TPG readers' favorite airports to spend a long delay in
We recently asked our TPG Lounge audience to share which airport they'd prefer to be stuck in if they had a long flight delay, how they'd pass the time, where they'd eat (in a lounge or restaurant) and where they'd spend the night. Here’s a look at some of our favorite answers. (Some responses have been lightly edited for style and clarity).
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The best airport food, lounges and other perks
From memorable restaurants and luxurious lounges to favorite onsite hotels and proximity to fun places worth exploring, our well-traveled TPG Lounge members had a lot to say about the airports they wouldn't mind being stuck in during a long flight delay.
"Key West (EYW). I’d leave the airport and eat and drink my way down Duvall St., spend the night at the Casa Marina Key West, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, and hope my flight gets delayed again!" — Mialisa G.
"Tampa (TPA). Eat at at Columbia Restaurant, stay at the Marriott in the terminal and enjoy the sunshine from one of the new decks. Great shops and terrific restaurants." — Cathy A.
"Atlanta (ATL). Eat at One Flew South or Chicken + Beer, stop by the Delta Sky Clubs and stay at the Kimpton." — Clint F.
"Once the Centurion Lounge opens, I think Charlotte (CLT) will be great. It has a Shake Shack, Chick-Fil-A, Bojangles, two Minute Suites locations and multiple Admirals Clubs, giving you plenty of opportunities to eat and unwind." — Chris B.
Related: The best credit cards for airport lounge access
"Honolulu (HNL). If it's a really long delay, leave the airport as there aren’t any lounges worth spending much time in. Head to the Waikiki Beach area and eat and drink at any of the fantastic restaurants looking out on the Pacific. If it's overnight, get a room with points anywhere close to the airport, even if it's only for six or seven hours." — Sally A.
"San Francisco (SFO). I would watch the planes, go to Boudin Bakery and head over to the In-N-Out Burger in Millbrae right nearby. There are several hotels nearby as well, but I'd probably spend the night at my aunt’s house an hour away by bus." — Bryan A.
"Austin (AUS). Most of the food vendors and bars are iconic local spots in the city and there are lots of choices. There's an open, airy and clean terminal, with live and local music playing from the home of SXSW and ACL." — Robert W.
"Philadelphia (PHL). There's an American Express Centurion Lounge, decent stores between B & C and a good food court with Geno’s Cheesesteaks. I’d sleep for free at the Minute Suites." — John L.
Related: The ultimate guide to Amex Centurion Lounges
"Denver (DEN). Awesome local food and beer options in the airport and lots of hidden places to sit where it’s (relatively) quiet. It also has a Westin hotel attached." — Molly M.
"Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP). The Escape Lounge there is my favorite. Long corridors are great for walking around and exploring and the central 'airport mall' area has nice big couches. The Mall of America is 10 minutes away via light rail." — Andrew D.
"I would take one that has all the terminals interconnected, like IAH. [There would be] a lot of time to spend exploring, and some lounges and Priority Pass restaurants." — Frederic L.
"JFK. The TWA Hotel in front of the JetBlue terminal is a must. Step back in time when you set foot in this place and have a drink or snack at the Connie Bar, a 1962 Lockheed Constellation Aircraftqparked outside the large glass window of the main lobby, turned into a beautiful lounge. Better yet, go to the rooftop pool and bar. Let me tell you, there is nothing cooler than sitting in the warm pool, sipping a martini with a birds’ eye view of the runway and plane spotting." — Glen M.
Related: Everything you need to know about the Priority Pass program
"Dallas (DFW) is my favorite layover airport. Lots of great non-lounge food, a few lounges to choose from and it’s pretty easy to get offsite and explore if you wish." — Cameron L.
"Portland (PDX). Great food, great shopping and a free movie theater." — David K.
"The Polaris Lounges in Chicago (ORD) and San Francisco (SFO) are fantastic, although SFO has nap rooms, which are heavenly after a flight from Sydney (SYD)." — Jessica A.
"DFW. I’d stay at my favorite Hyatt at Terminal D, shop at the MAC makeup store and go to Dylan’s Candy Bar. I've even scheduled an overnight layover on a return from London just to stay at that Hyatt. They have the best staff there." — Carry B.
Related: Sleep with the planes: 10 best airport hotels in the U.S. and Canada
A quick shoutout to airports abroad
Some TPG Lounge readers couldn't help mentioning the airports they love around the world, whether it was because of an epic layover in Doha, purposeful exploration near Zurich, a favorite food cart in Frankfurt or the desire to live in Singapore's fabulous Changi airport.
"I'd pick some exotic locale, preferably one I haven't been to yet so exploring would be new and exciting. I would pick my experience in Doha as one of the most interesting ways to connect flights with a brief stop. Best kababs ever, fascinating people watching and a pretty hotel affiliated with Qatar Airways. It easy to do since they handle everything for you if you're flying in first or business class." — Betsy P.
"I often search by duration and pick the longest so that I can explore. I just did it in Zurich, where I had a 15-hour layover. Took the train to Bern and stayed the night." — Mark S.
"Ooh this is easy ... I'd rather be stuck in Frankfurt airport, and I'd sit by the wiener schnitzel cart for five hours, or until my flight leaves... whichever comes first!" — Kimberlee F.
"Oh, I’m pretty sure I could live at Changi (SIN) if I could get away with it." — Paul L.
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Rewards
| 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. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
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.
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. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
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.