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Preview: Delta's $4 Billion Makeover of LaGuardia Airport

Aug. 09, 2017
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3 min read
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Preview: Delta's $4 Billion Makeover of LaGuardia Airport
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LaGuardia Airport (LGA) is finally getting a much-needed makeover — a $4 billion one, in fact — after once being compared to a "third world country" for its outdated facilities back in 2014 by former Vice President Joe Biden. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and Ed Bastian, CEO of Delta, broke ground on the final phase of the massive project on Tuesday, with the airport transforming from a series of disjointed terminals to a single, unified facility.

Along with the announcement, the governor's office released a compilation of new renderings for the project, which includes images of what the arrival and departure areas, baggage claims and restaurants will look like once completed.

The new LGA aims to provide travelers with state-of-the-art amenities and expanded public transportation — including a planned AirTrain.

Construction on the terminal began after the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey signed a new long-term lease with Delta.

Together, Delta is investing $3.4 billion — the airline's largest investment in an airport — and the Port Authority is chipping in $600 million to rebuild the terminal and gate facilities located on the eastern half of the new LaGuardia space. This will be the first airport rebuild in the United States in more than 20 years.

"This is a historic day for Delta as we break ground on our state-of-the-art facility at LaGuardia Airport," Bastian said. "This investment underscores our commitment to LaGuardia, to New York and to providing our customers and employees here and across the state with a world-class experience at one of our most important hubs." Delta has about 275 daily departures at LaGuardia — more than any other airline.

Having served 29.8 million passengers in 2016, the airport will serve 50 million passengers annually once completed, according to Governor Cuomo.

The airport is expected to be fully completed by 2021, but the first set of new gates are scheduled to open by next year.

The trio of LaGuardia Airport (LGA), John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) combine to create the largest airport system in the United States.

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What do you think of the new LaGuardia? Let us know in the comments, below.

Images courtesy of Governor Andrew Cuomo's office

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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)

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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
  • 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.