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Antigua deal alert: Fly from NYC, Boston or Philadelphia from $232 round-trip

Dec. 11, 2021
5 min read
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We come across lots of deal alerts here at TPG, especially for winter travel. Most sales don't include Christmas and New Year's Eve, so when we see discounted fares for a beautiful destination like Antigua that includes the holidays, we pay extra attention.

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This deal offers peak season availability at prices that are discounted more than 50% from destinations like Baltimore, New York City and Philadelphia. So if you live on the east coast and the idea of ringing in the new year on a beach in the Caribbean appeals to you, it's time to start booking flights.

JetBlue fares are for Main Cabin which includes carry-on and seat assignment. American and Delta tickets are Basic Economy. Availability varies, but the best prices we found for most of these cities were for January travel.

Related: Updated: A country-by-country guide to Caribbean reopenings

Thanks to the good folks at Thrifty Traveler for alerting us to this deal, which they first sent out to their premium subscribers. Non-members can find sale prices by using Google Flights to search for desired routes and dates.

Deal basics

Airlines: American, Delta, JetBlue,
Routes: BOS/BWI/EWR/JFK/PHL to Antigua (ANU)
Cost: Flights available from $232
Dates: Now-October 2022; availability varies by city but best in January-February.

Pay with: The Platinum Card® from American Express for 5x on airfare booked directly with the airline or through American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year); the Citi Prestige® Card for 5x on airfare; the Citi Premier® Card (3x on air travel); Chase Sapphire Reserve (3x on air travel); the American Express® Gold Card for 3x on airfare when booked directly with the airline or through Amex Travel or the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card for 2x on travel — which you could redeem for as little as 13,000 points.

The information for the Citi Prestige Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

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Palm Trees at Sunset, Antigua, West Indies (Photo by Mike Hill for Getty Images)

Baltimore (BWI) to Antigua (ANU) fares in January can be found for just $343 round-trip. That's a steep discount from normal pricing. It's for American's Basic Economy tier, which comes with a carry-on bag.

(Screenshot courtesy of Google Flights)

Here's another January bargain, Boston (BOS) to Antigua for $319 round-trip.

(Screenshot courtesy of Google Flights)

As we mentioned above, January had the most availability and the cheapest prices we found on our search. Here's a JFK to Antigua nonstop ticket for only $238. Is there a better way for dealing with the post-holiday hangover in New York City than by taking a holiday to the Caribbean?

(Screenshot courtesy of Google Flights)

We did find several bargain fares departing from New York City in February, including this long weekend trip for $243 round-trip on American.

(Screenshot courtesy of Google Flights)

The biggest price markdowns we found, by far, were out of Philadelphia (PHL). We came across round-trip Basic Economy fares for just $232 in January. Normally that itinerary is as high as $700, so it's a huge drop in price.

(Screenshot courtesy of Google Flights)

We found more $232 round-trip fares in February for PHL-ANU.

(Screenshot courtesy of Google Flights)

Maximize your purchase

Don’t forget to use a card that earns bonus points on airfare purchases, like The Platinum Card® from American Express for 5x on airfare booked directly with the airline or through American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year); the Citi Prestige® Card for 5x on airfare; the Citi Premier® Card (3x on air travel); Chase Sapphire Reserve (3x on air travel); the American Express® Gold Card for 3x on airfare when booked directly with the airline or through Amex Travel or the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card for 2x on travel — which you could redeem for as little as 13,000 points.

Bottom Line

Antigua is one of the treasures of the Leeward Islands, and one that is typically in high demand during the winter months for its comfortable climate and natural beauty. The island is open for tourists. Keep in mind that as of December 15, all incoming passengers must show proof that they're fully vaccinated and a negative PCR test result taken no later than three days prior to arrival. Officials are suspending the acceptance of rapid antigen tests, so make sure you take the right test.

The island is also making some concessions so visitors can enjoy some local activities. The Health and Tourism Authorities "have certified a number of leisure activities, to ensure that visitors experience them in a safe manner," according to a statement on the official Antigua website.

Featured Image: Roberto Moiola/ysaworld for Getty Images

Featured image by 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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Apply for Marriott Bonvoy Business® American Express® Card
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TPG Editor‘s Rating
Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
3 / 5
Go to review

Rewards Rate

6X6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program.
4X4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping.
2X2x points on all other eligible purchases.
  • Intro Offer
    Limited Time Offer: Earn 125,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 5/3/23.

    Earn 125,000 points
    75,000 points
  • Annual Fee

    $125
  • Recommended 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.

    670-850
    Excellent/Good

Why We Chose It

The Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex is a stacked card with a rewards rate that will help you earn bonus points on everyday and business-related purchases. You'll earn 15 elite night credits each calendar year, and receive automatic Gold elite status. Finally, the free night award certificate with a redemption level of 35,000 points or less can get you hundreds of dollars in potential value each year.

Pros

  • 6 points per dollar on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program
  • 4 points per dollar at restaurants worldwide, U.S. gas stations, wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and U.S. shipping
  • 2 points per dollar on all other eligible purchases
  • Earn a free-night award each card renewal month (up to 35,000 points)
  • Receive 15 elite night credits to jump-start status
  • Transfer Marriott points to 40+ airlines

Cons

  • Airline points transfer ratios are poor
  • Must spend $60,000 in a year for second free-night award
  • Limited Time Offer: Earn 125,000 Bonus Marriott Bonvoy Points after you use your new Card to make $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Offer ends 5/3/23.
  • Receive a 7% discount off standard rates for reservations of standard guest rooms at hotels that participate in the Marriott Bonvoy program when you book directly. Terms and Conditions Apply.
  • 6x Marriott Bonvoy Points on each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy® program.
  • 4x points for purchases made at restaurants worldwide, at U.S. gas stations, on wireless telephone services purchased directly from U.S. service providers and on U.S. purchases for shipping.
  • 2x points on all other eligible purchases.
  • Receive 1 Free Night Award every year after your Card renewal month. Plus, earn an additional Free Night Award after you spend $60K in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Awards can be used for one night (redemption level at or under 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy® points) at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Certain hotels have resort fees.
  • Enjoy Complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite Status with your Card.
  • Terms apply.