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American Airlines Partners With BLADE and The Private Suite for an Ultra-Lux Experience

Feb. 19, 2019
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3 min read
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American Airlines Partners With BLADE and The Private Suite for an Ultra-Lux Experience
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Passengers flying at the front of the plane are the most profitable for airlines, so attracting and keeping these customers happy is a top priority for airlines. Starting today, American Airlines is partnering with two service providers to offer a more seamless experience for those willing to pay for it.

AA passengers can now add helicopter transfers for departures or arrivals at New York Kennedy (JFK) or Los Angeles (LAX). Also, business and first class passengers departing Los Angeles now have the option to check-in and clear security at The Private Suite.

BLADE Transfers

American Airlines passengers departing from New York and Los Angeles can now purchase a $350 BLADE add on to be "greeted by an American Airlines team member and escorted via Cadillac to Flagship First Check-In" upon arrival at the airport. This transfer is available to passengers flying in any cabin who've purchased a BLADE transfer. Passengers who don't have access to Flagship First Check-In through elite status or by purchasing Five Star Service will have to use the standard check-in desks.

Arriving passengers have the option to take the process in reverse. Passengers with carry-on baggage only will be picked up at the gate and transferred directly to BLADE's airport terminal via Cadillac. Passengers with checked bags will get an escort through baggage claim before getting the Cadillac transfer to BLADE.

It's important to note that this $350 transfer price is on top of BLADE's price for the helicopter flight itself.

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This partnership comes almost two years after Delta announced a similar partnership with BLADE for helicopter transfers between Manhattan and JFK and nine months after United began offering its own helicopter transfer service between Manhattan and Newark (EWR).

To purchase this service, passengers are instructed to select the $350 American Airlines add-on during checkout on the BLADE app. If you’re interested in trying out BLADE for yourself, sign up here and enter referral code THEPOINTSGUY (case sensitive). You’ll earn $100 in credit — applied in $50 increments — to use toward future BLADE flights.

The Private Suite LAX

American Airlines already works to provide an exclusive check-in experience through its Flagship First Check-In. However, LAX passengers that want an even more exclusive and private experience can now do so at The Private Suite. Departing passengers can arrive at the airport, check-in and clear security at the private terminal before being transferred via Cadillac to the terminal, lounge or directly to their gate. The add-on service is priced at $1,200 for the first two passengers, and passengers must be flying in business or first class to purchase this add-on.

This story has been updated since publication to indicate that BLADE airport transfers are available to all American Airlines passengers -- not just Five Star Service passengers as originally indicated in AA's press release.

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  • Annual Fee is $325.
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Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants

American Express® Gold Card

TPG Editor‘s Rating
4 / 5
Go to review

Rewards Rate

4XEarn 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.
4XEarn 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.
3XEarn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
2XEarn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
1XEarn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.

  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    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.