Deal Alert: Boston and Chicago to West Coast From $98 Round-Trip
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Airfare deals are typically only available on limited dates. We recommend you use Google Flights to find dates to fly, then book through an online travel agency, such as Orbitz or Expedia, which allows you to cancel flights without penalty by 11pm Eastern Time within one day of booking. Remember: Fares may disappear quickly, so book right away and take advantage of Orbitz or Expedia's courtesy cancellation if you’re unable to get the time away from work or family.
West Coast, Best Coast, right? Find out for yourself this fall with cheap flights to Los Angeles (LAX) and Portland (PDX) from both Chicago or Boston (and vice versa). The cheap fares are available on American and United from late October through early November for as little as $98 round-trip. Do your research on Google Flights and then you can complete booking through an OTA like Expedia or Orbitz.
Airlines: American, United
Routes: ORD to LAX and reverse, BOS to PDX
Cost: $98+ round-trip in economy
Dates: August — November 2017
Booking Link: Orbitz or Expedia
Pay With: Chase Sapphire Reserve, Citi Prestige (3x on airfare) or Chase Sapphire Preferred (2x on travel)
Here are a few examples of what you can book:
Chicago (ORD) to Los Angeles (LAX) for $98 round-trip on American:
Los Angeles (LAX) to Chicago (ORD) for $98 round-trip on American:
Chicago (ORD) to Los Angeles (LAX) for $98 round-trip on United:
Los Angeles (LAX) to Chicago (ORD) for $98 round-trip on United:
Boston (BOS) to Portland (PDX) for $136 round-trip on American:
Maximize Your Purchase
Don’t forget to use a credit card that earns additional points on airfare purchases, such as the American Express Platinum Card (5x on flights booked directly with airlines or American Express Travel), Chase Sapphire Reserve, or Citi Prestige (3x on airfare) or the Chase Sapphire Preferred (2x on all travel purchases). Check out this post for more on maximizing airfare purchases.
If you’re able to score one of these tickets, please share the good news in the comments below!
H/T: Secret Flying
Top offers from our partners
How we chose these cards
TPG featured card
Rewards
4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points on Restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery. |
4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X). |
3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold card. It’s been a fan favorite during the pandemic because of its fantastic rewards rate on restaurants (that includes takeout and delivery in the U.S.!) and U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders) and up to $120 in annual dining statement credits at eligible partners, there’s no reason that the foodie shouldn’t add this card to their wallet. Enrollment required.Pros
- 4x on dining at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1x).
- 3x on flights booked directly with the airline or with Amex Travel.
- Welcome bonus of 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first six months.
Cons
- Weak on travel outside of flights and everyday spending bonus categories.
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber/food credits.
- Few travel perks and protections.
Rewards Rate
4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points on Restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery. |
4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X). |
3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com. |
Intro Offer
Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months.Earn 60,000 pointsAnnual Fee
$250Recommended 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.670-850Excellent/Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold card. It’s been a fan favorite during the pandemic because of its fantastic rewards rate on restaurants (that includes takeout and delivery in the U.S.!) and U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders) and up to $120 in annual dining statement credits at eligible partners, there’s no reason that the foodie shouldn’t add this card to their wallet. Enrollment required.Pros
- 4x on dining at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1x).
- 3x on flights booked directly with the airline or with Amex Travel.
- Welcome bonus of 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first six months.
Cons
- Weak on travel outside of flights and everyday spending bonus categories.
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber/food credits.
- Few travel perks and protections.