Traveling to Florida soon? Save up to 50% on Brightline train tickets
If you're planning a late-winter or early-spring trip to Florida, here's a Presidents Day deal you may want to take advantage of.
Brightline, the private intercity rail company that operates fast-moving trains between Miami and Orlando, is offering half off some fares over the next several weeks.
However, you must book in the next few days to tap into the savings.
From now through Monday, travelers in a group of at least three can save up to 50% on Smart fares, which are Brightline's standard fares (Brightline also offers higher-end Premium fares).
The deal applies to all trips taken from now through March.
Whether you're planning a weekend getaway to escape the cold or taking a spring break trip in March, you can save big on a rail ticket.
Deal basics
Company: Brightline
Routes: All Florida routes, including trips from Orlando International Airport (MCO) to Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Brightline's other southeast Florida stops
Deal: 50% off Smart fares for groups of three or more, or as low as $39
Travel dates: Tuesday through March 31
Book by: Monday
Sample trip
Brightline operates 16 trainsets across its Florida line and launched its extension to the Orlando airport terminals last fall.
It also makes stops at a half-dozen stations along the Florida coast, so it's a convenient option for travelers who may have spent a few days at Universal Orlando or Walt Disney World and then want to enjoy a trip to the beach.
The travel time from one end of the line to the other (from Orlando to Miami) is anywhere from three to 3 1/2 hours.
Ticket costs can vary, depending on the date and time of day, but are generally from $29 or $39 to as much as $109 for a standard Smart ticket.
As part of the Presidents Day sale, Brightline will knock 50% off a Smart fare for groups of three or more. One caveat, though: The deal can only bring you down to a minimum fare of $39.
In the below example for Feb. 24 travel, you can see that a $99 fare drops to $49.50 and an $89 fare to $44.50, but a $69 fare drops to just $39.
Again, the deal doesn't apply to Premium fares, which include complimentary snacks and beverages and access to Brightline's premium lounge in Orlando.
Smart tickets do include onboard Wi-Fi, with food and drinks available to purchase.
Maximize your purchase
Pay for your train trip with a card that earns bonus points or miles spent on everyday purchases or on broad "travel" expenses. The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card (see rates and fees) earns 2 points per dollar spent on travel. The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card earn 2 miles per dollar spent on every purchase, every day. Also, the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (see rates and fees) earns 3 points per dollar spent on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each anniversary year.
Bottom line
The coming weeks will mark the first spring travel period since the opening of Brightline's station at the Orlando airport, making travel between Central Florida and coastal cities like Miami and Fort Lauderdale more convenient.
If you're planning to visit a theme park and the beach during a spring break trip to Florida and are traveling as a family or a group, this deal could knock a good bit off the price tag.
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- 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
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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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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.