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United Airlines Plans to Hold More Flights for Connecting Passengers

June 10, 2019
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3 min read
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United Airlines Plans to Hold More Flights for Connecting Passengers
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All three legacy US carriers have been known to offer tarmac transfers to high-value customers with a tight connection — American through a partnership with Cadillac, Delta with Porsche and United with Mercedes-Benz — but the chances of actually scoring one are slim to none. Now, United's taking an old-fashioned approach to helping you make a connecting flight: holding your next aircraft at the gate. Naturally, since this is 2019, there's some fancy technology involved, and some buzzy branding, too.

United ConnectionSaver, as the carrier's latest tool is being called, flags departing flights that can reasonably be held for connecting passengers. As the airline explains, "United’s ConnectionSaver technology automatically scans flights for customers who are making tight connections to determine if the connecting flight can be held without inconveniencing other customers. The ConnectionSaver tool takes into account factors such as the time it will take for late connecting customers to travel gate-to-gate as well as the impact the hold may have on other flights and customers."

The key here is that the software identifies flights that can be held without delaying or significantly inconveniencing passengers already onboard. For example, if a St. Louis (STL) to Chicago (ORD) is running behind, it wouldn't make much sense to hold a connecting flight to Newark (EWR) if it'll mean travelers continuing on to Prague (PRG) will then miss their once-daily transatlantic flight — assuming those STL flyers would likely be accommodated on a flight a few hours (or perhaps even minutes) later, instead. On average, United predicts held flights will remain at the gate an extra six minutes, though, so the impact should be minimal either way.

Meanwhile, United's refreshed app will continue to update passengers with real-time gate and boarding information, along with maps for select airports, just in time to begin moving through the terminal. Flyers who have opted to receive text notifications can get up-to-the-minute updates that way, too.

United launched ConnectionSaver at Denver International Airport (DEN) back in February, before expanding the offering to Chicago as well. So far, United says more than 14,000 passengers have made connections that they otherwise would have missed had it not been for the tool. Now, United plans to roll the offering out to the rest of its hubs this summer before eventually making it available throughout the system — good news for connecting flyers all around the world.

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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)

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  • 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.