Elite Airways launches new route between Florida and Newark
Editor's Note
Editor's note: This post has been updated with new information.
New York-area travelers now have a new way to get to the Northeast Florida coast and vice-versa.
Last week, Elite Airways, the Maine-based Canadair Regional Jet operator, launched service between St. Augustine (UST) and Newark (EWR).
Elite's entrance into the market restores scheduled airline service to St. Augustine’s Northeast Florida Regional Airport, located 42 miles southeast of Jacksonville International (JAX).
Via Airlines last served the airport, which ended service to Charlotte (CLT) in 2018. Frontier also served the airport until 2017.
The new service operates with two weekly flights in each direction. Southbound flights depart on Mondays and Fridays, with an 11:30 a.m. departure out of EWR, arriving at UST at 1:45 p.m. Northbound flights depart on Tuesdays and Saturdays, with an 8 a.m. departure out of UST, arriving at EWR at 10:30 a.m. For the holidays, northbound flights will operate on Friday, Dec. 24 and Friday, Dec. 31 in lieu of the Saturday departures those weeks.
As the oldest continually inhabited European settlement in the continental U.S., St. Augustine is a city full of history, including the Castillo de San Marcos, a fort. It's also an excellent destination for families.
"We believe passengers will enjoy the convenience of flying nonstop to and from St. Augustine for family vacations, weekend getaways, and major golfing events like the Players Championship in Ponte Vedra," said John Pearsall, Elite's president, in a statement.
“We are excited to welcome more visitors from New York and New Jersey as they explore the many authentic, unique experiences in St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra and the Beaches,” said Richard Goldman, president and CEO of St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra & The Beaches Visitors & Convention Bureau, in a statement.
More: Why St. Augustine is a way cooler family destination than you thought
St. Augustine is Elite's third destination in Florida — it also flies between the Northeastern U.S. and Sarasota-Bradenton (SRQ) and, temporarily, Melbourne (MLB). Service will revert from Melbourne to Vero Beach (VRB), Elite's normal base on the Central Florida coast, in the spring. The airline also offers seasonal service to Martha's Vineyard (MVY) and Nantucket (ACK).
Tickets start at $129 each way and are bookable through Elite's website. A ticket on Elite includes a free seat assignment, a free checked bag and snacks. Know that Elite does not participate in any frequent flyer programs and does not partner with other airlines.
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- 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.
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- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | 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. |
| 4X | 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 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.
- 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.
- Terms Apply.

