TPG readers' favorite international airports to spend a long delay in
On the heels of our recent post about which domestic airports travelers prefer to be stuck in during a long delay, TPG Lounge reader David O. described a recent experience at Singapore Changi Airport, then asked the rest of the group to share which international airports they wouldn’t mind spending a long layover in:
"Today I woke up in the Singapore airport. Spent the night in a Yotel, a super cool small hotel room in the Jewel (think Mall of America, but on steroids). There are lounges everywhere! The dinner last night was one of the best I've had in or out of an airport. So what are your favorite international airports? Do you ever plan trips to hit them up? I certainly feel like so many international hub airports are exponentially better than domestic hubs." — David O.
Here’s a look at some of our favorite answers. (Some responses have been lightly edited for style and clarity).
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Your favorite long-layover airports in Asia
While Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) was hands down our TPG Lounge members' favorite international airport to spend time in, other airports like Seoul (ICN), Hong Kong (HKG) and Tokyo (NRT and HND) also received special shoutouts.
"I have been through the Jewel a few times and it's still my favorite airport in the world. Beers in a sunflower garden? Koi ponds. Cactus garden. Movie theatre. A plethora of lounge options. They even have a slide to a gate!" — Nelson S.
"Well, Singapore is definitely the best but unfortunately, unless I'm going to Southeast Asia, I won't get to stop at it often. I also like Tokyo Haneda a lot." — Kevin K.
"I’ll go through Hong Kong any day." — Allison T.
"I like Seoul because they have a public lounge where travelers can rest and take a shower for free. The new terminal is modern and very spacious. There's a variety of cafes, and if you have a four- to eight-hour layover, there's a free city tour. Well, it's actually $10, but hey, that's the cost of lunch. The six-hour tour was pretty good." — Renato P.
Related: Layover lowdown: Singapore Changi airport
"Another vote for Changi. My second choice would be Incheon for the long layover tours." — Kathy F.
"Seoul has been rated number one for a while and for a reason; it's the best. I live 30 minutes away and visit sometimes even when I'm not traveling." — Kelley K.J.E.
"Singapore would be at the top of my list. I had a layover in Tokyo and the ANA lounge was nice. Food was decent, with noodles or curry to order, and the showers were clean.They also had a device that poured the perfect beer." — Bill A.
"I have a 12-hour layover in Singapore coming up. We're flying in Singapore Suites and I have heard great things about the airport and the Private Room lounge." — Charlene A.
Related: The best credit cards for airport lounge access
Your favorite long-layover airports in the Middle East
Doha (DOH) was a big hit as far as Middle Eastern airports were concerned, with some TPG Lounge members describing how they'd spent time in some of the airport's fabulous lounges, spas, nearby hotels or took advantage of Doha day tours offered by the airport.
"I enjoyed the Emirates Lounge in Dubai (DXB) with my family. We had a huge spread, on-demand dining, lots of places to relax and a coffee bar with free -lowing desserts." — Paul L.
"We had a 15-hour layover in Doha last June and booked a night at the airside hotel (didn’t have to go through security). The spa was lovely and reasonable and we had dinner at one of the new lounges, which was fabulous. And yes, there were plenty of restaurants." — Carolyn S.B.
"I've done Changi and Doha a few times and both are marvelous but now my new favorite is Istanbul (IST). Absolutely phenomenal. I stayed at The Westin Doha Hotel & Spa once and the Oryx Rotana Doha and took a cab from the airport to the hotel. Did some sightseeing and would highly recommend visiting The Pearl-Qatar, Souq Waqif, Katara Cultural Village and Doha Corniche. I was there in February once and then in late October and the weather was wonderful. The St Regis Doha is wonderful as well. For a 12-hour layover you can also check out Villagio mall. The Al Mourjan Business Lounge is wonderful, with lots of food variety. By the way, DOH does provide free tours of Doha so do take advantage of that as well." — Asma Z.
Related: Buying access to Qatar's incredible Al Safwa first lounge in Doha
"We loved the Qatar Business Class Lounge in Doha. With a sleeping room, great shower and lots of choices of food, it's an easy way to do a long layover!" — Christine P.S.
"At Doha, pay for the spa access, which lets you swim in the pool! That was my favorite layover activity and it was so nice to swim and use muscles in between flights." — Julia B.
"The old Turkish Airlines lounge in April 2018 was phenomenal. I can’t even imagine the new one! Singapore is no doubt on the list, too!" — Rod B.
Related: Oh my Gözleme: A review of the Turkish Airlines Business Lounge in the new Istanbul airport
Brownie points for London's Heathrow airport
Though hardly any European airports were mentioned, London's Heathrow did get a few shoutouts from readers who considered it their favorite for food and certain lounge perks.
"Personally, I like LHR. Great shopping and tons of great restaurants. Thinking of Yo Sushi! with the sushi carousel." — John L.
"That Qantas lounge at LHR with the gin bar is insanely good, too!" — David O.
Why choose just one?
Some of our TPG Lounge readers wrote in singing the praises of more than one international airport they'd be alright with spending lots of time in. Unsurprisingly, Singapore Changi Airport continued to make the list of travelers' all-time favorites.
"We were just at The Jewel and Changi. Stayed at the Crowne Plaza. The Hilton at Narita has also been fine for us. Love the Virgin Atlantic lounges in London." — David S.
"Singapore, Istanbul and Doha." — Shane N.
"Agree with Singapore. Also like Frankfurt, Munich (MUC) and Doha." — Laura H.W.
"Seoul, Munich, Hong Kong and Singapore. Good food and shopping." — Hannah G.
Featured photo of Singapore Changi Airport by Ethan Steinberg/The Points Guy.
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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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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.