A different kind of upgrade: US airports get $1 billion in federal infrastructure funds
Airports around the country are about to clear the upgrade list.
Nearly $1 billion in grants were awarded by the federal government to 114 U.S. airports Thursday, part of a push to modernize U.S. infrastructure.
The money comes from the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure act, which sets aside five years of grant funding to modernize the country's air travel infrastructure under the Airport Terminal Program — one of a few aviation-oriented aspects of the overall law.
Funds will go to a variety of projects ranging from new faster, more efficient baggage systems and larger, more navigable security checkpoints to new terminal buildings, expanded ground transportation areas and refurbished air traffic control towers.
During a press conference at Charlotte-Douglas International Airport (CLT), which will receive $27 million toward replacing aging jet bridges, Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said that while some of the funding will go to less splashy projects, those are still essential to the overall travel experience.
"Not even most of us infrastructure nerds get up in the morning thinking about jet bridges," Buttigieg said. "But if your flight arrives on time, only for you to be stuck waiting to get off because of an issue with the jet bridge, you're thinking about nothing else."
Dulles International Airport (IAD) will get $35 million toward a new 14-gate terminal building, and Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) will use $20 million toward its expansion of Concourse B, which currently serves most airlines aside from Delta Air Lines.
The largest award goes to Fort Lauderdale International Airport (FLL) and will be used to connect the airport's terminals post-security, making it easier for passengers to navigate the airport and possibly allowing for more connections there.
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One of the largest awards, $40 million, will go to Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to fund passenger experience and accessibility improvements to Terminal 3, such as a widening of the central corridor, a "reconfigured" security checkpoint and new Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant restrooms.
Some of the projects also involve making airports more sustainable and resilient to severe weather amid climate change. For instance, Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) will get $7 million to fund the construction of a new foundation for one of the airport's major connector roads, which is currently built in an area of ground that's eroded due to flooding.
Smaller airports also got funds under the program, including Punta Gorda Airport (PGD) in Florida ($10 million toward refurbishing the terminal) and Standing Rock Airport in Fort Yates, North Dakota ($700,000 for a new general aviation terminal building).
In all, the grants will go toward funding 118 projects at 114 airports in 44 states and three territories, the DOT said. A full list of the awards is available on the Federal Aviation Administration's website.
Under the Biden administration, the DOT has increasingly turned its focus to the air travel passenger experience as Americans have been increasingly vocal about frustrations with airlines and air travel overall in the aftermath of the pandemic.
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The DOT has proposed various new consumer protections, with Buttigieg being notably vocal on the efforts, and President Joe Biden has called for limits on "junk fees" charged by airlines, hotels and others. The agency also issued a record fine to Southwest Airlines over a holiday season meltdown that left thousands of passengers stranded around the country.
Still, Buttigieg and the DOT have had to navigate a variety of challenges, including a decadeslong air traffic controller shortage that has reached a critical inflection point, leading the FAA to issue a "slot waiver" for New York-area airports to try and reduce congestion.
Speaking with reports in Charlotte, Buttigieg said the agency's overall focus was on making travel more reliable and navigable for everyone from frequent flyers to people who travel once a year — or less.
"What all this work is about is helping Americans go about their days, wherever they're heading, for whatever reason, with less stress and fewer costs so that they can focus on what really matters."
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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.Pros
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- 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.
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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.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.