Deal Alert: Transcontinental Flights From $106 Round-Trip
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
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Airfare deals are typically only available on limited dates. We recommend you use Google Flights to find dates to fly, then book through an online travel agency such as Orbitz or Expedia, which allows you to cancel flights without penalty by 11pm Eastern Time within one day of booking. However, if you’re using The Platinum Card® from American Express, you’ll need to book directly with the airline or through the Amex Travel portal to get 5x MR points. Remember: Fares may disappear quickly, so book right away and take advantage of Orbitz or Expedia’s courtesy cancellation if you’re unable to get the time away from work or family.
Wow! It's rare to see any flights on mainline carriers for $106 round-trip — much less flights from coast to coast. But that's exactly what we're finding this morning.
The primary deal is between Los Angeles (LAX) and Miami (MIA), costing just $106 round-trip in United basic economy or $156 round-trip in standard economy. The deal works originating in both LA or Miami. We're also seeing some cheaper-than-normal nonstop transcontinental flights on other routes, including flights between Raleigh/Durham (RDU) and Seattle (SEA) and Fort Lauderdale (FLL) and San Diego (SAN).
There are no tricks to find these fares. Use Google Flights to search for your preferred departure and destination and then book directly with the airline.
Airlines: United, Delta, JetBlue
Routes: MIA/RDU/FLL/BOS to LAX/SEA/SAN (and visa versa)
Cost: $106+ round-trip in basic economy, $156+ round-trip in standard economy
Dates: September through February 2019
Booking Link: Orbitz, Expedia or directly with the airline
Pay With: The Platinum Card® from American Express (5x on airfare), Citi Premier® Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve, or Chase Sapphire Preferred Card (2x on travel)
Here are a few examples of what you can book:
Los Angeles (LAX) to Miami (MIA) for $106 round-trip in December in United Basic Economy:
Los Angeles (LAX) to Miami (MIA) for $106 round-trip in January in United Basic Economy:
Miami (MIA) to Los Angeles (LAX) for $106 round-trip in February in United Basic Economy:
Los Angeles (LAX) to Miami (MIA) for $156 round-trip in November in United economy:
Miami (MIA) to Los Angeles (LAX) for $156 round-trip in February in United economy:
Raleigh/Durham (RDU) to Seattle (SEA) for $196 round-trip nonstop in Delta Basic Economy ($227 round-trip in standard economy):
Fort Lauderdale (FLL) to San Diego (SAN) for $206 round-trip nonstop in September on JetBlue:
Boston (BOS) to Seattle (SEA) for $230 round-trip nonstop in Delta Basic Economy ($260 round-trip in standard economy):
Maximize Your Purchase
Don’t forget to use a credit card that earns additional points on airfare purchases, such as The Platinum Card® from American Express (5x on flights booked directly with airlines or American Express Travel), Chase Sapphire Reserve, Citi Premier, or the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card (2x on all travel purchases). Check out this post for more on maximizing airfare purchases.