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Southwest Airlines announces St. Maarten as newest Caribbean destination
Sean Cudahy
Senior Aviation Reporter
Sean Cudahy is an aviation reporter covering news about airlines, frequent flyer programs and consumer travel issues.
Aug. 26, 2025
•
4 min read
Southwest Airlines announces St. Maarten as newest Caribbean destination
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Fresh off announcing St. Thomas as its newest Caribbean destination last month, Southwest Airlines said this week that it’s adding yet another tropical island to its route map.
On Tuesday, the carrier revealed it will launch nonstop service next spring to St. Maarten, the Caribbean island that’s south of Anguilla and east of the U.S. Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.
Southwest’s flights to St. Maarten's Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) will begin April 7, 2026, with daily flights from Orlando International Airport (MCO).
Two days later, the carrier will begin Saturday and Sunday flights during peak travel weeks from its busy Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) base.
St. Maarten is Southwest's first international route since adding flights to the Mexican island of Cozumel earlier this decade.
What to know about St. Maarten and Southwest
The island of St. Maarten includes two sections — St. Maarten and St. Martin, which respectively have Dutch and French influence.
It’s Southwest’s first international destination since 2021 — and SXM will be just its third new airport during that period. Earlier this summer, the Dallas-based carrier announced new flights to St. Thomas’ Cyril E. King International Airport (STT) and Tennessee’s McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) outside of Knoxville.
As for St. Maarten, the island doesn’t offer a similar stable of points hotels seen on some other popular Caribbean islands, but there are a handful.
Most notably, there's the 200-room JW Marriott St. Maarten Beach Resort & Spa, which began welcoming guests in early 2024. This property is bookable with Marriott Bonvoy points.
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Read more: Southwest Rapid Rewards points could soon take you to Asia
We should also point out that SXM is a top destination for aviation enthusiasts, with the airport’s flight path — right over a beach — lending itself to some of the best planespotting photos you can take anywhere in the world.
Six U.S. airlines currently offer nonstop flights between the U.S. mainland and SXM: American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, JetBlue, Spirit Airlines and Sun Country Airlines.
Expect photos of Southwest’s Boeing 737s on final approach to surface in the coming months.
Read more: Southwest offering 2-month Companion Pass — all you have to do is book a round trip
How to book Southwest flights with points
You can book Southwest flights using Rapid Rewards points in your account earned from flying or through spending on one of its cobranded credit cards, some of which are currently offering a lucrative welcome bonus of 100,000 points for new applicants who meet the initial spending requirement.
Chase Ultimate Rewards and Bilt Rewards members can also transfer their points to Southwest at a 1:1 ratio.
Related reading:
Featured image by ARC RAJTAR/GETTY IMAGES
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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Best for dining at restaurants
TPG Editor‘s Rating
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. |
| 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.