American Airlines cuts Brazilian city, adds 2 new international markets from Miami
Miami is the center of attention in American Airlines' latest route-map adjustment.
Over the weekend, the carrier filed some notable schedule changes for its South Florida hub, strengthening its presence in the Caribbean, while backing out of a key market in South America.
Beginning on Dec. 8, American will launch flights to Dominica (DOM), with twice-weekly service from Miami. Three days later (on Dec. 11), the carrier will add twice-weekly flights from Miami to Anguilla (AXA).
Both routes will be operated on Wednesdays and Saturdays by American Eagle partner Envoy Air aboard a 76-seat Embraer 175, outfitted with 12 first-class recliners, 20 extra-legroom coach seats and 44 standard economy ones.
Neither destination is new to the AA route map. The carrier previously served both countries with routes from San Juan, Puerto Rico, in March 2013 and April 2011, respectively, according to Cirium schedules.
Nonetheless, the routes are noteworthy since it will bring commercial service on American to both countries from the continental U.S. Both islands have resorts and other tourist attractions, and AA's twice-weekly schedule makes it easy to plan a three- or four-day vacation.
But it's not all good news for AA's Miami hub.
The carrier is pulling out of Manaus, Brazil (MAO). American has long operated daily flights between MIA and Manaus, but that's ending effective immediately.
The carrier last flew to the capital of the Brazilian state of Amazonas in April of this year, according to Cirium schedules, and had planned to restart service there in November 2021.
This weekend, the carrier pulled all future flights to Manaus from its schedule, which was confirmed to TPG with the following statement.
Due to decreased demand as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we made the difficult decision to suspend service to Manaus (MAO) effective Nov. 2, 2021. We’re reaching out to customers scheduled to travel on affected flights to offer alternate arrangements.
With Manaus cut, American will consolidate its current operation in Brazil to the country's two major international airports — Rio de Janeiro (GIG) and Sao Paulo (GRU). It's anyone's guess when the airline will resume flights to Manaus.
This move is the latest in a string of network adjustments for American in Miami. Earlier this month, the airline announced an eight-route expansion from MIA, including two new dots to its route map, Chetumal, Mexico (CTM), and San Andres Island, Colombia (ADZ). In February, American unveiled some major Miami growth, with a new long-haul route to Tel Aviv (TLV) and service to Paramaribo, Suriname (PBM).
American’s renewed focus on Miami comes as the city has seen a dramatic increase in air service.
Perhaps the most notable is Spirit Airlines, which will enter Miami with a whopping 30 routes, making it the second-largest carrier once its second tranche of routes launches on Nov. 17.
But it’s not just Spirit growing in Miami.
During the pandemic, both Southwest and JetBlue made headlines for starting service to Miami, a city they’ve long avoided in favor of nearby Fort Lauderdale due to its historically lower operating costs.
Frontier Airlines already has a sizeable presence in Miami. The Denver-based carrier added Miami to its route map in 2014 and has since classified the city as one of its focus cities. Frontier opened a new crew base there last year and now flies to 34 destinations, according to Cirium schedule data.
Finally, American’s latest expansion brings competitive headwinds to Delta’s planned Miami expansion.
In July 2020, the Atlanta-based carrier doubled down on its proposed pan-American partnership with LATAM that includes a new “gateway hub” in Miami. Delta unveiled plans to add at least 20 new U.S. domestic departures under its proposed joint venture with LATAM, though the timeline remains unclear.
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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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- 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.