Flights for under $500

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The thrill of finding an incredible travel deal never gets old—especially when it fits perfectly within your budget. At Company_Name, we're constantly hunting for flights that combine remarkable value with exciting destinations. With the app, they’ve never been more accessible. And right now, we're spotlighting something special: 7 spectacular deals under $500.

Whether you're planning your next getaway or spontaneously looking to book a flight, having a clear budget in mind helps narrow down the possibilities. And if that budget happens to be $500, you're in luck—we've discovered some extraordinary opportunities for travel through December 2025.

Our Travel Expert Ren Newman has carefully curated these selections, with many falling during shoulder season—that sweet spot between peak and off-peak travel when you can enjoy better prices without sacrificing the experience. These deals prove that with some flexibility and smart timing, you can explore dream destinations without breaking the bank.

Note: These deals (or similar deals) were sent to our members over the past several weeks. The exact deal may no longer be active on our site, but you may be able to find something similar by downloading our app or searching on Google Flights. Rather than taking this newsletter as gospel, think of it as a guide for how you should approach your flight search. 

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2-in-1 Europe

Depart from: East Coast (JFK, BOS, IAD, MIA, etc.)

When: March-May, September-December 2025

Going price: $399 roundtrip

A few airlines–TAP, Icelandair, Turkish Airlines–offer stopover programs. This enables one to book a flight to one destination in Europe, and add another one on the outbound or return flight for free. For each airline, the stopover will take you to a different destination–Icelandair offers stopovers in Reykjavík (KEF), TAP offers stopovers in Lisbon (LIS) or Porto (OPO), and Turkish Airlines offers stopovers in Istanbul (IST). The main thing to be aware of is that you have to add your stopover when booking, but it’s easy as all three airlines allow you to do so with the click of a button on their website. You essentially get to create your own sneaky 2-in-1 or mutli-city flight through one roundtrip itinerary.

Getting there: Book with Icelandair, TAP, or Turkish Airlines for any roundtrip itinerary to Europe under $500 on their website, and add a stopover. Easy as pie. 

Passport Free Caribbean

Depart from: JetBlue hub airports (ex: BOS,FLL,LAX,JFK,LGA,EWR,LAX,MCO,DTW etc.)

When: March-early June 2025

Going price: $195 roundtrip

We recognize that not everyone has (or may want!) a passport, but should be able to enjoy the serene blue waters and white sandy beaches of the Caribbean. And so, let us introduce you to low fares to the passport-free Caribbean–technically US territories located within the Caribbean that boast all of the beauty of places like the Dutch Caribbean, Bahamas, and others but without the need of a passport. Just note that you’ll need to have documentation (such as a birth certificate or Real I.D. to re-enter the US). 

The majority of routes with the lowest fares are operated by JetBlue and Delta–which means even if you’re not located in one of their hubs, you could find a cheap connecting flight and take a nonstop down to the Caribbean from a hub. All without breaking the bank or a sweat.

Getting there: There are a couple of options for flying passport free to the Caribbean: the US Virgin Islands (STT, STX) or Puerto Rico (SJU, BQN, PSE). Just be sure to avoid hurricane season (with the peak from mid August-November).

Hawai'i

Depart from: Houston

When: March-May 2025

Going price: $360-$481 roundtrip

Listen, we all know that in an ideal world one would be able to score low airfare over the weekend that was baggage inclusive, nonstop, and on our favorite airlines. Alas, this is not an ideal world and we have to play “Price is Right” with the airlines every time we travel. Seeking low fares to Hawai’i is no different.

Weekends are usually when the fun begins, but for those who have flexible deadlines or are open to your kids missing a few days of school for quality family fun, departing for a trip and returning midweek can be your key to saving a couple hundred dollars roundtrip per ticket. Especially important when you’re booking for more than one person.

Flights on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays tend to be cheaper to Hawai’i, whereas flights on Fridays and Sundays—when business and inflexible travelers fly—are typically more expensive. Plus, your actual flying experience can often be better, as you won’t need to fight with weekend crowds in the airport or onboard your flight. Additionally, if you’re looking for baggage-inclusive fares, snagging a cheaper Southwest fare during the week compared to their weekend prices can not only save you hundreds on each ticket, but can save you hundreds on added baggage fees.

Getting there: Most airlines operate flights to Honolulu (HNL) but there are other options to Maui (OGG), Lihue (LIH), Hilo (ITO), and Kona (KOA). If you’re flying from the West Coast, it is often cheaper to fly into Honolulu (HNL) or Kona (KOA) as Southwest, Alaska, Hawaiian, and Delta operate frequent flights to both islands. On the East Coast, it’s often cheaper to fly to Honolulu (HNL) as there are more nonstops and less friction points. Keep in mind that it’s easy to snag a short flight between islands as well once you’re in Hawai’i.

Tokyo 

Depart from: LAX

When: March-April, September-November 2025

Going price: $412 roundtrip

Zipair is a newer carrier to the scene–operating nonstop routes throughout the US. They’ve slowly been expanding their route offerings, with nonstop flights as far east as Houston. While not as all-inclusive as other carriers when it comes to international travel (think of domestic carriers like Breeze or United compared to American or Delta) as they don’t include a carry-on or checked bags, and you have to opt to pay for things like seat selection and in-flight meals. They do offer cheaper bundle options, which is a nice to have on longer haul flights and do save money compared to à la carte add-ons.

