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Deal alert: Flights to Panama from Denver, New Orleans, NYC and other cities from $253 round trip

May 15, 2022
5 min read
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We've been warning you that travel prices, especially airline tickets, will likely be rising due to surging demand and inflation. So the sooner you can lock in your travel plans, the better it will be for your wallet. Which is why you should seriously consider this new flight deal with discount fares to Panama City.

We found some fantastic fares in this sale from cities like Denver, New Orleans, New York City, Orlando, Houston and others. The best availability we found was for travel between September and January. The best prices involve the most restricted fares, some of which may not include full-size carry-on bags. It will cost you between $50 and $80 round trip to upgrade for more overhead bin space. Checked luggage costs around $30 to $35 each way.

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Thanks to Scott’s Cheap Flights for first spotting this. Its Premium membership is available for $49 per year. The Elite tier option is available for $199 per year, and it offers access to deals on premium economy, business and first class tickets.

You know what we always say: The more flexible you can be with your travel plans, the better price you'll find.

Deal basics

Airlines: American, Copa, Delta, United
Routes: Atlanta, Denver, Houston, New Orleans, New York and others to Panama City, Panama
How to book: Search Google Flights and book directly through the airline
Travel dates: Best availability from August this year through January 2023

Old Panama City is beautiful and busy. (Photo by John Piekos/Getty Images)

Sample flights

We found a slew of great fares for New York City-area travelers in this deal. You can fly nonstop from Kennedy Airport (JFK) to Panama City (PTY) in September for only $253 round-trip on Copa. That same great price is available through December, although availability gets more limited near the holiday season.

(Screenshot courtesy of Google Flights)
(Screenshot courtesy of Google Flights)

There are bargains to be had if you live in Denver, too. You can fly out of Denver International Airport (DEN) to Panama City in late October for only $276 round-trip on Delta. We found similar deals for this route in November and December as well.

(Screenshot courtesy of Google Flights)

You can score a fantastic deal from New Orleans (MSY) to Panama City in the fall. This late-October itinerary on American is only $256 round-trip. We also saw this great price available for November travel. You have extended layovers in Miami, but the big savings for this fare should balance it out. Also, it's a main cabin ticket so you get the free carry-on and your first checked bag is free.

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(Screenshot courtesy of Google Flights)
(Screenshot courtesy of Google Flights)

Flights from Houston (IAH) to Panama are also drastically discounted with this deal. We found lots of availability for $316 round-trip main cabin fares on American in November and December. The catch is that most of the outbound flights we saw had a lengthy layover in Miami.

(Screenshot courtesy of Google Flights)

You won't have long layovers to deal with if you live in Austin. You can fly out of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) to Panama in November for just $336 round-trip on United. It's a basic economy ticket so you do get a free carry-on bag.

(Screenshot courtesy of Google Flights)

Related: Exploring Panama City, Panama during a mileage run

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 on 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.

Featured image by Getty Images/Westend61
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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  • 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.
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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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TPG Editor‘s Rating
Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
3 / 5
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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.
1XEarn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
  • 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