Turf war: Sun Country adds rare single new route against Frontier Airlines
Competition might be great for travelers, but Sun Country Airlines isn't happy about it.
On Wednesday, the carrier announced a new nonstop route from its base at the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE).
On its own, this new 622-mile route might not necessarily grab headlines — after all, Sun Country rarely announces a single route at a time. However, it comes just hours after Frontier Airlines, another ultra-low-cost competitor, announced the exact same route.
Frontier's announcement included expanding operations across 38 airports, including five new routes from Sun Country's busiest base in MSP.
Those five new routes seemingly drew the ire of executives at Sun Country because the airline's latest announcement is seemingly a pointed response to Frontier's expansion.
For one, Sun Country's new Minneapolis-to-Cleveland route commences on May 17 — the exact same day that Frontier's starts. Moreover, Frontier plans to operate the route on a four-times-weekly basis, and Sun Country announced the exact same frequencies.
Better yet, Frontier announced attractive $19 introductory fares on its new Minneapolis routes. Though Sun Country didn't include fare information in its press release, a quick check of the airline's website shows that its new route also starts at $19.
In addition to the new Cleveland route, Frontier is adding service from MSP to Atlanta, Cincinnati, Dallas-Fort Worth and Philadelphia. Three of these flights will go head-to-head against the existing Sun Country service. (Sun Country doesn't fly between MSP and Atlanta.)
So, while Sun Country isn't boosting its existing frequencies in these three markets, the airline certainly reminded travelers that it is already an established player on these routes.
"Cleveland joins 98 other airports that Sun Country will serve non-stop from MSP in 2024. Among others, Sun Country notably serves Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG), and Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) with schedules that are timed well for customers," reads the Sun Country press release which specifically addresses the cities included in Frontier's MSP expansion.
Sun Country is no stranger to a turf war. After all, its base in MSP is also a major hub for Delta Air Lines. Though Delta is a larger network carrier, the two carriers have competed for local market share over the years.
Additionally, in 2021, budget carrier Allegiant announced three new routes from MSP. Just hours later, Sun Country retaliated by adding service in the exact same markets.
What happens next is anyone's guess, but at least Minneapolis-based travelers will have more options thanks to increased competition in a few more markets.
“As the leading leisure airline in Minneapolis-St. Paul, we’re excited to add Cleveland to our expanding network. We have been wanting to serve Cleveland for some time, and our schedule for Cleveland will operate when our customers want to travel. In addition, our new customers from Cleveland will experience great customer service and affordability that differentiates us from other leisure airlines," Grant Whitney, Sun Country Airlines chief revenue officer, said in a statement.
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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. |
| 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. |
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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.