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American Airlines Attempting to Replace Gogo With ViaSat
Emily McNutt
Contributor
Feb. 16, 2016
•
3 min read
American Airlines Attempting to Replace Gogo With ViaSat
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Update: Gogo announced that American Airlines has dropped its lawsuit.
While American Airlines isn't buying any goodwill with passengers on the loyalty program front, it is, however, investing in its in-flight product. First, the airline announced the installation of new seats and now, it's looking to vastly improve its in-flight Wi-Fi.
When Gogo first launched its Wi-Fi product, many airlines, including AA, jumped on the chance to install the reasonably inexpensive product that would keep them competitive with other carriers. However, those who fly often know that Gogo's current in-flight Wi-Fi product is mediocre, at best. It's troubling to fly and not know whether you'll have a steady and reliable internet connection.
So American is doing something about it. According to a Star-Telegram report, the carrier filed a lawsuit against Gogo, its current internet service provider, on the grounds that it essentially found a service that is faster. According to the contract between the two companies, American is allowed to leave if it finds a better service, which it claims it has — good news for AA flyers.
Coincidentally, as I was writing this, I was on an AA flight as part of my month-long OneGo journey — and the Wi-Fi lived up to its terrible reputation. I researched this post using Gogo Wi-Fi — it's understandable why AA wants to replace it.
The new product that's faster than Gogo, offered by ViaSat, is currently installed on United Airlines, JetBlue and Virgin America aircraft. Whereas American uses Gogo's air-to-ground (ATG) system on about 200 of its aircraft, it plans to switch to ViaSat, which offers satellite-based Ka-Band Wi-Fi service that's much faster than its ATG counterpart. Gogo plans to submit a competing proposal to AA featuring its own satellite technology, called 2Ku.
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The satellite technology uses an antenna that faces up to the sky, rather than transmitters on the belly of an aircraft that pick up signals from land-based cell towers. On top of much faster service, satellite Wi-Fi keeps passengers connected when flying out of range of ground-based towers — including over the ocean.
AA didn't settle for poor quality when it comes to seats and now it's not going to settle with its Wi-Fi either. By taking steps toward a better in-flight experience for passengers, the carrier is attempting to make up for any ground lost as far as its recently announced AAdvantage devaluation goes.
H/T: Star-Telegram
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- Annual Fee is $325.
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Best for dining at restaurants
TPG Editor‘s Rating
Go to reviewCard Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | 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. |
| 4X | 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.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.