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Aeromexico Offers 'DNA Discounts' For Americans With Mexican Ancestry

Jan. 18, 2019
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2 min read
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Aeromexico Offers 'DNA Discounts' For Americans With Mexican Ancestry
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"Mexico's first destination is America. But America's first destination is not Mexico."

These two sentences kick off Aeromexico's viral "DNA Discounts" commercial. The whimsical video goes on to interview some Americans in Wharton, Texas, regarding their perceptions of Mexico as a destination to visit, with varying responses. The kicker: Each of the interviewees, it turns out, has some Mexican ancestry.

"We did a DNA test to find out their percentage of Mexican ancestry, and turned that into discounts," the video narrator says, explaining that the history of mutual immigration between the United States and its neighbor to the south dates back as far as the early 1800s, especially in southwestern states such as Arizona and Utah. "A big percentage of Mexican descendants in the USA don't even know it yet. The more Mexican they are, the more discount they get."

Image courtesy of Aeromexico.

In the video, each interviewee is informed of his or her ancestry on-camera, with varying responses. The amount of their Aeromexico flight discount is proportionate to their Mexican heritage. "You are eligible for a 15% discount to go to Mexico," the interviewer tells one blonde woman, who grins and pumps her fist. "What do you think of that?"

"Yes!" she replies with a laugh. "I love discounts."

Another man is far more flabbergasted by his 22% ancestry results. "Oh come on, now," he says with skepticism. "Seriously?!"

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According to the commercial, the discount will be extended to eligible residents of Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee, although Aeromexico has not formally made any acknowledgement of the ad, which was produced by advertising agency Ogilvy, which represents the airline. In the video, the letters EE.UU appear on the map as well, representing the Spanish acronym, which abbreviates the phrase, "Soy de Los Estados Unidos": I'm from the United States.

TPG has reached out to Aeromexico for comment, but had not heard back as of the time of publication.

All photos courtesy of Aeromexico.

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  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

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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.
  • 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.
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  • $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.
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