American adds 3 new routes in big Latin America expansion
American Airlines will give winter-weary travelers some warm-weather escapes later this year.
The Fort Worth-based airline announced this week that it would add three new routes across Latin America for the winter season.
The new flights include service between Chicago and two destinations in Mexico: Mexico City and Queretaro. American will also add service between Philadelphia and Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
When to go: These are the best times to buy an international flight
American's new daily service from its Chicago hub at O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Mexico City International Airport (MEX) will debut on Oct. 26, while the airline will only operate select flights during the peak holiday season from Dec. 18, 2025, to Jan. 5, 2026, on the new route from Chicago to Queretaro International Airport (QRO).
Meanwhile, the new daily service from Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) to Santo Domingo's Las Americas International Airport (SDQ) will commence on Dec. 18.
In addition to the three new routes, the airline is expanding holiday service across Latin American between Dec. 18, 2025, and Jan. 5, 2026. This expansion touches three routes from PHL and eight from Miami International Airport (MIA), which is American's primary gateway hub to points south of the border.
In total, American plans to operate more than 2.3 million round-trip seats throughout Latin America during the December holiday season, which is a hopping one million more seats than its closest competitor.
Not only will these new flights appeal to those looking to escape during winter break, but they'll also likely be popular with VFR (or "visiting friends and relatives") flyers looking to go home for the holidays.
Interestingly, American's expansion in Latin America comes as two of its biggest competitors also announced new flights to the region for the winter season.
This week, Delta announced first-ever flights from Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) to Jorge Chávez International Airport (LIM) in Lima, Peru, taking off on Dec. 4, while United Airlines announced a sizeable expansion across the region.
United is adding one new destination from Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) — Tepic International Airport (TPQ), which serves the Mexican state of Nayarit, on the Pacific coast — as well as two new routes from Denver International Airport (DEN) to MEX and to Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) in the Dominican Republic.
But despite all the competition, American is still the undisputed leader in service to Latin American. "As the leading U.S. airline in Mexico, the Caribbean and Latin America, at American we’re focused on growing our network, giving our customers access to their favorite destinations in the region — from the tropical paradise of Puerto Rico to the dynamic and cosmopolitan city of Mexico City, and beyond. With these new routes and additional flying, next winter we’ll operate 10% more seats than the previous year, a testament to our commitment to the region and our customers," said José Freig, American's vice president of international operations, in a statement.
Tickets for the new flights will be available for sale starting July 14 across all of American's channels.
Related reading:
- Your ultimate guide to American Airlines AAdvantage
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- American Airlines elite status: What it is and how to earn it
- Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
- The best credit cards to reach elite status
- Everything you need to know about flying basic economy on American Airlines
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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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| 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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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.