United adds one-stop bus service to 2 Colorado destinations
Editor's Note
United Airlines is expanding its reach in Colorado.
On Thursday, March 11, the Chicago-based carrier began its partnership with luxury-bus operator Landline to offer flyers one-stop itineraries through its Denver hub, with ground transportation to or from Breckenridge and Fort Collins.
The new partnership allows United customers to search and book itineraries to both destinations, with the last leg of the journey operated by one of Landline's premium coach buses. Once-daily service to Breckenridge began on Thursday, while four-times daily Fort Collins service begins on April 1.
The first Breckenridge bus service carries United flight numbers 6388 and 6389. The first bus departed Denver for the mountains at 11:15 a.m. local time, while the return journey is slated for a 2:15 p.m. departure.
United's vice president of domestic network planning Ankit Gupta told TPG in an interview that these sub-100 mile destinations are popular with travelers, but there isn't a commercially feasible way to operate flights to either city. (United and Continental Express last flew to Fort Collins in the 1990s.)
"This seamless product transfers you from Denver to Breckenridge and Fort Collins and vice versa," Gupta told TPG.
Before United's new partnership, flyers headed for a Breckenridge ski vacation or to visit Fort Collins rented a car, used a rideshare or took a public shuttle to get to their final destination. This required maneuvering through Denver's three-concourse airport and claiming checked bags before finding ground transportation.
On the return to Denver, travelers needed to worry about potentially hazardous road conditions and unpredictable traffic patterns.
More from Colorado: United Airlines boosts Denver hub in 4-route Florida expansion
The United-Landline partnership eliminates much of the stress and hassle. For one, travelers are protected during irregular operations. "We at United will take care of you," said Gupta. If flights are late or the bus is stuck in traffic, United promises to get you to your final destination on both ends of your journey.
Additionally, the Landline partnership offers the most seamless Denver connection experience possible. To start, you'll receive your bus boarding pass when checking in for the first flight on the itinerary.
After arriving in Denver, you'll head to Gate A78 in the A concourse, while your checked luggage, including skiing equipment, is transferred directly to the bus.
When originating in Breckenridge or Fort Collins, flyers receive their United boarding pass during check-in, and checked bags are tagged to the final destination. When arriving in Denver, you first proceed directly to security before going to the departure gate.
Landline is working on adding remote security screening at its outstations so that you can arrive in Denver already pre-screened and ready to make your connecting flight.
As for the passenger experience, each bus sports free Wi-Fi, streaming entertainment and spacious leather seating arranged in a 1-2 configuration. Landline has implemented United's CleanPlus anti-coronavirus cleaning initiatives, and bus capacity will be capped at 50% to promote social distancing.
MileagePlus members can earn Premier Qualifying Points (PQPs) and redeemable miles on the bus portion of the itinerary.
This isn't the first time that United's partnering with a bus operator. In Newark, the carrier offers one-stop connecting service to Allentown, Pennsylvania (ABE) via Easton Coach. Since 2019, Sun Country Airlines has offered a Landline bus connection from its Minneapolis/St. Paul (MSP) hub to cities in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Related: Your inside look at Denver Airport's new terminal expansion
As for what's next with the United-Landline partnership, Gupta described two expansion opportunities. The first is simply growing the range of destinations.
"There are so many opportunities from Denver. Boulder, Copper Mountain, Estes Park Resort. We wanted to start with this test pilot and see how it performs,” Gupta said.
Aside from Denver, Gupta mentioned that "coastal gateways" like United's Newark or San Francisco hubs could be other cities ripe for expansion. In the New York area, points of interest near the Stewart International Airport could make Landline service worthwhile.
Another option United is considering is adding the ability to purchase bus service as a post-purchase add-on. Say you book a flight to Denver and then three months later decide you'll ski in Breckenridge. By offering the bus as an ancillary service, you could easily add the bus segment without reticketing your entire itinerary.
United's Colorado push comes as Denver passenger traffic has proven resilient during the pandemic. The carrier is boosting flights from its mega-hub as it competes fiercely with Southwest Airlines. United is down just about 20% in Denver departures compared to the pre-pandemic highs of 2019.
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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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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.