Deal alert: A few hundred dollars could get you to Peru and back
From visiting historic sights like Machu Picchu and riding the cable car to the Kuelap, to the seafood, street food and incredible culture in Lima, the list of reasons to visit Peru is long. If you were on the fence before, a number of airlines are offering some incredible deals for travel to the country this fall.
While Google flights shows round trips to the capital city of Lima often range between $500 and $700 from many major U.S. airports, during the fall months there are a whole host of flight options for less than $400 – even less than $300 – from several U.S. cities.
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TPG first learned of the deals from Scott’s Cheap flights, which offers a premium membership that alerts readers on discounted fares starting from $49 per year for economy class deals and $199 per year for an elite membership, which also includes first, business and premium economy deals.
With the possibility of rising airfare in 2022, there’s certainly a chance these deals won’t be around long, but the good news is that the deals are available on so many dates this fall, you have a wide range of options to book a trip that fits your schedule.
Relate: 19 things to know before your first trip to Peru
Deal Basics
Airlines: Avianca, Copa, American, JetBlue, Spirit and Delta
Routes: IAH/JFK/LAX/MIA/MCO/FLL to LIM
How to book: Directly through the airlines or through Google Flights
Travel dates: Mostly September through early December
Sample flights
The deals we found were for economy tickets less than $400. We found some airports with a wide range of options between $300 and $400, and others with a large number of itineraries available between $200 and $300, which really caught our eye.
The flights are available on a number of carriers and differ from airport to airport, but we found the most options available on Avianca, American and Copa. That’s good news not just for AAdvantage members, but for United MileagePlus members, too. Since Avianca and Copa are members of the Star Alliance, you’ll be able to enjoy any elite benefits you currently have on your flight.
Here are a few examples of the options we found. Keep in mind, at airports where these deals exist, there’s often a second or third airline offering a relatively similar deal that day (or on another day) so if there’s a particular airline you’re hoping to fly with, it’s certainly worth checking your options out of these airports:
- Los Angeles (LAX) to Lima (LIM): $309 round trip on American
- Houston-Intercontinental (IAH) to Lima (LIM): $247 round trip on Avianca
- Miami (MIA) to Lima (LIM): $238 round trip on American
- Fort Lauderdale (FLL) to Lima (LIM): $222 round trip on JetBlue
- New York-John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) to Lima (LIM): $249 round trip on Copa
- Orlando (MCO) to Lima (LIM): $371 round trip on Copa
While the majority of the airports offering these deals to Jorge Chavez International Airport in Lima (LIM) originate out of the eastern U.S., LAX really stands out when it comes to this deal because you’re getting such a bargain on a long-distance flight. For $307 round trip on American, you do have layovers at DFW, but that’s it. (Interestingly, I could not find the same deal on direct flights to Lima originating from DFW). I also found similar deals out of LAX on Avianca, with layovers at El Salvador International Airport (SAL).
One of the cheapest and simplest itineraries I found was the direct flight option from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) to Lima on JetBlue. It’s a flight of less than six hours, and gets you there and back for $222. Avianca and Spirit Airlines also have regular deals this fall for similar pricing.
If you’re traveling from the New York City area, JFK is going to be the best bet. Copa is offering flights to Lima for $249 for much of the fall. There’s also a wide number of options on Avianca and American. On the Copa itinerary, you have a layover of less than two hours in Panama City (PTY).
Finally, I’ll mention the options out of Miami. This is where you might have the most airlines from which you can choose a bargain fare. JetBlue, Avianca, American, Copa and Spirit all had options for well under $400, and even in the mid $200s. Like the American itinerary out of LAX, a good number of American’s options send you through DFW.
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 on these purchases per calendar year), the Citi Prestige® Card for 5 points per dollar on airfare, the Citi Premier® Card 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.
Related: Places to visit in Peru besides Machu Picchu
Bottom line
If you’ve been eager to make the trip to Peru, there are some great options available from several U.S. airports, with your choice of airline in many cases. The flights are to Lima, which means if you want to visit tourist attractions outside the city you’ll need to arrange for ground transportation. But these deals will, at the very least, get you to the country at an unusually low price!
