3 big lounge updates for Newark airport, including plans for an all-new Air France lounge
Waiting for your flight in Terminal B at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) isn't exactly too inspiring.
The terminal's low ceilings and crowded gate areas aren't necessarily the most welcoming, and the concession options aren't all that much better than what'll likely be served on board, especially if you're seated in business class.
While a long-term replacement for Terminal B is in the works, the good news is that there's an exciting short-term fix for travelers: the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which oversees the airport, plans to award three new leases for lounge updates.
Here's the latest.
Air France plans new Newark lounge
Perhaps the most exciting news is that Air France, one of the newest airlines to serve Newark, wants to open its own lounge at the airport.
The Paris-based carrier submitted a proposal (PDF) for a seven-year lease of a 6,129-square-foot lounge in Newark's Terminal B. If approved at the upcoming Port Authority board meeting on Thursday, the lease would go into effect around Jan. 1, 2025. (The Port Authority board has recommended that the executive director move forward with this proposal.)
While details are scant, Air France will pay rent equal to approximately $13.4 million during the initial term of the lease. It will also invest at least $3 million to refurbish the lounge space.
There's no telling where exactly the Air France lounge would be located, and the carrier declined to comment on its pending lease proposal.
That said, Air France just readded flights to Newark in December 2022 after pulling out of the market in 2012.
Since the airline is looking to invest so much money into a permanent lounge space, the newly resumed route from Newark to Paris seems to be doing well enough to support such a long-term investment.
British Airways plans overhauled Newark lounge
In addition to the new Air France lounge, British Airways is planning to invest at least $8.5 million to "fully rehabilitate and refurbish the lounge space" that it uses at Newark's Terminal B.
The airline's existing lounge at Newark is just about average. It features sweeping apron views from floor-to-ceiling windows, as well as a variety of seating areas, but it could definitely use some more modern touches.
The Port Authority didn't share any more details about the proposed upgrades, but it did say that the carrier would receive another seven-year lease valued at around $13.2 million if approved by the agency's executive director.
La Compagnie keeps its Newark lounge
Finally, La Compagnie, the all-business-class, leisure-focused French carrier, currently operates a lounge at Newark dubbed Lounge&Co.
This outpost occupies the space that previously held the airport's Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse, which mysteriously closed in mid-2023 without notice. The space lay vacant for some time before it emerged as a La Compagnie lounge earlier this year.
The carrier didn't put much work into the lounge — it still maintains much of the decor from the Virgin Atlantic days — but it does plan to renew its lease for the space.
The nearly 5,000-square-foot lounge will cost La Compagnie nearly $8 million in rent for the next seven years. In addition to the lease payments, the airline would need to also invest at least $1.9 million "to refurbish the lounge," the Port Authority says in its board agenda.
We'll be following along closely because these improvements to the passenger experience at Newark's most dreaded terminal can't come soon enough.
Of course, all these lounge upgrades come as the airport also expects to debut a new American Express Centurion Lounge at some point in 2026.
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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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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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.