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Delta Bug Fixed, Etihad's Concierge Service, AA's Flights to Cuba & More

Aug. 22, 2015
•
4 min read
Etihad the residence featured
Delta Bug Fixed, Etihad's Concierge Service, AA's Flights to Cuba & More
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Here’s a roundup of the week’s points, miles and travel industry news you may have missed:

Delta now shows blackout dates for Korean Air award travel by region.

Delta Fixes Korean Air Award Booking Bug

Delta's done a bit of work on its website to fix a bug that previously blocked access to Korean Air awards when the airline had blackout dates in any region. Blackout dates are now location-specific, just as they are when booking through Korean, and you can now see the different dates depending on which region you're searching. For example, if you're departing from North America, the blackout dates for next year are from May 13-June 30, 2016 and December 9-25, 2016.

AAdvantage Miles
Score savings with Delta's fall sale.

Save on US Fall Travel with Delta

Delta's domestic fall travel sale is running through September 3, 2015 for travel from September 10 to November 1, 2015. Fares range from $99 to $240 each way (based on a round-trip ticket purchase), with flights from MIA to LGA starting at $119 in basic economy and Savannah (SAV) to JFK starting at $109 for Main Cabin seats.

AAdvantage Miles
You can buy AAdvantage miles at a discount.

Save 35% on AAdvantage Miles

Through September 3, 2015, you can save up to 35% when you buy or gift American Airlines AAdvantage miles. The bonus is tiered as follows:

  • Buy 6,000-14,000 miles, receive a 15% discount.
  • Buy 15,000-39,000 miles, receive a 20% discount.
  • Buy 40,000-64,000 miles, receive a 25% discount.
  • Buy 65,000-89,000 miles, receive a 30% discount.
  • Buy 90,000-100,000 miles, receive a 35% discount.

Even if you max out the promotion, you'd be paying about 2.1 cents per mile, which is above my latest valuation. However, if you need to buy miles anyway to top up your account, or if you have a specific redemption in mind that you know offers better value, then this promotion can save you some money.

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Charter flights from LA to Havana on American Airlines start in December. (Photo courtesy of Bryan Ledgard via Flickr.)

American Airlines Launches Nonstop Flights from LA to Cuba

American Airlines will launch charter flights from Los Angeles (LAX) to Havana (HAV) starting December 12, 2015 — its first flight to the Cuban capital from the West Coast. The airline already offers nonstop flights from Miami (MIA) and Tampa (TPA) to Havana, with a total of 23 weekly flights.

Residence by Etihad
Flights in The Residence by Etihad now comes with concierge service.

Etihad Adds Concierge Service to A380 Flights

Passengers traveling in The Residence by Etihad onboard its A380 aircraft now have more than just London Savoy-trained butlers to take care of their needs while in the sky. Etihad Airways has joined forces with Ten Group to offer a Lifestyle Concierge team who can handle everything from dining and entertainment reservations to lifestyle services. The team offers to assist passengers "immediately, 24 hours a day, at 35,000 feet."

American Airlines will no longer serve Tel Aviv from Philadelphia. Image courtesy of Shutterstock.

American Airlines to Discontinue Nonstop Service Between Philadelphia and Tel Aviv

After six years of poor performance, including a loss of over $20 million in the past year alone, nonstop service between Philadelphia and Tel Aviv will no longer be offered by American Airlines. The route will be discontinued as of January 4, 2016, with no plans to resume service in the near future. Passengers who are ticketed for service along the route beyond that date will be contacted by American to make alternative travel arrangements or receive a full refund.

Abu Dhabi International Airport
You can win gold with Duty Free's new promotion at Abu Dhabi International Airport.

Win Gold When Buying Duty Free in Abu Dhabi

If you happen to be flying through Abu Dhabi (AUH) from now through September 30, 2015 and spend either Dh150 ($40) on food or Dh500 ($136) on perfume and cosmetics in Duty Free, you'll have the chance to play the airport's new "Scratch & Win" promotion, with the chance to win 3.5 kg of gold.

TPG featured card

Best for dining at restaurants

American Express® Gold Card

Apply for American Express® Gold Card
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
TPG Editor‘s Rating
4 / 5
Go to review
Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site

Rewards

1 - 4X points

Intro offer

As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

Annual Fee

$325

Recommended Credit

Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

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.
Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants

American Express® Gold Card

TPG Editor‘s Rating
4 / 5
Go to review

Rewards Rate

4XEarn 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.
4XEarn 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.
3XEarn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
2XEarn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
1XEarn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.

  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

Why We Chose It

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.