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Airfare deals are typically only available on limited dates. We recommend you use Google Flights to find dates to fly, then book through an online travel agency such as Orbitz or Expedia, which allows you to cancel flights without penalty by 11pm Eastern Time within one day of booking. However, if you’re using The Platinum Card® from American Express, you’ll need to book directly with the airline or through the Amex Travel portal to get 5x MR points. Remember: Fares may disappear quickly, so book right away and take advantage of Orbitz or Expedia’s courtesy cancellation if you’re unable to get the time away from work or family.
You can now book JetBlue Mint, winner of TPG‘s Best Domestic Business Class of the year, on routes to the Caribbean from $300 one-way or transcontinental routes from $399 each way. The discounted fares are available starting at the end of December with decent availability through March 2019 and then scattered availability from April-August 2019.
Most routes only have Mint discounted on one of the legs, so it may make sense to fly the other leg in economy to save money.
This is also a good opportunity to use JetBlue TrueBlue points since award redemptions are tied to the cost of the ticket. You can transfer points from Citi ThankYou, Amex Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards to JetBlue at a 1:1 ratio.
To search, head to Google Flights and enter your origin and destination cities. Scroll through the calendar function to find dates and prices that work for you. Finally, click through to book directly with the airline or through an OTA like Priceline or Expedia.
Airlines: JetBlue
Routes: BOS/JFK to AUA/PSP/BGI/SFO/UVF
Cost: $300+ one-way in lie-flat business class or 20,400 points + $15.60
Travel Dates: mostly December 2018 – March 2019 with scattered availability April-August 2019
Pay With: The Platinum Card® from American Express (5x on airfare booked directly with the airline), Citi Premier Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve Card, American Express® Gold Card, Citi Prestige Card (3x on airfare plus excellent trip delay insurance) or Chase Sapphire Preferred Card (2x on travel)
Here are a few examples of what you can book:
Boston (BOS) to Aruba (AUA) for $300 one-way:
Boston (BOS) to Aruba (AUA) for 20,400 points + $15.60 one-way:
New York Kennedy (JFK) to Palm Springs (PSP) for $398 one-way:
New York Kennedy (JFK) to Bridgetown (BGI) for $402 one-way:
Boston (BOS) to Bridgetown (BGI) for $402 one-way:
Boston (BOS) to San Francisco (SFO) for $403 one-way:
New York Kennedy (JFK) to St. Lucia (UVF) for $426 one-way:
New York Kennedy (JFK) to Palm Springs (PSP) for $796 round-trip:
Maximize Your Purchase
Don’t forget to use a credit 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 Card, American Express® Gold Card, Citi Premier Card, Citi Prestige 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.
Source: thepointsguy.com