That being said, it’s incredibly hard to beat $400s nonstop fares to Tokyo, even from the West Coast. Their route from Houston tends to dip higher into the $600-$700 range (on average with other baggage inclusive carriers such as United), but even so, during peak season throughout Spring and the autumn festival months, it can’t be beat.

Getting there: To get there, routes under $500 operated by Zipair fly into Narita airport (NRT). 

London 

Depart from: LAS 

When: March-May 2025

Going price: $498

Norse, like Zipair, has slowly been expanding their network offerings throughout the US and in Europe. They’ve added nonstops from the West Coast to destinations like London and for much less than traditional carriers like Delta or United. Additionally, they recently made the change to include overhead baggage in their base fare–a previous add-on that got many groans from passengers. They’re slowly becoming akin to Icelandair with their in-flight offerings, though their network isn’t as widespread. For the ease of getting to places like London, however, they’re perfect. If you happen to have an additional $100 or so to burn, you can also score a cheap nonstop roundtrip flight from London to other locations in Europe–especially if you’re up for flying with Ryanair. 

I personally utilized this option to spend a day in Dublin–my outbound flight departed incredibly early in the morning, and my return flight was slated for late that night; making it super easy to spend a day in another country in Europe without all the fuss of finding another accommodation or trekking around with bags.

Getting there: Routes operated by Norse fly into London Gatwick (LGW). Other routes that have a similar price (usually operated by JetBlue or Virgin) may fly into London Heathrow (LHR).

Paris 

Depart from: EWR, SFO

When: March-April, September through early December 2025

Going price: $410-$498

The allure of snagging a sub-$500 flight to Paris isn't just about the impressive savings—it's about unlocking a world of possibilities in one of Europe's most enchanting capitals. Paris is a destination that one could visit over and over and over again and still not see all sides of the city. These wallet-friendly fares typically pop up for travel during shoulder season, roughly March-May and September-December, with the best deals originating from East Coast hubs. 

Here's the thing about Paris—each season is a marvel in and of itself. Spring blankets the city in cherry blossoms. Summer brings long, luminous evenings perfect for sipping wine along the Canal Saint-Martin, while fall transforms the Tuileries into a canvas of amber and gold with mercifully thinner crowds. Even winter, with its glittering holiday markets and cozy bistros serving soul-warming coq au vin, holds its own special magic. And thanks to Paris's stellar Metro system, you can zip between the grandeur of Versailles to the charming hillside cafes of Montmartre any time of year without weather woes. The real trick? Being flexible with your dates and keeping an eye out for those airline sweet spots—your dream Parisian getaway is always just a deal alert away.

Getting there: A swath of carriers (like FrenchBee) fly into Paris Orly Airport (ORY) due to lower taxes compared to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG). However, there are a greater number of routes flown into and out of Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) and it can be easier to navigate ground transportation to your hotel from it as well. Something to keep in mind as you’re navigating through flight options. 

Banff

Depart from: PHX, AUS

When: March-April, June, September-November 2025

Going price: $176

Banff is a destination on many travelers’ bucket lists, and for good reason: it’s a stunning national park that boasts incredible views, hiking trails, and majestic wildlife. There are a lot of nonstops offered throughout the country (thanks to Air Canada and WestJet), and most have availability sub $500 with baggage throughout the peak summer season. Keep an eye out for WestJet sales to snag even lower prices.

Getting there: The closest airport to Banff is Calgary (YYC). From there, you’ll need to snag transit (which is available without renting a car!) and enjoy the passing views of the Canadian Rockies.

Costa Rica

Depart from: D.C. Metro Area (BWI, IAD, DCA)

When: March through May, September through November 2025

Going price: $267-$293

Here's the deal—nabbing a flight to Costa Rica for under $500 isn't just a steal, it's your ticket to a perfect blend of adventure and pure relaxation in Central America's crown jewel. These budget-friendly fares typically surface from major U.S. hubs like D.C., LA, and Miami, especially during shoulder season (May-June or September-November), and the timing couldn't be better. While most travelers flock to Costa Rica during peak dry season, the shoulder months offer their own slice of paradise—think fewer crowds at the Manuel Antonio beaches, more intimate encounters with sloths and toucans in the Monteverde Cloud Forest, and better chances of having those natural hot springs near Arenal Volcano all to yourself. Even during the so-called "green season," afternoon showers just mean more dramatic sunsets and lusher landscapes, with mornings typically staying clear for zip-lining adventures or surfing sessions. Plus, with the money you've saved on flights, you can splurge on that dreamy eco-lodge, book an extra waterfall rappelling excursion, or simply extend your stay in this "pura vida" paradise.

Getting there: Most airlines offer flights into both Liberia (LIR) or San Jose (SJO), just be sure to check out the distance from the airport to your accommodation

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With Travel Expert 

Ren Newman

As a Travel Operations and Insights Specialist, Ren brings members Company_Name’s best deals across the globe. With a background in baking, non-profit work, and cosmetology, she has visited a myriad of locations and is heading to Asia next! Out of all the places she’s been, the most surprising and enjoyable place has been Malta. If you’ve received deals with accessibility tips (for those with food allergies, mobility aids, flying with service dogs, and more) to destinations throughout the world, you can bet Ren sent it. 

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