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United Trims Service on New Houston-Sydney Route
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Update 6/19/18: United has responded with the following statement:
"Sydney remains an important part of United's global route network. As we continuously monitor the demand for travel in all of the markets we serve, we are adjusting our schedule on certain flights between Houston and Sydney in response to a weak demand in August, September and October. We are looking forward to returning to our normal, daily schedule between Houston and Sydney on October 22. United is the only US airline to offer nonstop service to Australia from Houston. We will continue to operate service to Sydney and Melbourne from our West Coast hubs (LAX and SFO). We are contacting our customers with reservations for travel on these dates to offer them alternate flight options to Sydney or provide refunds."
Seasonal reductions in service are nothing out of the ordinary, but I am a bit surprised to see United cutting back its flagship Houston (IAH) route so soon after launch.
Per Routes Online, the carrier will operate a reduced schedule between IAH and Sydney (SYD) this summer, during Australia's winter months. Between two and four flights have been removed from the schedule each week during August and September.
Additionally, flights to Sydney won't operate on October 14, 16 and 21, while the return to Texas won't fly on October 16, 18 and 23. The flight returns to daily service in November and operates every day through the end of the schedule in May 2019.
United's reducing service from Los Angeles (LAX) to Sydney as well, with the outbound flight not operating on August 11, 20 and 24, in addition to September 1 and 3. Return legs to LAX won't fly on August 13, 22 and 26, as well as September 3 and 5. There are no changes to the airline's nonstop flight from San Francisco (SFO), and LAX to Melbourne (MEL) will continue to operate on a daily schedule.
Light loads are clearly to blame here, which isn't all that unusual during the off-peak winter period in Australia. On days that the IAH-SYD flight does operate, award and upgrade seats are often wide open — especially for last-minute departures. Tonight's flight to Sydney has at least nine business-class seats open for upgrades and awards, and likely even more available in the economy cabin. Business-class awards are priced at 80,000 miles each way, while economy seats will run you half that amount.
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United operates a 787-9 on this route, which is the smallest aircraft capable of completing the 8,500-mile journey without a stop. The carrier's extended-length Dreamliner offers 48 business seats, 88 in Economy Plus and 116 in coach. Extra inventory appears to be leading to light loads, so it makes sense that United's decided to scale back during Australia's winter. We've reached out to the airline to confirm.
If you've booked a United flight from Houston to Sydney this August or September, check your reservation to make sure your itinerary hasn't been adjusted — if your flight is no longer operating, the airline will likely route you through LAX or SFO, instead, but you can likely choose to change or cancel your booking at no charge if you prefer.
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Best for dining at restaurants
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Go to reviewCard Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
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. |
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| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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$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
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- 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.