Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Copy URL Email The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don’t cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information. There are many ways to get from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Manhattan, but have you ever done a head-to-head test to determine the best option?
Here at TPG, we decided to do just that.
Staffers Liam Spencer, Medha Imam and Bella Boccasino recently headed to the Big Apple to put three modes of transportation to the test:
You probably already have an educated guess as to which came out on top — but second place may surprise you.
Check out the full video here — and keep reading for other considerations for your own trip from (or to) JFK.
In the video, Liam, Medha and Bella all paid "retail" price for their assigned mode of transportation. However, there are several ways they could've maximized their purchases.
Liam's surprisingly strong showing on the train was the lowest-priced option, but there are a couple of possible avenues to make the most of these transit purchases.
For starters, train travel typically triggers the $300 annual travel credit available on both the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees ) and the Chase Sapphire Reserve for Business℠ (see rates and fees ).
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Alternatively, there are a handful of cards that offer bonus points on general travel purchases — including the Sapphire Reserve and the Citi Strata Premier® Card (see rates and fees ).
Bella's helicopter was pricey, especially with the added car transfer from Blade's 30th Street helipad to the Empire State Building — though surprisingly not all that much more than Medha's Uber. Nevertheless, there's one program that could've helped defray the cost: Bilt .
As of Aug. 13, you can now redeem Bilt Cash for Blade flights up to twice per calendar year (up to $350 for each seat). Additionally, Bilt Platinum members receive one free Blade flight per year between Manhattan and either JFK or Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). And all Bilt elite members can get 10% off Blade bookings through the Bilt app.
Read more: What is Bilt Cash? How to earn and redeem this new reward currency
Medha came in last in our race, as traffic into Manhattan significantly delayed her arrival. Nevertheless, there are many avenues to save on ride-hailing purchases.
With Uber, you can add select American Express cards to your account to unlock monthly Uber Cash for U.S. Uber rides and Uber Eats orders:
*Note: Uber Cash will only be deposited into one Uber account when you add the Amex Platinum or Amex Gold, respectively, as a payment method and redeem with any Amex card.
Meanwhile, those with either the Sapphire Reserve or the Sapphire Reserve for Business will earn 5 poin…