Ambitious New Kansas City Airport Hits Another Snag
The current state of the airport serving Missouri's second largest metropolitan area is quite dismal, to say the least. Kansas City International Airport (MCI) serves just over 11 million passengers per year and serves a metropolitan area of around 2 million. By no means a large airport, Kansas City International Airport still sees a substantial number of connecting passengers thanks to Southwest Airlines. Even without connecting passengers, Kansas City International Airport is quite inadequate with the original three horseshoe terminals constructed in the late 1960s.
After 2006 renovations failed to address to glaring inadequacies and security concerns, Kansas City voters in 2017 voted in favor of a brand new single, unified terminal. The Kansas City City Council initially approved a $964 million plan to build a brand new airport at the current site. Now, contractors and construction partners are estimating costs potentially exceeding $1.6 billion and delays that could exceed a year. In addition to costs nearly doubling and delays, two airlines are protesting the construction project.
Spirit and Allegiant Disapprove of the Brand New KC Airport
The Kansas City Star reported that two of the airport's tenants, Spirit Airlines and Allegiant Air, sent a letter to the Kansas City City Council expressing each airline's concerns regarding the new terminal. The main concern the two airlines had surrounding the new terminal was not only the $1.6 billion price tag, but also how airlines would pay for the new terminal.
Kansas City voters approved a project that would be paid for by the airlines that serve the airport, not taxpayers. Though airlines did not object to the initial plan (~$960 million), the new $1.6 billion master plan has raised questions for airlines. Among construction costs that were mentioned in the letter from the two airlines were how airlines would pay for the $20+ million baggage system.
In a statement to the Kansas City Star, a Spirit Airlines executive said, "We believe the current investment proposal is simply ... too costly for smaller new entrant carriers to bear and still deliver the value that we deliver to the community in terms of low airfares." Both Allegiant and Spirit stated that they believe Kansas City is in need of upgraded terminal facilities.
The agreement between the city and the airport's tenants is still under negotiation. Allegiant Air's VP of Airports and Government Affairs Keith Hansen expressed concern that larger airlines at the airport expected smaller airlines like Allegiant and Spirit to pay more than is necessary.
While the objections from the two budget carriers are most likely far from the final nail in the coffin for the ambitious new airport project, it presents yet another variable that will need to be addressed moving forward. The far more significant barrier for the KC Airport project is the rising costs and delays.
The new Kansas City airport terminal would consist of two modern airside concourses accessible from a single main atrium. The airport would feature 42 gates expandable to 50 gates should additional gates be needed in the future. The project also includes a new parking structure.
For many, the new Kansas City International Airport project might not seem very relevant, however, a new development from Southwest Airlines has raised the stakes for the city and passengers. According to the Kansas City Business Journal, a new modern airport terminal at Kansas City International Airport would serve as the airline's perfect new mid-continent hub. If Southwest Airlines were to move to a newly constructed Kansas City International Airport terminal, passengers from across the Midwest who normally connect via Chicago-Midway (MDW) or St. Louis-Lambert International Airport (STL) would likely connect through Kansas City.
As of the Kansas City Star's report on Allegiant and Spirit's objection to the project, construction was still slated to begin sometime in 2019.
H/T: USAToday
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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. (Partner offer)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.
- 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.
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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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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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
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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.