Via The Points Guy, you can fly across the US in coach for ~$237!
I found a flight from New York (JFK) to San Francisco departing February 4, 2017, and returning February 11, 2017, for ~$237. And a flight between New York (JFK) and Los Angeles leaving March 3, 2017, and returning March 9, 2017, for ~$257.
These fares are valid for travel from January 2017, through March 2017. On airlines like United Airlines, American Airlines, Delta, Virgin America, and JetBlue.
Fly to the Big Apple From San Francisco and Los Angeles for Just ~$237 Round-Trip!
Here are the details. And how to search for deals from your city!
How to Book It
Link: ITA Matrix
Link: Google Flights
Link: The Points Guy
You can check The Points Guy for how to book. Or see my posts for how to use Google Flights and ITA Matrix to find sale dates.
Then book directly on the airline website, like Delta, American Airlines, and United Airlines, or through a site like Orbitz.
If you book a ticket with an online travel agency like Orbitz, Expedia, or Priceline you may be eligible for a refund within a short time of booking your ticket. Check out my post on cancellation policies for airlines and online travel agencies for more details!
American Airlines Tips
Folks with the Citi Prestige can use Citi ThankYou points to purchase tickets at a rate of 1.6 cents per point on American Airlines (until July, 23, 2017, and only for previous cardholders). Check the Citi Travel Portal to see if the same fares are available!
And you’ll get the first bag checked free for yourself and up to 8 travel companions with the Citi Executive AAdvantage MasterCard. You do NOT have to use the card to pay for your ticket!
Folks with the Citi® Platinum Select® AAdvantage® World MasterCard® or Barclaycard AAdvantage® Aviator™ Red World Elite MasterCard® can get their first bag checked free for themselves and up to 4 traveling companions.
Note: You can hold a reservation on American Airlines for up to 24 hours and cancel without penalty if you change your mind.
Delta Tips
Folks with AMEX Delta SkyMiles cards can get 1 free checked bag for yourself and up to 8 traveling companions on the same reservation.
Note: You can cancel a Delta booking by midnight the day after you bought your ticket and get a full refund.
JetBlue Tips
Folks with the JetBlue Plus Card from Barclaycard or JetBlue Business Card from Barclaycard get a free first checked bag for the cardholder and up to 3 companions on the same reservation when you use your card to pay for your ticket.
Keep in mind you have 24 hours to cancel a reservation if the flight is at least 7 days away. So, you can take advantage of these extremely cheap fares and finalize plans later.
United Airlines Tips
Don’t forget to use your Chase United Explorer card to pay for your tickets if you want your first bag checked for free.
The free bag applies to the cardholder and 1 traveling companion, but you have to travel together on the same reservation.
Note: You can cancel a United Airlines booking 24 hours after you book to get a full refund.
Hotel Information
If you book a sale flight, remember there are lots of ways to get cheap or free hotel rooms with points from credit card bonuses and spending.
To find hotels that can be booked with points, I use Hotel Hustle (which even shows you if rooms are actually available!) or AwardMapper.
Remember, you can transfer flexible points like Chase Ultimate Rewards or American Express Membership Rewards to different hotel programs.
Note: If you prefer to book paid stays, check out discount sites like Orbitz, Expedia, or TravelPony for deals. But remember you won’t get stay credits or points (and might not have your elite status recognized!).
Airbnb is another terrific way to save money on accommodations, especially for longer stays. Here are some tips on how to negotiate a better Airbnb price, and how to find a safe and comfortable Airbnb.
Use a Credit Card That Earns Bonus Miles & Points
These cards earn bonus miles or points for paid airfare:
| Card Name | What It Earns |
|---|---|
The Business Gold Rewards Card from American Express OPEN | - Earn 3X American Express Membership Rewards points on airfare purchased directly from airlines when you choose this as your 3X category (otherwise earn 2X points)
- Here's my review of the card |
Premier Rewards Gold Card from American Express
 | - Earn 3X American Express Membership Rewards points for airfare purchased directly from airlines
- $100 Airline fee credit. Up to $100 a year for incidental fees with your selected airline - Here's my review of the card |
SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card from American Express
 | - 3% cash back on airfare purchased directly from airlines when you choose this as your 3% cash back category
- Here's my review of the card |
The Platinum Card® from American Express
 | - Earn 5X American Express Membership Rewards points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel
- $200 Airline Fee Credit. Up to $200 a year in baggage fees and more at 1 airline - Here's my review of the card |
Barclaycard Arrival Plus™ World Elite MasterCard®
| - Earn 2 miles per $1 on all purchases
- Use miles for travel statement credits (minimum 10,000 miles for $100) - Here's my review of the card |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve
| - Earn 3 miles per $1 on travel and dining
- $300 statement credit for travel purchases per calendar year (including hotels, airfare, etc.) - Here's my review of the card |
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
 | - Earn 2X Chase Ultimate Rewards points on travel, including airfare
- Here's my review of the card |
| Citi Prestige® Card | - Earn 3X ThankYou points for airfare & hotels
- $250 statement credit for airfare & baggage fees each calendar year - Here's my review of the card |
Ink Business Preferred℠ Credit Card
| - Earn 3X Chase Ultimate Rewards points on the first $150,000 spent on travel, including airfare each year
- Here's my review of the card |
| Citi ThankYou® Premier Card | - Earn 3X ThankYou points for travel, including airfare
- Here's my review of the card |
| Or pay with an airline credit card for specific perks! |
And if you book a hotel, don’t forget to use one of these cards:
| Card Name | What It Earns |
|---|---|
| SimplyCash® Plus Business Credit Card from American Express
| - 3% cash back on hotel rooms purchased directly from hotels when you choose this as your 3% cash back category
- Here's my review of the card |
| Barclaycard Arrival Plus™ World Elite MasterCard®
| - Earn 2 miles per $1 on all purchases
- Use miles for travel statement credits (minimum 10,000 miles for $100) - Here's my review of the card |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve | - Earn 3 miles per $1 on travel and dining
- $300 statement credit for travel purchases per calendar year (including hotels, airfare, etc.) - Here's my review of the card |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
| - Earn 2X Chase Ultimate Rewards points on travel, including hotels
- Here's my review of the card |
| Citi Prestige® Card | - Earn 3X ThankYou points for airfare & hotels
- Extend your trip with a complimentary 4th night stay at any hotel of your choice - Here's my review of the card |
| Ink Business Preferred℠ Credit Card
| - Earn 3X Chase Ultimate Rewards points on the first $150,000 spent on travel, including airfare & hotels each year
- Here's my review of the card |
| Citi ThankYou® Premier Card | - Earn 3X ThankYou points for travel, including hotels
- Here's my review of the card |
| Or pay with a hotel credit card for specific perks! |
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