Like to travel on the cheap, but hate layovers? Budget-conscious Tampa travelers headed to Puerto Rico might want to break into the piggy bank because 2019 brings a brand new, nonstop way to get to San Juan for under $100.
Spirit Airlines — which already flies to the U.S. territory if you're cool with stopping in Fort Lauderdale — has announced that it will begin offering a nonstop flight to Luis Munoz Marin International Airport starting February 14 (Valentine's Day, mi amor).
Our friends at TBBJ pointed out that a one-way ticket starts at $84.39, according to Spirit's website, but what about round-trip? And how do the prices stack up against the fares of JetBlue and Southwest (the other airlines that already fly nonstop from TIA to San Juan)?
After selecting the least expensive, most basic options from the results of a rudimentary, non-incognito, airline website query of round-trip, nonstop flights from TIA to SJU (departing on February 14, returning February 21), here's how the total fares rank with taxes included:
- Southwest: $256.80
- Spirit: $258.78
- JetBlue: $306.80
Round trip, nonstop options from a Google Flights search range from $244-$301.
It's probably worth noting that airline travel rates fluctuate all the time and that Spirit's "Bare Fare" policy means that the airline will charge $31 (or more, depending on stage of booking) for any carry-on larger than a laptop bag or purse while Southwest lets travelers get two free checked bags as part of the airline's "Wanna Get Away" offer. JetBlue charges $30 or more for the first checked back as part of its basic "Blue" fare.
Safe travels, and consider doing some volunteering while you're over there because we gotta take of our own, right?
