Spirit adds 5 new flights, cuts international service from Houston earlier than planned
Spirit Airlines is once again making a slew of changes to its network.
This time, the updates are mainly focused on the airline's Houston operating base, where Spirit is refocusing its flying on routes that it hopes will be popular. The network changes were first seen in Cirium schedules and later confirmed by a carrier spokesperson.
Spirit will add one new flight and boost existing service on two routes from Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). Specifically, the carrier will add twice-daily service between IAH and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) beginning Aug. 14.
Map watching: The award for 'sexiest new route' of the year goes to ...
This 224-mile shuttle route is already well served by American Airlines and United Airlines, which together offer about 20 daily flights in the market on average. Average one-way ticket prices last year from Houston to Dallas hovered around $155, according to Department of Transportation data analyzed by Cirium.
Frontier Airlines entered this market in April, so it'll be interesting to see how Spirit — another ultra-low-cost carrier — fares in the market.
However, aside from appealing to travelers looking for the fastest way to get between two of Texas' biggest cities, this new route could also be part of Spirit's push to increase the number of one-stop connections it sells.
"We're going to start looking at doing some more intentional connectivity in some cities. The reason for that is being able to try some new routes out, or bring back some routes we've done in the past. If [the routes] have proper connectivity, that allows for more revenue generation," said Matt Klein, Spirit's chief commercial officer, in a recent interview with TPG.
In addition to the new Houston-to-Dallas route, Spirit is expanding its portfolio from IAH with a third daily service to Orlando and a fourth daily flight to Las Vegas, both beginning Aug. 14.
It's not all good news for Houston, though. Spirit will end all international flying from Houston, effective Aug. 13. This includes service to four international destinations: Cancun, Mexico; Guatemala City; and San Pedro Sula and Tegucigalpa in Honduras.
The airline said in a statement that "in response to reduced demand in Latin American markets, we are transitioning our international service from IAH to operate seasonally." The airline hasn't yet filed any resumption date for international flights from Houston beyond saying that service would resume "later this year," and we'll be keeping tabs to make sure the airline follows through on its word.
Aside from the shake-up in Houston, Spirit is adding two other new domestic routes. The airline will connect Fort Lauderdale with Rochester, New York, with once-daily service beginning Aug. 14. Spirit will enjoy a monopoly on this route once it commences. (Frontier used to operate flights in this market back in 2022, but that service has since been cut.)
Strategy shift: Spirit eyes more connecting flights, less reliance on Florida as it attempts business turnaround
In addition, Spirit will connect Los Angeles with Reno once daily beginning Aug. 14. Unlike the Fort Lauderdale route, this one is incredibly well served by other airlines. Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines all operate this 391-mile route, so Spirit will face some pretty fierce competition in this market.
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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.
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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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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.