Deal alert: Escape to sunny California this winter for fares as low as $98
American Airlines is offering a fare sale to sunny California just in time to escape the winter blues. AA has deals to Los Angeles and San Francisco for under $200 round-trip from several major U.S. cities including many of their hubs.
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Secret Flying first reported the offers available from January to March.
Deal basics
Airlines: American Airlines.
Routes: AUS/ATL/DFW/EWR/JFK/MIA/ORD to LAX and SFO.
How to book: Directly through American's site or via Google Flights.
Travel dates: January to March.
Related: 6 great road trips from San Francisco
Sample flights
The deals below are for Main Cabin seats on American Airlines, which include a seat selection and a carry-on. A checked bag and/or better seats are available for additional charges.
One of the cheapest deals we found was from Austin, Texas (AUS), to Los Angeles (LAX) at $98 round-trip for a nonstop flight at the end of January.
You can go from the Sunshine State to the City of Angels for $138 round-trip on a nonstop flight from Miami to Los Angeles. Some of these flights are being operated by American's giant Boeing 777-200 jets.
Travelers in Georgia can swap peach cobbler for some avocado toast at the same price of $138 round-trip from Atlanta (ATL) to Los Angeles.
Another departure option is flying from Dallas (DFW) to San Francisco (SFO) for $164 round-trip.
Those traveling from the East Coast in February can snag a nonstop flight from frigid New York (JFK) to San Francisco for $178 round-trip.
Travelers from the Windy City can trade their snow boots for flip-flops and head to Los Angeles from Chicago (ORD) for $138 round-trip.
Maximize your purchase
Pay with: The Platinum Card® from American Express for 5 points per dollar 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 5 points per dollar on airfare; the Citi Premier® Card (3 points per dollar on air travel); Chase Sapphire Reserve (3 points per dollar on air travel); the American Express® Gold Card for 3 points per dollar on airfare when booked directly with the airline or through Amex Travel or the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card for 2 points per dollar on travel.
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.
Bottom line
Whether you want to hit the theme parks, ride a San Francisco Cable Car or catch some sun and waves on the beach, this affordable deal is hard to pass up. Doing it on a 777-200 would be even better.
Top offers from our partners
How we chose these cards
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points on Restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X). |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold card. It’s been a fan favorite during the pandemic because of its fantastic rewards rate on restaurants (that includes takeout and delivery in the U.S.!) and U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders) and up to $120 in annual dining statement credits at eligible partners, there’s no reason that the foodie shouldn’t add this card to their wallet. Enrollment required.Pros
- 4x on dining at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1x).
- 3x on flights booked directly with the airline or with Amex Travel.
- Welcome bonus of 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first six months.
Cons
- Weak on travel outside of flights and everyday spending bonus categories.
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber/food credits.
- Few travel perks and protections.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points on Restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X). |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com. |
Intro Offer
Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months.Earn 60,000 pointsAnnual Fee
$250Recommended 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.670-850Excellent/Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold card. It’s been a fan favorite during the pandemic because of its fantastic rewards rate on restaurants (that includes takeout and delivery in the U.S.!) and U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders) and up to $120 in annual dining statement credits at eligible partners, there’s no reason that the foodie shouldn’t add this card to their wallet. Enrollment required.Pros
- 4x on dining at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1x).
- 3x on flights booked directly with the airline or with Amex Travel.
- Welcome bonus of 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first six months.
Cons
- Weak on travel outside of flights and everyday spending bonus categories.
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber/food credits.
- Few travel perks and protections.