United ends 'flights' on buses, parts ways with Landline
Landline, the flights-on-a-bus operator that contracts with major airlines across North America, is ending its tie up with one of its oldest partners, United Airlines.
Colorado-based Landline will end branded bus service for United Airlines between Denver International Airport (DEN) and Northern Colorado Regional Airport (FNL) in Fort Collins, Colorado, on July 31. Then, a month later on Sept. 1, it will end service between Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE) near Allentown, Pennsylvania.
Nicholas Johnson, vice president and head of revenue at Landline, said in an email that the move allows it to "focus on other opportunities."
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A United spokesperson echoed Johnson's language, saying Landline is "pursuing other opportunities." They declined to say whether the airline would replace Landline with another operator but noted that United would add a third daily flight between ABE and Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (ORD) in August.
Landline has announced several service expansions in recent days. Earlier in July, American Airlines unveiled plans to add Trenton-Mercer Airport (TTN) to its growing network of bus "flights" from Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) in September. And, following the United announcement, Landline posted on Instagram that it would expand its own independent bus service between the Fort Collins and Denver airports; it'll grow to 17 daily round trips on Aug. 1 — up from around 11 today.
Landline debuted in 2019 with the basic premise that smaller cities within 200 miles of a major hub could be better served by a bus rather than a plane. The much lower operating cost of buses would outweigh any hesitancy by air travelers to book a connection on a bus.
Sun Country Airlines was Landline's first partner, launching service at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) in November 2019. United was Landline's second partner, with buses debuting between Denver and both Breckenridge and Fort Collins, Colorado, in early 2021.
One challenge that Landline faced with both Sun Country and United was that buses to Denver and Minneapolis arrived at the hubs outside of security, or "landside." And while checked bags were transferred automatically, the need for travelers to clear security at the major airports added a degree of uncertainty to flight connections.
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"It's the number one most asked question," David Sunde, CEO of Landline, said of offering buses entirely inside security during a 2021 interview.
Landline debuted its first airside-to-airside — or entirely inside security — buses with American in 2023 between Philadelphia and Atlantic City, New Jersey, and Allentown. In the two years since, the American-Landline partnership has expanded to five destinations, including the recent Trenton announcement.
The end of Landline's tie-up with United leaves the company with three partners: Air Canada, American Airlines and Sun Country. Its buses connect to the airlines at Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), PHL and MSP, respectively. Only American's buses operate as airside connections.
Travelers who book Landline buses via partner airlines can earn points and valuable status credits on their "flights."
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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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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
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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.