My ‘daycation’ at Sea-Tac: Everything you need to know about airport visitor-pass programs
Frequent flyers already spend a lot of time at airports. Too much, some will tell you.
But the popularity of visitor-pass programs that allow people flying nowhere to just come hang out in the terminals is a sure sign that airports have a destination appeal all their own.
Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) started the trend with its MyPitPass program, which allows visitors to stroll through the terminals Monday to Friday. Tampa International Airport (TPA), Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) and Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) followed suit with gate-pass programs of their own. And Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), which tested a gate-pass program last year, made it a permanent offering this past holiday season.
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How gate-pass programs work
Sea-Tac is my home airport and I usually show up at the airport early on travel days. But even with time to spare and an admitted obsession with airports, I don’t always take the time to visit a favorite piece of art or trek to distant concourses to check out a new dining venue.
So I took advantage of the new SEA Visitor Pass program to schedule a ‘daycation’ at the airport.
Getting a Visitor Pass
This part was easy. The SEA Visitor Pass program allows visitors to apply for one of 100 daily passes in advance or on the day of their planned visit. The online application asks for your full legal name (as it appears on your passport or driver’s license, your date of birth and your gender). Applications are acknowledged via email. Once TSA reviews the application and gives the OK, the airport emails a QR code that, with your ID, will get you through the security checkpoint on your selected day.
I applied on a Monday for a day pass for Wednesday. My QR code arrived in the wee hours on Wednesday morning, although airport officials say they expect notice to come sooner than that in the future.
Clearing security
This part was easy too. With my QR code on my phone and printed out on paper, I showed up at the designated TSA checkpoint on the appointed day. The designated checkpoint is #3, which is also used by general passengers.
I couldn’t use my TSA PreCheck status with my visitor pass, so I made sure I arrived at the checkpoint after the morning rush. I also wore easy-to-remove shoes and carried a small bag with just the day’s essentials. The same TSA rules apply to visitors, so pack your liquids and electronics accordingly. The TSA officer who took my pass seemed familiar with the program, checked my documents and waved me through.
Things to do
With my Fitbit charged and my hands free of carry-on gear, the first activity on my agenda was a leisurely art tour of SEA to visit some of the pieces I usually rush right by. Back in 1968, Sea-Tac Airport was the first to begin building an art collection, which now includes museum-quality glass, sculpture, photography and paintings and some valuable works by the likes of Frank Stella, Robert Rauschenberg and Louise Nevelson.
As I walked the concourses and the Central Terminal, I also took the time to stop and listen to several performers, who are part of SEA’s robust live-music program.
Along the way, I shopped. I had planned on doing nothing more than window shopping. However, the combination of a daycation mindset with no flight to catch and no already-full carry-ons to lug around somehow made it easier to open my wallet in the Sub Pop music store, in the Planewear store filled with oodles of airline-themed travel gear, and the new airport branch of the Elliot Bay Book Company. I even eyed some classic and corny Seattle and Washington State souvenirs, such as the Sleepless in Seattle nightshirt and tiny Sasquatch statues.
Where to eat
SEA has been refreshing many of the local dining venues. During my daycation, I checked out the new menus and the prices, scoped out the seating and noted which new venues offer views of the airfield.
I nibbled on sweet little Waffle Fish at Kathy Casey’s Lucky Louie Fish Shack. I had coffee at Dilettante Chocolates & Mocha Cafe. I considered having a Purple Rain cocktail with my healthy vegetarian breakfast at Floret by Cafe Flora and had a made-to-order poke bowl for lunch at Koi Shi Sushi Bento.
Bonus: Learning to save a life
Sea-Tac Airport is one of 16 airports around the country that have one or more Hands-Only CPR training kiosks in their terminals. So my plan was to end my daycation at SEA by learning a skill that may someday save a life.
The ATM-sized Hands-Only CPR kiosk is designed as a do-it-yourself experience, with video instructions, practice sessions on a dummy torso and an on-screen evaluation of your performance. Fire chief Randy Krause came by to supervise my session and his uniformed presence no doubt helped draw the crowd that witnessed my repeated tries to improve my failing scores and convinced many onlookers to give it a try.
Bottom line
Gate pass or visitor pass programs are popping up at airports across the country. Whether you are visiting an airport for the first time or visiting your home airport for the first time without a boarding pass in hand, these new programs are a great way to experience all an airport has to offer without the stress of travel or a suitcase weighing you down.
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- 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.
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- 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. |
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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.