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Dulles and Reagan are latest airports to add mobile food ordering
Sean Cudahy
Senior Aviation Reporter
Sean Cudahy is an aviation reporter covering news about airlines, frequent flyer programs and consumer travel issues.
July 23, 2022
•
4 min read
Dulles and Reagan are latest airports to add mobile food ordering
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Airports in our nation's capital region are the latest to add mobile food ordering options for travelers.
Travelers are now able to place food and drink orders online or through an app for pickup at vendors inside Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).
The move is the latest example of major airports turning to mobile ordering — a trend that both airlines and airports have moved toward in recent years. It also comes as travelers have faced long lines at airport restaurants and other retailers during the pandemic, while certain locations have battled staffing shortages and temporary closures as travel rebounded.
Travelers can't yet have food and drinks actually delivered to their gates at Dulles and Reagan airports like they can in New York and some other airports around the country. However, D.C. airport officials say that service is coming in the near future.
The immediate change at Dulles and Reagan allows customers to place a food or drink order through an app or a browser and then bypass the line to pick up their order when it's ready.
You can order at IADordernow.com or DCAordernow.com. It's likely many travelers will make use of the on-the-go ordering option through the DC Airports app, though.
It's easy enough to use. Within seconds of downloading the free app, I was able to select "Shops," and then "Dine" at the top of the page. There were several businesses from which to choose.
I clicked on &Pizza, which is a concessionaire available in multiple terminals at Dulles and at Reagan, too. The menu and prices pop up quickly, and you'll be able to input your entire order this way. Once you submit it, the staff will begin preparing your meal and you can pick it up once it's ready.
Related: Your firsthand look at robot mobile ordering and gate delivery
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Speaking from experience, online ordering is a great way to bypass the line when you're at the airport concourse. Particularly in those morning hours when lines at coffee shops can really back up, I've used the Starbucks app to quickly pick up my coffee without having to stand in line at all — using the time instead to get work done until the order is ready.
There are a whole bunch of restaurant locations available as part of this mobile ordering service. They range from fast-casual locations and coffee shops to sit-down restaurants and upscale bars, according to the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, which operates Dulles and Reagan.
Based on the list of mobile ordering-equipped vendors MWAA shared, there are options available on all concourses at Dulles and all but the A gates at Reagan.
Keep in mind that after recent, major changes at Reagan that include a change in the location of the TSA checkpoints, you're now able to roam the National Hall and the concourses of what is now known as Terminal 2.
Featured image by DANIEL SLIM/AFP/GETTY IMAGES
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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Best for dining at restaurants
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Go to reviewCard Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
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. |
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$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.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.