Greetings at the gate: Visitor pass programs on the uptick at U.S. airports
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information.
In the “good old days” of air travel you could accompany a friend or a family member to the airport, hang out together before the flight and save the goodbyes until boarding.
You could also be there to greet someone at the gate as they walked off the plane.
All that changed after 9/11, when tighter security restrictions turned send-offs and welcome-home embraces into hurried gestures at the curb or in the security checkpoint line.
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But now, a growing list of U.S. airports have the OK from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to offer airside access to non-ticketed visitors so they can shop, eat, check out the airplanes and hug at the gate.
All the airport programs require visitors to apply for their passes ahead of time and be checked against no-fly lists. All visitor passholders are subject to the same security screening and regulations as the ticketed passengers, who are boarding a plane.
Airports you can visit without a plane ticket
Some airports are expanding their visitor pass programs after successful test programs. The airport in Flint, Michigan, recently launched its own program. Here's the latest information on visitor pass programs:
Tampa International Airport
As of Jan. 18, 2020, Tampa International Airport (TPA) extended its Saturday-only TPA All Access program to everyday.
“This airport belongs to the Tampa Bay community, and our All Access program is one way of making sure as many people as possible can experience all it has to offer,” said Joseph Lopano, the airport's chief executive officer.
The TPA All Access program, which was introduced in May 2019, operates from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., allows a non-flying guest with a visitor pass to visit airside bars, restaurants and passengers waiting areas in the terminal. TPA has four airside areas (A, C, E and F) and each has its own security checkpoint.
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport
In December 2019, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) brought back and made permanent the SEA Visitor Pass it tested out in 2018. Now, just a month after re-introducing the program, SEA has doubled - to 200 - the number of daily visitors passes it issues.
SEA’s Visitor Pass program operates daily, from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Bishop International Airport in Flint, Michigan
The newest airport to welcome non-ticketed visitors to its terminal is Bishop International Airport (FNT) in Flint, Michigan.
The airport has two gift shops, two restaurant/bars, a kids’ play area, a nursing room and a shoeshine stand available to non-ticketed visitors under the new FNT Visitors Pass program. The program operates Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Registration is allowed no more than 24 hours prior to your visit.
Detroit Metropolitan Airport
On Jan. 3, 2020, Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW), announced that it was extending its DTW Destination Pass indefinitely after a success trial run.
“We understand that our facility is more than just an airport,” said Chad Newton, the Wayne County Airport Authority chief executive officer. “It is a pleasure to offer everyone a chance to experience DTW and created memories that will last a lifetime.”
The program is limited to 75 DTW Destination Passes per day and allows guests to enter the airport terminal Tuesdays through Sundays from 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. and stay in the terminals until 10 p.m.
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport
The MSY Guest Pass program at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) is available daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Applications must be made at least 24 hours in advance.
The program was introduced in early December 2019, just a month after airport operations switched from the worn, old terminal to a swanky new one.
Pittsburgh International Airport
In the summer of 2017, Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) was the first to introduce a visitor program, with “MyPITPass,” giving the non-traveling public access to the shops, restaurants and artwork beyond the security checkpoints. The PIT gate passes are issued Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (no advance sign-up necessary) and a pass is valid for the day it’s issued.
What do you think of the airport visitor pass programs? Have you made use of one of these programs? Let us know what your experience was like.
Additional reporting by Liz Hund.
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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.
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| 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. |
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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)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.