Airlines are starting to offer special rates to well-liked tourist locations as the slower fall travel season gets underway.
The folks have finished their summer vacations, the kids are back in school, and corporate travel is starting to pick up again.
Cancun appears like the ideal destination for a vacation break during the shoulder seasons due to the abundance of hotels there.
A $150 round-trip flight from Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport is a nice option to get there as well (IAH).
For fall travel, Spirit Airlines is offering flights at steep discounts starting at $150, while United Airlines is offering fares starting at $190 for the same itinerary.
Read on for more information about these ticket costs and tariff restrictions.
Basics of deals
Spirit Airlines and United Airlines are two airlines.
Routes: Houston to Cancun.
How to book: Look up flights on Google, then make direct reservations with Spirit and United.
September through November are prime travel months.
As long as there are still reduced tickets available.
Flight examples
The nonstop flights between Houston and Cancun are included in these discounted rates.
Be cautious of luggage costs when booking.
The costs occasionally do not show up on the fare until about halfway through the ticketing procedure.
Spirit Airlines: Houston to Cancun
Spirit Airlines will start its $150 nonstop round-trip service between Houston and Cancun the following week.
The $150 fare is reasonable considering that prices on this trip normally range from mid $200s to low $300s.
On this trip, Spirit Airlines is surprisingly charging $82 for carry-on bags and $60 for a single checked bag.
When you add this extra on and have any luggage, your flight cost can easily quadruple.
However, if you can make a hasty exit with just a few changes of clothing in your "personal item" to stow beneath the seat in front of you, you might be able to make this ticket work.
Or maybe the fare will still be reasonably priced if you share the expense of a checked bag with a traveling partner.
Beginning in September and continuing through November on a limited number of dates, Spirit Airlines is offering the lower rates.
United Airlines: Houston to Cancun
The lowered United airfares are for the airline's most basic economy-class tickets between Houston and Cancun.
Carry-on luggage, assigned seats, and checked baggage are all subject to additional fees with this fare class.
Neither flight modifications nor upgrades are permitted with the basic economy tickets.
However, if you're a MileagePlus Premier member, have Star Alliance Gold status, or purchase your flight using a compatible MileagePlus credit card, you can bring a free carry-on bag on board and check a free bag even in basic economy.
You'll need to carry only your own belongings if you don't want to pay an additional $60 for the journey.
The example United flight shown here takes place in late September between Houston and Cancun.
However, there are currently other date options available as well. Many of the discounted rates are for Monday-to-Monday itineraries like this one.
Through November on particular dates, tickets are still available with comparable pricing on United tracks.
Google Flights considers United's $190 fare to be "low," saving travelers $181 compared to other flights along this route.
United's basic economy class fare is included in this price.
You must only bring one personal item on your trip or pay an additional $60 for the ticket unless you have mileage status or purchase the fare using a United credit card.
Even if you have to pay the higher cost, this pricing is still a good offer – and a great one if you can use your status to get more baggage allowance.
Enhance your purchase
Don't forget to pay for your flights with a credit card that offers bonus points.
Using airline credit cards, such as the United Explorer Card for the aforementioned United trips, can help you achieve status and receive incentives that are exclusive to that airline.
The Platinum Card® from American Express rewards 5 points for every dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or through American Express Travel, on up to $500,000 of these purchases each calendar year, giving you additional freedom with your earned points.
While the American Express® Gold Card earns 3 points per dollar spent on airfare when booked directly with the airline or through Amex Travel, the Citi Premier® Card and the Chase Sapphire Reserve do not.
Per dollar spent on travel with the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, 2 points are earned.
In conclusion
Both Spirit Airlines and United Airlines are offering excellent Cancun flight rates this fall.
Nevertheless, keep in mind that both carried and checked luggage are subject to surcharges.
If you are a United member with status, you can fly for free with basic economy seating and avoid paying a fee for checked bags.
It's hoped that the $150 round-trip airfare for flights from Houston to Cancun is a precursor to other discounts to come during the slower fall travel season.
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