American Airlines adds 3 new routes to winter schedule, including 1 to Cancun
American Airlines is adding three new routes to its winter schedule.
The new routes listed here were first seen in Cirium schedules and later confirmed by the carrier:
- Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) to Cancun International Airport (CUN)
- Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) to Quad Cities International Airport (MLI) in Illinois
- Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport (ICT) in Kansas
The first of the new services will launch in mid-December, with all three starting by early January. More details are below.
Pittsburgh-Cancun
The first of the new routes begins Dec. 9, when American launches a seasonal route connecting Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) to Mexico’s Cancun International Airport (CUN). The carrier will operate one daily round-trip flight each Saturday through March 30.
The PIT-CUN route is technically a resumption, as American last flew the route in 2018.
Cancun’s popularity exploded as travel rebounded after the depths of the pandemic. Demand for flights to the Mexican beach resort has remained high, and a number of U.S. airlines are beefing up service to the destination.
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In announcing its Pittsburgh service, American billed itself as “the largest airline connecting the U.S. to Cancun,” with up to 40 daily departures from across the carrier's network. Most recently, American announced plans for nonstop service to Cancun from both Cincinnati and Nashville. Like the Pittsburgh service, both of those routes will operate seasonally and only on Saturdays. In total, American will offer either seasonal or year-round service to Cancun from 18 U.S. cities.
The Cancun flights also grow American’s presence at Pittsburgh, where the carrier will now have a total of 11 nonstop destinations.
For now, American appears to have the PIT-CUN route to itself. Southwest previously offered seasonal Saturday-only service on the route, but the route is not currently on the airline’s winter schedule.
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Charlotte-Quad Cities
The second of the routes begins Dec. 20, when American starts nonstop service between Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) and Quad Cities International Airport (MLI) in Moline, Illinois.
American’s flights will be operated by its regional affiliates on CRJ-900 regional jets. American will be the only carrier flying nonstop on the route, which will be its third from MLI. American also flies from MLI to its hubs at Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW).
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MLI airport officials welcomed American’s new Charlotte flights, saying securing that route had been a priority.
“We’ve been fighting for more air service during and post-pandemic, using all the tools in our toolbox to advocate for the Quad Cities,” MLI executive director Benjamin Leischner said in a statement. “Charlotte was at the top of our list as the most logical and sustainable route to meet the needs of our business travelers looking to travel up and down the east coast, as well as leisure travelers looking for convenient service to Florida, Mexico and the Caribbean.”
Washington, DC-Wichita
American’s Washington, D.C.-Wichita service will begin Jan. 8, with the company’s regional affiliates flying one daily round-trip flight on Embraer E175 jets.
DCA will become American’s fifth destination from Wichita, joining the carrier’s existing routes to its hubs in Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth and Phoenix. Seasonal flights to Miami are set to begin in November.
American will be the only carrier flying nonstop between Wichita and the Washington-Baltimore metro area. Notably, American says it did not drop any other routes to add the Wichita service from DCA, where flights are restricted by slots.
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“The addition of DCA-ICT adds service to a previously unserved route without exiting any other in-perimeter markets,” American said in a statement to TPG. This indicates that the carrier likely shifted one flight from another route with multiple daily flights to make room for the Wichita service.
As in the Quad Cities, Wichita’s new route was lauded by local officials.
“This has long been a void I have heard from industry and business owners, and I am thrilled our hard work to fill this void is accomplished. It will also make travel to Washington, D.C. faster and more affordable for Kansans,” Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., said in a statement.
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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.
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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. |
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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.