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How to Book a New Orleans Trip

How to · Travel

How to Book a New Orleans Trip

Plan your spring trip to New Orleans for the music and culture without falling into money traps.

VoAtlas editorial Updated · 3 min read
Typical cost $1,600 before anything else
Across the 0% window $88.89/mo 18 months, no interest

How we got that: $1,600 spread evenly across the 18-month introductory window on the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card. Checked · at the bank Carry a balance past the window and the standard APR applies to what is left.

You go to New Orleans for the brass bands echoing down Frenchmen Street, the plates of crawfish étouffée, and the heavy air thick with history. Early spring is the sweet spot to visit, right before the humidity turns the city into a swamp and the summer heat sets in.

A typical trip runs about $1600 once you factor in flights, a decent place to stay, and a few nights out. Spreading that cost out over time helps, but you have to map it out before you book anything.

The 0% intro window is a deadline, not free money. If you still have a balance left when those 18 months end, deferred interest or standard rates will kick in on what you owe.

The steps

  1. 01

    Pick your spring dates

    Aim for March or early April to catch great weather before the summer humidity hits. Lock in your flights and lodging early because spring weekends book up fast when festival season starts.

  2. 02

    Check the card terms

    If you are using the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card, you get 0% for 18 months on purchases and balance transfers from date of account opening. That gives you a window to pay for the trip over time without adding interest.

  3. 03

    Set your monthly payment

    Take that $1600 total and divide it by your timeline so you know what you owe. For example, the math works out to $88.89 per month if $1600 is spread across the 18-month window.

  4. 04

    Book your stay

    Look for a spot in the Marigny or Garden District if you want to be close to the music without staying right in the middle of Bourbon Street noise. Book directly to lock in cancellation flexibility.

  5. 05

    Automate your payments

    Set up auto-pay for your monthly amount so you never miss a due date. Treat it like a fixed bill until the whole trip is paid off.

  6. 06

    Check the card terms before you commit

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

    See Citi Simplicity® Credit Card terms →

Common questions

How much does a trip to New Orleans cost?

A typical US cost for a solid weekend trip is about $1600 covering flights, lodging, food, and music venues. You can spend less if you stay in a hostel or more if you book high-end hotels.

When is the best time to visit New Orleans?

Early spring is ideal. You get mild weather for walking around the French Quarter and catching outdoor jazz sets before the heavy summer heat and humidity take over.

What does 0% interest for 18 months mean?

It means you have an intro window on purchases where no interest charges accrue on your balance. You still have to make your monthly payments on time.

What happens when the 18 months are up?

Any remaining balance on the card starts accumulating interest at the standard rate. You want the balance cleared to zero before that deadline hits.