Skip to content

City Council Votes Against Bringing Fast-Food Chain Chick-fil-A to San Antonio Airport

March 24, 2019
3 min read
Chick-fil-A sign in Naples, Florida.
City Council Votes Against Bringing Fast-Food Chain Chick-fil-A to San Antonio Airport
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don’t cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.

Members of the San Antonio City Council voted against a proposal on Thursday to bring fast-food chain Chick-fil-A to San Antonio International Airport (SAT).

The decision to ban the popular restaurant came just days after ThinkProgress released a report highlighting The Chick-fil-A Foundation's $1.8 million in contributions to organizations that are said to discriminate against the LGBTQ+ community. However, this isn't the first time the chain has been in the spotlight for its political beliefs: In 2012, Chick-fil-A CEO Dan T. Cathy went on record opposing same-sex marriage.

The proposed Chick-fil-A was one of 10 new concessions planned for San Antonio International. The agreement between Chick-fil-A and the airport would have been for seven years. But the San Antonio City Council voted 6-4 (with one member abstaining) against the proposed Chick-fil-A, which essentially bans the fast-food chain from operating a restaurant at the airport for the time being.

San Antonio City Council member Roberto C. Treviño told the LGBTQ+ publication Out in SA that, "With this decision, the City Council reaffirmed the work our city has done to become a champion of equality and inclusion. San Antonio is a city full of compassion, and we don't have room in our public facilities for a business with a legacy of anti-LGBTQ behavior."

A Chick-fil-A sandwich and waffle fries (Photo by David L. Ryan/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

While this isn't the first time the fast-food chain received flack because of its support for anti-LGBTQ+ organizations, Chick-fil-A told Out in SA that the restaurant, "would have liked to have had a dialogue with the city council before this decision was made." The company went on to sat that, "We agree with Councilmember Treviño that everyone is and should feel welcome at Chick-fil-A. We plan to reach out to the city council to gain a better understanding of this decision."

Chick-fil-A is relatively new to the airport concessions scene. Seven years ago, the restaurant was in just four airports across the United States. Now, the fast-food chain has more than 30 restaurants across 25 airports throughout North America. Because of the Chick-fil-A vacancy at San Antonio Airport, the concessions operator, Paradies, will look to other restaurant chains to fill the space.

Daily Newsletter
Reward your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter
Join over 700,000 readers for breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive deals from TPG’s experts

TPG has reached out to the San Antonio City Council for additional comment and will update this post with amy response.

For the latest travel news, deals and points and miles tips please subscribe to The Points Guy daily email newsletter.

Featured image by UIG via Getty Images

TPG featured card

Rewards rate
3XEarn 3X Miles on Delta purchases.
1XEarn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
Intro offer
Open Intro bonus
Earn up to 125,000 Bonus Miles
Annual fee
$650
Regular APR
19.49%-28.49% Variable
Recommended credit
Open Credit score description
Excellent to Good

Pros

  • Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
  • Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
  • Ability to earn MQDs through spending
  • Various statement credits for eligible purchases

Cons

  • Steep annual fee of $650
  • Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
  • Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
  • Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
  • Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
  • Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
  • Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
  • $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
  • Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
  • With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
  • Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
  • $650 Annual Fee.
  • Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
  • Terms Apply.
  • See Rates & Fees