MacArthur Airport destinations worth the price with Frontier Airlines' GoWild! Pass

If you’ve ever dreamed of spontaneous weekend getaways, this winter might be your chance. Frontier Airlines’ GoWild! Fall & Winter Pass, currently priced at $299, lets travelers book unlimited flights from now through Feb. 28 — that’s four months of travel from Long Island MacArthur Airport in Ronkonkoma.

"The GoWild! Pass is a great option for people with scheduling flexibility who can travel on short notice, and this is the first time we have sold the annual pass this cheap, plus made it valid for a 20-month period," said Jennifer DeLaCruz, a spokesperson for Frontier Airlines.

With the pass, you can book domestic flights the day before departure and pay only 1 cent in airfare per flight, plus taxes and fees (typically $15 to $20 each way, according to Frontier). So, how many trips do you need to take before the pass pays for itself — and where’s it most worth using from MacArthur?

Orlando, Florida

Round-trip fares from Islip to Orlando in early November range from $69 to $184, with weekday flights as low as $38. That means the $299 pass pays for itself after about 3 to 4 trips to Orlando, depending on the fare and travel dates.
Once there: Explore the theme parks, check out Winter Park’s art scene or take a quick drive to the Atlantic coast.
Worth it factor: High — frequent, affordable flights and endless things to do make Orlando one of the best-value options for flexible travelers.

West Palm Beach, Florida

Flights from Islip to West Palm Beach dip as low as $38 round trip in December and average about $150 to $200 during peak holiday weeks. That means you’d need about two to three trips for the pass to pay off.
Once there: Enjoy the Palm Beaches’ year-round sunshine, explore the shops and restaurants on Clematis Street, or spend a weekend by the water.
Worth it factor: Moderate — ideal for sunseekers planning a few winter escapes.

Atlanta, Georgia

Round-trip fares range from $120 in November to more than $500 in February, averaging about $200 to $250 during winter. That means you’d only need one to two round trips to Atlanta for the pass to pay for itself.
Once there: Visit the Georgia Aquarium, stroll the BeltLine, or catch a show at the Fox Theatre.
Worth it factor: Very high — even one spontaneous weekend trip covers most or all of the $299 cost.

Raleigh, North Carolina

Flights average $124 in November, $158 in December, $78 in January, and $215 in February, roughly $140 round trip overall. That means two to three trips would make the pass worth it.
Once there: Explore Raleigh’s museums, parks and craft breweries or take a quick drive to nearby Durham and Chapel Hill.
Worth it factor: Moderate — a laid-back, low-cost option for short getaways.

Tampa, Florida

Flights are as low as $61 in November and $38 in December and January, rising above $220 in February.
That means you’d need around four to five round trips to make the pass pay off, fewer if you’re flying during busier winter weeks.
Once there: Relax on Clearwater Beach, visit Ybor City or explore downtown St. Petersburg’s art scene.
Worth it factor: Moderate — great for repeat travelers seeking a warm-weather escape.

The most worth-it destination: Atlanta

With fares that can spike above $500, one or two round trips make the pass pay for itself faster than any other route from MacArthur.

For travelers willing to fly out of other New York airports, Frontier also operates from LaGuardia, with routes to San Juan, Miami, Los Angeles, Dallas, Las Vegas, Charlotte, Cleveland, Denver and Cincinnati. Find the full list of destinations on Frontier’s website.