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How to visit the New Orleans airport terminal without a ticket

Dec. 04, 2019
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3 min read
1-New Terminal - courtesy Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport
How to visit the New Orleans airport terminal without a ticket
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Just a month after a its overnight operations switch from the worn, old terminal to a swanky new on, Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) joins the list of airports that welcomes non-ticketed visitors airside.

The free MSY Guest Pass program kicking off today allows non-flying guests to enjoy the new shopping and dining offerings at the airport and to listen to live music performances at special stages inside the terminal.

More importantly perhaps, this means that pass-holders are also now able to spend mo tre time with friends and family leaving for trips or to be waiting there at the gate to welcome someone home.

Here’s how the MSY Guest Pass program works.

Related: Would you eat at an airport even if you aren’t flying? New Orleans is betting yes

To get a pass, visitors need to sign up online at least 24 hours in advance and provide their full name as it appears on their government-issued photo ID as well as their date of birth and contact information. On the day of their visit, pass-seekers first visit a customer service desk to have their ID reviewed and their pass issued. Then, each passholder lines up and goes through security checkpoint screening along with ticketed passengers.

MSY isn’t the first airport to invite non-ticketed guests past security in the terminal.

Both Tampa International Airport (TPA) and Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) operate year-round gate pass programs. And through January 5, Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) is running a gate pass test. Word has it that other airports are considering gate pass programs as well.

PIT’s MyPITPass program is available Monday to Friday. TPA’s All Access pass is offered for Saturday visits. During the pilot program, DTW’s Destination Pass operates Tuesday through Sunday.

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Related: The best credit cards for airline lounge access

Right out of the gate, though, MSY’s Guest Pass program leaps ahead of these other programs by being available seven days a week, although each participant may only get one pass a month. MSY plans to issue passes to 50 visitors each weekday and to 100 visitors on Saturdays and Sundays.

Although getting to and from MSY airport from the city takes at least a half hour, there are plenty of reasons to spend time at the new Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport.

The light-filled, $1.029 billion terminal complex has 35 gates, pre and post-security stages for live music, three rooms for nursing mothers and an art-filled Delta Sky Club. There are also plenty of locally themed shops and restaurants, including Emeril’s Table, Dook’s, Bar Sazerac, Lucky Dogs, Munch Factory, MoPho, Mondo (created by Chef Susan Spicer), Cafe du Monde and Leah’s Kitchen, which pays homage to the late and much-beloved local chef Leah Chase.

A view of Leah's Cafe at the New Orleans airport, featuring a mural by Ayo Scott. (Photo by Harriet Baskas/TPG)

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  • 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.