Florida's high-speed Brightline passenger train is enticing families and friends to hit the rails this spring break with a deal for 50% off SMART fares for travel across the state. Groups of three or more who are traveling together can save big on select trains traveling to and from Orlando, with tickets available for as low as $39 per person. The deal applies to rides booked now through April 30 of this year, making this an ideal offer for college kids looking for a spring break getaway or families in need of an easy vacation.
The sale applies to SMART fares, which is Brightline's business-class tier. SMART fares give you flexibility to adjust your travel plans if things come up, and you also get free seat selection between South Florida stops and Orlando.
You have to move fast to take advantage of this deal. You must book your fares by this Wednesday, March 5, to get the discounted rates. The sale fares only apply for travel Monday through Thursday, as well as on Saturdays. Also, the best prices will be for early morning and early-evening trips, so keep that in mind when planning your travel.
Rail operator: Brightline
Deal: 50% off SMART fares
Routes: Select trains originating or ending in Orlando
Travel dates: Through April 30
When to book: By March 5
How to book: Directly through Brightline using the promo code "SPRING50."
In case you're not familiar with Brightline's website, know that you'll have to enter the promo code "SPRING50" at the beginning of the search process, when you search for your trip. Make sure you click "Apply" before searching for tickets, so the discounted prices will display.
If you wanted to travel from Aventura to Orlando, you have several options on Saturday March 29 from $39 per person.
A family of four in West Palm Beach could head north to Orlando to visit Walt Disney World or Universal Studios for just $39 per person on Monday, March 24.
Again, note that it's an evening train. If you wanted to leave earlier, say in the morning, expect to pay around $30-$50 more per ticket.
If Orlando is home base and you need a break, why not head for some quiet time on Fort Lauderdale's world-famous beaches?You can take the train down south on Monday, March 17 for $39 per person.
If you're interested in attending the Miami Open tennis tournament (March 16-30) or the Ultra Musical Festival (March 28-30), you can book one-way fares from Orlando to Miami on Tuesday, March 25 from $44 per person. The only $39 fares available that week for this route that we found were for trains leaving at 5:25am.
Pay for your Brightline trip with a card that earns bonus points or miles on everyday purchases or on broad "travel" expenses. The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card earns 2 points per dollar spent on travel. The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card earn 2 miles per dollar spent on every purchase, every day. Also, the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card earns 3 points per dollar on the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business categories each anniversary year.
If you live in Florida, this is an excellent way to save money on a spring break trip. If you need help finding a destination, check out Brightline's city guide to see what's happening across the state during the eligible travel period. And remember what we said earlier: the best prices are for evening travel, so plan accordingly.
Related reading:
Maximize your travel
The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That’s why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
When you choose to apply (and are approved) for a new credit card through our site, we may receive compensation from our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don’t cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
