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LaGuardia's Perimeter Rule May End- Longer Routes On The Way?

Feb. 26, 2015
4 min read
Airplanes in line on runway shutterstock 198700100
LaGuardia's Perimeter Rule May End- Longer Routes On The Way?
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According to this USA Today article, it appears that LaGuardia's current 1,500 mile perimeter rule might be going away, which means the potential for long-haul flights from the airport to the West Coast and possibly even Europe.

If LaGuardia's 1,500 mile perimeter rule was to go away, we could expect to see long-haul flights from here.

As a frequent LaGuardia and American Airlines flyer myself, this would be amazing, since I personally hate JFK due to the inevitable traffic that can be crippling depending on the time of day. Yes, you can take the Long Island Railroad to the AirTrain, but it's not convenient, and as someone who is chronically running late, I much prefer to fly out of LaGuardia and even Newark, which in my opinion is much quicker to get to from Downtown NYC.

If Delta was to shift their transcontinental flying to LGA, these premium passengers wouldn't be able to use JFK's SkyDeck.

To have transcontinental premium planes at LaGuardia would be huge game changer and I think American Airlines and Delta would have the most draw. However, I'm not sure they'd be so quick to take away those planes from JFK since that's where all of the international feed is for both carriers and they've got the lounges and infrastructure for a truly premium experience. Plus they've built JFK (Delta especially with new Terminal 4) specifically for premium, so I don't think they'd water down that experience to start flying out of LGA.

However, as more and more aircraft have lie-flat seats and if they could serve routes like Dublin, Ireland, they could run a couple wide bodies between the West Coast and LaGuardia, that could continue on to those pre-clearence cities outside the US, or premium US destinations like Miami or San Juan.

Here's a list of the current airports outside at the US that have pre-clearence facilities:

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  • Calgary International Airport
  • Edmonton International Airport
  • Halifax Stanfield International Airport
  • Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport
  • Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport
  • Toronto Pearson International Airport
  • Vancouver International Airport
  • Winnipeg International Airport
  • Aruba – Queen Beatrix International Airport
  • Grand Bahama International Airport in Freeport, Bahamas
  • Lynden Pindling International Airport in Nassau, Bahamas
  • Bermuda – Bermuda International Airport
  • Shannon Airport-Shannon, Ireland
  • Dublin Airport, Dublin, Ireland
  • Abu Dhabi International Airport

As far as LaGuardia airport itself, it's in MAJOR need of a renovation and it is planned, but looks like it is already delayed, which is ironic since LaGuardia is one of the worst US airports for delays. Also, it's important to note that LGA is also limited to planes as well due to runway length meaning that the largest plane they can see there is a 767, so don't expect to see any 777's or A330's.

Overall, I think this could benefit American Airlines the most because they don't have much regional output out of JFK so this could help beef up NYC, especially being able to link to some western cities like Las Vegas or Phoenix. I also think this could help Air Canada being able to use some slots for Vancouver, Edmonton, or Calgary.

The good news about LGA, is that they already have an Amex Centurion lounge in place.

Don't expect LGA to become a big international hub anytime soon, but the lifting of the perimeter rule opens up more options for travelers, which is a good thing in my opinion! The good news is that if LaGuardia was to add some international flights, they already have an American Express Centurion lounge in place, which American Express Platinum members have access to.

What dream route would you like to see out of LGA if the perimeter rule is lifted?

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Rewards Rate

4XEarn 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.
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  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.
  • Annual Fee

    $325
  • Recommended Credit

    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.