Deal alert: Fly to Miami, Fort Lauderdale for as low as $79 nonstop
Quick summary
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
We don't really need to hard-sell you on reasons to visit Miami during winter, do we? The weather is amazing, and the food and nightlife can't be beaten. This new deal gives you a chance to enjoy everything Magic City has to offer while saving you significant dollars. Let's not overlook Fort Lauderdale, either, which is loaded with appealing evening activities to keep you entertained.
Flights are available through November, but we found the best availability in February and March. There were lots of nonstop flights too, from many cities. The best prices we saw were for American flights, which makes sense since Miami International Airport is a hub. Oh, and this deal works in reverse if you live in Miami.
The JetBlue, United, and most of the American fares are in the main cabin, which includes a carry-on and seat assignment. You'll have to pay for better coach seats. Other flights are basic economy.
Thanks to the fine folks at Thrifty Traveler for alerting us to this great deal, which they gave out first to their premium subscribers. Their premium service is available for $7.99 monthly or $49.99 annually. This membership fee can easily pay for itself since you'll get notified of cheap flights, award flight sales and business-class deals straight to your email.
Nonmembers can find sale prices by using Google Flights to search for desired routes and dates.
Deal basics
Airlines: Air Canada, Alaska, American, Delta, JetBlue, United.
Routes: ATL/AUS/BOS/DFW/DTW/EWR/JFK/LAX/MIA/MSP/MSY/STL and others to MIA and FLL.
Cost: Flights available from $80; many nonstop routes available.
Dates: February-November 2022; availability varies by city.
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 (see rates and fees) for 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.
Minneapolis (MSP) to Fort Lauderdale (FLL) is just $108 nonstop on Delta. That's a great price for this time of year.
Dallas (DFW) to Miami (MIA) in February is another bargain-basement fare we found. American has Main Cabin seats for just $98 round-trip, more than 50% off the normal price for this ticket.
The best deal we found in this sale was from Newark-Liberty Airport (EWR) to Miami for just $80 nonstop on American. That's an incredible discount for this route. The best availability we saw was for late January, but we also some similar fares available in February.
Detroit (DTW) to Miami can be booked on American in February for the low price of $119 nonstop.
One more incredible deal we found was from St. Louis (STL) to Miami. A nonstop ticket in February on American costs just $138 right now.
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Maximize your purchase
Don't forget to use a card that earns points on airfare purchases, like 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.
Bottom line
Pro tip: There is much more to Miami than South Beach. Walk Ocean Drive and get lunch at Joe's Stone Crabs, but then head to Wynwood or Coconut Grove for dinner and drinks. And take some time to visit Little Havana. Enjoy a cafecito and a pastelito de guayaba at "la ventanita" at Versailles to get a taste of 'real' Miami.