The best airport amenities of 2021
2021 was a challenging year for travel, with airlines and airports only recently welcoming back passengers at close to pre-pandemic numbers. Airports everywhere continue to focus on keeping terminals sanitized and travelers safe.
But during 2021 many airports were able to offer some fresh amenities as well. Here is a round-up of some of the best ones we spotted. Feel free to drop us a note about any we’ve missed.
Shot Bar at SEA
In March, many airport bars were still closed, or only open for limited occupancy. That’s when celebrity chef Kathy Casey, operator of several food and beverage locations at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), set up a pop-up counter serving liquor shots. Named, appropriately enough, Shot Bar, and billed as the first shot bar concept in a U.S. airport, the bar served liquor shots in tiny red Solo cups to walk-up customers. The concept is set to return to SEA this summer.
Wellness Wednesdays at PHL
In October, Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) began handing out free yoga mats to passengers on what have been dubbed Wellness Wednesdays.
PHL had originally purchased 1,500 mats to give to passengers who had to stay in the airport overnight due to weather, cancellations or delays, says Leah Douglas, PHL's director of guest experience, "but now airlines proactively reschedule flights prior to weather incidents, and this lessens the number of passengers who experience overnight stays at PHL.”
Douglas and her team decided to repurpose the mats and, so far, have handed out about 700 free yoga mats to travelers. “Passengers are loving the giveaway and we have definitely met our goal to surprise and delight them,” says Douglas.
Reservation times for airport screening
Everyone hates standing in long airport security checkpoint lines. Now, travelers who don’t have TSA PreCheck or Clear to expedite the process can make a reservation to go through the security checkpoint at a handful of U.S. airports. SEA began testing its checkpoint reservation system, called SEA Spot Saver, in May, making it a permanent amenity in September. Now similar programs are offered at Newark (EWR), Los Angeles (LAX), Dallas (DFW) and several other airports.
Related: There’s a new way to get through TSA screening faster. But do you need it?
Food delivered by robots
During the pandemic, many airports rolled out mobile apps to allow passengers to order food and retail items for contactless pickup or delivery at the gate. In February, the mobile ordering service At Your Gate began pairing its human delivery teams with cargo-carrying "Gita" robots that have since been spotted in more than half a dozen airports.
Recently, fully autonomous robots from Ottonomy, called Ottobots, began operating at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG), delivering food, beverages and retail items from the Tripadvisor store.
Related: A firsthand look at robot mobile food ordering and gate delivery
PDX airport comic
During 2021, Portland International Airport (PDX) got very creative with finding ways to let passengers know about all the terminal construction underway, the detours to be endured and the great design that would soon emerge. To help tell the story, PDX had Oregon-based artist Aki Ruiz and writer JD Shadel create a comic.
Visitor Toll Pass at MCO
The Visitor Toll Pass program at Orlando International Airport (MCO) was technically born in 2019. But it was paused during the pandemic, totally revamped and reborn in a much better form in June 2021. The program helps Orlando visitors avoid having to rent toll payment transponders from rental car agencies that levy exorbitant fees. Instead, visitors use an app to reserve a loaner toll pass that is dispensed at an airport kiosk and only charges in-state, electronic pass toll rates.
Related: Hate rental car ‘convenience’ fees for tolls? Orlando has an answer
Bonus activities
Airports around the country also did a great job this year of celebrating their communities and having some fun.
More than 80 dogs — and one cat — serve on the Canine Airport Therapy Squad (also known as CATS) at Denver International Airport (DEN). And many highly trained dogs also serve on the airport’s K-9 bomb-sniffing team. So, on April 1, when DEN announced that a llama named Matilda would soon start working alongside official K-9s in luggage-checking procedures, it seemed plausible. DEN noted that “llamas are social and gentle animals. Their noses are 6 times more powerful than dogs’ and they can learn tasks after little repetition – making them perfect to check luggage.”
The airport later noted that April 1 is April Fools’ Day.
On April 15, many airports marked World Art Day by showing off pieces from their permanent art collection.
In May, during a Red Bull “Terminal Takeover,” a crew of skateboarders from five different cities held a competitive skate jam in the old, unused Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) terminal.
And on May 4, many airports shared “May the 4th be with you” messages on Star Wars Day.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 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. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
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.
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. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
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.