Spirit, Visit Lauderdale launch foodie sweepstakes

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Vacationers with a taste for sunny skies and vibrant cuisine have a new reason to look toward South Florida. Spirit Airlines and destination-marketing organization Visit Lauderdale have unveiled a culinary-focused sweepstakes designed to showcase the region’s eclectic food scene, according to a press release by Spirit Airlines and Visit Lauderdale.

Greater Fort Lauderdale’s flavors take center stage

From open-air waterfront cafés that trace the Intracoastal Waterway to globally inspired eateries sprinkled throughout its neighborhoods, Greater Fort Lauderdale has long relied on its kitchens to complement the pull of its beaches. The new promotion aims to capitalize on that reputation by pairing airfare with curated dining experiences. While the companies did not specify every component of the prize package, the release confirms that the winner will receive round-trip flights on Spirit Airlines and a food-forward itinerary crafted by Visit Lauderdale’s tourism team.

A sweepstakes built for epicures

Spirit and Visit Lauderdale framed the contest around the idea that the quickest path to understanding a destination runs through its local dishes. Entrants are required to submit a short online form. If selected as the grand-prize winner, they will be hosted in Greater Fort Lauderdale for a multi-day immersion into the area's restaurants, bars, and culinary attractions. Exact travel dates, lodging partners, and restaurant lineups are expected to be provided to the winner directly.

How to enter

The companies have set up a dedicated microsite that walks visitors through the entry process. Participation is free, and no purchase is necessary. Entrants must be legal residents of the United States and meet the minimum age requirement noted in the official rules. One entry is allowed per person for the duration of the promotion period, which ends on the deadline listed on the sweepstakes webpage.

What the prize covers

• Round-trip flights on Spirit Airlines to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. • Accommodations at a local hotel selected by Visit Lauderdale. • A series of hosted meals, tastings, or chef-led demonstrations highlighting Broward County’s culinary breadth. • Transportation between the airport, hotel, and scheduled food events. • Additional inclusions such as gift cards or attraction passes may be provided, though the press release notes that all final details will be outlined in winner notification documents.

Why Fort Lauderdale for food lovers?

Beyond the well-known strip of sand along A1A, Fort Lauderdale has quietly evolved into a dining destination where Latin American flavors mingle with Caribbean spices, and where dock-and-dine seafood shacks coexist with white-tablecloth establishments. Breweries and distilleries have opened tasting rooms in former industrial pockets, while night markets, food halls and chef pop-ups keep the scene fresh year-round. Visit Lauderdale’s culinary campaign positions these developments as a key driver of tourism. The sweepstakes, therefore, doubles as both a promotional tool for the local hospitality sector and a way for Spirit Airlines to reinforce its long-standing presence at the city’s airport—an airport that serves as one of the airline’s busiest gateways and a major connection point for routes across the Americas.

Traveler takeaway: pairing flights with flavor

For prospective visitors, the collaboration offers several advantages: 1. A cost-effective entrée to the region. Winning travelers sidestep airfare and accommodation costs, allowing more discretionary spending on add-on excursions. 2. A pre-planned culinary itinerary. Rather than comb through endless online reviews, the winner gains insider access to eateries curated by the destination’s own experts. 3. A deeper cultural lens. Food stories often double as cultural stories, so the experience promises insight into local history, migration patterns, and community traditions.

Tips for Travelers

If the sweepstakes inspires a self-planned trip instead, consider these pointers: 

• Book shoulder-season flights—outside peak holiday windows, fares into Fort Lauderdale can be lower. 
• Use the Sun Trolley and Water Taxi to hop between the beach, downtown, and Las Olas Boulevard dining districts. 
• Leave room for local specialties such as fresh-caught mahi-mahi, Cuban coffee, and key lime desserts. 
• Make reservations for prized spots well in advance; Fort Lauderdale’s restaurant-week promotions fill quickly.

Responsible travel and fine print

Spirit’s release indicates that the grand-prize package is non-transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash. Taxes, baggage fees, and incidental expenses—unless expressly included—remain the responsibility of the traveler. The promotion is void where prohibited, and participants should review the complete official rules for details on eligibility, odds of winning,g and dispute resolution. The sponsoring partners also encourage entrants to travel responsibly. Visitors are asked to respect beach conservation guidelines, support locally owned restaurants and bars, and use ride-share services or public transit when exploring nightlife districts.

Key dates and next steps

The entry window opened on the publication date of the press release and will run until the closing date listed on the sweepstakes site. Shortly after the deadline, an independent administrator will draw one potential winner at random from all eligible entries received. The winner will be notified via the contact information provided during entry and must respond within the timeframe specified in the official rules to claim the prize. Failure to comply will result in disqualification and the selection of an alternate winner.

Bottom line

For food-minded travelers eyeing South Florida, the new Spirit Airlines and Visit Lauderdale sweepstakes presents a low-risk opportunity to sample one of the Sunshine State’s most diverse dining landscapes while enjoying complimentary flights and curated experiences. Even those who do not clinch the grand prize can use the promotion as a spark to map out their own flavor-filled itineraries in Greater Fort Lauderdale. — Source: Spirit Airlines and Visit Lauderdale press release