April 7, 2004 -- Much-loved discounter JetBlue has just started flights to the Dominican Republic, and that has American Airlines nervous. The result: A fare war to please everybody.
The big news is JetBlue's $238 fare ($346 after taxes) from New York's JFK airport to Santiago or Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic. If you're flying from Buffalo, Syracuse, Rochester, NY or Burlington, VT, you'll pay $258 ($366 after taxes.)
The cheap fare to Santiago is good for flights between June 10 and June 30; the fare to Santo Domingo is for flights between June 17 and June 30. If you're interested, buy your tickets online by May 31 at www.jetblue.com.
Santo Domingo, the oldest city in the New World, has vibrant nightlife and a gorgeous colonial section. Santiago, the island's second-largest city, is right next to the bustling budget resort area of Puerto Plata.
Vacationers aren't the main market for these flights. Rather, JetBlue is tapping into New York's huge Dominican immigrant population. More than 400,000 Dominicans lived in New York State in 2000, according to the US Census, and they like to visit their hometowns.
American Airlines, for decades the dominant player on US-Dominican Republic routes, has fought back with slightly higher fares than JetBlue: $258 ($366 after taxes) from JFK to either Santiago or Santo Domingo.
To get their fare, book online by clicking here. You must purchase by April 30 for trips between June 17-30.
If you have the option, we say try JetBlue first. American is only lowering their fares because JetBlue's on the scene, and if JetBlue backs out because they can't fill planes, American will jack fares right back up again.
Hit the Caribbean Without Leaving the US
JetBlue is also making American uncomfortable with its great fares to San Juan and Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. As Puerto Rico is part of the US, a trip there gives you the best of the Caribbean without the hassles of going through customs and immigration.
San Juan, Puerto Rico's capital, is a hip, sophisticated Latin city with a 500-year-old Spanish fortress and extensive resort areas. Aguadilla is a jumping-off point for Puerto Rico's west and northwest, where you'll find more beaches, hills, caves, and charming rural Paradores.
JetBlue and American are both running $198 roundtrip fares ($236.40 after tax) between JFK and San Juan. JetBlue also offers a $198 fare from JFK to Aguadilla. Flights from Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse or Burlington to either Puerto Rican city are $218 ($256.40 after tax) roundtrip.
To get these fares on either JetBlue or American, you must buy your tickets by April 30. You can fly to San Juan any time from now through June 16, with a 7-day advance purchase; flights to Aguadilla at these fares run from May 28-June 30. Book JetBlue tickets online at www.jetblue.com; get American tickets via this link.
Once again, try to fly JetBlue on this route if possible. While it's great that American is offering this fare, we don't think they'd be doing so without the prod of competition.
Tell us your tips and favorite spots on this Caribbean getaways on our Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic boards today.