Name: American Express® Gold Card
Brand: American Express

Quick summary

A new flagship airline lounge has opened at New York LaGuardia, offering the largest space in the network at 34,800 square feet.
The lounge features a wide variety of seating, two buffets with diverse food options, a premium bar and modern amenities including fast Wi-Fi and phone booths.
Restrooms are modernized with touch-free entry and occupancy indicators, and there are family and nursing facilities available.
Future expansions will add nearly 100 seats, an outdoor deck and a second bar, further enhancing the lounge experience.

What to consider

Premium liquor at the bar is available for an additional charge, either in cash or miles, while house beverages are included.
The lounge does not have shower suites, as the airport does not handle long-haul flights; this space is used for additional seating.
Existing lounges in the former terminal will close as the new facility becomes fully operational.

What you'll miss from the article

A detailed look at the lounge's unique design features, art installations and practical tips for navigating the new space.

Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.

Airport lounges can be a great place to relax before your flight.

They come in many varieties — there are lounges operated by airlines, credit card issuers and independent companies — and access policies differ at each space.

Of the U.S. airlines, Delta Air Lines has done the best job at building out a network of membership lounges that travelers actually want to visit. The airline's Sky Clubs have been improving in recent years, with a focus on modern design, elevated food and beverage offerings and top-notch amenities.

The carrier recently debuted a brand-new flagship space in its new Los Angeles Sky Way terminal, and now Delta is doing the same in New York LaGuardia.

Delta will open a new Sky Club on Saturday, June 4, in its new arrivals and departures hall in LaGuardia Airport (LGA). Once fully complete, the 34,800-square feet space will be the largest in the entire Delta system.

The airline took the wraps off its newest club on Wednesday, and TPG was there to get a detailed first look.

Hours and entry

The new Sky Club will be open from 5 a.m. until 9:15 p.m. every day except Saturday when it'll close one hour earlier at 8:15 p.m.

You'll find the entrance located just west of the central security checkpoint. There are plenty of signs pointing you to the hard-to-miss entrance.

Once inside, you can scan your boarding pass at one of the kiosks to gain entry without needing to visit an agent. You'll then take an escalator, elevator or stairs up one level to the lounge itself.

For more about entering the Sky Club, be sure to check out our detailed access guide.

Plenty of seating

When it opens on Saturday, the Sky Club will have seating for 580 passengers.

While many clubs have just a handful of seating options, this Sky Club has perhaps the biggest variety in terms of seating options that I've seen at an airport lounge to date.

There are solo chairs, couches, individual workstations, dining tables, co-working tables and so much more. You'll have no issue finding a place to catch up on work or kick back with a cocktail in this lounge.

There are four distinct seating areas. Two areas flank each of the east and west sides of the lounge.

There's a central dining area with plenty of tables, and then a long corridor with a media wall and other workstations stretching along the width of the lounge's interior.

Delta Sky Club LaGuardia LGA — (Photo by Zach Griff/The Points Guy)

But it's not just about the variety of seating options. Each area is thoughtfully designed, with an emphasis on privacy and spatial flow.

Plus, thanks to the floor-to-ceiling windows and vaulted ceilings, there's plenty of natural light. While this Sky Club will be Delta's largest by square feet, it also feels like the biggest by volume — the ceilings are some of the tallest I've seen across the entire Delta network.

2 buffets, 1 premium bar

The new Sky Club takes another design cue from the Los Angeles (LAX) outpost — it features not one, but two buffets, which should help spread the crowds around the entire space.

The main buffet is located just after entering the lounge. It'll feature a mix of both hot and cold foods, many of which will cater to a range of dietary restrictions, including vegetarian, gluten-free and vegan. Kosher food is available upon request.

The second buffet is located closer to the western edge of the lounge. This will feature a rotating chef's action station that'll offer different New York City-inspired ethnic foods each week.

Each buffet is also flanked by a hydration station with Eversys coffee machines, a Coca-Cola freestyle machine and a Bevi water tap.

The main buffet sits adjacent to the lounge's premium bar, which is stocked with a range of high-end liquor options. Premium liquor is available for an additional charge (either in dollars or SkyMiles), while house beverages are included with entry.

Redeeming SkyMiles for a bottle of Dom Champagne remains an above-average value at 13,000 miles. The cash price is $195.

TPG toured the lounge's kitchens, which look more like something you'd find in a catering hall than at an airport. The chefs were visibly excited about the new digs, though it's still clear that we're in an airport — all the knives are chained to the floor as a security measure.

Modernized restrooms

There are two sets of restrooms in the lounge, one at each end.

