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Delta Partners With BLADE for Helicopter Transfers at JFK

April 25, 2017
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2 min read
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Delta Partners With BLADE for Helicopter Transfers at JFK
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Delta has announced a new partnership with the on-demand aviation company, BLADE, that will allow for seamless helicopter transfers between New York's JFK airport and Manhattan.

The new service will be available to Delta customers flying into and out of JFK. If you are flying from Manhattan, you'll arrive at one of BLADE's three lounges and then take your 5-minute helicopter flight to JFK. After landing a member of Delta's Elite Services team will collect your baggage and accompany you to ground transportation that will take you to your departure terminal. You'll be "expedited" through security, although it's unclear what that actually entails. And when boarding begins, you'll be escorted to your seat on the Delta aircraft.

For those flying into JFK, a Delta Elite Service member will meet you on the jet bridge for a domestic flight or after you clear customs on an international flight. After your baggage has been collected you'll be driven to a helicopter that's waiting to take off.

BLADE has already been offering transfers between New York's three main airports (and smaller NYC airports) and Manhattan but this is the first time a full-service airline has partnered with the company. This isn't the only expansion that BLADE has recently announced, in February the company started service in Los Angeles.

Flights are bookable through the BLADE app — when reserving a helicopter you'll see an option to add either a "Helicopter-to-Gate Special Escort" or "Gate-to-Helicopter Special Escort." Prices start at $250 (on top of the regular BLADE fare) and it appears that the price is per reservation, not per traveler, so you could potentially split the cost of a Delta escort with other passengers.

If you’re interested in trying out BLADE for yourself, click here and enter referral code THEPOINTSGUY (case sensitive). You’ll earn $100 in credit (which is applied in $50 increments) to use towards BLADE flights.

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  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

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  • 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.
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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.
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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.
  • $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.