JetBlue wants to be No. 1 in Connecticut; adds Hartford routes to California, Las Vegas and Mexico
JetBlue Airways is adding more routes for holidaygoers willing to fly during the coronavirus pandemic. The latest comes in Hartford, where the carrier is adding four destinations in the West and Mexico.
The New York-based carrier will add new service between Hartford (BDL) and Cancun (CUN) on Nov. 18, JetBlue said Tuesday. A month later, it will begin flights between the capital of the Nutmeg State and Las Vegas (LAS), Los Angeles (LAX) -- JetBlue's newest base -- and San Francisco (SFO) on Dec. 18.
JetBlue aims to be the largest airline in Connecticut by 2021 with the additions. This would require it to leapfrog ahead of American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and Southwest Airlines; all of which are due to fly more seats and flights from the state than JetBlue in October -- as well as all of 2019 -- according to Cirium schedules.
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“We see great long-term potential for our business in Connecticut, as it becomes an increasingly attractive place to live and work," Scott Laurence, head of revenue and planning at JetBlue, said in a statement.
The new routes come as Connecticut has begun easing its coronavirus travel restrictions. After months of mandatory quarantine, residents and visitors can show either a negative COVID-19 test within the past 72 hours or quarantine for 14 days when arriving from high risk states.
However, fear of COVID-19 and other travel restrictions around the U.S. continue to hit air travel hard. Business travel remains nearly nonexistent with airlines adding flights wherever they see an opportunity to capture the few leisure travelers that are still taking to the skies.
Related: JetBlue continues push beyond focus cities, challenges Delta, United with 24 new routes
JetBlue has added a plethora of new leisure-oriented routes. This includes opening a new base in Los Angeles, beefing up its operation in Newark (EWR) and adding new flights to Florida where the state's beaches continue to attract visitors.
Alaska Airlines, Delta and Southwest have all added similarly leisure-oriented flights and routes to cater to these pandemic travelers.
However, the additions do not replace all of the travelers who are staying home because of the pandemic. JetBlue has lowered expectations for its third quarter schedule to down 55% compared to 2019 from down 45%.
Related: JetBlue to open LAX base, end flights to Long Beach in West Coast realignment
Hartford has previously boasted service on all four routes JetBlue is adding. American has flown to LAX since 2016 and is due to resume service in November, Cirium schedules show. Delta has connected Hartford and Cancun on a seasonal basis since 2008, and Southwest flew the Hartford-Las Vegas route from its landing at Bradley in 1999 until 2018. United briefly flew between Hartford and San Francisco in 2017 and 2018.
JetBlue's history in Hartford is checkered. The airline ended service to Washington Reagan National (DCA) in July 2019 after flying the route for five years. In September 2019, the airline's director of route planning Andrea Lusso told TPG that it had struggled with "relevancy" on the route due to its small slot portfolio at the restricted Washington airport.
Hartford has been hit hard by the pandemic. During the first seven months of 2020, departing flyer numbers were down nearly 60% year-over-year, according the airport data. Bradley handled 76,822 departing passengers in July compared to 302,636 a year ago.
Related: US airlines ‘fighting for survival’ with no hope of V-shaped recovery
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Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
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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
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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. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked 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.