Deal Alert: Transcon US Flights from $94 Round-Trip

Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.

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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. However, if you’re using The Platinum Card® from American Express, you’ll need to book directly with the airline or through Amex Travel portal to get 5x MR points. 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.

We've found some pretty incredible deals for transcon flights, with prices starting as low as $94. You can fly nonstop from Washington D.C. (IAD) to Las Vegas (LAS) on United for this incredibly low fare, although note that the ticket is basic economy, so you'll have to pay for a carry-on or to select a seat. There's scattered availability in late November and early December.

We are also seeing flights between Miami (MIA) and Los Angeles (LAX) for just $138 round-trip. To book this low price, go to Google Flights and select your desired dates. You will have to book two one-way flights to nab this deal, one on American and the other on United. These fares are also in basic economy.

If you don't want to deal with basic economy or flying two different airlines, there are still cheap flights between Miami and LA on American, with prices starting at $194 round-trip — still a pretty great deal. There's significantly more availability on this route, with flights available from November 2017 through February 2018.

If you do go the basic economy route, you can defeat the airlines' design to make more money on ancillary fees by holding one of their co-branded cards. Both the United MileagePlus Explorer and Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard give you a free carry-on and priority boarding.

Make sure you book these tickets quickly, as prices are likely to disappear soon.

Airline: United, American
Routes: IAD/MIA/LAX to LAS/MIA/LAX
Cost: $94+ round-trip in basic economy
Dates: November 2017 — February 2018
Booking Link: Orbitz, Expedia or with the airline directly
Pay With: The Platinum Card from American Express (5x on airfare), Chase Sapphire Reserve, Citi Prestige (5x on airfare) or Chase Sapphire Preferred Card (2x on travel)

Here are a few examples of what you can book:

Washington D.C. (IAD) to Las Vegas (LAS) for $94 round-trip on United (Basic Economy):

Miami (MIA) to Los Angeles (LAX) for $138 round-trip on American and United (Basic Economy):

Miami (MIA) to Los Angeles (LAX) for $149 round-trip on United (Basic Economy):

Los Angeles (LAX) to Miami (MIA) nonstop for $194 round-trip:

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 (5x on airfare) or the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card (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: The Flight Deal