President Trump Doesn't Side with US Airlines During White House Meeting
The top executives at the major US airlines did not receive the outcome they had hoped for following a closed-door White House meeting with US President Donald Trump and Qatar Airways CEO Akbar al-Baker on July 18. According to reports from CNBC and Business Insider, President Trump did not side with US airline executives on accusations of unfair subsidies and illegal fifth-freedom routes.
Executives from airlines including American Airlines, United, and JetBlue met with President Trump and al-Baker. Executives from cargo airlines FedEx and AtlasAir and Vice President Mike Pence were also in attendance.
US Airlines Continue Battle With Middle Eastern Carriers Over Alleged Subsidies
During the meeting, CEOs from US airlines raised concerns that Middle Eastern carriers including Qatar Airways were receiving government subsidies and creating unfair competition. US airlines also raised concern over Qatar Airways' 49% stake in Air Italy, which they perceived as illegal fifth freedom routes.
The CEOs of American, Delta and United recently wrote a joint op-ed for USA Today where they urged the Trump Administration to act "decisively to hold Qatar and the UAE accountable."
One of the most vocal opponents of Middle Eastern airlines, Delta Air Lines, was absent from the meeting. According to Business Insider, Delta CEO Ed Bastian was unable to attend the meeting due to scheduling conflicts. President Trump shared his frustration with the absence of Bastian. Qatar Airways' al-Baker also shared his disappointment, noting he had traveled all the way from Qatar to attend the meeting.
In a statement following the meeting, a White House official told reporters that "The real story is that Delta refused the invite." The official went on to note that Bastian's absence, "Didn't help their [Delta] cause."
While White House officials and the CEO of Qatar Airways were disappointed with Bastian's absence, US airline executives were reportedly surprised that al-Baker was in attendance. A White House official said the following regarding al-Baker's attendance: "The president expressly wanted the Qatar CEO as he wanted a variety of perspectives, as he always does."
al-Baker only just met with President Trump earlier in the month to finalize an order for five Boeing 777 freighters. Qatar Airways is heavily invested in Boeing aircraft with more than 100 most widebody aircraft on order. There is speculation that President Trump has avoided siding with US airlines to prevent Middle Eastern airlines from having a reason to purchase non-American built aircraft built by Boeing.
President Trump Doesn't Take Sides, Instructs US Airlines To Go Through Normal Complaint Process
The meeting ended with US airline executives failing to secure a commitment or an agreement from the Trump Administration to intervene in the on-going dispute between US airlines and Middle Eastern airlines.
Ultimately, President Trump instructed US airlines to go through the standard process of filing a complaint through federal regulators. His instructions essentially shot down the chance of US airlines receiving direct assistance from the Trump Administration in the on-going battle with Middle Eastern carriers.
"We had a good meeting. Talked to the president about American jobs and the threat to American jobs from subsidized carriers outside the United States being able to fly from Europe into the United States," American Airlines CEO Doug Parker told reporters following the meeting. "Had a nice audience, and I think we made a good impression."
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| 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. |
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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
- 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.