Deal alert: Fly to New Orleans for less than $100 round-trip
New Orleans is a fun place that is known for its party atmosphere and jazz music scene. But this city has so much more to offer than the bars on Bourbon Street. Whenever I go to the Big Easy, I discover something new that keeps me coming back for more. You can explore New Orleans with this deal from American Airlines, which currently has round-trip fares starting at $80.
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We learned about this offer from our friends at Secret Flying. These fares on American Airlines are available for travel from February to March, just in time for some Mardi Gras celebrations around the city on March 1.
Deal basics
Airline: American Airlines.
Routes: CLT/DFW/EWR/MIA/ORD/SEA to MSY.
How to book: Directly through American Airlines or through Google Flights.
Travel dates: February-March.
Related: A beginners guide to celebrating Mardi Gras in New Orleans
Sample flights
We found some great rates for people traveling from Florida and Texas (less than $100 round-trip!) and fares from the West Coast and Northeast are only around $150 round-trip. We looked for the lowest fares, so some are economy and others are basic economy, which only allows you to take a carry-on and you don't get to select your seat.
The cheapest deal we found was for a basic economy flight from Miami (MIA) to New Orleans (MSY) for $80 round-trip at the beginning of March.
Texans can head to New Orleans (MSY) from Dallas (DFW) for a few more bucks at $98 round-trip from Feb. 9-16.
Chicagoans can get a break from frigid temperatures and warm up with a flight to New Orleans (MSY) from Chicago (ORD) for $133 round-trip for a main cabin ticket in mid-February.
For a weeklong stay starting in the middle of February, you can fly from Newark (EWR) to New Orleans (MSY) for $143 round-trip with stops in Charlotte (CLT) each way.
Direct flights are available from Charlotte (CLT) to New Orleans (MSY) for $152 round-trip at the beginning of March.
On the West Coast, travelers can go from Seattle (SEA) to New Orleans (MSY) for $158 round-trip. The departure flight has a short stop in Phoenix (PHX) and the return trip has a layover in Chicago (ORD).
Related: Would you eat at an airport even if you aren’t flying? New Orleans is betting yes
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 in these purchases per calendar year), the Citi Prestige® Card for 5 points per dollar on airfare, the Citi Premier® Card or Chase Sapphire Reserve for 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
Anyone who loves music and appreciates well-seasoned food will learn the vibes and tastes of New Orleans are layered and undeniable. As the saying goes, “Laissez les bon temps rouler” (let the good times roll), especially when flights are this cheap.
Related: The first-timers guide to New Orleans: Everything you need to eat, see and do
Top offers from our partners
How we chose these cards
TPG featured card
Rewards
10X | Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel |
5X | 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel. |
2X | 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
The Capital One Venture X card is one of the best all-round travel credit cards ever launched. Not only is it offering a tremendous welcome bonus, but cardholders can earn tons of miles on everyday spending and receive a 10,000-mile anniversary bonus to boot. Its annual fee is $395, but cardholders can count on up to $300 in statement credits toward travel booked through Capital One Travel each year and other valuable benefits like access to Priority Pass lounges and Capital One’s own growing family of airport lounges.Pros
- Excellent welcome offer worth 75,000 miles after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months.
- Up to $300 in annual travel statement credits toward bookings make through Capital One Travel.
- 10,000 bonus miles (worth $100 toward travel) each account anniversary.
Cons
- The $395 annual fee might be expensive for some, but this card’s benefits provide much more value than that.
- If you don’t travel frequently, this might not be the best card for you.
- Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
- Receive up to $300 back annually as statement credits for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of options
- Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
- Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
- Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
- Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Named editors' choice for "Best New Credit Card of 2021" by The Points Guy
- Earn 10 miles per dollar when you book on Turo, the world's largest car sharing marketplace, through May 16, 2023
Rewards Rate
10X | Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel |
5X | 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel. |
2X | 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day |
Intro Offer
Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel75,000 bonus milesAnnual Fee
$395Recommended 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.740-850Excellent
Why We Chose It
The Capital One Venture X card is one of the best all-round travel credit cards ever launched. Not only is it offering a tremendous welcome bonus, but cardholders can earn tons of miles on everyday spending and receive a 10,000-mile anniversary bonus to boot. Its annual fee is $395, but cardholders can count on up to $300 in statement credits toward travel booked through Capital One Travel each year and other valuable benefits like access to Priority Pass lounges and Capital One’s own growing family of airport lounges.Pros
- Excellent welcome offer worth 75,000 miles after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months.
- Up to $300 in annual travel statement credits toward bookings make through Capital One Travel.
- 10,000 bonus miles (worth $100 toward travel) each account anniversary.
Cons
- The $395 annual fee might be expensive for some, but this card’s benefits provide much more value than that.
- If you don’t travel frequently, this might not be the best card for you.
- Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
- Receive up to $300 back annually as statement credits for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of options
- Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
- Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
- Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
- Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Named editors' choice for "Best New Credit Card of 2021" by The Points Guy
- Earn 10 miles per dollar when you book on Turo, the world's largest car sharing marketplace, through May 16, 2023