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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
Great fares are currently available to a destination that’s usually quite expensive to get to. You can fly from Chicago (ORD) to San Jose, Costa Rica (SJO) from just $212 round-trip. Low fares are also up for grabs from Miami (MIA), Orlando (MCO), Houston (IAH), Atlanta (ATL), San Francisco (SFO) and Fort Lauderdale (FLL). You can find the dirt-cheap Chicago flights from January through March 2019 while deals for the other departure cities are scattered from November through May 2019.
Once you’re booked, check out Get Your Guide’s list of best activities in Costa Rica to maximize your time while on vacation. Consider staying at the Andaz Papagayo, a TPG favorite and great points hotel.
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. Then click through to the airline or online travel agency (OTA) to book the deal.
Airlines: United, JetBlue, American Airlines
Routes: ORD/MIA/MCO/IAH/ATL/SFO/FLL to SJO
Cost: $212+ round-trip
Travel Dates: November 2018 – March 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, Citi Prestige (3x on airfare plus excellent trip delay insurance) or Chase Sapphire Preferred (2x on travel)
Here are a few examples of what you can book:
Chicago (ORD) to San José (SJO) for $212 round-trip on United:
Miami (MIA) to San José (SJO) for $240 round-trip on American Airlines:
Orlando (MCO) to San José (SJO) for $292 round-trip on JetBlue:
Houston (IAH) to San José (SJO) for $303 round-trip on American Airlines:
Atlanta (ATL) to San José (SJO) for $348 round-trip on JetBlue:
San Fransisco (SFO) to San José (SJO) for $335 round-trip on United:
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, Citi Prestige (3x on airfare) or the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card (2x on all travel purchases). Check out this post for more on maximizing airfare purchases.
H/T: Scott’s Cheap Flights
Featured image by Matteo Colombo via Getty Images
With some great bonus categories, the American Express Gold Card has a lot going for it. The card offers 4x points at US restaurants, at US supermarkets (up to $25,000; then 1x), and 3x points on flights booked directly with airlines or through amextravel.com. It is currently offering a welcome bonus of 35,000 bonus points after you spend $2,000 in the first three months.
- Earn 35,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $2,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 3 months.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. restaurants. Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per year in purchases, then 1X).
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
- Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with The Gold Card at Grubhub, Seamless, The Cheesecake Factory, Shake Shack, and Ruth's Chris Steak House. This is an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Airline Fee Credit: up to $100 in statement credits per calendar year for incidental fees at one selected qualifying airline.
- Choose to carry a balance with interest on eligible charges of $100 or more.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $250.
- Terms apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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