American, United and Virgin Match JetBlue Mint Transcon Fares
In June 2014, JetBlue revolutionized the transcontinental premium-class market by launching JetBlue Mint. Not only does JetBlue Mint provide an exceptional product, but it's also priced well below the competition — just $599 one-way or $1,198 round-trip. TPG himself was one of the early adopters of JetBlue Mint and has preferred it ever since.
Once JetBlue Mint caught on with premium travelers, the legacy carriers realized that they weren't able to get away with charging their typical $3,600-$4,400 business-class fares on these transcontinental routes. While JetBlue's competitors dropped their round-trip prices to match its $1,200 fares, other carriers still charged much higher rates for one-way tickets. Just this weekend, we noticed that — seemingly for the first time — American, United and Virgin are now offering transcontinental business-class flights for as little as $549 one-way.
Now that you can choose many different business-class products for under $600 one-way, let's take a look at your options.
American Airlines
American Airlines runs 6-11 daily transcontinental flights between New York's JFK and Los Angeles (LAX) and between 3-6 daily flights from JFK to San Francisco (SFO). For most dates from August 30-September 30 and December 12-June 24, there's at least one flight available for $599 one-way — except for May on the JFK-LAX route.
All flights are on the specially configured Airbus A321T, which features 20 lie-flat business-class seats in a 2-2 configuration. Each seat offers an amenity kit, Bose headphones, a 15.4-inch personal entertainment screen, connectivity ports and power outlets. If you need to take a nap, each seat reclines into a 75- to 78-inch bed — long enough for almost anybody.
JetBlue
You can find $549 one-way fares most days from September 2-May 2 on at least one of JetBlue's 4-6 daily flights between New York's JFK and San Francisco (SFO). On its 7-10 daily flights between JFK and Los Angeles (LAX), JetBlue is currently offering $599 one-way fares nearly every day from August 31-May 2 on at least one flight.
JetBlue flies A321s on both of these routes, arranged in a unique 2-2 / 1-1 format that makes rows 2 and 4 particularly spacious. Each seat lies flat into a 80-inch-long bed — long enough even for TPG himself — and features excellent food, an impressive amenity kit, 15-inch personal in-flight entertainment screen and free Wi-Fi.
United Airlines
United offers 9-14 daily flights between Newark (EWR) and Los Angeles (LAX) and 10-16 daily flights between EWR and San Francisco (SFO). United has dropped its fares to $599-$629 one-way on both routes from August 30 all the way through June 21, 2017.
United flies both the p.s. (Premium Service)-configured 757-200 and — as a recent addition — an internationally configured 777-200ER on these routes. The 757-200 has 28 seats in a 2-2 arrangement, while the 777-200ER has either 40 seats in a staggered 2-4-2 arrangement or 50 seats in a 2-2-2 arrangement (depending on the version). Both aircraft have 76-inch lie-flat business-class seats, including in-flight entertainment and in-seat power outlets.
Virgin America
The cheapest one-way fares popping up this weekend are on Virgin America's first class. Virgin has 7-8 daily transcontinental flights between New York's JFK or Newark (EWR) and San Francisco (SFO). You can find $549 one-way fares most days from August 30-November 16, November 30-December 15 and January 5-June 24. Virgin America also flies from JFK/EWR to LAX, but only certain Saturday flights — primarily from January 7 to June 24 — are priced at $549 one-way.
Both routes are served by Virgin America's A320 aircraft, with just 8 first-class seats arranged in a 2-2 format. While the style and service on board Virgin are excellent, note that you'll be settling for a recliner seat on this option — while JetBlue, American and United all have lie-flat seats.
Bottom Line
We're happy to see competition drive down prices on these historically expensive transcontinental fares. JetBlue Mint has certainly raised the bar with its superior product and cheaper fares, and now finally other carriers are matching JetBlue's one-way fares with somewhat similar products.
Now that fares are similar and mileage earnings on legacy carriers are nearly identical, your choice for a one-way transcontinental flight will depend more on your preferred New York airport, existing elite status and schedule. However, JetBlue still remains the gold standard for these transcontinental routes.
What's your preferred business-class transcontinental product?
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| 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. |
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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.
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.