United Airlines adds Mexico, Caribbean flights in major summer boost
If you're planning a short-haul international trip this summer, United will likely have a flight for you.
Over the weekend, the Chicago-based carrier loaded a major frequency boost for its short-haul international network, adding flights to nearly every destination it serves in Mexico, as well as some in the Caribbean and Central America.
Mexico adjustments
Specifically, United added 1,091 flights to or from Mexico for travel between May and October, according to Cirium schedules. This represents a nearly 20% increase compared to the previous plan, likely showing the carrier's confidence in short-haul travel returning as more Americans get vaccinated.
United's sweeping summer boost affects nearly every hub — Chicago (ORD), Denver (DEN), Houston (IAH), Los Angeles (LAX), Newark (EWR) and San Fransisco (SFO) — on every Mexico-bound route.
This includes some of the major tourist spots, like Cancun (CUN) and Puerto Vallarta (PVR), but also extends to less popular destinations like Acapulco (ACA) and Zihuatanejo (ZIH).
A full list of Mexico route adjustments is below based on Cirium data for June 2021:
| Origin | Destination | Adjustment |
|---|---|---|
DEN | CUN | From 2x to 3x daily |
DEN | CZM | From 1x to 2x weekly |
DEN | PVR | From 1x to 2x daily |
DEN | SJD | From 1x weekly to 2x daily |
EWR | PVR | From 1x to 3x weekly |
EWR | SJD | From 2x to 4x weekly |
IAH | ACA | From 1x to 4x weekly |
IAH | MEX | One additional frequency |
IAH | ZIH | From 1x to 4x weekly |
IAH | ZLO | One additional frequency |
LAX | PVR | From 2x weekly to 1x daily |
LAX | SJD | From 9x weekly to 3x daily |
ORD | BJX | 1x daily resuming |
ORD | CZM | 1x weekly resuming |
ORD | PVR | From 1x weekly to 1x daily |
ORD | SJD | From 1x weekly to 1x daily |
SFO | SJD | Four additional frequencies |
Caribbean adjustments
The same story applies to the Caribbean, where the airline is adding 526 flights between May and October, representing a nearly 20% boost from the previous schedule. Many of the biggest increases come on once-weekly routes that will now be flown daily during the summer, including Newark (EWR) to St. Maarten (SXM) and Washington Dulles (IAD) to Aruba (AUA).
A full list of Caribbean route adjustments is below based on Cirium data for June 2021:
| Origin | Destination | Adjustment |
|---|---|---|
EWR | GCM | From 1x to 3x weekly |
EWR | STT | From 1x weekly to 2x daily |
EWR | SXM | From 1x weekly to 1x daily |
IAD | AUA | From 1x weekly to 1x daily |
IAD | MBJ | From 1x weekly to 3x weekly |
IAD | NAS | Schedule extended through summer |
IAD | PLS | Schedule extended through summer |
IAH | PLS | From 1x weekly to 4x weekly |
ORD | STT | Schedule extended through summer |
Central America adjustments
The increases are even more drastic in Central America. United just added 304 flights to the region for this summer, representing a 120% boost compared to the previous plan. One of the bright spots in the region is Costa Rica, where United's adding 112 flights, including extending the season for some routes, such as Denver (DEN) to San Jose (SJO).
A full list of Central America route adjustments is below based on Cirium data for June 2021:
| Origin | Destination | Adjustment |
|---|---|---|
DEN | BZE | Schedule extended through summer |
DEN | LIR | From 1x to 3x weekly |
DEN | SJO | Schedule extended through summer |
EWR | BZE | Schedule extended through summer |
EWR | LIR | From 2x to 3x weekly |
IAD | SAL | From 1x daily to 10x weekly |
LAX | SAL | From 1x daily to 10x weekly |
LAX | SAP | From 3x weekly to 5x weekly |
ORD | BZE | Schedule extended through summer |
ORD | SJO | Schedule extended through summer |
Related: Where you can go if you're vaccinated
Though United is adding frequencies across its short-haul international network, none of the routes are actually new for the carrier. Instead, the airline is either resuming temporarily suspended service or extending the season on other limited-time flights. Nevertheless, United's currently offering 32 routes to Central America, more than any other U.S. airline.
This sweeping schedule update comes shortly after President Biden promised that all Americans should have access to a vaccine by the end of May. Despite a slower-than-expected rollout, the pace of vaccine distribution is ramping up quickly across the country.
As more pandemic-weary travelers are vaccinated, many will begin to explore travel options. Some flyers will likely limit trips to the lower 48, though others might be itching for a warm escape down south.
Industry experts are predicting a massive pent-up demand for travel, especially from leisure and VFR (visiting friends and relatives) traffic, and United's latest move is seemingly reacting to the news that the first major wave of mid-pandemic travel might be on the horizon.
Related: Vacationers drive travel rebound; flights filling up to Florida, other outdoor destinations
In fact, on Monday, the carrier wrote in an SEC filing that it expects to reach positive cash flow for the month of March 2021, assuming that “the current trajectory of booking improvement is sustained.”
“If the current rate of improvement in bookings continues, the Company expects core cash flow to be positive moving forward,” the airline wrote in the filing.
Of course, with most international destinations still off-limits, this shift in focus from long- to short-haul travel makes sense.
Domestically, the carrier is also making several route adjustments.
For those looking for an early summer escape to Florida, United is adding flights to the following destinations in May and June, from both its Chicago (ORD) and Houston (IAH) hubs:
- Panama City (ECP)
- Destin-Fort Walton Beach (VPS)
Elsewhere, United is cutting one of its recently expanded routes. In late January, UA boosted four Denver to Florida routes, including nonstop service to West Palm Beach (PBI). That route will now end on May 3, roughly four months earlier than the originally planned Sept. 6.
Featured photo by Zach Honig/The Points Guy
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- 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.
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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. |
| 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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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
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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.