United adds cool new international route, cuts yet another US city
United Airlines is making two noteworthy changes to its network.
It starts with an interesting new international flight from its hub in Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport (GUM) in Guam to Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) beginning on April 2, as first seen in Cirium schedules and later confirmed by a carrier spokesperson.
United will operate its new 1,729-mile route from Guam to Taipei using a Boeing 737-800. Flights will depart Guam at 7 a.m. and land in Taipei at 9:25 a.m. The return service will depart at 10:30 a.m. and land at 4:20 p.m.
United will operate this flight twice a week.
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Interestingly, this route technically marks a service resumption for United. That's because Continental Micronesia flew the service until October 2005, about five years before United merged with Continental.
These days, China Airlines is the only carrier operating the Guam-to-Taipei route, so United will have an opportunity to capture the market, especially given its strong presence in Guam dating back to the Continental Micronesia days.
In addition to the new Guam service, United also flies to Taipei from San Francisco.
“The launch of the new Taipei-Guam service underscores United’s commitment to Guam and the region by opening new routes that offer more ways for travelers to enjoy Guam and the Micronesia region. Opening the new market will support the island’s tourism recovery efforts and plans to diversify its inbound markets. The new route provides convenient connections for travelers throughout Asia and a new direct and convenient destination for Guam travelers to enjoy Taiwan’s exciting and unique cultural, culinary, natural, and historical experiences," said Sam Shinohara, United's managing director of airport operations for the Asia-Pacific region.
It'll be interesting to see how the new route fares, especially since United has recently invested in its Asia-Pacific network with other cool new routes, such as Tokyo to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, and Tokyo to Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
While the airline is making big moves in Guam, United is cutting yet another domestic city back in the U.S.
This time, the carrier is dropping service to Lewiston, Idaho, effective Feb. 1.
Previously, United flew to Lewiston-Nez Perce County Regional Airport (LWS) from its hub in Denver. This route started in October 2021, and will now be cut just over three years later.
Once United leaves Lewiston, Delta will have a monopoly on service to the city with its nonstops from Salt Lake City and Seattle.
United originally started service to Lewiston thanks to funding provided by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), supplemented by subsidies from the city government, according to local Big Country News.
These subsidies have since run out, and airport officials weren't able to secure more funding to keep the route going.
"We thank United Airlines, Nez Perce County, and the City of Lewiston for trying this route during challenging economic times in the air transportation industry," said Lewiston airport director Mike Isaacs in a statement.
A United spokesperson shared in a short statement that "United will continue to serve Idaho with service to Boise (BOI), Idaho Falls (IDA) and Sun Valley (SUN). We’re working with impacted customers to help them make alternative travel arrangements."
United has cut 41 U.S. cities since April 2020, according to data from aviation consulting firm Ailevon Pacific.
With most of the cuts, the airline cited the pilot shortage and low demand as the primary reasons for pulling out of so many markets. Nowadays, the industry has largely stabilized, and though some smaller markets might be coming back (such as Butte, Montana, and Eau Claire, Wisconsin), others, like Lewiston, might not make it.
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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.