Food and Drinks at the Sidecar Lounge in Las Vegas
Less than a year ago, American Express announced plans to launch The Culinary Collective — a partnership with several James Beard Award–winning Resy chefs to create a revamped lineup of dishes and cocktails for U.S. Centurion Lounge locations.
For Sidecar, Amex tapped those same chefs — along with mixologist Harrison Ginsberg and The Culinary Collective's new sommelier Helen Johannesen — to assemble elevated offerings for its first dining-focused concept.
And just about everything you'll consume in the Sidecar lounge builds on what's designed to be a bespoke, upscale, and speedy experience.
That's why you'll find thoughtful small plates, like made-to-order crushed cucumber salad with crispy rice pearls inspired by Chef Kwame Onwuachi.
Or — a personal favorite — Chef Michael Solomonov's avocado toast with schug labneh and black sesame seeds.
To keep things fresh, Amex plans to rotate menus fairly frequently. That means you might see Chef Sarah Grueneberg's (Centurion-branded, I might add) Chicky Chicky Parm Parm sandwich one day, but something different when another specialty sandwich takes its place. So, there's your incentive to come back often.
And part of any elevated dining experience is pairing what's on the plate with what's in the glass. At the Sidecar lounge, sommelier Helen Johannesen plans to offer seven small-batch Old World wines at any given time, rotating selections roughly every six months.
Wines are intentionally chosen to complement items on the menu, and bartenders are happy to help guide you toward the right pairing.
They'll also happily mix one of Harrison Ginsberg's cocktails curated specifically for the space — like the Sidecar (cognac, Cointreau, lemon) or the Mojave (tequila, jalapeño, peach, lime).
Unlike other Centurion lounges, there's no buffet at Sidecar. Everything you order — via QR code, a roving attendant, or directly from the bartender — is delivered to your seat.
Amex aims to have each plate delivered within eight minutes of ordering. After all, it's meant to be a quick-service lounge.
How to Access the Sidecar Lounge in Las Vegas
Like any good restaurant, you might find it a bit of a challenge to get a seat at Sidecar by The Centurion Lounge.
But let's start with the basics. You can access the space if you're a primary Card Member with an Amex Centurion Card or a Platinum-branded card, such as:
- American Express Platinum Card®
- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
- Centurion® Card from American Express
(Terms apply)
- You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $12,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you're approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount - all with no credit score impact. If you're approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Get more for your travels with 5X Membership Rewards® points on all flights and prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel®, including Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection bookings. You earn 5X points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
- With over 1,550 airport lounges - more than any other credit card company on the market* - enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection®, over $850 of annual value, with access to Centurion Lounges, 10 complimentary Delta Sky Club® visits when flying on an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations), Priority Pass Select membership (enrollment required), and other select partner lounges.* As of 07/2025.
- $200 Uber Cash + $120 Uber One Credit: With the Platinum Card® you can receive $15 in Uber Cash each month plus a bonus $20 in December when you add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to use on rides and orders in the U.S when you select an Amex Card for your transaction. Plus, when you use the Platinum Card® to pay for an auto-renewing Uber One membership, you can get up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year. Terms apply.
- $300 Digital Entertainment Credit: Experience the latest shows, news and recipes. Get up to $25 in statement credits each month when you use your Platinum Card® for eligible purchases on Disney+, a Disney+ bundle, ESPN streaming services, Hulu, The New York Times, Paramount+, Peacock, The Wall Street Journal, YouTube Premium, and YouTube TV when you purchase directly from one or more of the providers. Enrollment required.
- $600 Hotel Credit: Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection* bookings through American Express Travel® using the Platinum Card®. *The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
- $400 Resy Credit + Platinum Nights by Resy: Get up to $100 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® to make eligible purchases with Resy, including dining purchases at U.S. Resy restaurants. Enrollment required. Plus, with Platinum Nights by Resy, you can get special access to reservations on select nights at participating in demand Resy restaurants with the Platinum Card®. Simply add your eligible Card to your Resy profile to book and discover Platinum Nights reservations near you.
- $209 CLEAR+ Credit: CLEAR+ helps get you to your gate faster by using your face to verify you are you at 55+ airports nationwide. You can cover the cost of a CLEAR+ Membership* with up to $209 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for CLEAR+ with your Platinum Card®. *Excluding any applicable taxes and fees. Subject to auto-renewal.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by the airline to the Platinum Card® Account. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
- Start your vacation sooner, and keep it going longer. When you book Fine Hotels + Resorts® through American Express Travel®, enjoy noon check-in, when available, and guaranteed 4PM check-out.
- $300 lululemon Credit: Enjoy up to $75 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® for eligible purchases at U.S. lululemon retail stores (excluding outlets) and lululemon.com. That's up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year. Enrollment required.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Receive a statement credit* for one monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) after you pay for Walmart+ each month with the Platinum Card®. *Up to $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Ups not eligible.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- $895 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
- Earn 5X points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel® (up to $500,000 in purchases per calendar year).
- Earn 5X points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel®.
- Earn 5X points on Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection bookings.
(Terms apply)
- Elevated Welcome Offer: Earn 200,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Business Platinum Card® within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
- The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,550 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card company on the market as of 07/2025.
- See how you can unlock over $3,500 in business and travel value annually after meeting qualifying spend thresholds on the Business Platinum Card. Terms apply.
- Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually for up to a total of $600 in statement credits per calendar year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using the Business Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
- No Preset Spending Limit: The spending limit on the Business Platinum Card is flexible, so unlike a traditional credit card with a set limit, the amount you can spend adapts based on factors such as your purchase, payment and credit history.
