Spring break cheap fares: Cancun, Grand Cayman Islands and the Bahamas from $209 round-trip
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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 (on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year). 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.
How about some cheap fun in the sun that isn’t too far away? Low fares perfect for spring break getaways begin at $209 round trip nonstop out of Florida, with many East Coast cities also included. Note that these aren’t sale fares, per se — just good, affordable prices to the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico over choice spring break dates.
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The only drawback is that many of these fares begin in basic economy. Basic economy means different things to different airlines, but you may not have free use of the overhead bins for a carry-on bag, and you probably won’t be able to select your seat, get an upgrade, or earn PQM/PQS/PQDs. However, it’s possible to defeat many of basic economy’s negative aspects by having elite status or a cobranded credit card.
To find a deal, 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 an OTA like Orbitz or Expedia.
Airline: Spirit
Routes: FLL to CUN
Cost: $209+ round trip
Dates: February — April 2020
Pay With: The Platinum Card® from American Express (5x on airfare booked directly with the airline), Citi Prestige® Card (5x on airfare), Citi Premier® Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve (3x on airfare), American Express® Gold Card (3x on airfare when booked directly with the airline) or Chase Sapphire Preferred Card (2x 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.
Here are some examples of specific flights that are available:
Fort Lauderdale (FLL) to Cancun (CUN) for $209 round-trip nonstop on Spirit via Google:
Fort Lauderdale (FLL) to Grand Cayman (GCM) for $223 round trip nonstop on JetBlue:
Dallas (DFW) to Cancun (CUN) for $224 round-trip on Spirit via Orbitz:
Houston (IAH) to Cancun (CUN) for $242 round-trip nonstop on Aeromexico:
Miami (MIA) to Nassau, Bahamas (NAS) for $251 round-trip nonstop on Bahamasair via Gotogate:
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® Card, Citi Prestige Card (5x on airfare) or the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card (2x on all travel purchases). Check out this guide for more on maximizing airfare purchases.
Featured image by Getty Images.
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