Our family recently got stuck at JFK on Christmas Eve! We were supposed to be ice-skating in Amsterdam on Christmas Eve, but due to extreme weather, we were rerouted from Spain to the USA a day earlier and through JFK. We missed our connecting flight to the West Coast, and voila, we found ourselves stranded at JFK overnight. And, that is how we discovered the Minute Suites Express at JFK Airport. I am excited to share my JFK Minute Suites review with you.
JFK Minute Suites Review: From the floor to our own private suite inside Terminal 4 Concourse B
It was already nighttime when we missed our connection, and we were rebooked on a 6am flight. We didn’t see any point in leaving JFK for only a short sleep, and then having to go through all the lines again in the morning (the lines are what caused our missed connection). So, we decided we would sleep inside JFK. I asked the Delta agent if there was anywhere in the airport terminal we could sleep, and she told me about Minute Suites Express, down by Gate B39.
Photo Above: We tried to just sleep on the floor at JFK, but it was Christmas Eve and it just seemed so sad.
Photo Above: The Minute Suites advertisement from our stay.
A tour of Minute Suites Express at JFK
I decided to go check it out. The attendant working at Minute Suites was one of the friendliest and most helpful people ever. She suggested I go back and see the suites for myself to make an informed decision. The rate I was quoted was $190 per suite for 8 hours, and she went over the features of the suite. The suite has an Alexa, Apple TV, a workstation, a sofa bed, clean pillows and blankets, etc. I told her how big our group was and she said we needed at least two suites but offered a discount. We paid approximately $342 for two suites on Christmas Eve. The suites are also available for hourly rental if you need something for a shorter layover.
Photo Above: This is the hallway to the private suites. Each room has a NYC name to it, like “Wall Street.”
Photo Above: This photo shows the workstation located in each suite.
Photo Above: You can see what the room and sofa bed look like.
Private place to sleepover or layover while at JFK
These suites were very private. It was hard to think that the airport was right on the other side of the wall. We used Alexa as a white sound machine, and we got some sleep. We probably didn’t get the best sleep. However, that was in part because there were three of us in each room, and we were jet-lagged. People could come and go from the suites without problem. This also made it a great place to leave our luggage when we grabbed coffee in the morning. The airport bathrooms are just outside the facility and are conveniently located. The terminal was almost deserted overnight.
A hot 30-minute shower inside JFK Terminal B
In addition to offering private suites for sleep, work, or just hanging out, there were also showers! The shower did cost an extra $20-30 per person (discounted if you rent a suite). Gary thought it was well worth it and this might have been his favorite thing about this place. He said the shower had everything he needed to take a hot relaxing shower, just a few gates down from where we would later board our plane.
Getting reimbursed for our suites from KLM
While we did pay for these suites ourselves, without knowing we would get any reimbursement, KLM did reimburse us for the entire cost. I first filed a reimbursement claim with Delta on their website, but it was immediately denied and they did not refer me to KLM. Had I given up, that would have been the end of it (although I did have free trip insurance from my Aeroplan Chase credit card). I then filed the reimbursement claim with KLM, knowing that European airlines have European laws that protect consumers in these situations and technically, the first leg was operated by KLM. They reimbursed me for all my expenses at the airport during this missed connection, without any issue, directly into my bank account within 10 days. I was glad I happened to keep these receipts. And the $60 receipt for overpriced airport coffee at Dunkin. So, if this happens to you, keep those receipts just in case.
FAQs
- Where is Minute Suites Express located inside JFK airport?
JFK Terminal 4, Concourse B near Gate B39
2. Do I have to be flying out of a certain terminal to stay at Minute Suites Express inside JFK airport?
Yes, you must have a valid boarding pass arriving or departing from Terminal 4.
3. Can I reserve a suite online?
Yes, go here: Minute Suites Online Booking (webappclouds.net)
4. Can I buy snacks and drinks at Minute Suites Express?
Yes. The check-in counter also sells snacks, drinks, and other things you might need during your visit.
5. Is there a shower available at Minute Suites Express inside JFK?
Yes, this location does offer a shower. We were told it is possible to just pay for a shower if this is what you need during your visit. However, the price for shower without suite is slightly more.
6. Does Minute Suites Express charge a per person rate?
No. Expect to pay a flat rate for the suite.
7. Are Minute Express Suites available at other airports, beside JFK?
Yes. See other locations here: Home – Minute Suites
8. Where can I see all the price options, such as the hourly rate or shower only rate?
See the current list of prices for Minute Suites Express here: Pricing – Minute Suites
