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Allegiant adds 12 new routes, 1 new airport with intro fares from $49 one-way
Ben Mutzabaugh
Managing editor
Ben Mutzabaugh is one of the nation's longest-tenured journalists covering aviation, having started with USA Today's groundbreaking "Today in the Sky" blog in 2002. From the inaugural flight on Virgin America to the final flight on US Airways, Ben has been at the forefront of aviation news in the U.S. for two decades.
Nov. 16, 2023
•
5 min read
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Allegiant is filling in its route map, adding 12 new routes and one new airport. The additions — which all start in May 2024 — will beef up the carrier’s presence at 22 airports from Los Angeles to Newark.
But perhaps the most notable new route comes in Florida, with an airport that expands Allegiant’s reach there by a mere 30 miles. That’s where Allegiant is adding its newest airport: Orlando International Airport (MCO).
While flights from MCO are no surprise for an ultra-low-cost carrier like Allegiant, the addition of MCO comes despite the fact that the carrier already operates a bustling base just 30 miles away at Orlando’s secondary airport: Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB).
Allegiant flies from SFB to more than 70 cities on either a seasonal or year-round basis, but — beginning in May — that will be complemented by three new routes from MCO.
MCO is by far the busier of the two, and the airport most passengers use on their way to Disney World and Central Florida’s other theme parks and tourist attractions. MCO sits much closer to most of those attractions than SFB, where Allegiant is one of just two carriers serving that airport. (Canadian discounter Flair Airlines is the other.)
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Elsewhere, other interesting additions in Allegiant’s latest update include:
- A new cross-country flight that will give Chattanooga, Tennessee, a nonstop flight to Las Vegas.
- The Oregon city of Eugene will get its longest nonstop flight when Allegiant begins nonstop service to Austin — a route that will overtake American’s route to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) by 88 miles.
- Montana’s biggest city gets nonstop service to Los Angeles, which begins May 16 when Allegiant adds the route from Billings.
"The announcement of new service is a celebration of the success we've had in these markets," Drew Wells, Allegiant's senior vice president of revenue and planning and chief revenue officer, said in a statement. "Also, the addition of a new station makes us a more dynamic airline. We are committed to opening the door to accessible travel in as many markets as possible and know our customers appreciate the low-cost, nonstop options offered by Allegiant."
What to know: Can you upgrade on Allegiant Air?
A full schedule of Allegiant’s new routes is below. As with nearly all of Allegiant’s routes, most operate only two or three days a week. The company is offering introductory fares on all of the new routes. They range from $49 to $79 one-way, depending on the route. Travelers should know that Allegiant is known for low base fares but charges extra for nearly everything else beyond boarding the plane.
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS)
- Eugene, Oregon: Flights begin May 31, introductory fares from $79 each way.
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL)
- Traverse City, Michigan: Flights begin May 17, introductory fares from $69 each way.
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Las Vegas’ Harry Reid International Airport (LAS)
- Chattanooga, Tennessee: Flights begin May 16, introductory fares from $79 each way.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
- Billings, Montana: Flights begin May 16, introductory fares from $59 each way.
Nashville International Airport (BNA)
- Rockford, Illinois: Flights begin May 16, introductory fares from $49 each way.
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
- Appleton, Wisconsin: Flights begin May 17, introductory fares from $59 each way.
Orlando International Airport (MCO)
- Allentown, Pennsylvania: Flights begin May 16, introductory fares from $59 each way.
- Asheville, North Carolina: Flights begin May 3, introductory fares from $49 each way.
- Knoxville, Tennessee: Flights begin May 17, introductory fares from $49 each way.
Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB)
- Rapid City, South Dakota: Flights begin May 15, introductory fares from $79 each way.
St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE)
- Bismarck, North Dakota: Flights begin May 15, introductory fares from $79 each way.
Washington's Dulles International Airport (IAD)
- Punta Gorda, Florida: Flights begin May 16, introductory fares from $59 each way.
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Featured image by ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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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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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.