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US Travelers May Soon Have More Nonstop Options to China

May 14, 2018
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2 min read
Planes of China Eastern Airlines and Air China are being serviced at Hongqiao International Airport
US Travelers May Soon Have More Nonstop Options to China
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The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) announced on Monday that it's going to loosen restrictions on its "one route, one airline" policy for Chinese airlines.

The policy, which was introduced in 2009, restricts competition between Chinese carriers on long-haul international routes. Effectively, the rule exists to limit competition between state-owned carriers in that only one can operate on a designated long-haul international route. For example, the only Chinese airline permitted to operate between Shanghai (PVG) and Los Angeles (LAX) is China Eastern. Meanwhile, American, United and Delta all fly nonstop on the same route.

But with Monday's announcement that the CAAC is revising the rules, it will be easier for state-owned Chinese airlines to compete with one another. As of October 1, 2018, international routes will be divided into two categories.

The first includes unrestricted routes to destinations in countries with at least a partial open skies agreement with China, for example the US, Australia and Thailand.

In the second category will be long-haul destinations that are subject to certain restrictions. Reuters reports that China defines a long-haul route as one that's more than 2,800 miles one-way.

Overall, the easing of the "one route, one airline" policy should be a positive for the consumer. With increased competition on routes that have previously been dominated by a single Chinese carrier, passengers should have more options to get between the US and China.

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In addition, Beijing's second airport, Daxing, is scheduled to open in 2019. With the loosening of these restrictions, Chinese airlines are in a better place to compete with one another with more slots available in the country's capital.

With the new rules not set to take effect until October 1, it's yet to be told just how much will be changing and for which airline(s). For Chinese carriers that have long had their growth stunted by access, this could mean more choices for more passengers to get to different parts of the country.

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  • 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.
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  • $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.