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United Airlines adds Mexico's Riviera Nayarit in 3-route winter expansion

Edward Russell
Edward Russell
Contributor
Edward Russell is a contributor for TPG. An AvGeek at heart, he covered the airline business at FlightGlobal for eight years and previously covered finance in New York and Hong Kong.
July 14, 2025
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3 min read
United E175 at DCA
United Airlines adds Mexico's Riviera Nayarit in 3-route winter expansion
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United Airlines will offer travelers a new way to the Riviera Nayarit on Mexico's Pacific coast this winter.

The Star Alliance carrier will add Tepic International Airport (TPQ) to its map with a Saturday-only nonstop from Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) beginning Dec. 20. The flight — on an Embraer E175 — will operate through the winter.

United is the first U.S. airline to fly to TPQ, which sits near the Riviera Nayarit coast, north of Puerto Vallarta. The airport does boast a nonstop to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on Mexican budget airline Volaris, schedule data from aviation analytics firm Cirium shows.

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Tepic is United's second new destination in Mexico this year. The airline became the first U.S. carrier to Puerto Escondido International Airport (PXM) on the Oaxacan coast when it began flights from IAH in April.

American Airlines will join United in Puerto Escondido in December.

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In addition to Tepic, United will also add two new routes to Mexico and the Caribbean: Denver International Airport (DEN) to Mexico City International Airport (MEX) and Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ) in the Dominican Republic on Oct. 26. Both routes will operate daily, with Mexico City on a Boeing 737 MAX 8 and Punta Cana on a 737 MAX 9.

United's Latin expansion comes as U.S. carriers seek to offset a weaker domestic market with international expansion. During the first six months of 2025, the number of Americans traveling abroad increased 2.4% compared to last year, while the number of foreigners traveling to the U.S. fell 1.2%, according to the latest U.S. International Trade Administration data.

Typically, the majority of international travelers fly on an airline from their home country. That means the increase in Americans traveling abroad is more likely to benefit U.S. airlines, while the decline in foreign visitors would disproportionately affect international airlines.

United's latest winter expansion announcement follows this pattern. In addition to the three new routes, the airline is adding flights on 33 existing routes to Latin America and the Caribbean. This includes more frequencies on three recently launched routes, including IAH to José María Córdova International Airport (MDE) in Medellin, Colombia; the previously mentioned IAH to PXM route; and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Douglas-Charles Airport (DOM) on the island of Dominica.

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Below are the details of United's three new Latin and Caribbean routes this winter:

  • IAH-TPQ: Saturdays from Dec. 20, 2025, on an E175
  • DEN-MEX: daily from Oct. 26, 2025, through March 27, 2026, on a 737-8
  • DEN-PUJ: daily from Oct. 26, 2025, on a 737-9

Related reading:

Featured image by EDWARD RUSSELL/THE POINTS GUY
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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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.

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.