Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.Want to see the latest flight deals as soon as they’re published? Follow The Points Guy on Facebook and Twitter, and subscribe to text message alerts from our deals feed, @tpg_alerts.Airfare deals are typically only available on limited dates. We recommend you use Google Flights to find dates to fly, then book through an online travel agency, such as Orbitz or Expedia, which allows you to cancel flights without penalty by 11pm EST within one day of booking. However, if you’re using The Platinum Card® from American Express, you’ll need to book directly with the airline or through Amex Travel portal to get 5x MR points. Remember: Fares may disappear quickly, so book right away and take advantage of Orbitz or Expedia’s courtesy cancellation.Both United and American are offering discounted fares to the Lone Star State. We’re seeing fares for as little as $148 round-trip with United. The best part? They’re not basic economy fares. If you’re willing to give up many benefits in favor of a lower price, we’re seeing some of these fares starting at $119 round-trip (for United only).The best way to find these fares it to look for the low prices using Google Flights’ calendar tool. Then, if you’re going to travel with United, log on to its website and select the economy fares as opposed to the basic economy fares. We’re seeing availability scattered throughout the rest of this year and into 2018, depending on the route. There’s also a good chance that these low fares could be on the reverse routing as well, such as in the IAH to Newark (EWR) example below.Airlines: American, UnitedRoutes: EWR/LAX/ORD/IAH to DFW/EWR/IAHCost: $148+ round-trip in economyDates: September 2017 - February 2018Booking Link: Orbitz or ExpediaPay With: The Platinum Card from American Express (5x on airfare), Chase Sapphire Reserve, Citi Prestige (5x on airfare) or Chase Sapphire Preferred Card (2x on travel)Here are a few examples of what you can book:Chicago (ORD) to Houston (IAH) for $148 round-trip in January:Los Angeles (LAX) to Dallas (DFW) for $157 round-trip in January:Sign up for our daily newsletterEmail addressSign upI would like to subscribe to The Points Guy newsletters and special email promotions. The Points Guy will not share or sell your email. See privacy policy.Chicago (ORD) to Dallas (DFW) for $158 round-trip in October:Houston (IAH) to Newark (EWR) for $158 round-trip in January:Los Angeles (LAX) to Houston (IAH) for $158 round-trip in January:Newark (EWR) to Houston (IAH) for $158 round-trip in January:New York (LGA) to Dallas (DFW) for $160 round-trip in September:Maximize Your PurchaseDon’t forget to use a credit card that earns additional points on airfare purchases, such as the American Express Platinum Card (5x on flights booked directly with airlines or American Express Travel), Chase Sapphire Reserve, or Citi Prestige (5x on airfare) or the Chase Sapphire Preferred (2x on all travel purchases). Check out this post for more on maximizing airfare purchases.If you’re able to score one of these tickets, please share the good news in the comments below!H/T: The Flight Deal
