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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.
Major Chinese airlines have a great sale on flights to Southeast Asia — yesterday we published low fares from the US to Vietnam, but we are now seeing even lower prices to the Philippines and Thailand. You can fly from San Francisco (SFO), Los Angeles (LAX), New York (JFK) and Chicago (ORD) to Cebu (CEB) and Manila (MNL) in the Philippines as well as Bangkok (BKK), Phuket (HKT) and Chiang Mai (CNX) in Thailand.
If you’re looking to book any activities or tours once you’re there, check out Get Your Guide’s list of best activities in Thailand and the Philippines to maximize your time while on vacation.
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. Note that some of the cheapest flights may take a few seconds longer to load on Google Flights, so be patient when searching. Finally, click through to book directly with the airline or through an OTA like Priceline or Expedia.
Airlines: China Southern, China Eastern
Routes: SFO/LAX/JFK/ORD to CEB/BKK/MNL/CNX/HKT
Cost: $363+ round-trip
Travel Dates: February 2019 – April 2019
Pay With: The Platinum Card® from American Express (5x on airfare booked directly with the airline), Citi Premier Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve Card, American Express® Gold Card, Citi Prestige Card (5x on airfare plus excellent trip delay insurance) or Chase Sapphire Preferred Card (2x on travel)
Here are a few examples of what you can book:
Los Angeles (LAX) to Cebu (CEB) for $363 round-trip on China Eastern via Expedia:
Los Angeles (LAX) to Manila (MNL) for $373 round-trip on China Eastern via Expedia:
Los Angeles (LAX) to Bangkok (BKK) for $387 round-trip on China Eastern via Expedia:
San Francisco (SFO) to Manila (MNL) for $412 round-trip on China Eastern via Expedia:
San Francisco (SFO) to Phuket (HKT) for $460 round-trip on China Eastern via Expedia:
San Francisco (SFO) to Cebu (CEB) for $469 round-trip on China Eastern via Expedia:
New York (JFK) to Manila (MNL) for $496 round-trip on China Southern via Expedia:
New York (JFK) to Chiang Mai (CNX) for $510 round-trip on China Southern via Expedia:
New York (JFK) to Bangkok (BKK) for $510 round-trip on China Southern via Expedia:
Chicago (ORD) to Cebu (CEB) for $528 round-trip on China Eastern via Expedia:
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 Card, 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 post for more on maximizing airfare purchases.
H/T: Thrifty Traveler
Featured image of Cebu, Philippines by KrisCav / Getty Images.
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