United becomes the latest US airline to cut back Tulum service
It seemingly wasn't as hot in Tulum, Mexico, as United Airlines originally expected it would be.
The Chicago-based carrier filed plans over the weekend to scrap one of its newest international routes and temporarily suspend two others, as first seen in Cirium schedules and later confirmed by a carrier spokesperson.
Specifically, United will exit the Los Angeles to Tulum market effective March 30, 2025. The airline will also suspend flights from Chicago and Newark to Tulum during the summer season.
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Newark service will resume Oct. 26, 2025, though United is still evaluating if it'll bring back Chicago to Tulum for winter 2025.
In a statement, a United spokesperson shared that "we regularly adjust our schedule for a variety of reasons, including demand and the broader needs of our network."
While cuts no doubt sting, United will increase service from Houston to Tulum to twice daily during the peak summer schedule from May 22, 2025, through Aug. 18, 2025.
All of these routes were announced just over a year ago, as the carrier joined the rush of U.S. airlines vying to land their planes at this shiny new airport that was supposed to be the long-awaited gateway directly to Tulum.
The new Tulum International Airport (TQO) was built to accommodate the increased demand for travel to this popular beach destination along Mexico's already busy Riviera Maya.
Currently, most visitors to Tulum fly into Cancun International Airport (CUN) and then make a roughly two-hour drive via car or bus.
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Since the new Tulum airport opened last year, it has made the journey easier. But it probably also attracted just a little too much interest from U.S. airlines.
In the weeks before the airport's opening, nearly every major U.S. airline announced new service to Tulum, quickly adding the destination as their latest pin on the route map.
In United's case, the airline added service from four domestic hubs: Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles and Newark. All of these flights took off earlier this year, but they seemingly haven't been performing up to United's expectations.
While United originally announced four nonstop routes to Tulum, it will operate just one (from Houston) this summer.
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In fact, United isn't alone in experiencing weaker-than-expected demand for Tulum. Just last month, American Airlines filed plans to cease flying from Charlotte to Tulum effective Feb. 13, 2025.
This week, JetBlue filed plans to scrap summer service from New York to Tulum.
Speaking to TPG about the new Tulum airport, Brian Znotins, American's network chief, quipped that "the whole industry getting in there all at the same time was too much capacity to absorb all at once; we need to get people more familiar with Tulum — there are plenty of people familiar with Tulum, but we had way more seats than people familiar with Tulum, so you're seeing us and the whole industry scale back and take a step back a bit."
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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.