By Holly Johnson
Winter may have been mild so far, but that doesn’t mean you’re not itching to escape to somewhere warm. I’ve been counting down to spring break since New Year’s Day. It’s one of my favorite vacation seasons with the family, and I can’t wait for our trip this year.
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If your goal is a beach getaway and you haven’t started planning yet, it might be worth exploring where you can fly with Southwest Airlines. Thanks to their lucrative sales, amazing warm weather hubs, and the fact you get free checked bags, they are easily the most family-friendly airline for a spring vacation.
And if you don’t have it already, it might be worth signing up for the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card. Right now, this card is doling out 50,000 points after you spend $2,000 in purchases within the first three months. Just remember that this card does charge a $99 annual fee.
Curious where Southwest Airlines can take you this year? Check out these awesome hubs, and other credit card bonuses you might take advantage of:
1: Montego Bay, Jamaica[post_ads_2]
Montego Bay is home to my favorite hotel for spring break – the Holiday Inn Resort in Montego Bay. It’s all-inclusive, and you can book it entirely with IHG Rewards points. Of course, there are a ton of other awesome places to stay in the area – including some all-inclusive Hyatt properties you can book with points, a slew of other all-inclusive resorts, and regular hotels, too.
2: Ft. Myers Beach, Florida[post_ads_2]
Ft. Myers is a smart stop if you’re looking for awesome sunsets and beautiful white sand beaches for spring break. Fly direct to Ft. Myers then head down to Naples or Marco Island for an upscale spring break away from the crowds and the college kids. Better yet, use your Marriott points (the Marriott Rewards Card features a sizable bonus if you don’t have one already) for a stay at the Marco Island Marriott Resort, which is world-renowned for its huge white sand beach and amazing sunsets.
3: Punta Cana, Dominican Republic[post_ads_2]
Punta Cana is another smart choice for a tropical spring break getaway. Not only does Punta Cana have numerous all-inclusive resorts, but they have a ton of small hotels and huge mega-resorts to choose from, too. And just like any other Caribbean island, Punta Cana offers breathtaking beaches, crystal clear water, awesome seafood, and a slow island vibe you’ll love. Starwood hotels has three properties in the Dominican Republic, all bookable with Starpoints, which makes now a great time to take advantage of Starwood Preferred Guest Credit Card’s new 35,000 point sign-up bonus (we’ve only seen an offer this high once before) if you don’t have the card already.
4: Cancun, Mexicoc[post_ads_2]
Cancun may be over-hyped, but it’s still a good spot for a warm spring break. If you want to get away from the drunk college kids, you just need to pick a classier resort. My husband and I stayed with our kids at the JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa for last winter break using a Marriott Hotel + Air package. The stay was exquisite, the beaches were beautiful, and we had a ton of fun. One big upside about Cancun is that you’ll never run out of things to do, either.
5: Aruba[post_ads_2]
Aruba is another awesome Southwest hub to consider for spring break. Despite the island’s desert atmosphere, it’s well known for its beautiful white sand beaches and perfect turquoise water. There are numerous hotels you can book with points on the island. There are also numerous VRBO and AirBNB options, too. Either way, you can relax on one of the island’s world famous beaches, try your luck at a local casino, or dine on fresh seafood.
Final Thoughts [post_ads_2]
These are just some of the best warm weather Southwest hubs. Obviously, there are plenty more including tropical destinations like Belize, Nassau, Costa Rica, and San Juan. Fortunately, it’s easy to get your flights paid for with the Southwest Rapid Rewards program. And most of the time, you can score a round-trip flight to a far-flung Caribbean island for 25,000 points or less.
Courtesy: Frugal Travel Guy