Amex Reworks the Lounge Model to Capture Every Kind of Traveler

Airport lounges are getting a glow-up, and American Express is leading the renovation. The company plans a two-story Centurion Lounge at Boston Logan by 2029 and a Sidecar lounge in Charlotte by 2027, while nearly doubling the size of its Dallas-Fort Worth location that same year. Access is limited to premium Amex cards, including the Platinum, Business Platinum, and Delta SkyMiles Reserve.

• The DFW expansion signals a shift toward a more experience-driven approach, adding a second bar and a walk-up ice cream window.
• The Sidecar concept targets time-pressed travelers, offering QR-code ordering up to 90 minutes before departure — a faster, more casual alternative to the brand’s full-service lounges.

Lounging it out: Airport lounges have become a battleground for premium credit cards, and Amex is splitting its strategy to cover both ends. Larger flagship locations handle heavy demand at major hubs, while smaller formats like Sidecar serve travelers short on time. However long you’re stuck at the gate, Amex wants to be the reason you don’t mind.