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Airlines Cut Back Capacity on Cuba Flights — but JetBlue Adds More

June 28, 2018
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2 min read
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Airlines Cut Back Capacity on Cuba Flights — but JetBlue Adds More
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US airlines were thrilled when they learned that they'd be allowed to fly to Cuba and immediately launched dozens of routes between the former adversary. However, it's become clear that travelers aren’t booking as many trips to the island as anticipated and airlines have been forced to scale back substantially in the less than two years since they've relaunched service. Alaska, Frontier, Silver Airways and Spirit have eliminated their Cuba routes altogether.

The exception is JetBlue, which was also the first airline to operate commercial service between the US and Cuba following the agreement. JetBlue announced this week that it's expanding and diversifying its schedule to Havana with new service from Boston (BOS) and more flights from Fort Lauderdale (FLL). This is in addition to JetBlue’s existing nonstop service from New York (JFK) and Orlando (MCO), meaning that JetBlue will have more gateways to Cuba than any other US airline.

Although JetBlue began scheduling smaller aircraft in May 2017, the airline says that its Cuban markets are developing in line with its expectations contrary to some of its competitors. "We carried more than 390,000 customers on nearly 2,000 flights between the U.S. and Cuba in just our first year of commercial service," a JetBlue spokesperson told TPG in an email. "JetBlue remains dedicated to fostering travel and cultural connections between the two countries in accordance with all legal requirements and believe we are poised for further growth as other airlines eliminate service to Cuba," the spokesperson added.

Part of the reason demand has fallen is due to new travel and commerce regulations on Cuba imposed by the Trump administration last November. Additionally, many travelers are choosing to visit the island nation by cruise ship since the country doesn’t yet have the kind of infrastructure that many luxury-loving travelers demand.

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  • 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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  • $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.