Denver airport opens new gates for United Airlines, first of 39-gate expansion
Airports around the country are opening expansion projects at a regular clip even as the coronavirus pandemic continues to ravage air travel.
Denver International Airport (DEN) is the latest to join the fray with a virtual ribbon-cutting on the first piece of its 39-gate expansion Friday. United Airlines will begin operating flights out of the four new gates on western end of Concourse B on Sunday (Nov. 22).
Opening at a time when national passenger volumes are down more than 60% year-over-year, Denver and other airports are betting that they will need the space once travelers return. Salt Lake City (SLC) airport opened a new terminal complex in September, while Baltimore/Washington (BWI), Nashville (BNA), New York LaGuardia (LGA) and Portland, Oregon (PDX) have all opened concourse expansions in recent months.
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Rapidly growing airports like Denver lacked the facilities to expand prior to the crisis. This prompted the inauguration of major airport works from the Mile High City to Los Angeles, Seattle and Washington, D.C. in recent years.
And rather than stop works already underway, many airports are speeding things up. Delta Air Lines and the operator of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) have shaved roughly $60 million off the price tag to rebuild Terminals 2 and 3 there by cutting up to a year-and-a-half from the schedule.
However, some expansion projects not yet underway have been shelved for the time being. That's the fate that befell the planned new Terminal F for American Airlines at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW).
Related: United Airlines plans largest-ever Denver hub
“New gates means new capacity and the opportunity for more flights," Denver mayor Michael Hancock said during the virtual ribbon cutting on Friday.
Opportunity is the right word. In January, United outlined plans to grow its Denver hub to more than 700 daily departures by 2025. That would be the most there in the airline's history and potentially enough to make the Mile High City the second-busiest on its route map.
With the coronavirus surging, few expect United to hit 700 departures from Denver anytime soon. The carrier will operate an average of 316 daily flights from the airport in November and 327 a day in December, according to Cirium schedules.
Related: US airlines see cancellations rise amid COVID warnings against Thanksgiving travel
“These new gates really represent optimism here on our future in Denver," Matt Miller, vice president of United's Denver hub, said during the virtual ceremony. He reiterated the airline's commitment to the hub and its larger footprint that will encompass 90 gates when the full expansion works is complete in a little over a year.
The Concourse B extension houses gates B7 to B12 and looks bright and airy in photos. One feature that travelers — not just those flying United — can look forward to is the airport's first outdoor deck overlooking two runways. The space even includes a fire pit.
Related: How United Airlines’ Denver hub got to 700 flights
Four more concourse extensions at Denver are in the works. Concourse A will see 12 gates added to its western end; Concourse B will see 11 formerly ground-level regional jet gates rebuilt for seven mainline jets — Boeing 737s for example — on its eastern end; and Concourse C will gain 16 new gates to the east. The entire program is due for completion in early 2022.
Southwest Airlines will take over the 16 gates in the works on Concourse C. In February, the carrier planned to use the gates to add "depth and breadth" to its Denver base — one of the largest on its map — Southwest managing director of airport affairs Steve Sisneros said at the time.
While Southwest like United has been hit hard by the crisis, it is adding 10 new cities to its map — many of which feature new flights to Denver. The airline plans an average of 165 daily departures from the airport in December, Cirium data shows.
Related: Southwest Airlines has hubs, just don’t call them that
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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. |
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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
- 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.