Summer is peak time for transatlantic flights, and prices reflect the number of travelers who want to visit Europe when it’s sunny.
Economy round-trip flights under $400 are common during the slow winter months. However, if you want to walk the cobblestone streets of Rome or enjoy a sunset on a Greek island next summer, you can expect to pay more than this.
If getting past Buckingham Palace or the Eiffel Tower is more important to you than getting a comfortable bed, we’ve rounded up the best value economy award options for travel in Europe.
The loyalty programs of the US “Big Three” airlines – American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines – have low costs, low taxes and good availability of economy flights to Europe this summer. However, their variable rates mean you can expect to pay at least 80,000 miles round trip to Europe, which isn’t a big deal.
Instead, look for plans with fixed or more reasonable prices.
The good news is that these programs work with major credit card points currencies, so you have more options to top up your account.
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
If you’re planning to travel to the UK next summer, consider redeeming Virgin Atlantic points. Although Virgin Atlantic Flying Club now prices its fares flexibly, the 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 Heathrow Airport (LHR ). However, since summer is a popular travel time, finding a Saver award can be very difficult.
Because Virgin Atlantic is a member of the SkyTeam alliance, if you are traveling to other European destinations this summer, you can use Virgin points on airlines such as Delta, Air France, KLM, Air Europa and Aeromexico. Virgin Atlantic Flying Club still uses a distance-based award chart for SkyTeam flights – except for flights operated by Air France and KLM and Delta.
Note that some airlines do not offer premium fares.
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| Flight distance (miles) | The economy | Premium economy | 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 Flying Blue
The prices of the Flying Blue award program are variable, which means they can vary widely. At peak times, it’s common to see award prices of 100,000-plus miles for round-trip flights to Europe.
However, if you are flexible with your travel plan, you can earn a Saver fee for a one-way transatlantic flight for 20,000 miles. Even better, it’s possible to get flights for just 15,000 miles round trip with Flying Blue’s monthly promo rewards. Just be aware that you’ll likely pay over $100 in taxes and fees each way with this plan. But, similar to Virgin Atlantic, the lower price of the award may be worth the extra money in fees.
Iberia Plus
Do you dream of visiting Spain? Iberia flies from several US airports, including Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) and Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport (ORD). Iberia operates using a distance-based award chart, and during the peak summer months, you can expect to pay around 20,000 Avios for a one-way economy flight from East Coast airports to Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD). However, note that Avios values may vary.
British Airways Executive Club
If a trip to the Emerald Isle is on your bucket list this summer, you can fly to Ireland with points and miles with the British Airways Executive Club. Aer Lingus flies to Dublin Airport (DUB) from several destinations in the US
If you’re focused on the Northeast, consider JFK or Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). In that case, you can book a one-way 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 also combine your Avios on all five airlines that use it as a currency.
Related: 5 versions of Avios: When to use Aer Lingus, British Airways, Finnair, Iberia and Qatar Airways
Credit cards are the best for earning transferable rewards
Earning transferable credit card rewards allows you to spend them on different programs when and how it suits you. As major airlines switch to variable fares with higher prices for economy travel, flexibility is more important than ever.
Related: Credit card transfer partners: A guide to transferring points and miles to airlines and hotels
You can transfer points or miles to the following programs at a 1:1 rate.
| Loyalty program | American Express membership rewards | Bilt Rewards | Capital One | Chase Ultimate Prizes | Citi ThankYou Rewards | Wells Fargo Rewards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virgin Atlantic Flying Club | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Air France-KLM Flying Blue | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Iberia Plus | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| British Airways Executive Club | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
If you’re looking for a new card from one (or more) of these programs as you plan a future trip, here are some solid options:
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Earn 60,000 High Rewards points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
- Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Earn 60,000 High Rewards points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
- Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card (see rates and fees): Earn 60,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 in purchases in the first three months of account opening.
- Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 in purchases within the first three months from account opening.
- American Express® Gold Card: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 in purchases in the first six months of card membership.
Related: Best rewards credit cards
Bottom line
If you’re looking to book flights to Europe next summer, your affordable currency options may be few and far between now. Round-trip economy flights over $1,000 are the norm, not the exception.
This means that points and miles can be a great way to save hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars. While some programs will now charge you 100,000 miles or more for a round-trip flight to Europe, other affordable options do exist.
If you have transferable points or miles, you should focus on the programs above to get the best value.
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