United delays 2 high-profile routes just weeks before their inaugurals
Editor's Note
Portugal's Algarve region won't be connected to the U.S. this summer by nonstop flights.
That's because United Airlines filed plans to scrap its upcoming route from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Faro International Airport (FAO), as first seen in Cirium schedules and later confirmed by a carrier spokesperson.
Originally, the airline had planned to commence service on this 3,494-mile route on May 24, meaning that United is cutting the route just weeks before it was supposed to start.
Affected travelers will be offered alternative flight options or a refund.
United announced last year that it would become the first and only airline connecting the U.S. and the Algarve region with nonstop flights this summer. The carrier had planned to deploy a Boeing 757-200 on this four-times-weekly route throughout the peak summer season.
It's unlike United to cancel such a splashy new route with such short notice, especially considering how the carrier made a big marketing push around the new route when it was originally announced in October. (In fact, it was even a contender for the Cranky Network Award for the sexiest new long-haul route of the year.)
Turns out, the reason for United's close-in cancellation is due to the ongoing Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) audit that commenced just a few days ago due to recent safety events involving the airline, as confirmed by a carrier spokesperson. Over the last month, United aircraft have been involved in some high-profile incidents that, while concerning in nature, have not led to any passenger injuries.
While this audit is ongoing, the airline is barred from adding new outstations that haven't been previously approved by the FAA, according to sources familiar with this matter.
If there's any good news, the airline told TPG that it would try flying to Faro again for the summer 2025 season. These flights haven't been loaded into United's schedule yet (which only extends 330 days in the future), so we'll monitor the timetables to ensure United follows through with this plan.
While Faro might've been the highest-profile United route on the chopping block this season, the airline's network planners needed to do some more work this weekend.
The carrier is delaying the start of its new Tokyo to Cebu, Philippines, route to Oct. 27. Originally announced early last month, Cebu service was supposed to launch on July 31. United plans to operate this route with a Boeing 737-800 with a crew staffed from the carrier's Guam hub.
Cebu, like Faro, is a new outstation for United, and due to the increased FAA oversight, the carrier can't add this new route-map pin right now.
Closer to home, United is also scrapping three North American routes, as first seen in Cirium schedules. This includes service from Houston to Boise, Idaho, and Hartford, Connecticut. And from the carrier's hub at Washington's Dulles International Airport (IAD), it's dropping Key West, Florida.
United's Dulles-to-Calgary route, which was added in response to Canadian low-cost carrier WestJet's expansion earlier this year, was originally planned to operate as year-round service. This weekend, the carrier switched the flight to summer-seasonal service.
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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. |
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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.