New Southwest Airlines Routes (Orange County to Cabo) and Free Gogo WiFi for a Year with Samsung Galaxy Tablet Purchase

In case you didn’t hear, Southwest Airlines has added a few more routes for later this year.  The Wall Street Journal (link) has all the details, but here are the highlights:

Beginning Aug. 10, 2014, Southwest Airlines will operate daily, nonstop flights between:

• Cancun, Mexico, and Atlanta, Baltimore/Washington, and (Saturdays only) Milwaukee 
• San Jose del Cabo/Los Cabos, Mexico, and Santa Ana/Orange County 
• Nassau, Bahamas, and (Saturdays only) Atlanta 

To celebrate the new service, Southwest Airlines is offering introductory fares (including U.S. and non-U.S. taxes and fees) for nonstop flights from these U.S. gateways:

• Atlanta, Georgia, to Nassau, Bahamas for as low as $127 one-way 
• Baltimore/Washington, Maryland, to Nassau, Bahamas for as low as $126 one-way 
• Denver, Colo., to San Jose del Cabo/Los Cabos, Mexico for as low as $192 one-way* 
• Orlando, Fla., to Montego Bay, Jamaica for as low as $148 one-way 
• Milwaukee, Wisc., to Cancun, Mexico for $214 one-way 
• Santa Ana/Orange County, Calif., and San Jose del Cabo/Los Cabos, Mexico for $143 oneway

Flights from SNA to Cabo are pretty reasonable.  Taxes/fees are a bit higher to/from Mexico than domestic flights in the United States:

Return flights are just as reasonable, but with even higher taxes/fees.

The cheapest round trip I could price is 11,400 Southwest Airlines points and $85.48.

The cheapest paid flight is $315 round trip.  Kind of pricey for a round trip ticket, but this is much more convenient than connecting through Mexico City or flying from LAX.

In other travel news, Skift is reporting that new purchases of Samsung Galaxy tablets will be eligible for up to 36 free sessions of Gogo inflight internet (link).  Here are the select tablets that are eligible:

• Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 (64 GB) (Amazon link) – $799
• Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 (32 GB) (Amazon link) – $699
• Galaxy Tab Pro 12.2 (32GB) (Amazon link) – $599
• Galaxy Tab Pro 10.1 (16GB) (Amazon link) – $449
• Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4 (16GB) (Amazon link) – $369

Galaxy tablet prices range from $369 on the low end to $799 on the high end.  In terms of Gogo WiFi pricing, you get access on up to 36 flights for the first year.

If you normally purchase 1 hour passes, you will receive $180 in free WiFi (36 x $5).  If you normally purchase Gogo on longer flights, you would probably get $504 in free Wifi (36 x $14).  As you can see, you might come out ahead if you purchase the cheaper Galaxy tablet and use it on longer Gogo-equipped flights.  More info regarding the promotion:

The offer is good for Gogo-equipped aircraft operated by Aeromexico, American Airlines, Air Canada, AirTran Airways, Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Japan Airlines, United Airlines, US Airways and Virgin America.

Gogo spokesperson Steve Nolan says the promotion will last as long as these devices are for sale, adding that the increased importance of tablets to travelers made the idea attractive for the two companies.

If you have any questions, please leave a comment below.  Have a great day everyone!