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United Takes Delivery of First Boeing 737 MAX 9
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United's long-haul aircraft are typically celebrated with far more fanfare, from delivery to retirement, but the carrier's Boeing 737s operate more daily flights than all of UA's wide-body planes combined. Today marks a major milestone when it comes to United's short- and medium-haul flights, with delivery of the very first 737 MAX 9 from Boeing.
I had a chance to check out the new aircraft ahead of its delivery. While not much has changed inside from the carrier's latest 737-900ERs, the MAX 9 has an entirely new livery, plus a unique engine housing design.
The carrier is expecting to add two more MAX 9s to its fleet this month, with a total of 10 planes flying by the end of the year. Although UA's taking delivery of its first plane today, it won't enter service until June 7, at which point it'll operate the following flights:
Origin | Destination | Departure Time | Arrival Time |
|---|---|---|---|
Houston (IAH) | Orlando (MCO) | 7:35 am | 10:38 am |
Houston (IAH) | Austin (AUS) | 10:25 am | 11:15 am |
Houston (IAH) | Ft. Lauderdale (FLL) | 2:20 pm | 5:52 pm |
Houston (IAH) | Anchorage (ANC) | 2:40 pm | 6:58 pm |
Houston (IAH) | Orlando (MCO) | 2:50 pm | 6:19 pm |
Houston (IAH) | San Diego (SAN) | 9:50 pm | 10:52 pm |
Then on June 29 the airline planes to add the MAX 9 to a handful of additional routes:
Origin | Destination | Departure Time | Arrival Time |
|---|---|---|---|
Houston (IAH) | Los Angeles (LAX) | 7:45 am | 9:23 am |
Houston (IAH) | Tampa (TPA) | 7:50 am | 10:59 am |
Houston (IAH) | Tampa (TPA) | 2:50 pm | 6:02 pm |
Houston (IAH) | Los Angeles (LAX) | 9:35 pm | 10:59 pm |
Houston (IAH) | Sacramento (SMF) | 9:50 pm | 11:27 pm |
Los Angeles (LAX) | Houston (IAH) | 1:00 am | 6:14 am |
Los Angeles (LAX) | Houston (IAH) | 8:15 am | 1:37 pm |
Los Angeles (LAX) | Honolulu (HNL) | 11:05 am | 2:00 pm |
Later in the year, you can expect to find the MAX 9 on even more routes throughout North America, as United takes delivery of additional aircraft.
For more on United’s 737 MAX, see:
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Best for dining at restaurants
TPG Editor‘s Rating
Go to reviewCard Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
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.