It’s also the tiniest airport lounge in the entire network. With space for just 33 guests, the emphasis on express is huge.
However, it’s a worthy stop instead of the nearby Centurion Lounge the next time you’re visiting Las Vegas. Rather than a traditional buffet, guests can enjoy a restaurant-style dining experience, with menu items ordered via QR code served both quickly and efficiently.
Here’s a first look at what travelers can expect inside.
Amex Sidecar by Centurion Lounge at Las Vegas (LAS)
The very first Amex Centurion Lounge debuted in Las Vegas in 2013. And just a lucky 13 years later, the issuer is returning to its roots to launch something new to its portfolio.
“Sidecar by The Centurion Lounge was born out of the fact that a significant portion of Centurion Lounge visitors stay for an hour or less,” said AmexTravel.com’s president, Audrey Hendley. “This is not only an exciting return to LAS, but a new approach we created for those travelers looking for an upscale and efficient respite — even when they have a short window before boarding their flight.”
Measuring at just 1,500 square feet, the new Sidecar lounge is easily the smallest outpost in the Centurion Lounge network. In fact, it feels more like an elevated Escape Lounge, though with food and drink taking center stage here.
Sidecar is designed as an ideal stop for cardmembers who want a quality bite and a crafted drink without committing to a full lounge visit. Through its dining platform Resy, American Express tapped into top James Beard-award-winning chefs to curate the menu for this new lounge concept.
Location
The new Sidecar lounge is located near Terminal 1’s D Gates, joining an already competitive lineup that includes the flagship Centurion Lounge, the Capital One Lounge, a United Club, and The Club LAS.
The new Sidecar lounge is open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Pacific Time. Notably, Sidecar is less than a 5-minute walk from the Centurion Lounge — a smart move that gives eligible cardmembers an alternative when the main lounge is crowded, or vice versa.
In fact, the new Sidecar Lounge at LAS is only available to eligible cardmembers within 90 minutes of their departing flight, helping maintain the steady flow of its quick, in-and-out dining concept. That’s a notable change from traditional Centurion Lounge locations, which allow entry up to 3 hours before a scheduled departure.
Guests are personally greeted and ushered to their bar seat or table. However, with room for just 33 guests, only time will tell whether waitlists prevail or if Amex can nail down the timing to satisfy each guest.
Food and Drink
If you’re tired of lounge buffets with a seemingly stale menu, this isn’t what you’ll find at Sidecar.
Sidecar is where you’ll want to visit instead of the traditional Centurion Lounge, if only for the food and drink alone.
The Sidecar by Centurion Lounge is very reminiscent of the Capital One Landing concept — the first major credit card lounge network to introduce true restaurant-style dining in late 2024.
Despite the express nature of this space, there’s no grab-and-go offering like you’ll find at other competing lounges.
Upon entry, guests are seated at the bar or a table. They can place orders for complimentary, made-to-order hot dishes, small plates, and beverages via a QR code powered by the popular restaurant ordering platform Toast.
The experience feels far more like a restaurant than a lounge. Food and drinks are delivered by a server, creating a seamless, sit-down atmosphere. Even better, you can order craft cocktails, small-production wines, and nonalcoholic beverages that are intentionally paired with the dishes.
All dishes are made to order and are all intended to come out in 8 minutes or less.
I started with a couple of appetizers: avocado toast with black sesame seeds, a refreshing cucumber salad with crispy rice pearls and (optional) chili oil, followed by mushroom and egg bites with hints of garlic and mustard greens.
Sidecar aims to bring a fresh new menu. Each month, it will rotate a new “Chef Signature Sandwich.” This month, guests will get to savor a unique take on a slider with chicken parmesan.
All of the dishes (and desserts!) I sampled were tasty, fresh, and full of flavor. I loved how diverse the menu was, offering something for every dietary restriction.
Amenities
Though Sidecar is a much smaller space, it still offers amenities you’d expect from a traditional lounge. This includes private restrooms but no shower suites.
Power outlets and updated USB ports are plentiful throughout the space, so you’re never far from a place to plug in.
Complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi is also available and performs reliably.
How To Access Sidecar by The Centurion Lounge at LAS
This newest Sidecar lounge is another addition to the growing Amex Centurion Lounge portfolio and broader Global Lounge Collection. While the entry times are slightly different for Sidecar, the lounge access policies are the same as for any other Amex Centurion Lounge.
A digital waitlist will be available to guests, just as it is at the main Centurion Lounge. However, cardmembers can add themselves to only 1 waitlist at a time.
The following cards will give you access to the Sidecar Lounge and other Centurion Lounges: Platinum Card® from American Express, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, Centurion® Card from American Express*, Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card (when you book your same-day Delta flight with your Delta Reserve card), and Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card (when you book your same-day Delta flight with your Delta Reserve Business card).
By Stella Shon
No comments:
Post a Comment