Like Delta's newest outposts in Salt Lake City, Fort Lauderdale and Los Angeles, the restrooms feature wave-to-enter doors for a touch-free experience.

Once inside, you'll find plenty of mirrors and Le Labo hand soaps near the vanities.

My favorite feature, however, is the new green/red occupancy indicator above the stalls, which will tell you which ones are vacant without needing to walk up to each one.

In addition to the gender-specific restrooms, there are two gender-neutral family bathrooms, as well as a nursing room.

Amenities galore

Delta's new LaGuardia lounge is packed with amenities.

For one, the Sky Club has all the basics covered. There are power outlets, USB-A and USB-C ports at nearly every seat.

You're never more than an arm's length away from power. Plus, some of the workstations even offer Qi-wireless charging mats.

Fast and free Wi-Fi is available throughout the space, and download and upload speeds measured over 100 Mbps during my visit.

The LaGuardia lounge will also be the first in New York to feature Framery phone booths, which first debuted with the airline's new Sky Club in Salt Lake City.

There are seven of these phone booths in the lounge, and I'm sure they'll be a hit with the plethora of business travelers passing through the airport. There's even a wireless printer located just outside of the phone booths for all your printing needs.

Delta's newest lounges feel just as much like a place to relax as an art museum. The LGA location is no exception, as it features a handful of curated, NYC-inspired works.

My personal favorite is the train station-inspired lounge area, with subway signs and train motifs adorning the walls. Regardless of where you look, you'll likely be within an eyeshot of a piece of art.

The LGA outpost doesn't feature shower suites, unfortunately. Delta explained that since LGA doesn't handle long-haul flights, it decided to forgo building showers. Instead, the airline is using the space that it would've dedicated to showers for more seating areas.

LaGuardia is prone to delays, and Delta knows that. To help you during irregular operations, the airline added six agent-staffed desks in the lounge. You'll be able to seek help here if your flight is delayed or canceled.

During the busiest periods, you can even reserve your spot in a virtual queue using one of the digital kiosks. You'll receive a text message when it's your turn.

The best is yet to come

While the LaGuardia Sky Club is already one of, if not the, nicest in the entire system, it'll only get better.

As Delta works to complete the rest of the terminal, it'll also expand the Sky Club by adding nearly 100 seats, as well as a year-round, all-weather outdoor Sky Deck that'll measure 1,800 square feet.

The expansion will also add a second bar area when it opens in 2024.

In the meantime, the airline will permanently shutter the two existing Sky Clubs in the former Terminal C. The airline will keep its location in Terminal D open for the coming months, but that also will permanently close later on in the construction progress.

Delta says it's 80% complete with the entire LaGuardia redevelopment project, but it's already a massive improvement that's only poised to get better, especially with the opening of the snazzy new Sky Club on Saturday.

TPG featured card

American Express® Gold Card

TPG editor's rating

at American Express's secure site.
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.

Rewards rate

Rewards rate
Rate	Category
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.
5X	Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™.
3X	Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App™, or purchased directly from airlines.
2X	Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
1X	Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.

Intro offer

As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

Annual fee

$325

Regular APR

See Pay Over Time APR

Recommended credit

Excellent to Good

Pros + cons

Pros

Valuable dining and food-related credits
Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
Multiple travel and purchase protections
No foreign transaction fees
Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)

Cons

Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits

More details

You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 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 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™.
Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App™, or purchased directly from airlines.
Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
$120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
$100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
$84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
$120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
Enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
Book two nights or more with The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and receive a $100* credit towards eligible charges at over 1,400 upscale hotels worldwide. *Eligible charges vary by property.
Book your travel through the Amex Travel App™ with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
No Foreign Transaction Fees.
Annual Fee is $325.
Terms Apply.

Pros

Valuable dining and food-related credits
Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
Multiple travel and purchase protections
No foreign transaction fees
Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)

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 $8,000 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 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™.
Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App™, or purchased directly from airlines.
Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
$120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
$100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
$84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
$120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
Enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
Book two nights or more with The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and receive a $100* credit towards eligible charges at over 1,400 upscale hotels worldwide. *Eligible charges vary by property.
Book your travel through the Amex Travel App™ with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
No Foreign Transaction Fees.
Annual Fee is $325.
Terms Apply.

Airport lounges can be a great place to relax before your flight.

They come in many varieties — there are lounges operated by airlines, credit card issuers and independent companies — and access policies differ at each space.

The carrier recently debuted a brand-new flagship space in its new Los Angeles Sky Way terminal, and now Delta is doing the same in New York LaGuardia.

The airline took the wraps off its newest club on Wednesday, and TPG was there to get a detailed first look.

