Alaska unveils 1st-ever service to the Bahamas, new routes from Las Vegas to Mexico
Alaska Airlines is betting that you're going to chase the sun this winter.
The Seattle-based carrier just announced an expansion in the Caribbean and Mexico, including its first-ever flights to the Bahamas and two notable new routes from Las Vegas.
The airline is adding service to Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas, beginning on Dec. 15. The airline will serve this popular leisure destination from both Los Angeles and Seattle, using Boeing 737 aircraft, through April 9, 2024.
The Bahamas represents the 101st destination that Alaska serves from Seattle, and this 2,887-mile route is enabled by the Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft, which can comfortably operate these roughly seven-hour flights.
Service from Los Angeles will operate four times a week, while flights from Seattle will operate three times a week.
Alaska will mostly enjoy a monopoly on both routes. JetBlue just announced a nonstop flight (on a Mint business class-equipped Airbus A321) from Los Angeles to Nassau, but it'll only operate once a week on Saturdays beginning Nov. 4.
Other than the JetBlue flight, Alaska will be the only airline operating in both markets.
“We’re excited to add a new dot to our route map and believe our guests will appreciate the convenience of nonstop service to the Bahamas this winter," said Kirsten Amrine, vice president of revenue management and network planning for Alaska Airlines, in a statement. “Whether our guests choose to stay in Nassau, or venture to the outer islands, the pristine beaches and crystal clear waters of the Bahamas await.”
In addition to the Bahamas flights, Alaska is adding two new routes from Las Vegas, marking its first international service from this gateway. It'll add service to Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, on Dec. 14 and Dec. 15, respectively. (This seasonal service ends on April 9, 2024, and April 10, 2024, respectively.)
Both new routes will operate four times a week on Embraer E175 regional jets, which have a first-class cabin, an extra-legroom premium economy cabin and a standard economy cabin.
Frontier Airlines used to fly between Las Vegas and both Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas, but those two routes have been suspended since October 2022, Cirium schedules show.
Assuming that Frontier doesn't reenter the market, Alaska will enjoy a monopoly on its new international service from Las Vegas.
Since the coronavirus pandemic began, Alaska Airlines has struggled to fill some of its business-focused flights, especially from Seattle, where big tech companies such as Microsoft and Amazon have significantly cut back on travel.
Instead of sitting around and waiting for business travel to return, Alaska will point some of its airplanes at leisure destinations this winter. That shouldn't come as a surprise to aviation observers, as Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci said during the airline's first-quarter earnings call that it would change its network to reflect this new reality.
The airline already unveiled three leisure-focused routes earlier this month: Miami to Portland, Oregon; New York to Palm Springs, California; and Las Vegas to San Luis Obispo, California. Now, this latest batch of flights will appeal to travelers looking for a short-haul international trip.
In fact, Alaska says in its Tuesday announcement that "there's a continuing strong demand by travelers who want to venture to leisure destinations – whether it’s a short plane flight along the West Coast or heading to a distant international location."
The new flights are already available for booking on Alaska's website.
For a limited time, introductory fares between Los Angeles and Nassau start at $169 one-way, while introductory fares between Seattle and Nassau start at $199 one-way.
Flights from Las Vegas to Cabo San Lucas and Puerto Vallarta start at $139 one-way.
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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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- Annual Fee is $325.
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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.