We've published quite a few deal alerts on the autumn months, with costs declining as we move into September and October, despite the fact that it's now the peak travel season and it's difficult to get excellent discounts.
Having said that, a wonderful opportunity has arisen: summer travel at a low cost, where you may delight in fantastic food and music.
Of course, we're referring to New Orleans.
Having been to the Big Easy twice this year, I can attest to the abundance of fantastic cuisine, drinks, and music, as well as how much fun it is to simply stroll through the French Quarter.
You can currently reserve trips for a wonderful price — about $150 round trip, and much less for some cities — as early as August.
Compare that to $330, which, according to the booking and airfare analysis website Hopper, was the average cost of a domestic round-trip ticket during the second quarter of 2022.
Since then, prices have also risen steadily.
This is a big discount considering that I personally paid $400 or more for each round trip during my two trips to New Orleans this year.
You can take advantage of these discounts to schedule an additional, possibly unforeseen vacation for August or for September and October when home temperatures (but not so much in New Orleans) start to fall down a bit.
The first to alert people to these fantastic New Orleans flight discounts was Scott's Cheap Flights.
With alerts that identify first-class business and premium economy offers starting at $199, the website will bring you economy discounts for a $49 premium membership.
Basics of Deals
United, American, Delta, and Spirit Airlines
Routes to New Orleans include New York, Philadelphia, Washington, Atlanta, Miami, Detroit, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Austin, and other cities.
Booking options include going directly to the airline or using Google Flights.
Dates of travel: August through October
Flying Examples
Beginning in early August and continuing through October, all three of the major U.S. carriers will offer flights to New Orleans Louis Armstrong International Airport (MSY) from a few select cities for $150 or less.
Spirit Airlines also offers base fares that are much closer to $100, even as low as $88 round trip from Dallas, but be aware of the additional surcharges; you could end up paying as much as $85 for a full-sized carry-on bag.
On the other hand, there's a strong chance you'll be able to locate a round-trip flight to New Orleans as part of this offer if you reside in a significant U.S. city in the East or Midwest.
Numerous possibilities are available for round-trip travel between $130 and $140 and between $150 and $160.
Here are just a few economy discounts we came across:
• American offers a $178 flight from Newark/Liberty International (EWR) to New Orleans (MSY)
• $138 flight from Miami (MIA) to New Orleans (MSY).
• Delta offers a $178 flight from Detroit to New Orleans (DTW)
• American offers a $138 flight from Philadelphia to New Orleans (MSY).
• United offers flights from Houston Intercontinental (IAH) to New Orleans (MSY) for $188.
• Flights from Chicago O'Hare (ORD) to New Orleans (MSY) cost $158.
• American Airlines flies from Austin (AUS) to New Orleans (MSY) for $138
Even though the majority of these offers are valid into the fall, we paid close attention to August availability because it offers a rare chance to book a fantastic vacation before the summer season ends.
Near the end of August, United Airlines is offering nonstop flights to New Orleans for $178 round trip from Newark/Liberty.
All three of the major carriers out of Chicago are alternatives within this price range.
This American Airlines route departs from O'Hare for $158 and takes more than two hours to reach New Orleans.
There are seats available on Delta from a number of its hubs in the East and Midwest for about $150.
For instance, a round-trip ticket from Atlanta to New York City in the middle of August may be purchased for $158, with only a 90-minute flight each way.
A fast flight on American Airlines costs $138 for a round-trip from Austin to New Orleans.
Nonstop flights are also available from American hubs in Philadelphia and Miami for the same fare.
Enhance your purchase
For five points per dollar spent on travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards, use the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.
When you book your trip using The Platinum Card® from American Express, you will receive 5 Amex Rewards points for every dollar spent on flights booked directly via the airlines or through American Express Travel (up to $500,000 per fiscal year).
On the other hand, when you book flights through Capital One Travel, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card gives you 5 miles for every $1 spent.
In conclusion
Finding decent prices on summer travel is often not becoming any simpler as mid-July draws closer.
This deviates from the general pattern.
Lock in this flight before the price increases, whether you're planning a weekend getaway in fall or one more trip before the season is done.
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