Brazil Approves Open Skies Agreement With US, Paving the Way for More Flights
On Wednesday, Brazil's Senate approved an open skies agreement with the US, which means more flights between the two countries. It also means a business deal between American Airlines and Latam Airlines, respectively the biggest airline in the world and the biggest in Latin America, will be allowed to proceed.
Required by the US Department of Transportation, the treaty allows American and Latam to coordinate their schedules and connections. The agreement will also bring an icreased amount of flights between the two countries, with more destinations and routes available. In fact Brazil's tourism board predicts the number of flights between the US and Brazil will rise by about 30%.
The agreement is also expected to bring lower airfares to and from Brazil and bring additional interest from other US carriers in more routes to Brazil. According to the Brazilian government, 70% more Americans have been traveling to Brazil since the country started its electronic visa program in January.
American and Latam first introduced the agreement in 2011, but some Brazilian lawmakers opposed it due to fears local airlines would not fare well with US competition.
The treaty now goes to the desk of Brazilian President Michel Temer, who is expected to approve it.
H/T: Reuters
TPG featured card
at Bilt's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 1X | Choose to earn up to 1X points on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee |
| 2X | Earn 2X points + the option to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday purchases |
Pros
- Choice to earn up to 1 Bilt Point per dollar spent on rent and mortgage payments
- Elevated everyday earnings with both Bilt Points and the option to earn Bilt Cash
- $400 Bilt Travel Portal hotel credit per year (up to $200 biannually)
- $200 Bilt Cash annually
- Priority Pass membership
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- Moderate annual fee
- Designed primarily for members seeking a premium, all-in-one card
- Earn points on housing with no transaction fee
- Choose to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday spend. Use Bilt Cash to unlock point earnings on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee, up to 1X.
- 2X points on everyday spend
- $400 Bilt Travel Hotel credit. Applied twice a year, as $200 statement credits, for qualifying Bilt Travel Portal hotel bookings.
- $200 Bilt Cash (awarded annually). At the end of each calendar year, any Bilt Cash balance over $100 will expire.
- Welcome bonus (subject to approval): 50,000 Bilt Points + Gold Status after spending $4,000 on everyday purchases in the first 90 days + $300 of Bilt Cash.
- Priority Pass ($469/year value). See Guide to Benefits.
- Bilt Point redemptions include airlines, hotels, future rent and mortgage payments, Lyft rides, statement credits, student loan balances, a down payment on a home, and more.