TPG readers share their wish lists for airport amenities in 2020
In 2019, airports across the United States were creative in bringing passengers some fresh and very welcome new amenities.
More than a dozen food venues at Chicago's Midway Airport now offer kids meal combos served with a side of chips and 12oz bottle of milk or water for under $10. Better yet, menus are posted online, so parents with picky eaters are able to plan ahead.
Tampa International Airport, Seattle Tacoma International Airport and the reborn Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport joined Pittsburgh International Airport in offering gate passes to non-ticketed passengers. In late 2019, Detroit Metropolitan Airport rolled out a visitor pass pilot program that became permanent in early 2020.
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No TSA PreCheck, CLEAR or access to the Premium line at the security checkpoint? No problem. Boston Logan Airport's Ticket to Skip program gives travelers a bonus way to skip the 'regular' TSA line. Passengers who arrive at the airport via water shuttle or water taxi receive an orange ticket on the shuttle ride to the airport that gives them priority access to the security line.
And last but not least, Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) now has a purple-hued store selling music, books, T-shirts, memorabilia and other items related to the late Minnesota musician known as Prince.
What do we want airports to give us in 2020?
We asked members of the TPG Lounge Facebook group what new amenities they'd like airports to roll out in 2020. Here are some of their answers, edited for clarity and brevity.
Workouts and refresh options
Many readers have pay-per-use airport gyms on their wish list. "Even a simple one with a few treadmills, cross trainers and weight machines would be great," said Josh M. If those pay-per-per use gyms had shorts and shirts for sale "for cheap," Dominic P. would be happy: "It could be included as part of a membership or credit card program." He added, "It would be cool if airline lounges had a workout area."
"Yoga/wellness classes would be nice," said Pamela A. "Massages too."
Jack G. would like "relatively affordable shower services" outside of a lounge, "like 1 hour for $25 or something."
Dry bar/blow out bars are on several travelers' wish lists. And Brittany F. suggests in-airport laundromats. "It would be convenient to wash clothes when flying between stop on a long trip," she said.
Henry N. and many others want more sleeping pods or short stay hotels for overnight transit passengers, "and perhaps massage chairs."
Matthew A. suggests toilet stalls that make it easy to close the door when you take your roller bag in. It would be helpful if the stall doors "opened out instead of in," said Mindy F.
More wish list items
Moises H. suggests a painted lane for the golf carts that take passengers between gates. That way, "everyone can step in the lane, but at least we would be more aware of where they are coming from."
Catherine A., Marissa G. and others wish for more play areas for kids. Others suggested day care service.
Red more: Best airports for kids during layovers in the United States
Other items on readers' wish list include remote luggage check-in options, more places to refill water bottles and the return of post-security lockers. "Sometimes I want to explore the shops without my bags," notes Sparkle M.
Readers want airport pharmacies with reasonably priced essentials, more outdoor decks after security, better signage, and more visitor pass programs. Small grocery stores would be nice, "so you can grab necessities on your way home and get healthy food and essentials on your way out of town," said Shannon M.
Susan C. and several others wants signs in gate seating areas that say, "Please be courteous and place bags on the floor so another passenger will have a seat."
And Max C. just wants "Anything [Singapore's] Changi Airport has."
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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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- 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. |
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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.