Layover Lowdown: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport
Our new "Layover Lowdown" series features airports and destinations around the world where you're likely to be stuck between flights. The TPG team will offer tips on navigating and spending time in the airport, as well as some things to do if you find yourself with time to explore the nearby city. Today, TPG International Contributor Lori Zaino guides us through the Atlanta airport and some noteworthy nearby attractions.
Delta hub Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is the busiest airport in the world for take-offs, landings and passenger traffic, accommodating almost 100 million passengers per year. If you find yourself here on a layover, there's no lack of things to do, the Sky Train inter-airport transport allows you to quickly travel between terminals—and you certainly won't be alone, anywhere.
At the Airport
Special Features
If you’re moved to worship, ATL has three InterFaith chapels (Terminal F, E and Atrium). For those who want to place their focus elsewhere, WiFi is available throughout the entire airport, free of charge.
The airport art program features 250 permanent works installed throughout the airport, including 20 sculptures from Zimbabwe. If you’re lucky, you might catch one of ATL's four annual concerts in the Atrium, and if you're a smoker, know that ATL is one of the few airports in the U.S. that still offers smoking lounges, with one in each terminal.
A 1,000-square-foot dog park is located in the Ground Transportation area of Domestic Terminal South outside of doors W1 and W2, and there's another, smaller one in the International Terminal outside door A1. The airport also has an interactive website dedicated to kids and teens, complete with airport history and activities designed to keep them entertained.
A variety of airline lounges are also available, including a Delta Sky Club on every concourse. If you'd prefer to kick back/work in style but don't have a first-class ticket or elite status, shell out $35 for a day pass to The Club at ATL, a well-appointed independent lounge located in Concourse F at Gate B16 on the Mezzanine level. If you'd rather get some shut-eye or simply be blissfully by yourself, visit Minute Suites on Concourse B where you can nap, surf the web, shower or simply relax in 15-minute to all-night increments.
Luggage Storage
Store your luggage at Wrap-a-Bag in South and North Terminals, where prices start at $4 per day.
Shopping
The international terminal has makeup/skincare favorites like Kiehls and MAC in case you need a quick beauty fix before before boarding a long international flight. If you need to make a last-minute charger or camera-equipment purchase, seek out the Best Buy Express shops located in several terminals. High-end designer boutiques like Michael Kors can be found in Terminals E and F, and you'll find a Salvatore Ferragamo in Terminal A.
Dining
For a traditional Southern bite, try some fried chicken or catfish at Paschal’s (Concourse A food court and the Atrium). One Flew South (Terminal E) is one of the most well-known airport restaurants, and here you can have a sophisticated dining experience featuring Asian/Southern fusion cuisine. Try the traditional sushi or or the flavorful pork belly slider, and note you can take food to-go if you're rushing to make that flight. Wolfgang Puck Express (Terminals D and T) is a slightly healthier alternative to traditional fast food, enabling you to make your own salads or order fresh sandwiches.
Travel To the City Center: Using the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) station that's set beside ATL's baggage claim, you can be in the city center in about 20 minutes. Take the Red or Gold Line (also called the South Line) into the city center--stops like Five Points, Buckhead or Arts Center. ($2.50 one way).
If You Have Half a Day: Take the MARTA to the Arts Center stop, and from there, walk over to the High Museum of Art to enjoy the current special exhibition on Cézanne and the Modern until January 11, 2015. The Atlanta Botanical Garden is also nearby if you'd prefer to spend your layover out in the fresh air.
If You Have a Whole Day: Family-friendly attractions include the Georgia Aquarium and the World of Coca-Cola, the latter of which features a tasting room as well as a memorabilia gallery. The one-hour Inside the CNN Atlanta studio tour, for which tickets can be reserved in advance, is the perfect way to see the inner workings of a newsroom, and no visit to Atlanta is complete without a walk through Centennial Park for some Olympics history. These activities are conveniently located near the Peachtree or Civic center MARTA stops, and within walking distance of each other.
If it's bars and restaurants you're after, take MARTA to the King Memorial or Inman Park stops to explore the trendy Old Fourth Ward District, where before or after visiting the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic site, you can dine in happening eateries like 4th & Swift, Spice to Table, Japanese Craft Izakaya or raw bar/brasserie The Luminary.
If You Have the Night: Staying close to the airport isn't a problem as you have a few options to choose from. The most luxurious is the Renaissance Concourse Marriott, which offers 387 soundproofed guest rooms with private balconies; for the plane-obsessed, many rooms come with airport views. Airport transfers are included with your stay, and room rates start at $189 or 20,000 Marriott Reward points per night. Other ATL-area hotels include the Hilton Garden Inn Airport North and the Atlanta Airport Marriott.
For a trendier, more vibrant experience, the SPG Category 4 W Buckhead is located near plenty of shopping and dining at the Lenox Mall. The Whiskey Blue Atlanta rooftop bar whips up signature cocktails, and guest rooms offer the W's signature Bliss amenities, as well as a 32" plasma TV, Tivoli clock/alarm/radio with iPod docking station, and a well-stocked media library. Room rates start at $212 or 10,000 Starpoints per night.
If you are hoping to be near all the main tourist attractions, the SPG Category 4 Westin Peachtree Plaza is an ideal spot, as its just steps away from the CNN Center and the World of Coca-Cola. Featuring 73 stories and 1,073 guest rooms, the hotel has been recently renovated with new Heavenly Bed duvets, 42" flat screen Vizio HD televisions and new window treatments. The famous Sun Dial restaurant features a rotating cocktail lounge and restaurant with 360 degree views of the Atlanta skyline. Room rates start at $275 or 10,000 Starpoints per night.
What are your favorite attractions in Atlanta, both in and out of the airport?
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
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Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 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.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
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- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 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.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.