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Deal alert: Fly to Cartagena, Colombia, for less than $300 round-trip

Dec. 02, 2021
5 min read
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There is an outstanding sale happening now on flights to South America. Specifically, the bargains can be had for a trip to Cartagena, Colombia. The colonial port city, the country's fifth-largest, is an ideal place to take in some of the best Colombia has to offer. American and JetBlue have round-trip fares available for less than $300, which is a savings of more than 50% off normal ticket prices. Flights from cities such as Miami and Fort Lauderdale have the added benefit of being nonstop routes.

The start of the new year is a great time to visit Colombia. It's the dry season, so you get a bit of a break from Colombia's notorious humidity. There is also the added benefit that during this time of chaotic travel, Colombia is one of the easiest international destinations to visit at the moment.

The JetBlue offerings are for main cabin seats, while the American tickets are in basic economy. As always with deals like this, availability varies widely depending on your departure city and when you want to travel. The more flexible you are, the greater your chances of finding a great price.

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We got the heads up about this great deal from our friends at Thrifty Traveler Premium, who first sent it out to their subscribers.

Non-members can find sale prices by using Google Flights to search for desired routes and dates.

Deal basics

Airlines: American, JetBlue
Routes: CLE/FLL/IND/JAX/JFK/MIA/MCO/ORF/RIC to Cartagena, Colombia (CTG)
Cost: From $270 round-trip
Dates: January -- October 2022; availability varies but best between January -- March

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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How does Miami (MIA) to Cartagena for $270 sound? You can book a basic economy ticket on American in March at this price. We also saw this same price available for flights in April. Prices were a bit higher in January and February.

(Screenshot courtesy of Google Flights)

You can also fly from Jacksonville, Florida (JAX), to Cartagena in April for $358.

(Screenshot courtesy of Google Flights)

On the East Coast, we found fares for nonstop flights on JetBlue from New York City (JFK) to Colombia for just $326, a significant savings from normal prices. That's for a main cabin seat, too (as opposed to the carrier's Blue Basic fares). There's pretty good availability for tickets at this price across January and February. Prices for this route are much more expensive in March and April, so having flexibility in your travel schedule could really pay off here.

(Screenshot courtesy of Google Flights)

In addition, American has $358 seats available from Cleveland (CLE) to Cartagena. The best availability for these prices was in January, certainly a nice time to exit Ohio and head to the warmer climes of Colombia.

(Screenshot courtesy of Google Flights)

Related: What it's like to travel to Colombia right now

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

If visiting South America is on your 2022 to-do list, get to work and don't pass up these fares.

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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  • Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
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  • Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
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  • Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
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Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
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3XEarn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
2XEarn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets.
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  • Intro Offer
    Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.

    Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles
    50,000 Bonus Miles
  • Annual Fee

    $250
  • 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

Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.

Pros

  • Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
  • Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
  • Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
  • First checked bag free

Cons

  • Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
  • SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
  • Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
  • Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
  • Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
  • New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
  • Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
  • Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
  • Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
  • Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
  • Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
  • Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • $250 Annual Fee.
  • Terms Apply.
  • See Rates & Fees