United and Expedia Closer to Possibly Resolving Months-Long Feud
United Airlines and Expedia got closer to possibly resolving their dispute on Friday, after United had threatened to remove its fares from the popular online travel agency on Monday amidst an on-going dispute with Expedia Group, according to Skift. United's original decision to pull fares from Expedia stemmed from a lawsuit filed by the travel agency. However, as of Friday, the airline has reversed its decision to remove its fares from Expedia while the two entities work towards mutually agreeable terms.
"Expedia and United agreed to a schedule for litigation to play out over next few weeks and during this time, United fares will remain available on Expedia sites," a United spokesperson told TPG in an email.
The exact nature of the ongoing dispute between United and Expedia is not known. However, both parties have confirmed that the dispute is related to contract negotiations. United's contract with Expedia is set to expire on September 30.
"For months, Expedia has refused to engage in constructive discussions with United about a new contract", United said in a statement. Expedia, however, alleges that United is trying to renegotiate its contract by trying “to leverage its power in the air travel market as one of the four largest airlines in the United States to pressure Expedia.” This dispute initially prompted United to threaten to remove its fares from Expedia's site.
Both United and Expedia confirmed Friday afternoon that a short-term agreement had been reached allowing United to continue to offer its fares through Expedia. United was set to remove its fares from the site on Monday. Expedia said in a statement that United's fares will remain on the travel agency's website for now.
However, in the event that the two companies fail to reach an agreement prior to the September 30 deadline, United has confirmed that it will no longer offer its fares through Expedia. Additionally, United has confirmed that it would not be able to provide support to passengers who booked tickets through Expedia for travel after September 30 should the two parties fail to reach an agreement.
United's official statement issued Friday states that the airline "expects that [its] fares will not be listed on Expedia sites in the U.S. and Canada effective Oct. 1." United went on to say that it remains "concerned about the negative impact on customers who book tickets via Expedia for travel after Sept. 30 since Expedia will not be able to service customers traveling after the expiration date."
While the deadline for a new contract is months away, more than 2,000 United Airlines fares have been booked for travel after Oct. 1 through Expedia, according to United. The airline noted that "with each passing day, more United customers are buying tickets for travel after the expiration date."
Though United and Expedia will continue to honor the current contract that's set to expire on September 30, allowing United's fares to be booked via Expedia, flights booked after Sept. 30 will not be supported by United. This means that should the two parties fail to reach an agreement, United fares booked through Expedia after Sept. 30 would not be eligible for basic itinerary changes.
The Sept. 30 deadline also applies to the Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portal, which is powered by Expedia. If an agreement is not reached, United's fares will no longer be available through the Chase URs travel portal. Additionally, fares booked for travel after Sept. 30 would not be supported by United.
For now, United's fares are available on Expedia and Expedia's partner sites. "We look forward to a successful outcome and until a decision is made, we are happy to continue to offer customers our wide range of publicly available airfares and flight options they’ve come to expect from our leading portfolio of travel brands," Expedia said in a statement.
It is unclear if the two parties will reach a new agreement before the current contract expires. Booking United Airlines fares through Expedia for travel after September 30 should be done at your own risk. Though travelers will still be able to take flights following the Sept. 30 deadline, United and Expedia have stated that neither party can guarantee the ability to support United's fares booked through Expedia.
This story has been updated to show that Expedia and United have agreed to a schedule for litigation, not to a tentative deal resolving their dispute.
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Annual Fee
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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)Pros
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- 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.
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- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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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
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
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.