United Airlines may resume limited China flights, the first suspended due to the coronavirus
United Airlines is considering resuming limited passenger service to Shanghai as China begins to recover from the novel coronavirus pandemic.
The Star Alliance carrier is "looking at the possibility" of resuming once-weekly service to Shanghai Pudong (PVG), United senior vice president of flight operations Bryan Quigley told pilots in a memo on April 4 viewed by TPG. The airline suspended all service to Shanghai in early February as the COVID-19 outbreak spread.
United would likely reconnect its Pacific gateway in San Francisco (SFO) with Shanghai if it resumes service, TPG understands.
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Forbes first reported that the airline was evaluating resuming passenger flights to China.
United's possible return to China is a sign that there is hope for the ravaged airline industry on the other side of the COVID-19 crisis. The load factor, or percent of seats filled, on flights in China rose above 60% at the end of March after loads fell as low as 40% the month before, according to International Air Transport Association (IATA).
"China is now returning to work and relaxing domestic travel restrictions," IATA chief economist Brian Pearce wrote on March 27. "We've seen a slow resumption of domestic air services... [and] passenger confidence is returning too, albeit slowly."
Related: It may be years until passenger demand returns to 2019 levels for US airlines
The Chinese government closely controls air service and has put strict limits on international flights. Chinese carriers are limited to one route with just one weekly flight per country, while foreign airlines are limited to just one weekly flight.
Air China and China Southern Airlines continue to fly to Los Angeles (LAX), and China Eastern Airlines to New York John F. Kennedy (JFK).
Prior to the coronavirus, United was the largest U.S. carrier to China. The airline offered up to 10 daily flights to the country, including one to Chengdu (CTU), four to Beijing Capital (PEK) and five to Shanghai.
Whether the carrier resumes all of its flights to China is an open question. The industry remains in triage slashing flights from their schedules, most recently to the New York area, with demand for air travel near zero. Airlines are likely to reevaluate their entire route maps when they emerge from the crisis with expectation that they will cut flights and some superfluous flying as they retrench to their cores.
Related: How will airlines rebuild their route maps after the coronavirus?
For example, United may decide it does not need to serve Shanghai from Chicago O'Hare (ORD), Los Angeles, Newark (EWR) and San Francisco with the latter route flown twice daily.
Wall Street analysts have forecast that U.S. passengers numbers will be at least 20% below 2019 levels next year.
United is flying just six long-haul international routes in April. The airline is connecting Frankfurt (FRA), London Heathrow (LHR) São Paulo (GRU), Sydney (SYD), Tel Aviv (TLV) and Tokyo Narita (NRT) to its Houston Bush Intercontinental (IAH), Newark and San Francisco hubs.
Related: United extends elite status for all Premier members and more
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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
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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.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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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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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.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.