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American, Delta, Hawaiian and United Get Tentative Approval to Serve Tokyo-Haneda Next Year
Darren Murph
Senior Strategist/Writer
Darren holds the Guinness World Record as the planet's most prolific professional blogger, a feat he achieved in 2010. He's a seasoned storyteller, instructor and communicator, working across marketing, editorial and public relations for some of the world's most progressive brands. He's an explorer at heart, having traversed nearly 50 countries and all 50 US states. He's flown over one million miles on Delta alone, and takes pride in facilitating unforgettable excursions using points and miles.
May 16, 2019
•
3 min read
American, Delta, Hawaiian and United Get Tentative Approval to Serve Tokyo-Haneda Next Year
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Barring any unforeseen snafus, US-based passengers will soon have a lot more options when it comes to flying to Japan. On Thursday, the US Department of Transportatio proposed to select four US airlines — American, Delta, Hawaiian and United — to provide new daytime service to Tokyo’s downtown Haneda airport as early as summer 2020. The news comes nearly three months after the foursome submitted their requests for approval.
For anyone who has flown to Tokyo's other airport, Narita, you'll understand why this is a big deal. Traveling between Tokyo-Narita and Tokyo's popular Shinjuku City can often take almost two hours via car to cover the 50-mile distance, and that's saying nothing of the outrageous taxi fares. Haneda sits just 14 miles away, allowing a quick 30 minute transfer via car (or a commute via train that takes well under an hour).
Related: The Best Credit Cards for Airport Lounge Access
Delta Air Lines will begin flying nonstop to Tokyo-Haneda from five US cities next year. It will operate between Haneda and Seattle, Detroit, Atlanta, Portland, Ore. and Honolulu. The five new cities will join Delta's existing flights to Haneda from Los Angeles and Minneapolis–St. Paul.
Delta said in a press release that the approval will "better position Delta to compete with US airlines that have previously been able to offer better access to Haneda through joint venture partnerships with Japanese airlines," while also enhancing the "ability of Delta and its partner Korean Air to provide comprehensive service and connecting options across the region."
For the Seattle to Tokyo-Haneda route, Delta plans to use the Airbus A330-900neo, an aircraft we'll be reviewing on its inaugural flight between Seattle and Shanghai this July. Those who fly through Detroit will be treated to Delta's first aircraft to feature Delta One Suites, the Airbus A350-900. Atlanta-based passengers will be flown to Haneda on a refreshed Boeing 777-200ER (featuring Delta One Suites, Delta Premium Select and the widest economy seats of the airline's international fleet), while Honolulu flyers will be on a retrofitted Boeing 767-300ER. Portland to Haneda will be flown using an Airbus A330-200, which features Delta's older interior and lacks a Premium Select cabin. Exact timings for Delta's flights have yet to be announced, but we'd expect them soon after final approval later this summer.
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None of the other awarded carriers have yet to confirm their own plans, but the US DOT has giving the (tentative) green light for the following flights:
Tentatively approved daytime Haneda slots
- American Airlines: Dallas/Fort Worth; Los Angeles
- Delta Air Lines: Seattle; Detroit; Atlanta; Portland, Ore.; Honolulu
- Hawaiian Airlines: Honolulu
- United Airlines: Newark, N.J.; Chicago O’Hare; Washington-Dulles; Los Angeles
The airlines have an opportunity to speak up on the decision by May 30, 2019, with a final DOT decision slated for late summer 2019. In the meantime, be sure to brush up on our guide highlighting the best ways to travel to Japan with points and miles. We'll be adding more to Haneda as these new routes enter the system.
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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. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
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.