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Emirates Makes Its Big Order for A380s Official

Feb. 12, 2018
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2 min read
Emirates A380 at JFK
Emirates Makes Its Big Order for A380s Official
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It's really happening: Emirates is saving the troubled Airbus A380 program (at least for now) by buying as many as 36. Without a big order from its largest operator, the Airbus double-decker — the biggest passenger plane in the world — would have faced the risk of extinction. Emirates just finalized its order for 20 Airbus A380s with the option of 16 additional aircraft, a few weeks after signing a preliminary agreement to purchase the 500-seater jet.

The total value of the purchase is $16 billion, based on current list prices, although it's extremely likely that the Dubai-based airline got a big discount. Deliveries of the aircraft will begin in 2020.

“This latest agreement further demonstrates the strength of our valued partnership with Emirates in support of their impressive growth,” said in a statement Fabrice Brégier, Airbus' Chief Operating Officer. The purchase almost single-handedly keeps the A380 in production: Airbus was reportedly close to announcing it would stop making the A380s, back in December. Except Emirates, whose business model depends on the huge numbers of passengers the A380 can move through its Dubai hub, airlines haven't been able to consistently make their A380s profitable. The giant airliner is reported to make handsome profits when full, but that's where the challenge is: filling 500 seats isn't always easy. Airlines are opting for smaller airplanes instead.

Emirates was named World’s Best Airline in TripAdvisor’s 2017 Travelers’ Choice Awards, and definitely wins fan favorite awards here at TPG. The Dubai-based carrier already owns 101 of the 221 A380s currently in the air today, and the new order will bring the total of A380s it operates to 178 aircraft once deliveries are complete.

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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)

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  • 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.