Why aren’t airport lounges and restaurants in New York enforcing the city's vaccine mandate?
On Aug. 17, the mayor of New York announced the Key to NYC program, which is essentially a vaccine mandate for anyone dining indoors, using a gym or attending indoor entertainment venues in one of the city's five boroughs.
After a four-week-long soft launch, the requirement officially took effect on Sept. 13. Residents, tourists and employees alike must present their vaccination certificates to enjoy many of the city's top attractions.
Throughout my experience around the city, compliance with the new mandate has been nearly 100%. I've been asked to provide my vaccination card before entering any restaurant, comedy show or fitness class I've taken.
But, I also spend a good amount of time transiting the region's major airports, and I haven't once been asked for my vaccination card to enter airport lounges or restaurants where indoor dining is allowed, including during stops at both Terminal B and D in LaGuardia, as well as visits to Terminal 1, 5, and 8 at JFK.
Neither have my high-flying colleagues.
TPG executive editor Scott Mayerowitz visited three lounges at JFK’s Terminal 4 on Sept. 28 to test out the latest COIVD-19 protocols. Check-in agents at the American Express Centurion Lounge, the Delta Sky Club and the Wingtips Lounge - part of Priority Pass - never asked for proof of vaccination. In fact, the only extra step was at Wingtips, where a temperature check occurred.
Senior travel reporter Victoria Walker visited the American Express Centurion Lounge in LaGuardia's Terminal B on Oct. 8, and no vaccine card was required for entry. (Interestingly, she was asked to present proof of vaccination to enter the Amtrak Metropolitan Lounge on Oct. 4 in the Moynihan Train Hall in downtown Manhattan.)
In fact, at both JFK and LaGuardia, the Key to NYC program doesn't seem to exist, despite the mandate that would theoretically apply to indoor dining locations at both airports.
On its website, the New York City Department of Health lists the requirements for the Key to NYC program, along with a detailed FAQ page. In it, there's a question stating "what types of food service establishments are required to comply with the program?"
The answer goes on to explain the requirements: any establishment located in New York City that's issued a grade by the Health Department for its cleanliness and hygiene and that also offers indoor dining or beverage service.
Well, a quick search of the city's restaurant grading database shows that nearly every lounge and dining establishment in both JFK and LaGuardia should be required to comply with the mandate.
Both airports are located in Queens, New York, and nearly every lounge, restaurant and food court offers indoor dining and has been issued a grade by the Health Department.
For instance, I flew down to Atlanta this week for a first-look tour of Delta's retrofitted Airbus A330. I popped into the Sky Club in Terminal D — which gets an "A" for sanitation — and I wasn't asked to present my vaccine card, despite plenty of travelers eating indoors and crowding the bar.
The same was true the previous week in the Air France lounge in JFK's Terminal 1. And at the Cibo Express food court in JetBlue's Terminal 5. (Both of which also received "A" grades.)
Puzzled, I went back to the Department of Health's guidebook for the Key to NYC program and searched for a carve-out for airports or travel providers. Not only couldn't I find one, but it was clear the city is enforcing the mandate in other large places of gathering, including "hotels, colleges and universities and malls."
Perhaps I was missing something, so I sent a press inquiry to the media inbox at the Department of Health on Sept. 28. Essentially, I wanted to learn if airports were excluded from the Key to NYC mandate.
My first and second emails and phone calls from late September went unreturned, and only on the third try earlier this week on Oct. 13 did I receive a response from a spokesperson saying "checking and will get back when possible." I also reached out to the Port Authority, which oversees the region's airports.
Well, as of press time, I still haven't heard back from the city or the Port Authority, and the mystery remains unsolved. Ultimately, the decision about whether this applies to the region's airport rests with the city's Health Department and the mayor's office.
Until then, if you're planning a trip to New York — be sure to pack your vaccine card, but keep it stowed securely in your belongings while transiting through the region's airports.
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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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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.