10 Airports Getting up to $40 Million for Upgrades (Is Yours on the List?)

SAVING & SPENDING - TRAVEL
Fly friendlier skies now that your favorite airports are getting federal money for upgrades.
Updated April 11, 2024
Fact checked
traveler with a yellow suitcase

We receive compensation from the products and services mentioned in this story, but the opinions are the author's own. Compensation may impact where offers appear. We have not included all available products or offers. Learn more about how we make money and our editorial policies.

The federal government is pouring money into projects to improve airports nationwide.

Cities are receiving millions of dollars to build new air terminals, update air traffic control towers, or improve airport access.

Your airport could be the next one spruced up as part of the Investing in America plan. If you intend to step up your travel game this year, see if an airport on your itinerary made the list.

If you’re over 50, take advantage of massive travel discounts and trip-planning resources

Over 50 and love traveling? Join AARP today — because if you’re not a member, you could be missing out on huge travel perks. When you start your membership today, you can get discounts on hotels and resorts, airfare, cruises, car rentals, and more.

How to become a member today:

  • Go here, select your free gift, and click “Join Today”
  • Create your account (important!) by answering a few simple questions
  • Start enjoying your discounts and perks!

An AARP membership not only unlocks discounts that could save you hundreds on your next trip, but you’ll also have access to deals on vacation packages, guided tours, and exclusive content to help plan your next getaway.

Important: Start your membership by creating an account here and filling in all of the information (do not skip this step!). Doing so will allow you to take up to 25% off your AARP membership, making it just $12 per year with auto-renewal.

Become an AARP member now

Hector International Airport

Halfpoint/Adobe senior man in wheelchair at airport

Funding: $10 million

Hector International Airport in Fargo, North Dakota, needs some updating to get it into compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act.

In addition, funds will go to improving lighting, expanding ticketing areas, and adding four new gates.

Duluth International Airport

zimmytws/Adobe james oberstar terminal

Funding: $10 million

Duluth will use the funds it receives from the federal government to update its air traffic control tower, which was built in 1963.

Punta Gorda Airport

flowertiare/Adobe man in a blue suit holding passport and waiting for his turn at airport

Funding: $10 million

The Punta Gorda Airport in Punta Gorda, Florida, will use federal funding for its terminal rehabilitation and expansion project. Part of that effort will include renovating the airport’s security checkpoint.

Earn a $250 travel bonus with this incredible card

There's a credit card that's making waves with its amazing bonus and benefits. The Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card has no annual fee and you can earn 25,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.

You can earn additional points just by using this card for your everyday purchases — unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases. The 25,000 bonus points can be redeemed for a $250 statement credit toward travel or dining purchases.

If you want to travel and dine out more, the Travel Rewards card can help you get where you want to go.

The best part? There's no annual fee.

Click here to apply now.

Salt Lake City International Airport

eqroy/Adobe  airplanes from Delta Airlines

Funding: $20 million

The airport in Salt Lake City will use federal funds to add 16 gates as part of the expansion of its Concourse B terminal at the airport.

Denver International Airport

donyanedomam/Adobe denver international airport

Funding: $26.6 million

Another of the busiest airports in the U.S. will get an upgrade: The Denver airport will use funding to improve the baggage handling system, increasing capacity and making it more efficient.

Charlotte Douglas International Airport

John Hamrick/Wirestock Creators/Adobe charlotte international airport

Funding: $27 million

One of the biggest changes to the airport in Charlotte, North Carolina, will be upgrades to boarding bridges for passengers at 16 gates.

San Francisco International Airport

Roby2/Wirestock Creators/Adobe facade of san francisco international airport

Funding: $31 million

Even airports need to upgrade their HVAC systems: The federal money headed to San Francisco will update mechanical and electrical components to make them safer and more energy-efficient.

Los Angeles International Airport

Markus Mainka/Adobe los angeles international airport

Funding: $31 million

Los Angeles is known for its traffic issues, but federal funding for LAX might reduce some of those issues at the airport.

The airport will use federal funding to expand surrounding roads and stormwater containment systems.

Washington Dulles International Airport

Nate Hovee/Adobe jet age terminal building

Funding: $35 million

Dulles Airport in northern Virginia will receive an additional 400,000 square feet of terminal space, which will connect to the Metrorail and the Aerotrain.

In recent years, the Metrorail’s Silver Line added stations that reached into the suburbs of northern Virginia, including Dulles.

Earn cash back on everyday purchases with this rare account

Want to earn cash back on your everyday purchases without using a credit card? With the Discover®️ Cashback Debit Checking account (member FDIC), you can earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month!1

With no credit check to apply and no monthly fees to worry about, you can earn nearly passive income on purchases you’re making anyway — up to an extra $360 a year!

This rare checking account has other great perks too, like access to your paycheck up to 2 days early with Early Pay, no minimum deposit or monthly balance requirements, over 60K fee-free ATMs, and the ability to add cash to your account at Walmart stores nationwide.

Don’t leave money on the table — it only takes minutes to apply and it won’t impact your credit score.

Apply for a Discover Cashback Checking account today

Chicago O'Hare International Airport

jovannig/Adobe chicago ohare international airport

Funding: $40 million

O’Hare is one of the busiest airports in the U.S. It will use government funds for improvements such as expanding the luggage system and reconfiguring TSA checkpoints in Terminal 3.

Bottom line

peopleimages.com/Adobe female concierge handing out passports

These airport updates might save you both money and time during future travel.

Another way to cut the cost of vacations is to pay for everyday expenses with a credit card that helps you earn travel rewards.

Easy-to-Earn Unlimited Rewards

Benefits

Card Details

  • Earn 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases
  • Earn 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases
  • Longer intro APR on qualifying purchases and balance transfers
  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Apply Now
  • Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open.
  • 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases.
  • Use your card to book your trip how and where you want - you're not limited to specific websites with blackout dates or restrictions.
  • Redeem points for a statement credit to pay for travel or dining purchases, such as flights, hotel stays, car and vacation rentals, baggage fees, and also at restaurants including takeout.
  • 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases, and for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the Intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that’s currently 18.24% - 28.24% will apply. A 3% Intro balance transfer fee will apply for the first 60 days your account is open. After the Intro balance transfer fee offer ends, the fee for future balance transfers is 4%.
  • If you're a Bank of America Preferred Rewards® member, you can earn 25%-75% more points on every purchase. That means instead of earning an unlimited 1.5 points for every $1, you could earn 1.87-2.62 points for every $1 you spend on purchases.
  • Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
  • This online only offer may not be available if you leave this page or if you visit a Bank of America financial center. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
Bank of <span class='whitespace-nowrap'>America<sup>®</sup></span> Travel Rewards credit card
4.1
Apply Now

on Bank of America’s secure website

Read Card Review

Intro Offer

Earn 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases

Annual Fee

$0

+

Why we like it

Want to learn how to make an extra $200?

Get proven ways to earn extra cash from your phone, computer, & more with Extra.

You will receive emails from FinanceBuzz.com. Unsubscribe at any time. Privacy Policy

  • Vetted side hustles
  • Exclusive offers to save money daily
  • Expert tips to help manage and escape debt