Spirit Airlines adds 2 new Caribbean destinations
Spirit Airlines is setting its sights on the Caribbean and Central America with a two-route expansion.
Later this year, the Dania Beach, Florida-based carrier will add service from its hometown hub in Fort Lauderdale to Belize City, Belize, and Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands.
Service to Belize City will commence Nov. 21 on a three-times-weekly basis. Flights will operate on Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays.
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Meanwhile, flights to Grand Cayman take off Dec. 4, also on a three-times-weekly basis on Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Belize City is a new dot on Spirit's route map. It represents the sixth new destination the airline has added so far this year, following Key West, Florida; Macon and Savannah, Georgia; Chattanooga, Tennessee; and Columbia, South Carolina.
These additions will expand Spirit's base at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) to more than 100 peak-day departures to more than 70 destinations by the end of the year.
Belize City is an all-new destination for Spirit, but it's one that was served as recently as April 2020 from FLL, according to Cirium schedules. Southwest Airlines used to operate this route before it was cut due to the pandemic and never restored.
Meanwhile, Spirit last flew between FLL and Owen Roberts International Airport (GCM) in Grand Cayman nearly 20 years ago; it briefly operated flights between the airports from February 2006 to September 2008, according to Cirium.
Since then, both Southwest and JetBlue have operated flights from FLL to Grand Cayman. JetBlue last flew the route in April 2022, while Southwest stopped flying in this market last June.
More: Spirit prepares to cut flights as it furloughs, downgrades pilots
While Spirit itself has been undergoing a massive business transformation as it emerges from bankruptcy, so too are Southwest and JetBlue, two of the other major airline competitors in Fort Lauderdale.
Spirit seemingly senses an opportunity to grow at its hometown airport at the expense of Southwest and JetBlue, and it's doing so with these new leisure-oriented routes. These routes will also appeal to those based in South Florida looking for an alternative option to flying American Airlines from Miami International Airport (MIA).
Of course, with a three-times-weekly schedule operating during the peak winter season, these routes are pretty low-stakes for Spirit, but it'll definitely be interesting to see how they perform.
Spirit's new flights are already available for purchase and start at $85 to Belize City and $65 to Grand Cayman each way.
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| 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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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.

