Deal alert: Fly to New Orleans for less than $100 round-trip
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
New Orleans is a fun place that is known for its party atmosphere and jazz music scene. But this city has so much more to offer than the bars on Bourbon Street. Whenever I go to the Big Easy, I discover something new that keeps me coming back for more. You can explore New Orleans with this deal from American Airlines, which currently has round-trip fares starting at $80.
We learned about this offer from our friends at Secret Flying. These fares on American Airlines are available for travel from February to March, just in time for some Mardi Gras celebrations around the city on March 1.
Deal basics
Airline: American Airlines.
Routes: CLT/DFW/EWR/MIA/ORD/SEA to MSY.
How to book: Directly through American Airlines or through Google Flights.
Travel dates: February-March.
Related: A beginners guide to celebrating Mardi Gras in New Orleans
Sample flights
We found some great rates for people traveling from Florida and Texas (less than $100 round-trip!) and fares from the West Coast and Northeast are only around $150 round-trip. We looked for the lowest fares, so some are economy and others are basic economy, which only allows you to take a carry-on and you don't get to select your seat.
The cheapest deal we found was for a basic economy flight from Miami (MIA) to New Orleans (MSY) for $80 round-trip at the beginning of March.
Texans can head to New Orleans (MSY) from Dallas (DFW) for a few more bucks at $98 round-trip from Feb. 9-16.
Chicagoans can get a break from frigid temperatures and warm up with a flight to New Orleans (MSY) from Chicago (ORD) for $133 round-trip for a main cabin ticket in mid-February.
For a weeklong stay starting in the middle of February, you can fly from Newark (EWR) to New Orleans (MSY) for $143 round-trip with stops in Charlotte (CLT) each way.
Direct flights are available from Charlotte (CLT) to New Orleans (MSY) for $152 round-trip at the beginning of March.
On the West Coast, travelers can go from Seattle (SEA) to New Orleans (MSY) for $158 round-trip. The departure flight has a short stop in Phoenix (PHX) and the return trip has a layover in Chicago (ORD).
Related: Would you eat at an airport even if you aren't flying? New Orleans is betting yes
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 in these purchases per calendar year), the Citi Prestige® Card for 5 points per dollar on airfare, the Citi Premier® Card (see rates and fees),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.
Bottom line
Anyone who loves music and appreciates well-seasoned food will learn the vibes and tastes of New Orleans are layered and undeniable. As the saying goes, "Laissez les bon temps rouler" (let the good times roll), especially when flights are this cheap.
Related: The first-timers guide to New Orleans: Everything you need to eat, see and do