American Express Is Expanding the Centurion Lounge Network with Boston, Charlotte, and a Bigger DFW

American Express announced this week three additions to its Centurion Lounge network: a new full lounge at Boston Logan, a second Sidecar location at Charlotte Douglas, and a significant expansion of its existing DFW lounge. The network currently sits at 32 locations, with EWR and Amsterdam already in the pipeline.

For Platinum Card holders, this continues a pattern of Amex investing heavily in the lounge product - the infrastructure that arguably does more than any other single benefit to justify the card's $695 annual fee. That said, it remains to see how these spaces deal with over-crowding.

Boston Logan (BOS) - Opening 2029

The Boston lounge will be a two-story space in Terminal C, described as among the largest in the network. The headline addition is an outdoor terrace with airfield views - the first open-air patio at Logan and a rare feature in the Centurion network generally. Design draws from Boston's harbor and academic character, with local artwork throughout.

The 2029 timeline is a long way out, and Boston has been a gap in the Centurion network for a while. The Chase Sapphire Lounge opened at BOS back in May 2023, so Amex is playing catch-up at one of the Northeast's busiest airports.

Sidecar by The Centurion Lounge at Charlotte Douglas (CLT) - Opening 2027

The Sidecar format debuted at Las Vegas Harry Reid earlier this year. It's a more compact, quick-turnaround concept focused on moving crowds in and out of the space, not that different from the Capital One Landing concept. The space provides a QR code ordering for small plates and cocktails, fast delivery to your seat, and access is limited to within 90 minutes of departure. Charlotte's version goes into Concourse A in 2027, alongside the existing full Centurion Lounge at CLT.

Concepts like Sidecar are something we'll likely continue to see expand. Full lounges with wait times and crowds are common aspect of lounges via the AMEX, Priority Pass, and Chase lounge networks. A smaller, faster space that gets you in and out efficiently is a different product for a different use case, and Charlotte, a major AA hub with heavy connection traffic is a perfect setting.

Image via American Express

Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) - Expansion Opening 2027

The existing DFW Centurion Lounge in Terminal D is one of the older locations in the network and has shown its age in terms of capacity, especially considering its place in AA's main hub. The expansion makes it nearly 50% larger, adding more seating, a new dining area, a second full-service bar, and a walk-up ice cream window. The DFW lounge is one of the busiest in the network and the overcrowding issue has been a recurring complaint from cardholders. More space and a second bar should help considerably.

Image via American Express

The Bigger Picture

Amex, Chase, and Capital One have all been aggressively building proprietary lounge networks over the past few years. Chase Sapphire Lounges are now open at BOS, JFK, LAS, PHX, and SFO. Capital One Lounges operate at DFW, DEN, IAD, and JFK. Both networks are airline-agnostic - you can walk in regardless of who you're flying that day as long as you're an appropriate card holder. For Platinum cardholders, access is complimentary within three hours of departure. The Sidecar format has a tighter 90-minute window.

Amex continues to invest in what makes it distinct: locally-inspired food programs, James Beard-affiliated chefs, and design that reflects each city rather than a generic airport template. The Citi branding expansion at Admirals Club lounges is another example of card issuers deepening their airport presence. I'm excited to continue to watch the battle of the premium lounges play out.

Source: American Express Newsroom