US · city
New Orleans, LA
United States
Jazz, beignets, French Quarter, Mardi Gras — most distinctive US city
Mar-Apr and Oct-Nov: 65-80°F, ideal. Summer brutally hot/humid (90°F+ with 95% humidity). Mardi Gras Feb-Mar; book months ahead.
When to visit
Award flights from the US
Economy
Chase Ultimate Rewards
via Southwest Rapid Rewards
+ $30 taxes
Chase UR → Southwest LGA-MSY
American AAdvantage
+ $20 taxes
AA economy JFK-MSY
Business / First
American AAdvantage
+ $20 taxes
AA business JFK-MSY (limited)
Cash equivalent: economy ~$300 · business ~$1,100 roundtrip from NYC
Award hotels
Hyatt Centric French Quarter New Orleans
Hyatt
Cat 5 — French Quarter location, courtyard pool.
Hyatt Regency New Orleans
Hyatt
Cat 5 — Convention Center, Superdome adjacent.
Hotel Monteleone
Hyatt
Cat 6 Unbound — historic FQ with Carousel Bar.
The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans
Marriott Bonvoy
Standard category; CBD location, spa.
What to see & do
French Quarter
Wrought-iron balconies, jazz clubs, Bourbon Street, Jackson Square. Walkable.
Garden District
Antebellum mansions on St. Charles Ave. Take historic streetcar from FQ.
Frenchmen Street
Locals' Bourbon St alternative — live jazz at Spotted Cat, dba, Snug Harbor.
Preservation Hall
Traditional jazz in tiny 18th-century building — multiple sets nightly. Cash only.
Café du Monde
Beignets + chicory coffee. Open 24/7 (except Christmas). French Market location.
Swamp Tour
30-min outside city — airboat or pontoon through bayous, alligators, Spanish moss.
Monthly weather
Best cards for this trip
Open Marriott Bonvoy Boundless (3 free nights welcome) + Sapphire Preferred. Boundless welcome covers most of week, UR covers flight.
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