Frequent Miler's latest team challenge, Million Mile Madness, is almost done! The last two weeks Greg, Nick, and Stephen competed to earn 1 Million SAS miles by flying 15 airlines. But who completed the challenge with the most Speed, Affordability, and Style?
There are a number of cheap airfare deals available to Europe during the late summer, fall, and winter. I’m highlighting a few here, but more routes are on sale. Click any of the images to go to Google Flights and play with dates and cities.
New York to Paris
As reported by Secret Flying, TAP Portugal is offering fares from $358 round trip between New York City and Paris (Orly airport).
For a few bucks more, you could spend Valentine’s Day in the City of Lights:
While it’ll surely be chilly in February, there are plenty of indoor things to do in Paris. You could enjoy a glass of Champagne at Bar Le Dokhan, inside a Starwood-affiliated property (and with something like 60 Champagnes on offer):
We stayed at Le Dokhan’s in 2015 while it was still a Radisson Blu property and did a Champagne tasting flight in the bar — it was a fun place to spend a couple of hours. This hotel is now a Starwood Tribute Portfolio hotel. At 12,000 Starpoints per night or 6,000 plus $110, it’s neither an amazing nor terrible value — flexible cash rates are often about $300 a night. The hotel has a very cozy feel and even has an original Picasso in the lobby — a fun little place with very friendly staff.
New York to Barcelona
TAP Portugal has some great business class fares from Europe to the US today, but they also have some solid economy class fares. For example, you could fly from New York to Barcelona from $348:
Boston-Spain
If you’re looking for late summer, Air Europa is offering round trip nonstop flights from Boston to Madrid, Spain for $405 round trip:
If you’re looking to visit at the end of shoulder season, when crowds are smaller and hotels are often cheaper, TAP Portugal can get you there in late October for just $361 (or late November from $331) round trip. October weather in Madrid isn’t bad — with an average daily high of about 59 degrees Fahrenheit .
Barcelona stays about that same average temperature into December. TAP has Barcelona on sale from Boston from $330 at that time — with Iberia/BA, Delta, and Swiss all coming in under $415 if you don’t like the long stop in Lisbon:
Philadelphia-Barcelona:
Philly based fliers are not left out — with prices between Philadelphia and Barcelona coming in at $443 in early November (average daily high is still in the 60’s in November):
Miami-Barcelona
Bienvenido a España, Miami! TAP Portugal has Miami to Barcelona from just $373 round trip.
New York-Rome by way of Casablanca
If you’re looking for some ancient Rome with a stop in Casablanca on the way, Royal Air Maroc has flights from New York to Rome with a 23-hour stop in Casablanca for just $457 in October:
While certainly not the fastest way to Rome, it could be a fun stop en route. Be aware that you would be subject to the electronics ban on the way home.
Houston-Edinburgh
Secret Flying reports flights from Houston (and Atlanta, though I didn’t find availability) to Edinburgh from just $453, although I found dates from a few bucks cheaper — at $447 round trip:
New York-Liberia, Costa Rica
Finally, switching gears to a different part of the world, those based in New York who have read Greg’s review of the Andaz Peninsula Papagayo might want to take a look at fares to Liberia, Costa Rica. I’m seeing some dates in May and many in fall from around $346 round trip nonstop on JetBlue:
Final Thoughts
Many of the European fares above are in fall and winter, when prices to Europe often decrease. The good news is that attractions also tend to be less crowded and weather can still be pleasant compared to the weather in the Northeastern US at that time. While the discount carriers occasionally put similar routes on sale for a bit less, keep in mind that with most legacy carriers, you will be able to choose a seat and check a bag for free. Best of luck booking your trip!
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I’m late in my planning. Am I out of luck for any good deals or awards to anywhere for June this year?
Not necessarily. We’ve seen a number of decent deals for summer travel. And as for award availability, it depends where you want to go. For example, if you want to go to Europe, Delta has a fair amount of saver award space in both business and economy from Atlanta or NY to London. Some from Boston as well. Limited dates with saver space to Paris, but it’s there — and I think I saw more saver space on FlyingBlue. Not sure if there are any of this summer Flying Blue Promo awards left — but it was 48K or so Boston-Europe in business class if you can find the space — and I think you’ll find some routes.
Where are you looking to go? I’ll keep an eye out for you.