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How to Book a New Orleans Jazz and Food Trip

How to · Travel

How to Book a New Orleans Jazz and Food Trip

Plan a late-spring trip to New Orleans for jazz and southern food, and spread the $1,900 cost over 15 months with zero interest.

VoAtlas editorial Updated · 3 min read
Typical cost $1,900 before anything else
Across the 0% window $126.67/mo 15 months, no interest

How we got that: $1,900 spread evenly across the 15-month introductory window on the Discover it® Cash Back. Checked · at the bank Carry a balance past the window and the standard APR applies to what is left.

New Orleans hits differently once the Mardi Gras crowds clear out. Late spring gives you warm evenings on Frenchmen Street, brass bands playing on corner curbs, and crawfish season in full swing. It is the sweet spot before deep summer sets in, and you can actually get a table for gumbo without waiting two hours.

A solid trip usually runs about $1,900 for flights, lodging, and a steady stream of good meals. If you want to take the trip without paying for it all in one paycheck, you can spread the cost over time without paying extra fees.

Keep in mind that the intro window is a strict deadline, not free money. If you still owe money after 15 months, the regular interest rate kicks in immediately on whatever balance remains. Set up an automatic payment of $126.67 each month so you never have to think about it.

The steps

  1. 01

    Target late spring

    Lock in dates for April or May after the Mardi Gras rush clears. Hotel rates drop from their winter peaks, the weather is warm, and patio dining is at its best.

  2. 02

    Book flights early

    Look for direct flights into Louis Armstrong International a couple of months ahead. Spring weekends fill up fast with festivalgoers, so grab your seat before prices jump.

  3. 03

    Pick a walkable neighborhood

    Look for a room in the Marigny or the edge of the French Quarter so you can walk to the music clubs without paying for rideshares all night. Mid-week bookings keep lodging costs well within your budget.

  4. 04

    Spread out the cost

    Put the $1,900 tab on the Discover it® Cash Back card, which comes with a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers. Paying $126.67 per month clears the balance cleanly before the window closes.

  5. 05

    Map out your food and music cash

    Set aside daily spending money for small cover charges at music clubs and casual po'boy counters. The best brass shows often cost just a small door fee, leaving room in your budget for one or two classic Creole dinners.

  6. 06

    Check the card terms before you commit

    Every figure we publish for the Discover it® Cash Back carries the date a person verified it against Discover and a link to where they checked. Intro windows and APRs change without notice, so confirm the current terms before applying.

    See Discover it® Cash Back terms →

Common questions

When is the cheapest time to visit New Orleans for live music?

Late spring right after Mardi Gras offers a good balance of reasonable room rates and great weather. Frenchmen Street and Preservation Hall have live sets every night of the week regardless of the season.

How much daily spending money do I need in New Orleans?

Budget about $100 to $150 a day per person for meals, drinks, and club covers. Counter-service po'boys and street brass bands keep costs low, leaving room for sit-down dinners.

Does using a 0% intro APR card hurt my credit score?

Applying triggers a standard hard inquiry, which can dip your score by a few points temporarily. Paying on time every month and keeping your total balance low compared to your credit limit protects your score.

What happens if I do not pay off the balance in 15 months?

Any balance left on the card will start gathering interest at the standard ongoing rate once the 15 months end. You will not owe back interest on what you already paid off, but any leftover balance gets expensive quickly.