United suspends all Newark flights: What to do if you're flying through the NYC area right now
Update 9/2/21 3 p.m. ET: United has restarted Newark operations with a very limited flight schedule. Be sure to check your flight's status, and read on for more tips on what to do if you're flying through the NYC area right now.
In case you missed it, the remnants of Hurricane Ida passed through the New York City area on Wednesday.
The storm brought heavy rain, flooding and winds to the streets of Manhattan and the nearby suburbs. Though the radar has cleared up as of Thursday morning, getting around the metro area remains at best a massive inconvenience and at worst dangerous. Many streets remain flooded, and much of the subway and commuter rail system is largely suspended.
And, if your Labor Day Weekend plans included a stop at one of the region's three major airports, JFK, Newark or LaGuardia, you might want to check your flight status. At Newark, nearly 40% of flights have already been canceled on Thursday, according to live data from FlightAware. Viral social media videos from Wednesday night show severe flooding at both Newark and LaGuardia.
United Airlines, which operates its largest East Coast hub in Newark, suspended all flight activity there until 3 p.m. local time, at the earliest. Plus, the airport's Customs and Border Control facility was closed on Thursday morning, giving international flights no option other than to divert to nearby airports.
Suffice to say, you'll want to pack your patience if you're hitting the road today. Here are some other tips to consider as well.
Postpone your flight
This one's simple. If your travel plans are flexible, it might pay to postpone your flight until Friday or later in the weekend.
Most airlines, including the Big 3 U.S. carriers, along with New York-based JetBlue, have issued limited-time flexible travel waivers to make it easy to switch flights.
Though the particular waiver details differ by each airline, you'll be able to change your flight without any fees or a fare difference. Alternatively, you can cancel your ticket and collect a refund if your flight was canceled or significantly delayed.
Reroute your journey
Flexibility is the name of the game if you're committed to hitting the road on Thursday.
Since Newark appears to have suffered the worst of the region's three major airports, you might have better luck rerouting through LaGuardia or JFK.
You can also consider some other nearby regional airports, like White Plains (HPN) or Newburgh (SWF). Alternatively, if you're based in New Jersey, you might want to look at flight options from Philadelphia (PHL).
Arrive early
Before heading to the airport, you'll want to check your flight status. If your flight is canceled, then rebook at home before heading out to avoid long lines and overwhelmed customer service agents.
Assuming that your flight is on time, you'll want to give yourself plenty of extra time throughout the journey. As airlines recover from the storm, there are lots of displaced passengers (along with crew) to reaccommodate. Lines will be longer than normal, and security wait times could creep up as well.
As of press time, there was a nearly 30-minute wait to clear security at Newark's Terminal A, and that number could creep up as airlines rebuild their schedules later in the day.
Pack lightly
Much of the flooding at the region's airports appears to have impacted the below-wing operations, including the baggage claim and sorting facilities.
As such, it could make sense to leave your checked bag at home. Some of the equipment may have been damaged during the storm, which could cause longer-than-normal waits at the baggage claim. Airlines are likely still unloading and sorting through the checked bags from canceled flights on Wednesday, so adding more on Thursday might overwhelm the system.
If I was hitting the road today, I'd do everything in my power to travel with hand luggage only.
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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
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- 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.
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- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
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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Intro Offer
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
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. (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.