Deal alert: 9 flights you can book right now for under $99
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
Now's a great time to book domestic flights for later in the year or early 2022. We're currently seeing some cross-country flights available starting as low as $49 one-way.
Some routes on sale include Los Angeles (LAX) to Miami (MIA), San Francisco (SFO) to New York-JFK, LAX to Philadelphia (PHL), Newark (EWR) to Seattle (SEA), among others. American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Delta, JetBlue and United are offering these low fares.
American Airlines is offering the best deals as many of its lowest fares book into standard economy. That means that you'll be able to select your seat in advance, make free changes, earn full elite-qualifying miles and elites will be eligible for free upgrades.
Meanwhile, all of the lowest fares offered by the other airlines book into basic economy, meaning added fees and more restrictions. That said, you can combat some of the negative aspects of basic economy by using your airline elite status or a carrier's cobranded credit card.
Here's a look at the top nine deals currently available. As you'll see, there are also some cheap opportunities to upgrade to a fully refundable fare. Normally, refundable fares are at least double the cost of nonrefundable ones.
The deal
Airline: American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Delta, JetBlue, United
Routes: LAX/LAS/SAN/SEA/SFO/PDX to/from BOS/EWR/FLL/JFK/MIA/ORD/PHL
Cost: From $49 one-way in standard economy
Dates: Now through early July 2021
Pay with: The Platinum Card® from American Express (5x on airfare booked directly with the airline or through Amex Travel, on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year), Citi Premier® Card (see rates and fees) or Chase Sapphire Reserve (3x on air travel), American Express® Gold Card (3x on airfare when booked directly with the airline or through Amex Travel) or Chase Sapphire Preferred Card (2x on travel).
Sample itineraries
Los Angeles (LAX) to Miami (MIA) for $49 one-way in American standard economy
Los Angeles (LAX) to Chicago (ORD) for $49 one-way in American standard economy
Las Vegas (LAS) to Miami (MIA) for $58 one-way in American standard economy
San Francisco (SFO) to New York-JFK for $76 one-way in Delta basic economy
Portland (PDX) to New York-JFK for $77 one-way in JetBlue blue basic
Los Angeles (LAX) to Philadelphia (PHL) for $89 one-way in American standard economy
Los Angeles (LAX) to New York-JFK for $94 one-way in American standard economy
Newark (EWR) to Seattle (SEA) for $96 one-way in United basic economy
Seattle (SEA) to Boston (BOS) for $98 one-way in Alaska Airlines basic economy
How to book
There are no tricks to find these fares. Just head to Google Flights and plug in your desired departure and destination cities. Use the calendar function to find dates and prices that work for you and then click through to book with the airline directly or an OTA, such as Expedia or Priceline.
Maximize your purchase
Don't forget to use a 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 (3x on airfare) or the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card (2x on all travel purchases). Check out this post for more on maximizing airfare purchases.
