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I tweeted this deal first from @MileValueAlerts. Follow @MileValueAlerts on Twitter and follow these directions to get a text message every time I tweet from that account. I tweet from @MileValueAlerts only a few times a month because it is designed to be used only for the best and most limited-time deals–like mistake fares–so that you aren’t bombarded by text messages.

Travel from Philadelphia to Montego Bay, Jamaica nonstop for $214 roundtrip on American Airlines for departures through December 10, 2015. If you think you may want to book but can’t pull the trigger right now, you can hold these fares for free for 24 hours.

Contents:

  1. When are the $214 fares?
  2. Free 24 Hour Hold of The Fare
  3. Mileage Earning
  4. Best Credit Card to Buy the Ticket
  5. American Airlines Baggage Policy

$214 Roundtrip from Philadelphia to Montego Bay

Sample Dates: October 30 to November 7 on American Airlines

Search on ITA Matrix by calendar of lowest fares for acceptable trip lengths.

 

Hover over a date with $215 roundtrips.

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Select the number of nights you’d like the roundtrip to be.

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Find the exact flights you want for the $214 price.

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You cannot book on ITA Matrix. Instead note the dates and search on aa.com. Any flights you find on ITA Matrix should be able to recreate on aa.com. Here is a sample itinerary from Friday October 30 until Saturday November 7 for $214 all in.

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The $214 roundtrips are available for takeoff through December 10, 2015.

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Free 24 Hour Hold

If you want to get in on this deal but need a little time to check with a travel companion, work, etc, you can hold the fare for 24 hours on aa.com.

Go through the normal purchase process, but then instead of selecting to pay with your credit card, select “Hold.”

Screen Shot 2015-09-11 at 6.28.37 AMYou now have 24 hours to decide. If you do nothing, your fare will not be purchased.Screen Shot 2015-09-11 at 6.28.53 AM

Mileage Earning

American still offers one mile per dollar flown, so these roundtrips earn:

  • 2,960 AAdvantage miles, more if you have status
  • 2,960 Executive Qualifying Miles
  • 1,480 Executive Qualify Points

Best Way to Buy the Ticket

But your ticket to Jamaica with the Citi Prestige® Card, since it comes with a $250 Air Travel Credit every calendar year that will cover the purchase of this ticket. If you haven’t used the credit yet, buy this fare with your Prestige, and you will receive an offsetting credit on your next statement: a completely free ticket! Plus since you’ll be flying American Airlines, you will get free access to Admirals Clubs on your trip just by showing your Prestige.

Even if you’ve already used your $250 credit for this year, the card offers 3x on all airfare purchases.

See my review of the Citi Prestige Card which explains its many benefits like it annual $250 Air Travel Credit, 40,000 point sign up bonus, access to the American Airlines Admirals Clubs and Priority Pass lounges, 3x points per dollar on air travel and hotels, and a $450 annual fee.

American Airlines Baggage Policy

You can take one carry on and one personal item for free. Your first checked bag is $25 each way. (Full policy.)

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If you have an American Airlines credit card like the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite™ MasterCard®, which offers 60,000 bonus American Airlines miles after spending $5,000 in the first three months, you can get a free checked bag.

Hat Tip: Ian by email

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Just getting started in the world of points and miles? The Chase Sapphire Preferred is the best card for you to start with.

With a bonus of 60,000 points after $4,000 spend in the first 3 months, 5x points on travel booked through the Chase Travel Portal and 3x points on restaurants, streaming services, and online groceries (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs), this card truly cannot be beat for getting started!


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