Name: American Express® Gold Card
Brand: American Express

Quick summary

Delta and LATAM have deepened their partnership by co-locating offices in Miami and launching a joint venture, significantly expanding their combined route network between North and South America.
The joint venture has led to a 75% increase in capacity and the addition of several new routes, positioning the partnership as the leading player in the region.
Miami has been developed as a major gateway hub, with expanded flights, upgraded terminals and improved passenger experiences, including Spanish-language support.
LATAM and Delta now offer reciprocal loyalty benefits, allowing travelers to earn and redeem miles across both airlines, and may consider closer alliance integration in the future.

What to consider

The partnership enables more one-stop connections to U.S. cities that were previously inaccessible for LATAM travelers.
Delta and LATAM are working toward aligning fares, loyalty benefits and passenger experiences, aiming for 'metal neutrality.'
LATAM maintains limited partnerships with select Oneworld airlines for connectivity to Europe and Australia.

What you'll miss from the article

Details on new route launches, the operational changes at Miami airport and insights into the evolving airline alliance landscape.

Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.

In a nondescript building adorned with the LATAM logo sits a handful of Delta Air Lines employees — an arrangement that would’ve been unthinkable just a few years ago.

Earlier this month, Delta officially inaugurated its new South Florida offices, which are now in LATAM Cargo's Miami headquarters.

There you’ll find about 10 full-time Delta employees, some of whom are working closely with LATAM to build out a joint-venture partnership between the two carriers.

The walls feature pictures of Delta and LATAM airplanes, and the space is so new that one of the conference rooms hasn’t even been built yet.

The Delta employees working from this office even have a front-row view of LATAM’s cargo operations, watching as some of the airline’s freighters load and unload their goods before their next mission.

Every few minutes, you might even glimpse an American Airlines jet taking off in the distance — a somewhat ironic sight considering the circumstances.

Until mid-2020, the South American conglomerate LATAM was a member of the Oneworld frequent flyer alliance and a partner with American Airlines.

However, Delta wooed the airline away from its U.S. rival back in late 2019, in a move that shocked many industry observers. It acquired a 20% ownership stake in LATAM and also filed plans to begin a joint venture partnership (that includes profit sharing and schedule coordination) between the U.S. and South America.

That joint venture was approved in late September, and both Delta and LATAM have raced to implement it.

Now that we’re nine months into the tie-up, Delta and LATAM invited me to check out their new digs and learn more about their nascent joint venture. Here's what I learned.

TPG interviewed these four Delta and LATAM executives. From left to right: Perry Cantarutti, Alain Bellemare, Luciano Macagno and Marty St. George. ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY

Delta bolsters presence in key region

From Delta’s perspective, the joint venture was designed to quickly fill a noticeable gap in the airline’s global route map, Perry Cantarutti, senior vice president of alliances for Delta, said.

“When we looked at the world, that was one part of the world where we were not very well covered,” Cantarutti told TPG.

Before the tie-up, Delta was far from being the market leader in flights between the U.S. and South America. It offered just 122 flights on average a week between the two regions. Cirium schedules show that this was well below the 475 and 200 weekly flights American Airlines and United Airlines offered in 2019, respectively.

Nowadays, “We are together the No. 1 player between North and South America,” Cantarutti was proud to share.

The joint venture already connects more than 200 North American destinations served by Delta to the more than 120 South American destinations served by LATAM.

Also, at least nine new routes were teased as part of the pact, and five of them were formally announced, including:

Orlando-Bogota, Colombia (starts July 1)
Los Angeles-Sao Paulo (starts Aug. 1)
Miami-Medellin, Colombia (starts Oct. 29)
New York-Rio de Janeiro (starts Dec. 16)
Atlanta-Cartagena, Colombia(starts Dec. 22)

Together with some additional frequencies on existing routes, this translates to a 75% capacity increase since the pact was implemented — an impressive feat for such a new partnership.

Miami is becoming a ‘gateway hub’

When the joint venture was announced, Delta promised to turn Miami into a “gateway hub.”

Since then, Delta and LATAM have grown the Miami operation by nearly 40% more flights, according to Luciano Macagno, Delta’s managing director of Latin America, the Caribbean and South Florida.

From Miami, Delta has launched or recently increased service to Boston, Los Angeles, Orlando, Salt Lake City and Washington, D.C.

Additional domestic connectivity may be in the works. However, Delta's existing domestic flights now cover most of the demand for travelers headed to or from Miami and those connecting beyond Miami into South America (and vice versa), Macagno said.

Delta Planes Boston — ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY

For instance, that short Orlando flight — a rare point-to-point route for Delta — is largely about funneling connections through Miami.

In addition to the new routes, Delta is upgrading its Miami terminal to better support the LATAM joint venture. This includes a more streamlined connecting experience when landing from an international destination, as well as adding Spanish signage across the entire facility.

