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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.
Soon after some of the busiest shopping days of the year, JetBlue is offering a reason to book your travel now. With the latest rendition of its famous flash sales, The Hot Cocoa, Fares Loco Sale, you can fly to US and international cities from $38 one-way or $95 round-trip. The list of discounted routes can be seen here.
You must book by Nov. 29, 2018, at 11:59pm ET or local time. Additionally, you must travel between Jan. 8 and March 14, 2019, though there are blackout dates between Feb. 16-25. Also note that for some of the routes the cheapest fare found was outside of the sale period.
To search, head to Google Flights and enter your origin and destination cities. Scroll through the calendar function to find dates and prices that work for you. Finally, click through to book directly with the airline or through an OTA like Priceline or Expedia.
This is also a good opportunity to use JetBlue TrueBlue points since award redemptions are tied to the cost of the ticket. You can transfer points from Citi ThankYou, Amex Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards to JetBlue at a 1:1 ratio,
Airlines: JetBlue
Routes: Domestic and international routes
Cost: $38+ one-way
Travel Dates: January 8 - March 14, 2019
Pay With: The Platinum Card® from American Express (5x on airfare booked directly with the airline), Citi Premier® Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve, American Express® Gold Card, or Chase Sapphire Preferred Card (2x on travel)
Here are a few examples of what you can book:
Long Beach (LGB) to Las Vegas (LAS) for $38 one-way:
Long Beach (LGB) to Las Vegas (LAS) for 1,800 TrueBlue points + $5.60 one-way:
Atlanta (ATL) to Orlando (MCO) for $43 one-way:
Worcester (ORH) to New York (JFK) for $44 one-way:
Buffalo (BUF) to Boston (BOS) for $48 one-way:
Minneapolis (MSP) to Boston (BOS) for $58 one-way:
Boston (BOS) to Nashville (BNA) for $63 one-way:
New York (EWR) to Fort Lauderdale (FLL) for $64 one-way:
Chicago (ORD) to Fort Lauderdale (FLL) for $68 one-way:
Fort Lauderdale (FLL) to Havana (HAV) for $93 one-way:
Long Beach (LGB) to Las Vegas (LAS) for $95 round-trip:
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, American Express® Gold Card, Citi Premier, or the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card (2x on all travel purchases). Check out this post for more on maximizing airfare purchases.