Hours and entry

The new Sky Club will be open from 5 a.m. until 9:15 p.m. every day except Saturday when it'll close one hour earlier at 8:15 p.m.

You'll find the entrance located just west of the central security checkpoint. There are plenty of signs pointing you to the hard-to-miss entrance.

Once inside, you can scan your boarding pass at one of the kiosks to gain entry without needing to visit an agent. You'll then take an escalator, elevator or stairs up one level to the lounge itself.

For more about entering the Sky Club, be sure to check out our detailed access guide.

Plenty of seating

When it opens on Saturday, the Sky Club will have seating for 580 passengers.

While many clubs have just a handful of seating options, this Sky Club has perhaps the biggest variety in terms of seating options that I've seen at an airport lounge to date.

There are four distinct seating areas. Two areas flank each of the east and west sides of the lounge.

There's a central dining area with plenty of tables, and then a long corridor with a media wall and other workstations stretching along the width of the lounge's interior.

But it's not just about the variety of seating options. Each area is thoughtfully designed, with an emphasis on privacy and spatial flow.

2 buffets, 1 premium bar

The new Sky Club takes another design cue from the Los Angeles (LAX) outpost — it features not one, but two buffets, which should help spread the crowds around the entire space.

The second buffet is located closer to the western edge of the lounge. This will feature a rotating chef's action station that'll offer different New York City-inspired ethnic foods each week.

Each buffet is also flanked by a hydration station with Eversys coffee machines, a Coca-Cola freestyle machine and a Bevi water tap.

Redeeming SkyMiles for a bottle of Dom Champagne remains an above-average value at 13,000 miles. The cash price is $195.

Modernized restrooms

There are two sets of restrooms in the lounge, one at each end.

Like Delta's newest outposts in Salt Lake City, Fort Lauderdale and Los Angeles, the restrooms feature wave-to-enter doors for a touch-free experience.

Once inside, you'll find plenty of mirrors and Le Labo hand soaps near the vanities.

My favorite feature, however, is the new green/red occupancy indicator above the stalls, which will tell you which ones are vacant without needing to walk up to each one.

In addition to the gender-specific restrooms, there are two gender-neutral family bathrooms, as well as a nursing room.

Amenities galore

Delta's new LaGuardia lounge is packed with amenities.

For one, the Sky Club has all the basics covered. There are power outlets, USB-A and USB-C ports at nearly every seat.

You're never more than an arm's length away from power. Plus, some of the workstations even offer Qi-wireless charging mats.

Fast and free Wi-Fi is available throughout the space, and download and upload speeds measured over 100 Mbps during my visit.

The LaGuardia lounge will also be the first in New York to feature Framery phone booths, which first debuted with the airline's new Sky Club in Salt Lake City.

Delta's newest lounges feel just as much like a place to relax as an art museum. The LGA location is no exception, as it features a handful of curated, NYC-inspired works.

During the busiest periods, you can even reserve your spot in a virtual queue using one of the digital kiosks. You'll receive a text message when it's your turn.

The best is yet to come

While the LaGuardia Sky Club is already one of, if not the, nicest in the entire system, it'll only get better.

The expansion will also add a second bar area when it opens in 2024.

Hours and entry

Plenty of seating

2 buffets, 1 premium bar

Modernized restrooms

Amenities galore

The best is yet to come

Comments

Comments

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TPG featured card

TPG featured card

American Express® Gold Card

Rewards rate

Intro offer

Annual fee

Regular APR

Recommended credit

Pros + cons

Pros

Cons

More details

Pros

Cons

Hours and entry

Plenty of seating

2 buffets, 1 premium bar

Modernized restrooms

Amenities galore

The best is yet to come

Comments

Is this the best Priority Pass lounge in the country?

The best lounges at DFW Airport: Admirals Clubs, Centurion and more

The best lounges at O’Hare International Airport— and how to get inside

Is this new space the best Alaska Airlines lounge in the country?

TPG featured card

American Express® Gold Card

Rewards rate

Intro offer

Annual fee

Regular APR

Recommended credit

Pros + cons

Pros

Cons

More details

Pros

Cons

American Express® Gold Card

Rewards rate

Intro offer

Annual fee

Regular APR

Recommended credit

Pros + cons

Pros

Cons

More details

Pros

Cons

American Express® Gold Card

Rewards rate

Intro offer

Annual fee

Regular APR

Recommended credit

Pros + cons

Pros

Cons

More details

Pros

Cons

American Express® Gold Card

Rewards rate

Intro offer

Annual fee

Regular APR