Southwest Airlines announces St. Maarten as newest Caribbean destination
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.
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:
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 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. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
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 $8,000 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.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.