Want cheap economy flights to Europe next summer? Focus on these programs
Summer is the peak time for transatlantic flights and prices reflect the number of travelers wanting to visit Europe when it’s sunny.
Round-trip economy flights costing under $400 are common during the slower winter months. However, if you want to stroll the cobblestone streets of Rome or watch the sunset on a Greek island next summer, you can expect to pay significantly more than that.
If strolling past Buckingham Palace or the Eiffel Tower is more important to you than winning a lie-flat bed, we’ve rounded up the best value economy award options for travel to Europe.
Loyalty programs for the “Big Three” US airlines – American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines – offer low fees, low taxes and many economy flights to Europe in the summer this summer. However, they dynamic pricing meaning you can expect to pay at least 80,000 miles for a round trip to Europe, which isn’t a huge number.
Instead, consider more affordable or fixed-price plans.
The good news is that these programs partner with some major companies Transferable credit card points currencyso you have a lot of options to deposit money into your account.
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
If you’re planning to travel to the UK next summer, consider redeeming Virgin Atlantic points. In spite of Virgin Atlantic Flying Club now offers flexible ticket pricingThe loyalty program’s Saver economy fares start as low as 6,000 points from New York City’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR). However, because summer is a popular travel period, finding available Saver awards can be more difficult.
Because Virgin Atlantic is one member of the SkyTeam allianceIf you’re planning to travel to other European destinations this summer, you can redeem Virgin points on airlines like Delta, Air France, KLM, Air Europa and Aeromexico. Virgin Atlantic Flying Club still operates using the distance-based award chart for SkyTeam airlines — except for flights operated by Air France and KLM And Plain.
Note that some airlines do not offer premium economy fares.
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| Flight distance (miles) | Economy | Premium economy | The business |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-500 | 5,500 | 9,000 | 14,500 |
| 501-1,000 | 7,000 | 12,500 | 15,500 |
| 1,001-1,500 | 10,000 | 16,000 | 21,500 |
| 1,501-2,250 | 11,500 | 22,000 | 35,000 |
| 2,251-3,000 | 15,500 | 26,500 | 40,000 |
| 3,001-4,000 | 20,500 | 37,500 | 60,000 |
| 4,001-5,000 | 25,500 | 47,500 | 75,000 |
| 5,001-6,000 | 31,000 | 57,500 | 85,000 |
| 6,001-7,000 | 37,000 | 70,000 | 100,000 |
| 7,001-12,000 | 50,000 | 95,000 | 140,000 |
Air France-KLM Fly Green
the Green flight program Prize prices are flexible, meaning they can vary significantly. During peak periods, it’s common to see award rates of over 100,000 miles for round-trip economy flights to Europe.
However, if you are flexible with your travel schedule, you can find one Economy fare for a one-way transatlantic flight at 20,000 miles. Even better, you can find flights for as little as 15,000 miles each way with Flying Blue monthly promotional rewards. Just keep in mind that you can expect to pay more than $100 in taxes and fees each way through this program. However, similar to Virgin Atlantic, the low award price may be worth the extra fees.
Iberia Plus
Are you dreaming of traveling to Spain? Iberia flies from several airports in the USincludes Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) and Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD). Iberia operates using a distance-based award chart, and during peak summer months you can expect to pay around 20,000 Avios for a one-way economy fare from East Coast airports to Adolfo Airport Suárez Madrid-Barajas (MAD). However, please note that Avios prices are subject to change.
British Airways Executive Club
If a trip to the Emerald Isle is on your bucket list this summer, you can fly to Ireland in points and miles through British Airways Executive Club. Aer Lingus flies to Dublin Airport (DUB) from several destinations in the United States
If you’re focused on the Northeast, consider JFK or Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). In that case, you can book a one-way economy flight for as little as 20,000 Avios (or 13,000 Avios on off-peak days) plus about $89 in fees, taxes and surcharges, depending on the departure airport .
You can too combine your Avios Over five airlines use it as currency.
Related: 5 Avios versions: When to use Aer Lingus, British Airways, Finnair, Iberia and Qatar Airways
The best credit cards to earn transferable rewards
Earn transferable credit card rewards that let you use them in different programs when and how they work for you. As major airline programs move to dynamic pricing with sky-high prices for economy travel, flexibility is more valuable than ever.
Related: Credit card transfer partners: Instructions for transferring points and miles to airlines and hotels
You can transfer points or miles to the following programs at a 1:1 ratio.
| Loyalty program | American Express Membership Rewards | Bilt Rewards | Capital One | Chasing the ultimate reward | Citi ThankYou Rewards | Wells Fargo Rewards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virgin Atlantic Flying Club | Correct | Correct | ARE NOT | Correct | Correct | Correct |
| Air France-KLM Fly Green | Correct | Correct | Correct | Correct | Correct | Correct |
| Iberia Plus | Correct | Correct | ARE NOT | Correct | ARE NOT | Correct |
| British Airways Executive Club | Correct | Correct | Correct | Correct | ARE NOT | Correct |
If you’re looking for a new card for one (or more) of these programs when planning future travel, here are some solid options:
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Earn 60,000 Ultimate Rewards points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
- Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Earn 60,000 Ultimate Rewards points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
- Wells Fargo Signature Cruise Card℠ (see exchange rates and fees): Earn 60,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
- Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
- American Express® Gold Card: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first six months of card membership.
Related: Best rewards credit cards
Bottom line
If you want to book flights to Europe next summer, your affordable cash options may be few at the moment. Round-trip economy flights over $1,000 are the norm, not the exception.
This means points and miles can be a great way to save hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars. While some programs today will charge you 100,000 miles or more for a round-trip economy flight to Europe, there are still some affordable options.
If you have transferable points or miles, you should focus on the programs above for the best redemption value.
