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Delta and LATAM win final approval for joint venture; frequent flyer enhancements expected

Sept. 30, 2022
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3 min read
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Delta and LATAM win final approval for joint venture; frequent flyer enhancements expected
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Look for Delta to soon offer an enhanced relationship with its South American partner, LATAM.

The U.S. Department of Transportation granted final approval on Friday to the Atlanta-based carrier's joint venture with its South American partner, LATAM. LATAM has operations focused in Chile, Brazil and a number of other countries on the continent.

With the new partnership, Delta and LATAM will split revenue on flights between the U.S. and Canada and South America. The deal comes with antitrust immunity, meaning that the two airlines will be allowed to coordinate on schedules and fares in those markets.

“Delta’s partnership with LATAM will help grow the market between North and South America and provide significant and much-needed benefits for customers, and we applaud the DOT for this final approval,” Delta CEO Ed Bastian said in a statement. “Now, we’ll get to work with LATAM to transform the travel experience for our collective customers and create new opportunities for our employees.”

Friday's news is not a surprise; DOT had granted tentative approval to the deal in June, and there was very little that could have derailed the deal since then.

More: Delta and LATAM's joint venture is tentatively approved by DOT

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Still, Delta's pilot union had raised questions about one section of the joint venture agreement that was removed, that dealt with the proportion of new flying that Delta would be able to add. In its decision, the DOT disagreed with the union, the Air Line Pilots Association, and said that an increased amount of flying from LATAM would indirectly add more Delta flying, too.

Friday's news culminates a process that began nearly three years to the day. In September 2019, LATAM shocked the airline world by ditching its U.S. partner American Airlines and leaving the Oneworld alliance in order to partner with Delta. For its part, Delta purchased a 20% stake in the airline, which it recommitted to during the COVID-19 pandemic, despite LATAM's bankruptcy under Chapter 11 of the U.S. bankruptcy code. LATAM is expected to exit Chapter 11 later this year.

Already, Delta and LATAM passengers can take advantage of a codeshare, as well as reciprocal frequent-flyer program benefits. Delta promises more enhancements from the JV in the months to come.

Alliance shake-up: Shocker! Delta to take 20% stake in LATAM, which will leave Oneworld Alliance

If you fly Delta: Best Delta credit cards of October 2022

Featured image by ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

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  • 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.
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