One map, pinned from each airport’s published coordinates.
Category scores
Overall is the published weighted sum. A highlighted score is ahead; a tie stays plain.
Ease of use
25% · Wayfinding, security wait, and layout.
HRL8.5+1.5
REX7.0
Comfort & amenities
20% · Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.
HRL7.5+1.1
REX6.4
Food & retail
15% · Food and retail quality and variety.
HRL7.2+1.2
REX6.0
Ground access
15% · Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.
HRL7.3+0.3
REX7.0
Reliability
15% · Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.
HRL7.4+0.8
REX6.6
Lounges
10% · Worth-it density and access quality.
HRL4.0
REX7.2+3.2
Best for
HRL
Rio Grande Valley origin-and-destination trips that can live with a $11 Remote lot and a Southwest bank to HOU, AUS, or DALTravelers connecting at DFW or IAH instead of driving to McAllen or BrownsvilleRepeat HRL flyers who will pay $100 a year for the upstairs VIA VIP Club
REX
Priority Pass holders on REX domestic banks before 21:30Aeroméxico MEX connectors and Viva leisure pinsBorder-metro travelers who prefer REX over crossing to McAllen for Mexican domestic
Watch out for
HRL
Assuming Priority Pass, Escape, or an Admirals Club exists (live PP / Escape have no HRL pin; American.com clubs Not Available)Treating official About leftover United Chicago / Denver or the leftover Delta-to-Austin blog as live destsTreating American leftover ORD (starts 19 Dec 2026) as a current nonstopTreating BRO, MFE, CRP, or KHRL as this airport
REX
REX is domestic-focused — US itineraries usually use McAllen (MFE)PP strip lists both 3h and 5h max-stay language — follow the card/deskConfirm live MXN taxi fares — omit invented tablesNo published MCT
Amenities and tips
HRL
Islands + Jackson Street + two barsVIA VIP ClubKidsPort + arcade + laptop desks + free Wi-FiOne-checkpoint accessibilityOn-airport rental cars + SPI shuttles
Official leftover two hours domestic
Official TSA-tips leftover reprints the TSA two-hour clock. Official holiday leftover also prints three hours for an international itinerary.
One hall; seven leftover gates; read FIDS
One civil departure hall. Official pages do not print a live airline-to-gate map. Wikipedia leftover pins Sun Country 1, Delta 2, American 4, Southwest 5–6, United 7.
Trust the live Islands / Jackson Street / two bars card
Official leftover dine card names Jackson Street Café & Bar 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., Islands Restaurant and Coffee 4:30 a.m. until the last outgoing flight, seasonal Pelican Bar left of the concourse, and Padre Pub right of the concourse.
REX
OMA Premium Lounge (PP)Aeroméxico / Viva domestic banksTaxi into Reynosa / border metro
OMA Premium 06:30–21:30
Priority Pass lists 06:30–21:30 daily for REX OMA Premium.
1st Floor opposite Gate 3
Airside after security — 1st Floor, opposite Gate 3.
3 complimentary alcohol max
PP: complimentary standard alcohol limited to three per adult; consume inside lounge.
HRL · The Rio Grande Valley’s Southwest-heavy civil hall: five live airlines, a $11 Remote lot, one $100/year drinks-only VIP Club, and no Priority Pass pin.
REX · Tamaulipas’ Reynosa OMA border gateway (~441k pax 2025) with Aeroméxico Mexico City and Viva/Volaris leisure banks into Cancún, Guadalajara, AIFA and Veracruz — plus Priority Pass OMA Premium Lounge airside 1st Floor opposite Gate 3 (06:30–21:30, max stay listed 3–5h on strips, under-5 free, 3 alcohol max).
