United Airlines prunes Dayton service with Houston axe
United Airlines is pruning its operation in Dayton, Ohio, in 2020, adding Houston to the list of routes it will drop from the Ohio city in the new year.
The Star Alliance carrier will end service between Houston Intercontinental (IAH) and Dayton, Ohio (DAY) on March 26, according to Cirium schedules. The axe comes two months after United ends flights between Newark Liberty (EWR) and Dayton in January.
United offered daily service with a 50-seat Embraer ERJ-145 on the Houston-Dayton route, schedules show.
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The Chicago-based carrier has previously told TPG that it continuously reviews its network, making changes based on each individual route's performance. Dayton appears to be a weak performer with the multiple route cuts.
United will continue to serve the Ohio city from its Chicago O'Hare (ORD), Denver (DEN), and Washington Dulles (IAD) hubs, according to Cirium.
In addition, the airline will also not resume service between Houston and Columbia, South Carolina (CAE) on March 5 as previously planned, the schedules show. Daily service with 50-seat regional jets is now scheduled to return on Oct. 1, though schedules that far out are subject to change.
Related: United Airlines drops three Newark and Washington routes this winter
Even with the reductions to Columbia and Dayton, United plans to grow capacity by 4-6% year-over-year in 2020. The elevated rate of growth is part of an effort by the airline to regain what executives see as its "natural share" of the U.S. market.
United will add service to Dodge City, Kansas (DDC) from Denver, and Decatur, Illinois (DEC) from Chicago O'Hare under the federal government's Essential Air Service subsidy program early in the new year, Cirium schedules show. The airline's regional partner, SkyWest Airlines, will serve both cities with 12 flights a week on 50-seat Bombardier CRJ200 aircraft.
Other planned network additions in 2020 include more domestic flights on Boeing 777 widebody jets, a new shuttle-like service between Newark and Washington Reagan National (DCA), and new or resumed service from its Dulles hub and five cities in its network.
United was not immediately available to comment on the Columbia and Dayton reductions.
Related: The 10 longest (and 10 shortest) United Airlines flights
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- 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.
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- $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.

