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This May Be the Most Relaxing Airport in the World

Jan. 24, 2018
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3 min read
Skukuza Airport-maxresdefault
This May Be the Most Relaxing Airport in the World
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Contrary to what its decor might suggest, this beautiful spot is neither a spiritual sanctuary nor a high-end spa: It's Skukuza Airport (SZK) in South Africa.

The lobby (Photo by Teddy Minford/Skukuza Airport)

Skukuza serves as the gateway to a number of national parks and reserves, most notably Kruger National Park. With just a handful of direct flights connecting Skukuza to Johannesburg and Cape Town each day, this quiet airport offers tranquillity in lieu of the usual travel chaos. Most flights are on 12-seat Cessna Caravans, and none are on airplanes larger than 50 seats, so gate agents personally escort travelers to the tarmac. The airport offers free Wi-Fi across the grounds, and the non-traditional experience includes luxurious amenities in the bathrooms, as well as an open-air courtyard with a pond.

Check-in (Photo by Teddy Minford/Skukuza Airport)
Lobby (Photo by Teddy Minford/Skukuza Airport)
Lounge (Photo by Teddy Minford/Skukuza Airport)



Skukuza is jointly owned by Lion Sands Game Reserve; Federal Airlines, a private charter carrier; and Airlink, a subsidiary of Star Alliance member South African Airways. The commercial flights connect passengers between seven cities including Johannesburg and Cape Town, while chartered shuttles ferry guests from the airport to private safari lodges with their own runways.

The airport was established in 1958, named James Stevenson - Hamilton after the first warden of Kruger National Park, and underwent a full revamp in 2014. The update seems to have been a success: Mkhuze Airport (MZQ), also located in South Africa, is about to follow suit with an upgrade of its own.

If you'd like to visit Skukuza, tickets begin at just $150 one-way from Johannesburg, but if you're booking with miles, beware that Star Alliance travelers have reported a mixed-bag experience trying to book Airlink flights using partner miles.

Exterior of airport (Photo by Teddy Minford/Skukuza Airport)

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Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants

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  • Intro Offer

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  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

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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.