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Alaska Air, Air Italy Announce Interline Agreement
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Alaska Airlines and Air Italy passengers will soon have access to new destinations through an interline agreement between the two airlines as announced on Friday. The agreement means Air Italy will add 10 new destinations throughout North America for its passengers.
The interline agreement will allow passengers booking with Air Italy to travel to the following destinations:
- Anchorage
- Honolulu
- Las Vegas
- Seattle
- Portland
- Palm Springs
- San Diego
- Newark
- San Jose (CA)
- Guadalajara
Cities of origin served by Air Italy that are included in the interline agreement include:
- Milan
- Rome
- Naples
- Palermo
- Catania
- Lamezia Terme
- Cagliari
- Olbia
When an Air Italy passenger books a trip to one of the new destinations, the passenger's itinerary will look somewhat like the following:
- Flight #1 — Operated by Air Italy: From a European city to US city served by Air Italy and Alaska Air.
- Flight #2 — Operated by Alaska Air: From US city to the passenger's final destination, or to a connection city in the US.
- Flight #3 (if needed) — Operated by Alaska Air: From a connecting city to the passenger's final destination.
Though Air Italy has confirmed the interline agreement and shared details of the partnership, Alaska Airlines has not officially confirmed on its end.
Questions Raised About Partnership
An interline agreement is a very basic partnership between airlines. For example, even American Airlines and Delta — airlines that compete both domestically and internationally — operate interline agreements. However, Alaska Airlines' and Air Italy's interline agreement has raised questions about a future partnership between the two airlines.
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Alaska Airlines is not a member of a major airline alliance. Instead, Alaska Airlines partners with dozens of airlines globally to offer its passengers and members of Alaska Air's MileagePlan additional options. These partnerships are what has made Alaska Air's MileagePlan such a valuable and lucrative frequent flyer program.
Recently, Alaska Airlines added El Al to its list of partners. Alaska Airlines and El Al frequent flyers can earn miles for travel on both airlines with the option to redeem miles for travel on either airline coming soon.
Related: Alaska Air, El Al Announce Partnership
With Alaska Airlines' track record of partnerships with numerous airlines, the airline's latest interline agreement with Air Italy has raised questions as to whether or not the two airlines might expand their partnership in the future. An expanded partnership between the two airlines might allow members of the two airlines' frequent flyer programs to earn and redeem miles for travel on either airline.
For now, however, the interline agreement is the only confirmed partnership between the two airlines. Additionally, while Air Italy's official press release makes it sound as if the interline agreement has already gone into effect, interline travel is not yet bookable on either airline's website or through online travel agencies (OTAs).
For the latest travel news, deals, and points and miles tips please subscribe to The Points Guy daily email newsletter.
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Best for dining at restaurants
TPG Editor‘s Rating
Go to reviewCard Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
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.