AirTrain fares to JFK airport reduced by 50% to ease summer traffic crunch
Travelers heading in and out of New York City looking to save some money are getting a summer surprise. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is cutting AirTrain fares to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) by 50% as it tries to reduce traffic congestion during the summer travel season.
It’s not a permanent price cut, but fares will drop from $8.50 to $4.25 starting June 30 through Labor Day. While some travelers view the AirTrain as an inconvenient way to get to JFK, this reduction might make people rethink their plans, especially when considering how bad traffic could be this summer.
JFK is around 15 miles from Midtown Manhattan, and traffic to and from the airport is always busy. This summer, however, brings a perfect storm of events that threaten to create major traffic problems. The airport is currently in the midst of a $19 billion renovation, the largest airport redevelopment project in the U.S. At the same time, the Port Authority expects a record-breaking travel summer, with more than 18.3 million passengers expected to pass through it during that time.
Related: The best ways to get from JFK Airport to Manhattan
“As we head into a busy summer construction period in our $19 billion effort to build a new JFK International with record traveler volumes, we are once again asking travelers to leave their cars at home and take public transit to the airport,” Port Authority chairman Kevin O’Toole said in a statement.
“The discounted AirTrain fare is one of a multitude of steps we’re taking to move passengers to and from JFK as quickly and reliably as possible," he said.
You can connect to the AirTrain JFK via the Long Island Railroad, the New York City Subway and through local buses. The AirTrain connects travelers from two major transit hubs: Howard Beach Station and Jamaica Station.
Howard Beach offers a direct connection from the A subway line; Jamaica Station is accessible via the E, J and Z lines, as well as the LIRR from Grand Central Madison, Penn Station and Atlantic Terminal. Both AirTrain entry points require payment via MetroCard or OMNY; taking the AirTrain around JFK Airport remains free.
Construction at JFK is approaching its peak for roadway work, with the Port Authority expecting more than $200 million of construction activity each month from now until the end of summer. With that in mind, access to the airport by car is going to be limited — especially around Terminal 7, where the old access route is being demolished to make way for steel beams that will support a new roadway leading to Terminal 6.
“We apologize for any inconvenience, but we promise that a new JFK is just around the corner, with the first new gates opening next year,” Rick Cotton, the executive director of the Port Authority, said. The redevelopment of JFK Airport will include a brand-new Terminal 1 and Terminal 6, with Terminals 4 and 8 undergoing massive renovations and expansions.
Airport officials are encouraging travelers to take advantage of the AirTrain fare reductions. For those who must drive to the airport, officials recommend arriving at least three hours before your flight and pre-booking parking on the JFK airport website. Customers using ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft will need to meet their drivers at remote pick-up lots.
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- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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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. |
| 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. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
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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. (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.