Amex Expands Lounge Strategy with Star Chef Menus and New “Sidecar” Concept
New chef-curated dishes and the debut of Sidecar signal Amex’s latest move to meet the evolving needs of luxury travelers.
The main seating area of the new Centurion Lounge at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport. Photos: Courtesy of American Express
American Express is doubling down on its Centurion Lounge portfolio with two major moves: the launch of a new express-format concept called Sidecar by The Centurion Lounge at Las Vegas’s Harry Reid International Airport, and the debut of a new chef-driven dining program rolling out across all U.S. Centurion Lounges.
Starting July 29, American Express will introduce dishes from The Culinary Collective by The Centurion Lounge, a collaboration with four James Beard Award-winning chefs—Mashama Bailey, Sarah Grueneberg, Kwame Onwuachi, and Mike Solomonov—plus celebrated bar director Harrison Ginsberg of Overstory. Each chef brings distinct flavors from their flagship restaurants: Onwuachi offers Afro-Caribbean suya short ribs and tamarind ice box cake, Bailey brings a gluten-friendly paprika chicken and espresso crème brûlée, and Grueneberg’s contributions include a vegan lemony orzo with artichokes and dill. These seasonal menus will make up about half of each lounge’s offerings, alongside regionally inspired dishes.
“We know how much Card Members love the food and drinks at the Centurion Lounges and look forward to seeing what’s new,” said Audrey Hendley, the president of American Express Travel. “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.”
Meanwhile, Sidecar by The Centurion Lounge is set to open in 2026 as an entirely new sub-brand, designed for travelers on tighter layovers. Located at LAS, the space will feature gourmet small plates and signature cocktails in a speakeasy-inspired setting with rich textures, desert tones, and brass accents. Eligible cardholders will be able to access Sidecar within 90 minutes of departure, while still having access to the existing Centurion Lounge, making Amex the only issuer with two proprietary lounges in the same terminal.
These updates come on the heels of Amex’s newest Centurion Lounge opening at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport on July 16. The 7,500-square-foot space pays tribute to Japanese craftsmanship and culture, with seasonal cuisine from Michelin-starred chef Satoshi Ogino, a dedicated sweets bar, and serene private meditation booths. Additional Centurion Lounges are on track to open in Salt Lake City, Newark, and Amsterdam through 2026.
