Pro Tip of the Day

Here's a great alternative when flight prices spike between Jetblue's Florida destinations: take the Brightline train to connect MCO (Orlando), PBI (West Palm Beach), and FLL (Fort Lauderdale), it does go to MIA (Miami), but since Jetblue doesn't fly from there, it isn't relevant to this challenge.We took advantage of this when we found ourselves at MCO during Labor Day weekend. Needing to get to FLL, only to find flights priced over $500 due to holiday demand.

The Brightline experience from MCO couldn't be simpler—the train station is located directly at Orlando International Airport, right by the car rental area. While you can purchase tickets at the station kiosks, we highly recommend registering for their rewards program and booking through their website or app. The sign-up process is somewhat lengthy (they ask quite a few questions), but the convenience and rewards points make it worthwhile.

Like airlines, Brightline uses dynamic pricing based on demand and how close you book to departure time. The best deals are typically about a week out, but we successfully booked just 20 minutes before departure. The onboard experience exceeded our expectations: comfortable seats, two power outlets at every seat, free Wi-Fi, large work tables, and food and beverage service.

Brightline offers two service classes: Smart (coach) and Premium (first class). Premium includes larger seats, complimentary snacks and drinks, and access to station lounges, but at $50 more per ticket, we found Smart to be the ideal choice. There's also Smart Saver, which runs about 10% cheaper than Smart but doesn't allow seat selection. Since we were traveling as a pair and wanted to ensure we could sit together at the larger table seats, regular Smart was worth the small up-charge.

For challenge participants, this train connection can be a lifesaver when flight availability is limited or prices are inflated. The journey between these three major JetBlue destinations is comfortable, reliable, and often more convenient than dealing with airport security and potential delays. Highly recommended for anyone needing to move efficiently between MCO, PBI, and FLL during the challenge. There is even a free shuttle, (about a 15 mins ride) from the FLL Brightline train station to the Airport!