United's Next Batch of International 777-300ER Destinations
Update 2/25/17: United has now added the 777-300ER on one of two daily flights between Newark and Tel Aviv, the airline's first international 77W route from EWR. You can find the 77W on the evening Newark departure (UA90) beginning May 5 and the evening Tel Aviv departure (UA91) beginning May 6. Note that while this aircraft offers a much improved business-class product, you'll be far more comfortable in economy on the older plane. There is no award availability in either cabin on these inaugural 77W flights. As of now, UA84/85 will continue to be operated with a 777-200 through the end of the schedule.
Yesterday, ahead of our aircraft tour with United CEO Oscar Munoz, we passed along the news of additional UA 777-300ER (77W) flights within the US, and now we have even more details to share about the airline's fleet plans. While a formal announcement is still a week or so away, a UA rep hinted at the next batch of routes, and confirmed the much-anticipated first long-haul destination from Newark (EWR).
First, since many of you have been asking, the first international Polaris destination from Newark will most likely be Tel Aviv (TLV), with service launching sometime in early May. It's not clear if the plane will be used on just one or both of the daily Tel Aviv flights, but there's no question that you should do your best to fly on the 777-300ER over the 777-200s UA currently operates on the EWR-TLV route. It's possible that the 77W will replace United's 787 Dreamliner on the SFO-TLV route as well.
Unfortunately there aren't yet plans to add this plane to Europe flights — it'll instead be used primarily for UA's longest international flights, most of which serve destinations in Asia — though Europe flights operated by select 767s and 777-200s will eventually get the new (and much-improved) seats. Additionally, it doesn't sound like United will be announcing 77W flights from its hubs in Chicago or Houston anytime soon, though that could always change. United will operate a total of 14 777-300ERs, so these will be reserved for the airline's most premium long-haul routes.
In addition to the already announced San Francisco-Hong Kong route, which launches March 25, the 77W will almost certainly be used to replace the 747-400 on flights from SFO to Beijing (PEK), Seoul (ICN), Taipei (TPE) and Tokyo (NRT). All of those routes should have 77W service before the year is out, and may be joined by Newark to Hong Kong and Tokyo (also confirmed Polaris Lounge locations) as well.
Currently, the airline is scheduled to take delivery of all 14 of its new planes within the next few months, although not all will enter service right away. That said, we should see formal route rollouts very soon — perhaps as soon as next week.
Also, don't forget that while the 777-300ER offers UA's best business-class product, it's not nearly as pleasant in the economy cabin, where seats are just 17 inches wide, compared to 18 inches on most of United's existing 777s. That's fine if you're on the smaller side, but passengers with especially broad shoulders may find these seats to be very uncomfortable on a long-haul flight.
In the meantime, if you're hoping to snag one of these new seats using miles, you have a fairly good chance of landing the new aircraft if you're booking a flight to cities like Beijing, Hong Kong, Seoul, Taipei, Tel Aviv and Tokyo departing in the second half of 2017. I wouldn't book speculatively unless your elite status affords you free mileage redeposits, but if those cities are already in your travel plans for later in the year, it might pay to redeem miles for a UA-operated flight rather than one operated by a partner.
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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
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- 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.
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- $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.
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- 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. |
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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.