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United Grows Presence in South America With New Route and Added Frequency

May 03, 2017
3 min read
Congress in Buenos Aires Argentina
United Grows Presence in South America With New Route and Added Frequency
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In an effort to grow its South American route network, United Airlines announced today that it's expanding service to the continent with new service between Newark (EWR) and Buenos Aires (EZE) and additional frequencies to Bogotá (BOG). The new route and additional flights are set to begin later this year, which will make United the US carrier with the largest offering from the New York area to South America, according to its press release.

The new service between EWR and EZE is set to begin on October 28, with the inaugural flight departing from EWR and arriving at EZE. United will offer daily daily service on the route. It'll be operated by one of the carrier's Boeing 767-300 aircraft, which offers 30 lie-flat seats in Polaris (2-1-2 configuration), 49 seats in economy plus with 35 inches of pitch (2-3-2 configuration) and 135 seats with 31 inches of pitch in economy (2-3-2 configuration).

Here's the schedule for the new Newark-Buenos Aires route:

  • UA979 Newark (EWR) 9:50pm Departure ⇒ Buenos Aires (EZE) 10:50am (+1) Arrival
  • UA978 Buenos Aires (EZE) 9:00pm Departure ⇒ Newark (EWR) 6:10am (+1) Arrival

United already flies to Bueno Aires with nonstop service from Houston (IAH). In addition, it already serves the EWR-BOG market, however, it's adding additional frequencies on the route. It currently offers nonstop daily service between New York and the Colombian capital, but from June 8 through August 14, the Chicago-based carrier will offer two daily flights.

Image of Bogotá courtesy of Daniel Garzón Herazo via Getty Images.

Here's the schedule for the additional frequency, which will be available from June 8 through August 14, 2017:

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  • UA1558 Newark (EWR) 11:55pm Departure ⇒ Bogotá (BOG) 5:00am (+1) Arrival
  • UA1559 Bogotá (BOG) 10:35pm Departure ⇒ Newark (EWR) 5:40am (+1) Arrival

And here's the schedule for the existing daily flight:

  • UA1068 Newark (EWR) 4:31pm Departure ⇒ Bogotá (BOG) 9:35pm Arrival
  • UA1069 Bogotá (BOG) 8:48am Departure ⇒ Newark (EWR) 3:53pm Arrival

United offers twice daily service between BOG and IAH, so this added frequency will put the New York area on par — at least for the busy summer travel season. Like the existing flight on this route, the added frequency will also be serviced by one of United's 737-700s. These aircraft offer 12 recliner seats in first with 38 inches of pitch (2-2 configuration), 40 seats in economy plus with 36 inches of pitch (3-3 configuration) and 66 seats in economy with 31 inches of pitch (3-3 configuration).

Based on United's award chart, flying on these routes will cost you a varying number of miles. If you're interested in the EWR-BOG service, an award ticket will cost you 20,000 miles one-way at the saver level in economy or 35,000 miles one-way at the saver level in business. If you're looking to book an award ticket on the EWR-EZE route, it'll cost you 30,000 miles one-way at the saver level in economy or 55,000 miles one-way at the saver level in business.

Featured image by Getty Images

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  • 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.
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Rewards Rate

4XEarn 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.
4XEarn 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.
3XEarn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
2XEarn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
1XEarn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • 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

    $325
  • Recommended 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.

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.