Fall getaways: City, slopes or beach — take your pick with these trips
Temperatures are cooling in much of the country and fall foliage is peaking in many destinations, but there is still plenty of autumn left to enjoy.
Thanksgiving is a month away, and though you may have travel plans for the holiday (if you haven't booked holiday flights yet, do that now), there's still time to get one more trip in before the trees are bare and the snow moves in.
That is, unless you're looking forward to the snow and ski season. And if that's the case, we have something for you, too.
Airfare may be trending higher, but there are still deals to be had for a quick getaway. We recommend widening your search parameters to find the best prices. Below are some of the best round-trip fares we found.
Learn which card in your wallet will help you reach your travel goals for 2022 – just download the free TPG App.
Fall flights to Miami in mid-November
Hoping to catch a bit of warmth this fall? Enjoy some time on the beach just before Thanksgiving with a trip to Miami and South Florida. The key to getting the best airfare, though, is to leave for your trip when everyone else is returning.
Make the most of your Sunday, and take a couple of days off (or work remotely) on Monday and Tuesday to get this $98 round trip from Newark/Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Miami aboard United Airlines.
Arriving mid-morning and returning late Tuesday night, allows you to maximize your time in Florida even on the days you are flying.
If you’re traveling from the Washington, D.C. area, we found an itinerary out of Dulles International Airport (IAD) to Fort Lauderdale (FLL) aboard United Airlines for $138.
You can get the same price point on a similar Sunday-Tuesday getaway out of Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) to Miami (MIA) aboard Delta Air Lines.
Read more:
- Worth a stay: A review of the Confidante Miami Beach by Hyatt
- The best Marriott properties for every budget in Miami Beach
- Everything you need to eat, see and do in Miami
- Not your typical W: A review of the W Miami in Brickell
Early season skiing in Colorado and Utah
Ski resorts are starting to open up in parts of the country, and more will be ready for guests to hit the slopes in the coming weeks.
Chicago travelers can get in some early season runs in Colorado with this $158 round trip to Denver International Airport (DEN).
It's definitely a long weekend itinerary that should allow you to skirt the biggest crowds at the airports, departing Wednesday morning and returning Monday evening.
If you still have energy to travel just after Thanksgiving or if you’re staying home for that holiday, there are some good prices for long weekend trips in early December, too.
San Francisco travelers can miss just one day of work, and a Friday at that, with this Thursday evening flight to Denver and a Sunday morning return — this trip goes for $158 on United.
If you're visiting from Seattle, ease out of one work week with your early December trip to Denver. For $148, you’ll depart Friday afternoon and return Monday evening aboard Delta.
And if you’re looking to travel from southern California to get some ski runs in, the prices right now suggest that you might be better off considering a Utah skiing destination like Park City, which is a car ride or shuttle away from Salt Lake City. This early November weekend getaway involves a late afternoon Friday departure, with a Monday night return aboard JetBlue for a cool $103.
Read more:
7 breathtaking Airbnb rentals in Colorado we can't wait to visit
Washington, D.C. fall flights
After peak fall foliage in New England, catch some changing colors in the mid-Atlantic with a hike or a visit to wineries outside Washington, D.C., or visit the newly-reopened Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum in the city.
For $158 round-trip just two weekends from now, you can avoid too much time away from work — and the biggest crowds while you’re at it — by flying from Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) mid-morning on Saturday and returning mid-morning Monday. The price tag aboard Delta Air Lines goes for $158 round trip.
If you can forgo the fall foliage portion of the trip in favor of everything else D.C. has to offer, from its monuments and museums to its great hotels and restaurants, the weekend after Thanksgiving could work.
Here’s a Friday-to-Sunday round-trip from Atlanta for $98 aboard Delta; note that you’ll be flying into Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI). If that 11:00 p.m. departure on Friday is too late, I saw earlier options at the same price point which are available if you’re willing to travel during the day.
For $158, you can fly to Dulles International Airport (IAD) Friday from Miami and return Monday morning.
Read more:
Friendly service and a stylish stay: The Dupont Circle Hotel in Washington, DC
- Off the beaten path in DC: From a historic garden to a travel-inspired restaurant
- The best times to visit Washington, D.C.
- A night at the new Waldorf Astoria in D.C.
Bottom line
It’s not always easy to find a good flight deal in 2022, but with a bit of flexibility in your travel dates and destination, there are affordable options out there — whether you’re hoping to sit on a beach, take in some foliage, tour a big city or get in some ski runs this fall.
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended 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.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.