11 Tips for Surviving a Long Stay in the Airport
Running to the gate may be a beginner’s move, but the real challenge comes when you have too much time to make a connection. There’s nothing to do in airports besides spend money or mindlessly scroll through Instagram — or is there?
Turns out the terminal doesn’t have to be deadly. In fact, it’s possible to transform a very long layover — or, worse, a delayed flight — into a decent experience that won’t have you reaching for your sleeping pills before you’ve even boarded. The next time you’re stuck, remember our tips to kill time and survive — maybe even thrive! — with assistance from our astute TPG Lounge members found on Facebook.
1. Dream up a legit plan
Looking at two or three or eight hours of sitting is enough to make you want to crawl into an overhead bin and, well, die. But c'mon — life’s not so bad. Your first order of business should be to actually brainstorm things to do. It’s like waking up on the weekend; if you don’t have plans, the best-case scenario is that you’ll do nothing. But if you’ve got brunch with a friend, a rock-climbing class and a fun date, you’ll bounce from activity to activity with a sense of purpose. So think and think hard: Do you want to finally finish that novel on your Kindle? Explore a new lounge? Treat yourself to a decadent meal surrounded by airport ambiance? Go wild.
2. Hunker down in the lounge
Too obvious? Yeah, well, not for me. I’ve slept on airport floors — and been vacuumed around — when sucking it up and buying a day pass would have made the wait infinitely more bearable. Meg G. from the TPG Lounge kills time by showering: “Usually my longest layovers are on international flights. Showers perk me up.”
Alternatively, you can play the field and lounge hop.
3. Do something — anything — productive
People always say they’re too busy to do certain tasks. Now’s your chance: lots of uninterrupted time surrounded by (hopefully) free Wi-Fi and a bookstore with crowd-pleasers. Crack that book on how to be a better manager — or how to manage your money. Or grab a glossy magazine and learn about the hottest travel destinations in 2018. Trip down the Internet rabbit hole by investigating your destination or watch Gordon Ramsay’s MasterClass. You can do anything! You’ve got nothing but time!
Perhaps like Christopher N., you could simply observe your fellow passengers: “Sometimes it’s great just to post up and people watch.”
Or Katie R., who makes excellent use of her airport hours: “If I'm on my way home from a trip I will take time to edit/weed out photos and upload a few to Instagram. If I have a lot of time, I may upload them all to Facebook also.”
4. Eat and drink like royalty
Perhaps the most popular suggestion in the TPG Lounge was to eat, drink and be merry. Plus, all that walking from restaurant to restaurant will stretch your legs. Scott M. has a hot tip: “Sky Club or a visit to the counter to ask if they have any vouchers which can then be an exciting food hunt in the terminal.”
Whiskey. People also like to drink a lot of whiskey.
5. Catch up on work
Calling all Type-A obsessives! Extra hours are your narcotic. Now you have time to answer those lingering emails, set up meetings for when you return, take a final peek at your inbox, or rewrite your out-of-office reply to sound less braggy. Just because you’re in the airport doesn’t mean you have to turn off your work brain (if you don’t want to).
6. Fill your head with entertainment
If you’re unable to stream Netflix in the airport, just tap into all those TV episodes you downloaded on your computer before coming the airport. Oh…you didn’t download anything? Well, now you know better for next time.
Or, like Christy F., you can create your own entertainment and bring a sketchbook, or zone out in creative bliss like Anna K.: “When things get really dire I buy coloring books and colored pencils. It's soothing and fun (and a great way to make friends!), and I like using that time to do something that I enjoy but would never do otherwise.”
7. Treat yourself
It’s a truth universally acknowledged that calories consumed in an airport don’t count. That explains the wild success of the in-terminal Cinnabon. Reward yourself for your patience with an indulgent snack, foot massage, manicure, or some duty-free shopping. If a little luxury will calm you down and help with the wait, just give in…
8. Head into the city
…or go out! You’re not trapped, you know. No one’s holding you against your will. If you have a good chunk of time and the airport’s near public transit and interesting sights, why not turn your layover into an impromptu city visit? The worst thing that could happen is…well, you could miss your flight, so stay mindful of your boarding time.
9. Call an old friend — or make a new one
You’ve been meaning to phone your mom or your best friend, so why not now? You can actually focus (for once). Or make like Stephanie A. and bond with your fellow bummed-out passengers: “We had a delay due to a storm at the Gold Coast airport in Australia, [and] the shared experience of everyone in the lounge caused a resigned-to-have-to-stay-and-relax attitude. Unlimited booze and plenty of snacks meant we had a party and met some fun folks!”
10. Sleep like the dead
Red-eyes are smart (in theory), but they rarely afford you the eight hours of sleep recommended by doctors and every smug person who actually gets eight hours of sleep. So if it’s late, curl up in a lounge chair — or, if the situation is super desperate, in one of those cots they give people during massive, airport-wide delays — then set your timer and take a well-deserved snooze.
11. Consider the bigger picture
You may be compelled to whine. To complain. To make rude comments to the gate attendants, who can’t shorten your delay — even if they wanted to. Please, for the sake of your nearby fliers, resist this urge. You are not the first person (nor the last) to be inconvenienced in an airport. This, too, will be resolved and you’ll soon be on your way. Focus on your destination an remember traveling is a privilege, flaws and all.
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Rewards
| 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
- 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.
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.