Top offers from our partners
How we chose these cards
- Learn Moreabout American Express® Gold CardTerms Apply
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Rewards
5X | Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year. |
5X | Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
Sometimes it's worth a large investment to reap the benefits of a great credit card. That's exactly the case with the Amex Platinum card. In exchange for the annual fee, you'll unlock access to the Amex Membership Rewards program that let you access airline and hotel transfer partners, along with new lifestyle and travel credits. This card is also incredibly rewarding for travel purchases, helping you rack up a ton of Membership Rewards points for your next award trip.Pros
- The current welcome offer on this card is quite lucrative. TPG values it at $1,600.
- This card comes with a long list of benefits, including access to Centurion Lounges, complimentary elite status with Hilton and Marriott, at least $500 in assorted annual statement credits and so much more. (Enrollment required for select benefits.)
- The Amex Platinum comes with access to a premium concierge service that can help you with everything from booking hard-to-get reservations to finding destination guides to help you plan out your next getaway.
Cons
- The high annual fee is only worth it if you’re taking full advantage of the card’s benefits. Seldom travelers may not get enough value to warrant the cost.
- Outside of the current welcome bonus, you’re only earning higher rewards on specific airfare and hotel purchases, so it’s not a great card for other spending categories.
- The annual airline fee statement credit can be complicated to take advantage of compared to the broader travel credits offered by competing premium cards.
- Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card®, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
- Get $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings, which requires a minimum two-night stay, through American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®.
- $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Audible, Disney+, The Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, Peacock, SiriusXM, and The New York Times. Enrollment required.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Ups are excluded.
- American Express has expanded The Centurion® Network to include 40+ Centurion Lounge and Studio locations worldwide. There are even more places your Platinum Card® can get you complimentary entry and exclusive perks.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year in baggage fees and more at one select qualifying airline.
- $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only.
- Get up to $300 back per calendar year on the Equinox+ digital fitness app, or eligible Equinox club memberships when you pay with your Platinum Card. Enrollment required. Learn more.
- Breeze through security with CLEAR® lanes available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your membership when you use your Card. Learn more.
- $695 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Rewards Rate
5X | Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year. |
5X | Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. |
Intro Offer
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.Earn 80,000 PointsAnnual Fee
$695Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO© Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.670-850Excellent/Good
Why We Chose It
Sometimes it's worth a large investment to reap the benefits of a great credit card. That's exactly the case with the Amex Platinum card. In exchange for the annual fee, you'll unlock access to the Amex Membership Rewards program that let you access airline and hotel transfer partners, along with new lifestyle and travel credits. This card is also incredibly rewarding for travel purchases, helping you rack up a ton of Membership Rewards points for your next award trip.Pros
- The current welcome offer on this card is quite lucrative. TPG values it at $1,600.
- This card comes with a long list of benefits, including access to Centurion Lounges, complimentary elite status with Hilton and Marriott, at least $500 in assorted annual statement credits and so much more. (Enrollment required for select benefits.)
- The Amex Platinum comes with access to a premium concierge service that can help you with everything from booking hard-to-get reservations to finding destination guides to help you plan out your next getaway.
Cons
- The high annual fee is only worth it if you’re taking full advantage of the card’s benefits. Seldom travelers may not get enough value to warrant the cost.
- Outside of the current welcome bonus, you’re only earning higher rewards on specific airfare and hotel purchases, so it’s not a great card for other spending categories.
- The annual airline fee statement credit can be complicated to take advantage of compared to the broader travel credits offered by competing premium cards.
- Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card®, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
- Get $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings, which requires a minimum two-night stay, through American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card®.
- $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Audible, Disney+, The Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, Peacock, SiriusXM, and The New York Times. Enrollment required.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Ups are excluded.
- American Express has expanded The Centurion® Network to include 40+ Centurion Lounge and Studio locations worldwide. There are even more places your Platinum Card® can get you complimentary entry and exclusive perks.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year in baggage fees and more at one select qualifying airline.
- $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only.
- Get up to $300 back per calendar year on the Equinox+ digital fitness app, or eligible Equinox club memberships when you pay with your Platinum Card. Enrollment required. Learn more.
- Breeze through security with CLEAR® lanes available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your membership when you use your Card. Learn more.
- $695 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees