Summer is a popular time for travelers to fly across the Atlantic to visit Europe, and as a result, flight prices tend to reflect the high demand. While you can find round-trip economy flights for less than $400 in the slower winter months, prices can significantly increase during the summer season. It is not uncommon to pay around $1,500 for a round-trip economy flight to Europe next summer. However, if you prioritize visiting iconic landmarks like Buckingham Palace or the Eiffel Tower over luxurious accommodations, there are still some affordable options for economy award flights to Europe.
The loyalty programs for the “Big Three” U.S. airlines, namely American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines, offer good availability and low fees and taxes for economy class flights to Europe during the summer. However, due to their dynamic pricing, you can expect to pay at least 80,000 points or miles for a round-trip flight, which may not be the best deal. Instead, it is advisable to consider programs with fixed or more reasonable pricing.
The good news is that these programs have partnerships with major transferable credit card points currencies, giving you plenty of options to top off your account. One such option is Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, which offers round-trip flights to the United Kingdom from the East Coast for 40,000 points during peak summer dates. If you can travel outside of those peak dates, you’ll only need half as many points. However, keep in mind that Virgin imposes fees, taxes, and fuel surcharges of just under $500 per person round trip, so it’s important to compare this against equivalent cash fares.
Another program to consider is Air France-KLM Flying Blue, which prices awards dynamically, leading to significant variations in pricing. While it is common to see 100,000-plus miles for round-trip economy flights to Europe during peak periods, starting saver prices have recently been reduced to just 30,000 Flying Blue miles round trip. It is worth playing around with dates and city combinations to see if you can find a good deal. Additionally, Flying Blue offers monthly Promo Rewards, where select routes can be discounted for a limited time.
If you’re dreaming of visiting Spain, Iberia Plus offers economy flights to Madrid from the Midwest and East Coast for just 20,000 Avios each way during peak summer dates. The fees, taxes, and surcharges are reasonable at around $100 each way, and these flights include checked baggage. For those interested in Ireland, the British Airways Executive Club program allows you to fly to Dublin from various U.S. destinations for as little as 33,000 Avios round trip, depending on the departure airport.
Avianca LifeMiles is another option worth considering, especially for flying from the northeast U.S. to Northern Europe, including the U.K., Denmark, Finland, Sweden, and Norway. These flights cost just 20,000 miles each way, and with minimal fees and taxes, it is a great way to fly to these selected countries in Europe.
Earning transferable credit card points can provide flexibility and allow you to use them in various programs. Major credit card programs offer a 1:1 transfer rate to the mentioned loyalty programs, providing you with more options when planning your travel. Some solid options for credit cards in these programs include Chase Sapphire Preferred, American Express Gold Card, and Citi Premier Card.
In conclusion, if you’re looking to book flights to Europe next summer, affordable cash options may be limited. Round-trip economy flights above $1,000 are becoming the norm. Therefore, using points and miles can be a great way to save money. While some programs now charge 100,000 miles or more for a round-trip economy flight, there are still affordable options available. Focus on the mentioned loyalty programs and consider earning transferable points for the best value redemptions.