- Make the Business Platinum Card® work even harder for you. Hilton for Business members get up to $200 back per calendar year when you make an eligible purchase at Hilton properties across the globe. Gift cards are not an eligible purchase. Benefit enrollment required.
- Fly like a pro with a $200 Airline Fee Credit. Select one qualifying airline to receive up to $200 back per year on baggage fees and other incidentals.
- Use the Business Platinum Card and get up to $209 back per calendar year on your CLEAR® Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal).
- Maximize your time away with Fine Hotels + Resorts through Amex Travel™.
- Enroll and get up to $150 in statement credits on U.S purchases directly with Dell Technologies on the Business Platinum Card and an additional $1,000 statement credit after you spend $5,000 or more on that same Card per calendar year.
- Enroll and get a $250 statement credit after you spend $600 or more on U.S. purchases directly with Adobe per calendar year on the Business Platinum Card.
- Get up to $90 in statement credits quarterly for purchases with Indeed on the Business Platinum Card. That's up to $360 back per year. Enrollment required.
- Get up to $10 in statement credits per month for wireless telephone service purchases made directly with a wireless provider in the U.S. on the Business Platinum Card. That's up to $120 back per year. Enrollment required.
- Enhanced! 2X points on purchases at U.S. construction material & hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on each eligible purchase of $5,000 or more, up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year. Purchases eligible for multiple additional point bonuses will only receive the highest eligible bonus.
- 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com
- 1X points on other eligible purchases
- $895 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- Earn 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X points on each eligible purchase of $5,000 or more.
- Earn 2X points on each eligible purchase with U.S. construction material and hardware suppliers.
- Earn 2X points on each eligible purchase with U.S. electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers.
- Earn 2X points on each eligible purchase with U.S. shipping providers.
- 2X earning rates are subject to a cap of $2 million in purchases per calendar year.
You're also eligible for entry if you carry either one of these two Delta Amex cards — and otherwise meet access requirements:
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card
(Terms apply)
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you'll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- 3X miles per dollar spent on purchases made directly with Delta
- 1X miles on every eligible dollar spent on purchases.
- Limited Time Offer: Earn 125,000 Bonus Miles after spending $15,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 4/1/26.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business Members receive 15 Visits each Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® and can unlock Unlimited Delta Sky Club Access after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year.
- Earn 3 miles per dollar on eligible Delta purchases.
- Get closer to elevated Status next Medallion® Year with MQD Headstart and MQD Boost: receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 on purchases with your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main domestic, Caribbean, or Central American round-trip flight each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- With the $240 Resy Credit, earn up to $20 per month in statement credits on eligible Resy purchases using your enrolled Card. Enrollment required.
- Earn up to $10 back each month after using your enrolled Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Save 15% when booking Award Travel on Delta flights. Not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Not a Medallion Member? Card Members with an eligible ticket will be added to the Complimentary Upgrade list, after Delta SkyMiles Medallion Members.
- As a benefit of Card Membership, you can check your first bag free on Delta flights, saving up to $70 on a round-trip Delta flight per person. For a group of four that's a potential savings of up to $280 per round-trip flight.
- When you purchase a Delta flight with your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business Card, you will receive complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge or Escape Lounge.
- Receive Zone 5 Priority Boarding on Delta flights; board early, stow your carry-on bag and settle in sooner.
- Elevate your travel experience with an annual statement credit of up to $250 after using your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card to book prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays on delta.com.
- Enjoy travel without foreign transaction fees from American Express with your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card.
- Terms and limitations apply.
- 3X miles per dollar spent on purchases made directly with Delta
- 1.5X miles per dollar on eligible transit, U.S. shipping, and U.S. office supply store purchases, plus all eligible purchases after spending $150K per calendar year
- 1 mile on every dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
For all intents and purposes, the policies for accessing the Sidecar lounge mirror those for Centurion Lounges. And like at those locations, Card Members won't automatically be able to bring a guest.
Where Sidecar really differs from traditional Centurion Lounges, though, is how long you can stay. Access is limited to 90 minutes before your flight departs.
Even then, there's no guarantee you'll be able to get in. Amex is operating the concept on a first-come, first-served basis. While there will be a waitlist, the issuer doesn't plan to introduce a reservation system — at least not anytime soon.
The only way to potentially expedite your way into the Sidecar lounge is by carrying the Amex Centurion Card. While nothing about this is written in stone, Amex representatives indicated that those Card Members will likely receive what amounts to preferred access over non-Centurion Card holders.
Related: Upgrade Your Travel Experience: Best Travel Credit Cards With Lounge Access
Bottom Line
American Express's first Sidecar by The Centurion Lounge concept is here. And from the décor to the upscale menu, there's a lot to like about this luxe space. Big things can come in small packages.
But let's not get confused. This isn't really a lounge. It's a restaurant. While it does offer a few familiar lounge amenities like high-speed Wi-Fi, power outlets, and private restrooms, it's ultimately a place to pop in, fuel up, and move on.
And that's possible in far fewer than 90 minutes. It has to be.
You'll board well before your flight departs, meaning you won't even have the full 90-minute window to begin with. At most, you're probably looking at around an hour — which, if I'm being honest, is still a long time to spend at Sidecar.
Whether we see more of these concept lounges in other airports will likely depend on how this one performs. At the media event, Amex seemed almost noncommittal about future Sidecars, noting that Card Member feedback on this first location will matter a lot.
So, if you'd like to see more of these pop up in other airports, the faster tables turn over, the more travelers will get the chance to experience it — and the fewer Card Members will run out of time to check it out. And I'm pretty sure those who do get to experience it will want to come back for more — and give Amex the feedback its looking for.
For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: American Express Platinum Card® (Rates & Fees), The Business Platinum Card® from American Express (Rates & Fees), Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card (Rates & Fees), and Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card (Rates & Fees)
