Avelo makes Las Vegas its newest base
Avelo officially has a new base, and this time, it's in a key hub known for its gambling and bright neon lights.
The ultra-low-cost startup officially added Las Vegas as its sixth base Thursday, with the launch of flights from Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) to Oregon's Redmond Municipal Airport (RDM).
Avelo plans to fly five new routes from its newest base. The other four routes will be to Brownsville, Texas; Eureka/Arcata, California; Dubuque, Iowa; and Salem, Oregon. While Avelo already flew between Las Vegas and Santa Rosa, California, it will now double those flights to four days a week.
"We are excited to start the exclusive nonstop access to Vegas that Avelo’s new base will offer our Customers from these six communities, with more to come in the future," Avelo CEO Andrew Levy said in a statement.
Avelo has been eyeing Las Vegas as a base for a while, given that it's a popular leisure destination for ultra-low-cost carriers that target leisure travelers. Levy told TPG in a June interview that Las Vegas was a natural step for the carrier.
"Connecting many of our cities that we serve today into Las Vegas is, in our view, a pretty low-risk proposition," Levy said in June. "It just makes sense."
Las Vegas, which has both leisure and business traffic demand, is also a focus city for Southwest Airlines and Frontier Airlines, among others.
The discount startup has also gained significant momentum in the past year, adding a slate of new routes across the country and in Puerto Rico. However, Levy cautioned that with its new Las Vegas base, Avelo most likely won't add any long-haul flights to the city. For example, a flight from its biggest East Coast hub in New Haven, Connecticut, to Las Vegas isn't likely to happen, Levy said in June.
That's because Avelo's network primarily consists of shorter flights between smaller cities, many of which have limited to no commercial air service.
Las Vegas is the second base Avelo added in 2023; in February, Avelo made Wilmington, Delaware, a base.
As Avelo expands its presence in Las Vegas, it plans to hire more Las Vegas-based pilots, flight attendants, maintenance technicians and supervisors. The ultra-low-cost startup said it has already hired around 50 crew members and is considering adding another Boeing 737 to the airport in 2024, keeping the option to add more destinations from the base.
"Vegas has something for everyone," Levy said in a statement, "and Avelo’s affordability, convenience and reliability will make getting to this popular destination easier than ever."
Here is Avelo's full schedule of flights from Las Vegas:
- RDM: The first flight takes off Sept. 7, with twice weekly service on Thursdays and Sundays.
- Sonoma County Airport (STS): Avelo's existing schedule of two weekly flights will increase to four starting Sept. 8 (Sundays, Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays).
- Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport (BRO): The first flight takes off Sept. 8, with twice weekly service on Mondays and Fridays.
- California Redwood Coast-Humboldt County Airport (ACV): The first flight takes off Sept. 8, with twice weekly service on Mondays and Fridays.
- Dubuque Regional Airport (DBQ) in Iowa: The first flight takes off Sept. 13, with twice weekly service on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
- Salem Municipal Airport (SLE) in Oregon: The first flight takes off Oct. 5, with twice-weekly service on Thursdays and Sundays.
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- 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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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.