Delta’s operations are co-located with LATAM’s in Miami (and a handful of other key airports). That’s a big improvement for travelers who used to connect from LATAM to American — a process that required a ton of walking and maneuvering around the airport.

The airline is also modernizing and expanding its Miami Sky Club to accommodate a total of 320 flyers with more than 12,000 square feet. Delta is even starting to insource its ground handling in Miami, too.

Although it’s not necessarily specific to Miami, Delta unveiled a Spanish version of its mobile app last week, a project that was accelerated due to the joint venture. Portuguese support is coming soon, according to Cantarutti.

Delta fills a bigger gap than American

When Delta purchased a stake in LATAM, it sent shockwaves throughout the aviation industry. The news upended some long-standing alliances throughout the hemisphere, perhaps most notably the deep-seated tie-up between American and LATAM.

While some industry insiders might’ve been surprised by the move, it makes total sense from LATAM’s perspective: Delta fills a bigger gap than American, providing access to more one-stop destinations for flyers.

“We're very excited about the access to the interior of the U.S. and their gateways,” Marty St. George, chief commercial officer at LATAM, said in an interview.

American Airlines Delta DCA — ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY

Relative to American’s operation in Miami (the key connecting city under the American-LATAM pact), Delta’s Atlanta hub offers “many, many more destinations,” St. George said. "The thing I say to my team is that we will be selling customers to cities you have never heard of in your entire life.”

There is a “very, very long tail of demand to and from South America,” which accounts for roughly 20% of the traffic between the two continents, St. George added. The Delta joint venture enables LATAM to serve these cities with one-stop itineraries that wouldn’t have been possible with American.

While LATAM isn’t as big in Miami — the key U.S. gateway to South America — as it was with access to American’s big hub there, St. George isn't worried. "We can manage Miami on our own ... we have a lot of service there anyway,” he said.

SkyTeam membership could be coming

Delta and LATAM have already added reciprocal loyalty benefits, giving frequent travelers access to perks, such as lounge access, regardless of which airline they fly.

You can now earn and redeem miles on either airline, too.

But as exciting as the Delta partnership is, LATAM was once a key member of the Oneworld frequent flyer alliance. Membership in a global airline alliance helps boost connectivity and provides access to a broader network of customers. LATAM might consider joining Delta’s alliance, SkyTeam.

Air France Skyteam Livery Paris CDG Boeing 777-300ER — ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY

“Our focus right now is Delta ... I think the concept of SkyTeam is a little bit in the future,” St. George said.

Pressed further, he added that the “experience working with Delta has been fantastic so far. They’re a great poster child for what the possible benefit of the SkyTeam would be.”

Reading between the lines, I wouldn’t be surprised if LATAM’s long-term plan includes membership in SkyTeam.

For now, though, it maintains a limited partnership with two Oneworld airlines, Iberia and Qantas, which help bolster its connectivity to Europe and Australia, respectively.

Metal neutrality is the goal

So far, executives at both airlines are happy with the progress that they’ve made in just under a year.

In the future, Delta and LATAM will continue working toward “metal neutrality,” Alain Bellemare, Delta's president-international, said. This basically means that fares, loyalty benefits and the passenger experience will be aligned between both airlines.

LATAM Boeing 787 Dreamliner JFK — ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY

The executive teams at both carriers meet once a quarter to go over long-term plans. They gather in cities that are commercially important to the joint venture, such as Atlanta, Miami and Lima, Peru.

While more route announcements and flyer benefits are in the works, both carriers are also doubling down on building their brands and awareness across the continents; this is especially true for Delta, which has historically been weak in South America.

Such measures include an advertising campaign and customer outreach across the continent. "We find it's important because people don't know what Delta is as a credit card or a faucet,” Cantarutti said.

Fast forward a few years, and I bet South American flyers will know Delta as the airline that’s partnered with LATAM — and vice versa in the U.S.

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American Express® Gold Card

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Pros + cons

Pros

Valuable dining and food-related credits
Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
Multiple travel and purchase protections
No foreign transaction fees
Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)

Cons

Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits

More details

You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 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.
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Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™.
Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App™, or purchased directly from airlines.
Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
$120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
$100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
$84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
$120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
Enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
Book two nights or more with The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and receive a $100* credit towards eligible charges at over 1,400 upscale hotels worldwide. *Eligible charges vary by property.
Book your travel through the Amex Travel App™ with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
No Foreign Transaction Fees.
Annual Fee is $325.
Terms Apply.

Pros

Valuable dining and food-related credits
Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
Multiple travel and purchase protections
No foreign transaction fees
Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)

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 $8,000 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 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™.
Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App™, or purchased directly from airlines.
Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
$120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
$100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
$84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
$120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
Enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
Book two nights or more with The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App™ and receive a $100* credit towards eligible charges at over 1,400 upscale hotels worldwide. *Eligible charges vary by property.
Book your travel through the Amex Travel App™ with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
No Foreign Transaction Fees.
Annual Fee is $325.
Terms Apply.